The Board of Trade have power, under of Ireland whether the Crown has yet Section 459, to order the detention of a decided to institute proceedings against ship unfit to proceed to sea without Patrick Keating, of Kylnoracy, Carrickserious danger to human life by reason on-Suir, for carrying arms without a of overloading or improper loading. Magistrate's licence; whether the Excise Authorities have had their attention called by the police to the evidence given ing at a girl named Hannah Hickey on in the prosecution against him for shootthe 9th March last; and, whether it is the duty of the Inland Revenue to take steps to recover the penalty to which a person who carries a gun on the public road without an Excise licence is liable? ALLEGED TRESPASS (COUNTY MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.): I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland how long has Patrick M'Quaide, of Gola, county Monaghan, been confined in Dundalk Gaol for contempt of court by trespassing on his evicted farm; is he aware that the prisoner was committed to gaol for trespass without being heard, through having no means to pay his train fare from Monaghan to Dublin, and that he cannot make any application for his release, as he is entirely destitute of money to pay a solicitor; and will the Government convey him from Dundalk to Dublin to enable him to ask for his discharge; and, if not, will he state how this man can be released from custody? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.): M'Quaide was committed to gaol on the 30th of January last. I am aware that he did not appear in obedience to the summons served upon him to answer for his contempt of court, but am not aware of his reasons for not appearing or whether he is destitute. His proper course would appear to me to be to forward a memorial, in which he should endeavour to purge his contempt, either to the Receiver, or Chief Receiver, or the Judge who committed him. Should M'Quaide's presence in Dublin then become necessary the Government will convey him there. MR. T. J. CONDON (Tipperary, E.): May I ask whether under the present law a Judge of the High Court can keep a person in gaol for contempt of court for the term of his natural life? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND: Ordinarily speaking, when a person is committed for contempt of court, he remains in gaol until he has purged his contempt. CARRYING GUN WITHOUT LICENCE. *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: It has been decided not to institute proceedings against Keating for carrying a gun without having previously obtained a licence under the Peace Preservation Act, as he had been duly licensed to carry a revolver, and the the gun in ignorance of the requirements Crown, moreover, were advised he kept of the law. The matter has been brought under the notice of the Inland Revenue Authorities, but it is not known whether they will take proceedings against the man under the Gun Licence Act. The this latter Act rests entirely with the question of instituting proceedings under Inland Revenue. RIVER SUIR FISHERIES. MR. CONDON: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the bye-laws published by the Inspectors of Irish fisheries which respectively prohibit fishing with nets of any kind in the non-tidal waters of the River Suir and prohibit fishing in its tidal waters with nets exceeding 40 yards in length, at _present await the sanction of the Lord Lieutenant in Council; (2) whether he is aware that their enactment will deprive more than 100 families of their means of livelihood, and that the nets, the use of which is sought to be now prohibited, have been used from time immemorial in the non-tidal and tidal waters respectively, and without restriction as to length in the latter; and (3) whether steps will be taken to provide a less expensive appeal than that to the Lord Lieutenant in Council from the decision of the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries in cases such as this? *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The he has yet taken into consideration the bye-law referred to will not, I am in- petitions presented by the fishermen and formed, be submitted to the Lord Lieu- other residents of the district of Ardtenant in Council for about a month, so as to afford all persons an opportunity of appeal. I have no information as to the second paragraph, but any representations in regard to the matter should be made to the Committee of the Privy Council on the hearing of the appeal. As regards the third paragraph, any alteration of the existing procedure would require legislation, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of the suggestion, I cannot hold out any hope of taking the matter up at present. EJECTION FROM A BURIAL GROUND: MR. J. CARVELL WILLIAMS (Notts, Mansfield): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has received from Mrs. J. C. Reynolds, of Paxford, an assurance, sus tained by evidence, that on her being ejected from the churchyard of Blockley, Worcestershire, on the occasion of the burial of Mrs. Dark, she was told by the Vicar that he was acting in accordance with a rule which had been in force for some years, which rule, he has informed the Home Secretary does not exist, and, whether he has inquired, or will inquire more particularly into the circumstances of the case? SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY : I have received further communications on this matter, both from Mrs. Reynolds and from the Vicar. These do not necessitate any modification of the answer I have already given, and I do not purpose making further inquiry in the case, which is one in which I have no authority whatever. MR. CARVELL WILLIAMS: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has not received a communication to the effect stated in the question? SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY: I have received a communication from both sides, from Mrs. Reynolds, and from the Vicar, and they contradict each other. ARDMORE FISHING INDUSTRY (COUNTY WATERFORD). more, county Waterford; (2) whether he is aware that the late Mr. Villiers Stuart, of Dromana, as published in the Appendix to the second Report of the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works in 1888, mentions Ardmore as an admirable site for a breakwater, and points out the advantage it would confer on the fishing industry there, and the probable development of it; and that the evidence of Sir Robert Sandeman also emphasises the necessity of a small slip or breakwater at Ardmore; and (3) whether, in view of the evidence referred to, the Lord Lieutenant will make a favourable reply to the prayer of the petitioners. *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The facts are as stated in the second paragraph, though it is to be observed that the Royal Commission in their Report did not accept the view of the late Mr. Stuart; at all events, they made no recommendation in favour of the scheme suggested. The Memorial in question has been received, but I must repeat what I have already stated, that there is no evidence before me to indicate that the work referred to has any special claim to Government assistance. ARMY PENSIONS. MR. R. ASCROFT (Oldham): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that a considerable number of Army Reserve men and Army pensioners residing in the borough of Oldham have been recently deprived of a large portion of their quarterly pensions for borrowing small sums of money on the security of their pension certificates of identity; and, whether, seeing that by the Army Regu lations, whilst the Army Reserve man forfeits £1 10s. for pledging his certificate, the Army pensioner if in receipt of £5 6s. 6d. a quarter forfeits the whole of such sum, although the offences are similar, he will reconsider the cases on being furnished with particulars, and consider the advisability of taking steps by which it may be made illegal to lend money on such certificates? THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO Lord Lieutenant of Ireland-(1)whether, THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL- considering the number of seamen coming WILLIAMS, Birminghamn, S.): In the from the coasts of counties Down and case referred to in the Question, a money- Antrim, he will use his influence with lender was found by the police to be in the Admiralty to have a training ship illegal possession of a number of certifi- placed in Belfast Lough; and, (2) cates, and he was fined for the offence whether he will state if it is the intention by the magistrates; 57 Reservists were to continue to keep the Grampian induseach mulcted in a month's pay, viz., trial school ship in Belfast Lough? 15s. 6d., and 11 pensioners each lost a month's pension, averaging £1 7s. 9d. *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: As regards the first paragraph, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by "COSTA RICA" PACKET ARBITRATION. the First Lord of the Admiralty to his MR. J. F. HOGAN: I beg to ask the previous question of Tuesday last. As Under Secretary of State for Foreign to the second paragraph, I understand Affairs, whether he can state the progress the Inspector of Reformatory and Industhat has been made in the Costa Rica trial Schools has from time to time Packet Arbitration Case, and when he expects a final decision in the matter will be arrived at? suggested the abolition of the Grampian training ship, and the transfer of the boys to a suitable house on shore, and that the Committee in October 1894, passed a resolution to the same effect. I am making inquiry as to how the matter stands precisely at present. MR. MCCARTAN: Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman declines to use his influence with the Admiralty in regard to the matter mentioned in the first paragraph ? *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I think the hon. Member will see, if he reflects upon it, that he can hardly ask me to use influence with the Admiralty with regard to a matter in which their decision has been more than once stated in this House. MR. FIELD: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade, whether he will consider the advisability of enabling MR. MCCARTAN: You are responMembers of this House to obtain tra-sible for the government of Ireland. velling concessions to attend to their SIR JAMES HASLETT (Belfast, N.) : legislative duties; whether he is aware Is the right hon. gentleman aware that that in many constitutionally governed a home for the inmates of this ship has countries the Members of the Legislature actually been provided? have free passes or lower fares upon the railways; and, whether this point will be considered in connection with the Budget, so as to give Members of this House equal facilities to those afforded in other nations? MR. RITCHIE: I am aware that in some countries passes over railways are given to Members of the Legislature, but I cannot hold out any hope to the hon. Member that the system is likely to be introduced in this country. TRAINING SHIP (BELFAST LOUGH). MR. M. MCCARTAN (Down, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I was not aware of the fact, but I will make inquiry. MAIL PACKET CONTRACTS. MR. PROVAND: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will agree to appoint a Select Committee of the House to consider the question of mail packet contracts for India, China, and Australia, and refer to it the tenders received in reply to the recent notices sent out calling for the same ? *MR. HANBURY: There are many *Mr. GERALD BALFOUR: No, I objections to referring to a Select have not. Committee of the House of Commons MR. PATRICK M'HUGH asked tenders received for a mail packet whether any other Member of the service, and the House has already a Government had such power? very large control over these contracts ments for the new contracts for the *MR. GERALD BALFOUR replied REVERSIONERS (IRELAND). before they are concluded. An Inter- in the negative. Departmental Committee, representing the Treasury, India and the Colonies and the Post Office, of which the right hon. Member for North Leeds is Chairman, MR. S. MORRIS (Kilkenny, S.): I has been appointed to make arrange-beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the India, China and Australia Mail Services, has yet been able to inquire into the case Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he and the tenders for these services, which of Jones v. Aylward as promised, and have been recently invited, will be con- what is the result of such inquiry ; sidered by that Committee when sent in. The hon. Member is of course aware to be evicted by the reversioner, who that no mail packet contract is binding refuses to be bound by the act of his until it has been approved by a Resolution of the House, as I stated in the predecessor, and whether the forces of the Crown will be used on that occasion; vision in the Land Bill making tenancies and, whether he will see that the procreated by limited owners binding against reversioners is made applicable to this and other cases where ejectment proceedings have already been taken? Debate on the Packet Service Vote in answer to the hon. Member himself on the 10th instant. BITES FROM RABID DOGS. MR. J. P. FARRELL: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the great advantages derived by many persons suffering from bites of rabid dogs from the cures possessed by the McGowan family of county Cavan, he will direct the Auditor of the Local Government Board to pass as items of necessary public expenditure the fees paid for sending persons to these men to be treated and in every case cured? *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I am not sure that the Local Government Board have any power to interfere with the discretion of their Auditor in reference to the course which should be taken by him in dealing with payments of this kind. MR. J. P. FARRELL asked, whether it was the fact that many Conservative Boards of Guardians were in favour of giving this family payment for their work? *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: It may The facts have not come before be so. me. MR. PATRICK M'HUGH asked whether the right hon. Gentleman himself had power to interfere in the manner suggested? whether he is aware that the tenant is *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: Further inquiries have been made in reference to this case, and I am informed that the reversioner obtained a decree for possession, but that execution was stayed to of the appeal was fixed for to-day in the enable the tenant to appeal. The hearing Court of Appeal. The Government has no discretionary power in the matter of giving the forces of the Crown in the execution of legal process. MR. MORRIS asked whether the Government had power to stay proceedings in the matter? *MR. GERALD BALFOUR: No, I believe not. BELGIAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the Belgian Government is having swift steamships built to carry Belgian agricultural produce to the British market at nominal freights: And, in such case, what steps he proposes to take to prevent such foreign agricultural produce being conveyed to London at preferential rates over home produce? MR. RITCHIE: I understand that drill ships at Southampton and North the Belgian Government are making Shields. The extension of this system arrangements with the Société Cockerill of training the Royal Naval Reserve in for a service of cargo steamers between sea-going vessels, as in the case of the Ostend and the Thames. They are not Medea and Medusa, is under considerato be large vessels, but of 600 to 700 tons, tion. ["Hear, hear!"] with a speed of 10 or 12 knots. There will be no subsidy. KAFIRISTAN. MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet) asked whether he was right in MR. A. BIRRELL (Fife, W.): I beg thinking that, whilst there might be no to ask the Secretary of State for India, actual subsidy given, the agreement (1) whether the version of the Durand included preferential rates over the Agreement with the Amir of Afghanistan, Belgian State lines, which practically constituted a subsidy? MR. RITCHIE: Yes, Sir; I believe that is true, and that very easy terms are afforded for through rates on the Belgian lines. published in The Standard of 1st April 1896, and in other papers, is correct; if so, whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the violation of the third article of that Agreement last November and MR. FIELD asked whether it was the December, when the Bashgal Valley was case that these charges were practically entered and taken possession of by subsidies which were granted by the Afghan troops, notwithstanding the Belgian Government in consequence of stipulation that the Amir should not the fact that these vessels were built in exercise interference therein; Belgium and gained the shipping bounty? MR. RITCHIE: We have no information of that kind, but if the hon. Gentleman will put a Question upon the Paper I will endeavour to answer it. ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE. (2) whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to secure the restitution of the territory thus improperly acquired, and such reparation as is now possible for the slaughter and enslavement of the many thousands of Kafirs in a district which was specially included within the British dominions; and (3) whether he will inform the House as to any action that has been taken by Her Majesty's Government on behalf of the people in those portions of Kafiristan which, by the Durand Agreement, have been *SIR CHARLES DILKE: I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, what opportunities are afforded to the men of the Royal Naval Reserve of loading and firing modern breech-loading guns; and, in the case that no such assigned to the rule of the Amir? opportunities are afforded to those LORD GEORGE HAMILTON: My engaged at drill on board H.M.S. President, would it be possible to allow a fast gun vessel to embark Officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve attached to the President at Blackwall occasionally in summer for practice at the mouth of the Thames? THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: Instruction in all the operations of loading modern breechloading guns is given to Officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve on board all the drill ships, and at 19 out of the 34 drill batteries, and modern breechloading guns are being supplied to the remaining 15 batteries. It is not possible to fire the breech-loading guns from the drill ships, except in the case of the Medea and Medusa, which, being sea-going ships, have replaced the old reply to the Question put by the right hon. Member for the Forest of Dean answers all the questions put by the hon. Member except the last. As regards the last, I stated, in reply to the hon. Member for Darlington, on the 23rd of March, that the Viceroy would use any favourable opportunity of exercising his good offices on behalf of the Amir's Kafir subjects, and he is prepared to do so; but, so far as I know, no such opportunity has yet occurred. COLONIAL MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS. MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the amount to be paid by Mauritius towards the maintenance of a military force in |