rate or falsified returns; whether any | inquiry to be made into the origin of steps are adopted to secure a satisfactory the alleged counter-meeting, and into record of shooting in the Militia Regi- the conduct of Lord Kilmorey and his ments, in all ranks of men, besides those agent regarding the charges brought who shoot for prizes; and, whether in against them of having abused the all casses the shots marked on the target office of magistrate by proclaiming a are examined independently of the re- lawful meeting of their tenants and ports or registers ? other persons to whom they were politically opposed? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle): The best means are adopted which are found practicable for securing the accuracy of the Returns of shooting from Volunteer Corps; but often both the companies and the firing places are widely scattered, and it is most difficult to obtain the presence of an officer (who, unlike the Militia officer, is not paid for his services). Some changes are in contemplation which will, it is hoped, afford a greater certainty of accuracy. I am sorry to say that instances of falsified Returns have occurred. In the Militia the case is quite different. The officers are always present at the firing, and the same precautions are observed as in the case of the Line regiments. The Regulations require a frequent comparison between the targets and the register. PUBLIC MEETINGS (IRELAND)-MEETING OF THE IRISH PROTESTANT HOME RULE ASSOCIATION AT KIL KEEL. MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland with reference to the Proclamation by Lord Kilmorey and his land agent of the meeting convened under the auspices of the Irish Protestant Home Rule Association, at Kilkeel, on 25th May last, Whether he is now aware that this meeting was convened by placard; whether he can mention on what date the placards announcing this meeting were first posted in and about Kilkeel, and on what date the placards summoning the opposition meeting were posted; whether the Proclamation was signed by Lord Kilmorey and his agent, Mr. Henry, acting together as magistrates on the very day of the meeting; whether he has any objection to furnish a copy of the information referred to in the Proclamation, the name of the informant, the name of the magistrate before whom it was sworn, and the time and place of swearing same; and, whether he will cause an THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet) (who replied) said, the Kilkeel meeting was convened by placard. The placards announcing the meeting were first posted on the evening of the 21st, or on the morning of the 22nd of May, and those announcing the counter meeting on the 23rd of May. The Proclamation was signed as stated in the Question. A copy of the information referred to could be had by the hon. Member from the Petty Sessions Clerk of Kilkeel Petty Sessions district. The Lord Chancellor was in communication with the two gentlemen mentioned in the Question in connection with the suppression of the meeting. MR. M'CARTAN: If it can be proved, as I believe it can, that there is a connection between the person who made the information and the Kilmorey estate office, and that this counter meeting was got up at the instigation of the two gentlemen who signed this Proclamation, will the Government grant an inquiry into the matter? As I COLONEL KING-HARMAN: have said, the Lord Chancellor is in communication with the two gentlemen; and, pending the answer, I do not think any action of the Government would be fair. MR. M'CARTAN: The reason I asked the question is because the Chief Secretary stated that the first meeting was not convened by placard; and as we cannot depend on the sources whence the right hon. Gentleman gets his information, the only way justice can be done is to have a public inquiry into the matter. SCOTLAND-NEWSPAPER CORRESPON DENTS-THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE IN STORNOWAY. DR. R. MACDONALD (Ross and Cromarty) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is a fact that the Superintendent of Police in Stornoway acts as local correspondent to several news papers; and, if he does so, is it in accordance with the rules of the Service? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities): In the year 1885 the Superintendent of Police at Stornoway did supply some information to the Press in regard to a calamity which caused loss of life at sea; but being informed that it was unwise for an officer of police to supply even such news to the Press, he has never made any communication of any kind to the newspapers since that time. SCOTLAND-DISTRESS IN THE WEST ERN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS. DR. R. MACDONALD (Ross and Cromarty) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether, in view of the declaration made recently, at a meeting of the Free Church Synod of Glenelg, that exceptional distress prevailed among the crofters and cottars in the West Highlands and Islands, and that many are so impoverished as to cause the said synod the gravest anxiety, that, in fact, many of the people are without food and short of seed, it is the intention of the Govern ment to inquire into the matter, with the view of affording such assistance as may be necessary to relieve the necessities of the inhabitants of the district referred to? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H.A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities): The Secretary for Scotland has directed an inquiry to be made into this matter. But, in the meantime, I may state that Her Majesty's late Government, on an application made last year on behalf of the crofters of Kulmuir, in Skye, setting forth similar grounds for asking the State to supply seed oats and seed potatoes, declined to entertain it. SCOTLAND-PUBLIC HEALTH-INSANITARY CONDITION OF THE HARBOUR OF INVERGORDON. DR. R. MACDONALD (Ross and Cromarty) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that the harbour of Invergordon is, from a great accumulation of filth, mud, and decayed matter therein, a standing nuisance and a serious danger to the health of the inhabitants of the town; whether the Police Commissioners of the Town have delayed or refused to act in any way to Dr. R. Macdonald compel the said owner to remove the nuisance; whether the Board of Health in Edinburgh has been twice appealed to to stimulate said Commissioners to do their duty in the matter; and, whether he will cause steps to be taken at once, before the hot weather sets in, to compel those Commissioners to call on the owner to remove the nuisance? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities): I have received some information on this matter; but it is necessary to obtain further information, for which I have asked. A reply has not yet been received. I have, therefore, to ask the hon. Member to repeat the Question on Monday. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. AnTHE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. drew's Universities): The Crown has no lands in Orkney. There are certain superior" duties and teinds collected on its behalf by Mr. James Barnett, the local officer of the Woods and Forests Department at Kirkwall. The expense of collection, including office and store rent, is about £130 per annum. POOR LAW (ENGLAND AND WALES)— DEPORTATION OF A PAUPER FROM ENGLAND TO IRELAND DR. COMMINS (Roscommon, S.) asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, on the 4th of June instant, an order was made by the police court of Bishopwearmouth, in the County of Durham, for the removal to Roscommon Union, in Ireland, of one James Hanby, who had then become chargeable to the Union of Sunderland d; whether James Hanby had left his native place in the County of Roscommon 39 years ago, and has, ever since, been working and resident in some part of Great Britain; whether similar removals to Ireland of persons who have spent the greater part of their lives in Great Britain are matters of common occur rence, and have recently been on the increase; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to bring forward any measure to remedy the grievance which such removals inflict both upon the paupers so removed, and upon the ratepayers of the Unions to which they are removed? sible for the purchase, and who is the contractor who supplied it? THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter) (who replied) said, in November last the Commanding Engineer in Ceylon reported that the cement sent out for the works at Trincomalee was of inferior quality, both as regarded weight and tensile strength; but it was subsequently perly applied. As this cement had been very carefully tested before being sent out, and had been found fully up to the standard, orders were given that some of the material complained of should be sent home for analysis. Specimens have THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's) (in reply) said, an order has been made for the re-admitted that the tests had not been promoval to Ireland of James Hanby from the Sunderland Union, where he had resided only three days prior to becoming chargeable to the rates. When he applied for relief he stated that he left Ireland nine years ago; but in his examination he stated that it was 39 years ago. Ac-just arrived, and the weight is found cording to his own statement, he had not remained 12 months in any one locality. The Local Government Board have no knowledge that the number of removals to Ireland of persons who have resided for some length of time in Great Britain has recently been increasing. He could not hold out any expectation that a measure on the subject of removals would be brought in this Session. MARKET RIGHTS AND TOLLS-CON- fully equal to the standard. The test LAW AND JUSTICE (SCOTLAND) DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College) asked the Lord Advocate, Whether cerMR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton) tain judges of the Court of Session have asked the President of the Local Go-appointed certain shorthand writers to vernment Board, Whether he can now state the names of the Members of the Royal Commission on Market Rights and Tolls ? THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's), in reply, said, he hoped to be able in a few days to communicate to the House the names of the Members of the Royal Commission. clusion of others equally qualified; if act in their respective Courts, to the exso, under what Act such appointments are made; whether the shorthand writers so appointed are paid by litigants; and, charges under the monopoly estabwhat precautions exist to prevent over lished? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities): The Lords of SesWAR DEPARTMENT-STORES-SUPPLY sion and the Sheriffs have by Act of OF CEMENT TO TRINCOMALEE. GENERAL SIR WILLIAM CROSSMAN (Portsmouth) asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the case, as stated in The Army and Navy Gazette of Saturday last, that out of a quantity of cement supplied from England for work connected with the fortifications of Trincomalee, 300 barrels were found to be useless, and some 2,400 more of most inferior quality; if so, whether the cement was tested before it was sent out, who is the officer respon Parliament the responsibility imposed upon them of seeing that shorthand writers employed to record evidence in trials are satisfactory as regards skill. This matter is left entirely to their discretion; and, considering that the Judges of the Court of Session have to certify the notes of evidence as correct, it seems indispensable that they should be allowed to select shorthand writers of whose skill they have satisfactory assurance. The Acts of Parliament under which shorthand writers are employed in trials are 24 & 25 Vict. c. 86, 29 & 30 THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER Vict. c. 112, 37 & 38 Vict. c. 64. The SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) expenses of the shorthand work is borne (Kent, Isle of Thanet) (who replied) by the litigants. The expense is subject said: The question of commercial harto audit by the Court auditors in the bour accommodation does not come same manner as the other costs of liti- within the scope of the Order of Refergation. ence to the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works. The Government cannot undertake to advise Her Majesty to extend the scope of that reference. EGYPT-THE ANGLO-TURKISH CONVENTION. LOCAL TAXATION (IRELAND)-COLLEC- SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.) asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any arrangement in or connected with the Anglo-Turkish Convention regarding Egypt, by which the MR. MARUM (Kilkenny, N.) asked Turkish Government is to obtain any the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieufinancial advantage in the shape of a tenant of Ireland, Whether his attenfresh loan, or otherwise; and, whether tion has been called to certain proceedthe International obligations, danger of ings in reference to the poor's rate taxafailure of which is to bring about fresh tion of certain premises in Kilkenny intervention in Egypt, include the pay-city-namely, the Dominican Abbey and ment of the bondholders, or the main- the Franciscan Friary, which are occutenance beyond the present term of In-pied by mendicant friars having no ternational Courts, with power to enforce the bonds on the Egyptian Government? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.): It would be much more convenient and regular that these Questions should be deferred until the Convention and Declaration can be laid before Parliament. This country has entered into no pecuniary obligations in connection with the Turkish Convention. THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON IRISH MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works will inquire into the question of commercial harbour accommodation; and, whether such an inquiry is held to be within the scope of the order of reference to the Commission; and, if not, whether, considering the urgent representations on this subject made in recent years by Irish public bodies, especially with reference to the western coast of Ireland, the Government will cause the issue of a supplementary warrant directing the Commission to inquire and report as to harbour accommodation for commercial shipping in Ireland? Mr. J. H. A. Macdonald individual property or "That as the clergy of the Dominican Abbey and Franciscan Friary in Kilkenny have no property in common or individually, nor fixed salary for support, we think the collectors should not collect the rates for the property in these cases, nor the solicitor take any action against them in the cases; and, whether, under all the circumstances, he will direct the auditor to suspend action upon his letter, pending the determination of a court of law of the liability of these premises to poor's rate assessment, and the ascertainment of the rights of all parties? 253 Vaccination—Origin of the {JUNE 16, 1887} Vaccine Matter in present Use. 254 THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER, probably be one in November next. SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) The last sitting commenced on the 11th (Kent, Isle of Thanet) (who replied) said: The auditor's letter to the Guardians relating to the liability for rates of certain religious houses in Kilkenny was as indicated in the Question. The poor rate collectors were bound to collect all the rates assessed in their districts, and the Guardians had no power to exempt from rates any buildings not legally exempted. But he fully appreciated the peculiar circumstances of the present case; and he would undertake that no action should be taken by the Local Government Board authorities until these clergymen had taken steps in a Court of Law to establish their non-liability. He assumed that they would do so as soon as possible. IRISH LAND COMMISSION - SITTING MONAGHAN. MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, When the Land Commissioners will hold their next sitting in the County of Monaghan; whether he can state the total number of cases at present listed for hearing in that county, and the names of the landlords, with the respective number of cases in which they are interested; whe ther he can state the number of evicted tenants whose cases await hearing, and the proportion of those who were evicted since the service of the originating notices on their landlords to have a fair rent fixed, and give the names of the evicting landlords; and, whether, considering that the Commission at its last sitting only disposed of an average 470 cases per month, the great increase in the number of cases now awaiting settlement, and the further fact that a considerable number of the present applicants are evicted, and would therefore suffer very seriously by further delay in the hearing of their cases, the Government will see that increased facilities are afforded for more rapidly disposing of those applications to have a fair rent fixed? THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet) (who replied) said: No date has yet been fixed for the next sitting of a Sub-Commission in County Monaghan; but there will of January, 1887, and lasted till the 7th of February; there were 132 cases disposed of then. No list for next sitting has yet been prepared, but there are 1,644 cases awaiting trial; of these, 899 are on the estate of Mr. Sewallis E. Shirley; 347 on the estate of the Marquess of Bath; 158 on the estate of Mr. H. H. Shirley; and 60 on the estate of Mr. D. M. A. Hamilton. The remainder (180) are distributed over the estates of 55 other persons. Of the 1,644 cases now awaiting trial, 973 were received in April and May last. There are no means of giving the information sought for regarding evicted tenants. The Government are unable to undertake to give the increased facilities suggested, as this could only be done. to the detriment of other counties. THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle): As regards the Review at Aldershot on the 9th of July, a stand will be erected on which it is proposed to assign 400 places for the use of Members of this House. Tickets for this stand are now being printed, and will be sent to Mr. Speaker as soon as they are ready, unless the right hon. Gentleman wishes someone else to make the distribution. I am afraid that such an arrangement as this is impracticable for the 2nd of July, when the Volunteers will merely march past Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace, and return through the streets by different routes to their respective head-quarters. VACCINATION-ORIGIN OF THE VAC CINE MATTER IN PRESENT USE. MR. BURT (Morpeth) asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the vaccine now in use is obtained by the inoculation of the cow with matter from the human subject in small-pox; whether such variolous vac |