the Judge of Assize to the amount of | THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE compensation awarded. But no such COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST, Camobjection was, as a matter of fact, raised.

SUMMARY JURISDICTION ACT, 1879.

MR. PICKERSGILL: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it would be possible to furnish a Return, showing to what extent, in the case of convictions and orders respectively, Courts of Summary Jurisdiction avail themselves of the power conferred upon them by Section 7 of The Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, to allow time for the payment of the sum adjudged to be paid, to direct payment by instalments, or to take security for payment?

*SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY : I have consulted the Chief Magistrate, but find that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to prepare the Return

which the hon. Member asks for.

PUPIL TEACHERS.

or

bridge University): The Committee of Council do not propose to issue instructions regarding the employment of the time placed at the disposal of pupil teachers by the change in the Code. It may be devoted to study to recreation, as circumstances may render it desirable. The change, which does not apply to pupil teachers engaged under previous Codes, will not necessarily involve additions to the staff. It is hoped that any difficulties will be met by a rearrangement of the time-table.

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

:

(VALUATION).

MR. CHARLES HARRISON (Plymouth) I beg to ask the Secretary of Government property, in London, to the Treasury, whether the valuations and at Plymouth and Devonport, are made, as stated in the letter of the Treasury to the Local Government and Taxation Committee of the London County Council of the 22nd September CAPTAIN BAGOT (Westmorland, 1893, under the authority of and in the Kendal): I beg to ask the Vice Presi- manner prescribed by the Treasury dent of the Committee of Council on Minute dated 27th June 1874 (ParliaEducation, whether, in view of the fact mentary Paper, 234), and are based on that in all memoranda of agreement the principles laid down in the Memobetween school managers and pupil randum on the subject which the then teachers to be executed in accordance Chancellor of the Exchequer on the same with Article 38 of the Code of Regu- day read in the House of Commons lations for Day Schools for 1896, by (Hansard's Debates, vol. 220, page 478); which, in engagements which are to and, if not, then under what authority begin on or after the 1st July 1896, and in what manner, and based on what pupil teachers are not to serve in school principles, are the valuations now made: for more than 20 hours in any one week, and whether the contributions in substiit is the intention of the Privy Council, tution for the rate on the assessable or the Education Department, to issue value of the Citadel at Plymouth is a instructions as to how the time thus penny in the pound less than the rate placed at the disposal of pupil teachers levied on other assessable adjoining prois to be employed; if this time is to perty, although the residents in the Citadel be devoted to the furtherance of enjoy all the amenities derivable from their studies, whether managers will local expenditure by the local authorities be instructed to arrange for definite of Plymouth. instruction to be given to their pupil teachers during this time; and, as the Regulations of the Code will compel managers to engage additional teachers to supply the places of pupil teachers thus taken from teaching, what arrangements it is proposed to make to aid them in bearing the additional cost which will be thus incurred?

Mr. Gerald Balfour.

MR. HANBURY: The valuations of Government Property in London and at Plymouth and Devonport were made under the authority of, and in the manner prescribed by, the Treasury Minute of 27th June 1874, and are based on the principles laid down in the memorandum on the subject read in the House of Commons on that day by the Chancellor

of the Exchequer. Nearly the whole of the London valuations have recently been revised by the Treasury and the Assess ment Committee of the Districts in which the Government Properties are situated. A revised valuation of the Government property in Plymouth was settled in December last jointly by the Treasury Valuer and the Assessment Committee's Valuer, and on the 13th December the Clerk to the Plymouth Guardians, who are the Assessment Authority for Plymouth, wrote to the Treasury respecting the new valuation as follows:

"I am instructed by the Guardians to inform you that they consider it a fair and just

valuation.

upon what grounds the Charity Commissioners decline to sanction the handing over of the parochial charities of the village of Harleston, Northamptonshire, to the management of the parish council, seeing that the said charities appear to come under the terms of the Local Government Act 1894, Clause 14.

MR. GRANT LAWSON (York, N.R., Thirsk): The only provisions of the Local Government Act 1894, which permit trustees of a parochial charity to hand over their trust to the management of the parish council are contained in Section 14, Sub-section 1. That subsection does not apply to all parochial charities, an Amendment designed to make it so apply having been rejected The contribution for the Citadel is cal- in this House. The Commissioners have culated on a penny in the £ less than decided that the sub-section deals only the rate levied on Plymouth property with cases in which trustees hold real generally, for the reason that the Local property which is enjoyed in specie-i.e., Authorities do not render to the Citadel as land or houses-by the inhabitants of all the services that they render to a parish, and that it does not apply to rateable property in the Borough. The cases like that at Harleston, in which Citadel and other Government properties the property is let and the benefit of the at Plymouth are drained by the Govern- rents enjoyed by such inhabitants. ment's own system of drainage maintained Later sub-sections enable the parish at the Government expense. No service council to obtain representation in the of any kind in the matter of drainage trusteeship of the latter class of parois rendered to the Citadel from local chial charities, but not to take over the expenditure. The Plymouth rates last management of the trust as a whole. year were 6s. 1d. in the £; the contri- The Commissioners therefore have no bution for the Citadel was calculated on power to sanction the proposal of the 6s. Od. in the £ in accordance with an Harleston trustees. arrangement come to in 1875. The following is a copy of the original memorandum of agreement :-

"The Urban Sanitary Authority concur in the proposals, which they consider not unreasonable, that as very little use is made of their sewers by the Government, the contribution to the General District Rate should be subject to a reduction of one penny in the pound on the rates of each year."

The hon. Member will therefore see that this Question is not in acordance with the views of the local authorities of Plymouth, nor with the facts of the case as regards the local expenditure in connection with the Citadel.

HARLESTON CHARITIES

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE).
MR. JAMES PENDER (Northants,
Mid) I beg to ask the hon. Member for
Thirsk, as representing the Charity Com-
missioners, if he could state to the House

DEATH OF A PAUPER (WEST HAM
UNION).

*MR. ERNEST GRAY (West Ham, N.): I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the death of a pauper named Richard Davey at the West Ham Union, at the inquest on whom the house surgeon of the West Ham Hospital stated that Davey's jaw was broken, and the dead man's brother stated that Davey had been buried without any notification of his death having been made to his relatives; and, whether the Local Government Board has made or intends to make an inquiry into the matter?

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL, Tyrone, S): The attention of the Local Government Board has been

As

ITINERANT STREET MUSICIANS. MR. J. A. JACOBY (Derbyshire, Mid): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been directed to the recent decision of Mr. Plowden at the Marylebone Police Court with regard to an itinerant street musician; and, whether it is obligatory on the part of a householder to give his reasons to a street musician for requesting him to desist before he is able to make the musician go away?

called to the case referred to. The cir- open competition, and are allocated to cumstances attending the death of the the several divisions by the Directors man were the subject of a prolonged The Secretary of the Science and Art inquiry by the coroner, and I am in- Department exercises a general control formed that the jury returned the verdict over the Library, but he does not appoint that the death was from peritonitis, and its officials. that they unanimously expressed their opinion that the officers used no more violence than was necessary to convey the deceased to the receiving wards. regards the statement that the man had been buried without any notification of his death having been made to his relatives, the guardians inform me that when he was admitted to the workhouse in April of last year, he described himself as a widower, and gave the address of a brother residing at West Ham as his only relative. Immediately Davey was placed on the danger list by the medical officer, a messenger was dispatched to the *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY : address given with a message notifying the fact, when it was found the brother The Question which the hon. Member had removed to North Tawton, Devon, puts to me is one as to the interpretation and a letter was immediately posted of an Act of Parliament, and one, theregiving particulars of the death and date fore, which the Courts alone are comof the funeral. In the course of inquiries petent to decide. I understand that the made by the police, it was ascertained learned magistrate has consented to state that the deceased had a wife living at a case on the point for the opinion of the Leyton. The widow received notice at High Court. 11 a.m. on the 7th instant, the deceased being buried at 2.30 p.m. I have applied to the coroner for a copy of the depositions, and when they are received I will consider whether, any further action on the part of the Local Government Board is required.

SOUTH KENSINGTON ART LIBRARY.

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley) I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether the Art Library at South Kensington is in charge of the Keeper of the Art Library, or in charge of the Director of the Museum; who is responsible for its management and the appointment of its staff; and, whether, as a matter of fact, the Secretary of the Science and Art Department exercises any control over the Library and the appointment of its officials?

SIR J. GORST: The Art Library is in charge of the keeper, who is responsible for its management to the Director of the Art Museum. The staff of the Museum below the rank of keeper and above that of attendant are appointed by Mr. T. W. Russell.

ARMY MESS UNIFORMS.

COLONEL DALBIAC (Camberwell, N.): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether it is intended to make considerable changes in the mess uniforms throughout the Army?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELLWILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.): It is under consideration whether a reversion to the former more simple form of infantry mess jacket would not be desirable. If adopted, time to wear out jackets of the existing pattern would be allowed.

BATH ESTATE (COUNTY MONAGHAN).

MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, N.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) if he has received a memorial from the tenants of the Bath Estate, county Monaghan, who purchased their farms under the Ashbourne Acts, for an extension of time in payment of their instalments from 49 to 75 years; and (2) whether he will grant the prayer of the memorialists before the next instalment day arrives?

On

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: Memo- | which was obtained against certain rials have been received from the tenants cotton manufacturers for neglecting to on other properties in this county, but I fence the shuttles in their looms. do not appear to have received one from the application of the counsel acting for the Bath tenants. As to the second the Home Office, the Recorder has conpart of the Question, I must refer the sented to state a case for the decision of hon. Member to the provisions of the the High Court. Land Bill.

ALLEGED TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA
AND CHINA.

(Kil

CYCLING (HYDE PARK). MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN kenny): I beg to ask the First CommisMR. EDWARD MOON (St. Pancras, sioner of Works, whether he will conN.) I beg to ask the Under Secretary sider the desirability of excluding from of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the bicycle track in Hyde Park, between his attention has been called to the text the hours of 10 and 12 o'clock, carriages and terms of an alleged treaty between to which the entire of the park is open Russia and China, whereby the latter all day, and which are a source of Power, in addition to granting commer- inconvenience and danger to the cial facilities to Russia, confers the bicyclists? right to use ports, recruit forces, build THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF barracks and coal depôts, lay a branch WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS, Kent, line through Kirin and Manchuria to St. Augustine's): I have already exTalienwan, occupy and fortify various plained, in reply to other hon. Members, positions, including an island near that I was not prepared, as then advised, Talienwan, establish depôts for stores, and maintain garrisons in such positions; and whether he can give any information on the subject to the House?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON, Lancashire, Southport): Rumours of such an alleged treaty have appeared, and have been discussed in the newspapers; but Her Majesty's Government are in possession. of no reliable information on the subject.

to exclude carriages from the road to which this Question refers. I am now, however, in communication with the Commissioner of Police and the legal advisers of the Government; and I hope next week to be in a position to state definitively what can be done to meet the wishes of hon. Members who are anxious to secure the greater safety of bicycle riders on the road in question.

SHUTTLE GUARDS.

DEATH FROM VACCINATION
(ALLEGED).

MR. THOMAS BAYLEY (Derby*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, shire, Chesterfield): I beg to ask the Forest of Dean): I beg to ask the Secre- President of the Local Government tary of State for the Home Department, Board, whether his attention has been whether, although the Home Office has called to an inquest held before the hitherto directed prosecutions in cases Deputy Coroner for East London, on where shuttles are a source of danger, 7th April, on the body of the daughter and has obtained convictions in each of a printer, residing at 22, Mary Anne case where shuttle guards had not been Street, St. George's, E., who was alleged provided, a decision has just been given to have died from the effects, direct or by the Recorder of Blackburn which seems to throw doubt upon the law governing such cases; and, whether steps are being taken towards obtaining a reversal of this decision?

*SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY : It is the case that the Recorder of Blackburn has recently quashed a conviction

indirect, of vaccination; and, whether any Inquiry into the case has been made either by the Local Government Board, or on behalf of the Royal Commission on Vaccination?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL: Neither the Local Government Board nor the Royal Commission on Vaccination have received

any information as to the case referred | This answer I virtually repeated in reto. I have communicated with the plying to a Question put by the hon. Coroner requesting him to forward to Member for North Kildare on the 12th the Board a copy of the depositions, March. and, as soon as they are received, I will consider whether an Inquiry in the case appears to be necessary.

MINERS' NYSTAGMUS.

MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether it SUICIDES (MERCANTILE MARINE). is part of the duties of an inspector of MR. BROADHURST: I beg to ask mines to inquire into the action of the the President of the Board of Trade, safety lamp as a cause of miners' nystagwhether his attention has been called to mus; and, (2) whether it would be comthe memorandum in the Board of Trade petent for an inspector to prohibit the Journal for April, by the Registrar use of any class of safety lamps, if it General of Shipping and Seamen, dealing were proven that such lamp caused with the question of suicides in the nystagmus? engine-room staff of the Mercantile *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY: Marine, in which he says that suicides in the foreign-going vessels are prevalent to a degree calling for serious attention; and, whether he will order an Inquiry into the question with a view to the application of remedies?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS (for Mr. RITCHIE): The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the large number of suicides that have occurred among firemen and trimmers in the Mercantile Marine, and my right hon. Colleague has directed steps to be taken to elicit further information on the subject. When he is in possession of all the facts, he will further consider the

matter.

LOCAL LOANS (IRELAND).

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative; but I may add that Dr. Snell, of Sheffield, who has written a work on miners' nystagmus, and is still carrying on his investigations into its causes, is afforded such assistance as is in his power by the Inspector of the District. The conclusions so far obtained, point, I understand, to other causes than the use of safety lamps.

TELEGRAPHISTS (EDINBURGH).

MR. J. CALDWELL (Lanark, Mid): On behalf of the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. R. WALLACE), I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain on what grounds two Edinburgh telegraphists of the established DR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, staff, who were sent on special duty to W.): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Killin and South Queensferry respectively Treasury, whether, considering the low had their salaries stopped during the rate of interest at which the Govern- time they were away from headquarters, ment can borrow money, he will reduce the allowances only being granted; and, the rate of interest which Irish public if he will direct that the amount withboards are compelled to pay for money borrowed from the Board of Works?

MR. HANBURY: I am afraid I have really nothing to add to my previous answers on the subject. As I informed the hon. and learned Member on the 9th March, in reply to his Question about the Westport Harbour Loan--

"Four per cent. is the lowest rate of interest which can be allowed for such loans in the absence of special legislation, and as the Local Loans Fund is at present constituted, any reduction in the present rate of interest would seriously endanger its solvency."

Mr. T. W. Russell.

held in each case, along with the railway fare of the telegraphist sent to South Queensferry, be paid, and that all telegraphists sent on such duty be granted the allowance in addition to the salary, as has hitherto been the custom?

MR. HANBURY: The two women telegraphists at Edinburgh referred to by the hon. Member, who were in receipt of wages of 12s. and 13s. 6d. a week, respectively, accepted employment, one on the 4th August 1894, and the other at the end of July 1895, on temporary relief duties at South Queensferry and