enjoy that security; but that is quite | tention to the Report of the Committee another thing from giving him the of their Lordships' House, as it was of estate, or taking away the property of such a nature as would dispel many the lessor, and confiscating his estate for doubts which were entertained on the the benefit of an objectionable tenant. subject. It had not found fault with There ought to be a distinct and equi- the working of the Irish Land Act. On table line drawn, and wrong should not the contrary, it expressed a decided opibe done to the lessor, or more than right nion that it was not desirable to make given to the tenant. I hope that this any change in the present Courts of First matter, which involves the rights of pro- Instance. That decision was arrived at perty not only in Ireland, but in Eng- unanimously, and he (the Earl of Kimland also, will meet with careful consi- berley) thought that when their Lordderation of Her Majesty's Government ships read the evidence, they would be during the Recess, and that before Par- of the same opinion too. On other points, liament meets again a measure will be however, there were serious differences prepared, explaining and amending the of opinion amongst the Members of the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Committee. The recommendation, for Act of 1870. instance, that there should in all cases be an appeal from the Judge of Assize to the Court of Land Cases Reserved was only carried by a majority of 1. There was no other very material point in the Report, the Committee rightly deciding that, as only one case had yet come before the Court of Land Cases Reserved, it was premature to entertain any question as to that tribunal. As to certain doubts expressed in the Report with respect to the working of the Act, he (the Earl of Kimberley) was of opinion, with the minority of the Committee, that it was inexpedient to say anything on that subject. It was, at all events, premature to deal with these or any other points noticed by the Committee at present. He could only say that the Report would receive the best consideration of the Government during the Recess; but he was not then prepared to say whether they would next year introduce any mea LORD DUNSANY thought his noble Friend (the Earl of Leitrim) had made out a strong case for some examination. It was true that there had just been a Committee to inquire into the matter. A new crop of difficulties was arising according to the news received that morning. He saw a report of an appeal taken from the judgment of a Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and the Judge took a different view from the Court below, holding that the only case in which there could be maximum penalties inflicted was "capricious eviction." Now, he (Lord Dunsany) confessed that he could not understand the meaning of that term. It was one which had, he believed, been invented by Mr. Gladstone, and nobody was, of course, better able than that right hon. Gentleman to explain its meaning. Some precise definition was, however, he thought, required of a word on which so much was made to turn. It ought to be construed as meaning something for which no reasonable or just cause could be assigned. He would only add that the working of the Irish Land Act should be carefully watched, and that it should be as far as possible improved before its principles came to be applied, as he supposed they would be, to England. THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY was sure he would be excused for following up at any length the statements just addressed to their Lordships. He did not think that that was the place to try a case, or to give his own view of Mr. Justice Lawson's decision. They all knew him to be a learned and most excellent Judge. He (the Earl of Kimberley) was very glad that the noble Lord had called at sure for the amendment of the Irish Land Act. THE EARL OF LEITRIM intimated that in the event of the Government taking no action next year, he should bring in a measure for the amendment of the Act himself. Moved, "That the House do now adjourn." After short debate, Motion agreed to. House adjourned accordingly at a quarter past Eight o'clock, 'till To-morrow, a quarter before Five o'clock. Considered as amended Public Committee-Report-Turnpike Acts Continuance, &c. * [245]; Public Schools Act (1868) Amendment * [271]. Considered as amended (re-committed)-Committee -Report Health* [261]. Considered as amended Military Forces Localisation (Expenses) * [222]; Merchant Shipping and Passenger Acts Amendment * [258]. Withdrawn-Prisons (Ireland) [221]: Summary Jurisdiction* [274]; Hosiery Manufacture (Wages)* [16]; Mine Dues [177]. LOCAL TAXATION.-QUESTION. MR. ST. AUBYN asked the First Lord of the Treasury, if he will state to the House, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to submit any proposals to Parliament in the ensuing Session on the subjects of Local Taxation and Local Government? MR. GLADSTONE: It is certainly our intention to give our best attention and consideration to the question of local taxation and local government during the Recess, with a view and in the hope of submitting proposals to Parliament on the subject. We have been, in truth, under pledges to that effect for a considerable time. Last year my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty made an attempt towards the redemption of those pledges by the introduction of an important measure, which, however, it was impossible to proceed with, for the purpose of testing its principles and provisions, on account of the overwhelming pressure of other and even yet more urgent business, or what was deemed more urgent business, at that time. That is one reason why we should give our attention to the subject in the Recess. Another reason, stronger still, is the very decided opinion which has already been pronounced by a large majority of the House. The authority of that decision we acknowledge to this extent, at least that we ought to give our best efforts to see what can be done with a view to the improvement of the present arrangements. My hon. Friend feels a natural anxiety on the subject; but he is aware that it would not be possible for me at this period to throw any effectual light upon the nature of the proposals we shall make. Of course, we shall consider it our duty to review and consider the proposals already made, without being bound by them if reasons should appear to call either for their extension or otherwise. I cannot venture-and my hon. Friend will not ask me to enter into detail on the subject-matter of his Question. But I may say that with respect to the guiding, governing aim we shall have in view, at any rate we shall look very much to the following points:first of all, to the introduction of the representative principle into local institutions where that representative principle does not already obtain; secondly, to equality and justice as between the landlords and occupiers of the soil; thirdly, to equality as between the various classes of the community in respect to the aggregate contributions they make to the public burdens; fourthly, I would say, to the general economy of public administration, so that we shall not impose any charges which might be avoided, or which might be reduced; lastly, and most of all, that certainly the Government will yield to none in their anxiety, in any proposals they make, not only not to weaken, but if possible to strengthen those invaluable principles of local self-government and local self-control to which we look as among the main securities of the institutions of the country. NAVY-NAVIGATION OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS. QUESTIONS. MR. HANBURY-TRACY asked the First Lord of Admiralty, If he is now prepared to state what alterations he proposes to make in the system under which Her Majesty's ships are navigated? MR. RAIKES asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, having regard to his recent declaration respecting the merits and value of the navigating officers of Her Majesty's Navy, he is prepared to take into consideration their claims to a more defined position as to command, to a greater freedom in carry- | apply to be supplied with the copies of ing out their responsible and important duties, as well as to a substantive recognition of their rank on board ship? MR. GOSCHEN, in reply, said, he was not prepared at the present moment to state what alterations the Admiralty proposed to make in the system under which Her Majesty's ships were navigated. In reply to the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Raikes), he would say that he was most unwilling to raise hopes in any case which it might not be in his power to fulfil. Of course, he was always ready to take into consideration the grievances of any class of officers in the service; but he was bound to state that there was no plan under the consideration of the Admiralty for dealing with the future of the navigating officers, except that an Order in Council had been prepared for the retirement of navigating sub-lieutenants. FEES AT THE MANSION HOUSE AND GUILDHALL.-QUESTION. MR. GILPIN asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If the learned gentlemen who advise the magistrates at the Mansion House and Guildhall have any pecuniary interest in the committal of accused persons for trial? In putting the Question, he wished it to be understood that it had no reference whatever to the character of the gentlemen who acted as legal advisers in the City. They were both men of high and irreproachable character, and the Question must be taken to mean what it said, and nothing more. MR. BRUCE assumed that the Question had reference solely to the power given by statute, commonly called Jervis's Act, to charge for depositions. By that Act the clerks were required to give to the prisoner copies of the depositions on which he might be committed or bailed, on the payment of a fee not exceeding 1d. for each folio of 90 words. The clerks to the magistrates of the City of London received payment for copies of depositions supplied to both parties; but that was also the case with the clerks of police-courts and magistrates throughout the country. In lengthy and important cases called Companies' Cases, when the inquiry extended over several days, the practice was for the legal advisers of both parties indifferently to evidence taken during each day, so that payment was made quite irrespective of the fact of committal. The clerks could, therefore, have no object in recommending the committal of prisoners, with a view to obtain remuneration from those charges. He had never heard any complaint on the subject; but the question of the remuneration by fees to clerks of justices must no doubt come under the consideration of Parliament next Session. POST OFFICE-GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH POST OFFICES.-QUESTION. MR. MILLER asked the Postmaster General, Whether he has any objection to lay upon the Table of the House, a Copy of all Correspondence within the last three years between the Postal Authorities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, relating to any complaints as to the administration of the Glasgow Post Office, and of the General Post Office, Edinburgh; and, whether he will state what the objections are? MR. MONSELL, in reply, said, there was no correspondence within the last three years between the postal authorities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London relating to complaints as to the administion of the Glasgow Post Office and the General Post Office, Edinburgh. If there was, it would be of a confidential character, and could not be produced. He thought it right to add that the secretary of the Glasgow Post Office was a gentleman in whom he had entire confidence, and he had never heard any complaint against him from any quarter. ARMY-REGIMENTAL AND CONTROL PAYMASTERS.-QUESTION. MR. SCLATER-BOOTH asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he contemplates improving the retirement of Regimental Paymasters, by placing them on an equality in that respect with Control Paymasters, who, after thirty years' service, can retire on £1 per diem, whereas Regimental Paymasters can only retire on 158.; and, if not, on what principle the distinction is to be justified? MR. CARDWELL: The duties of the regimental paymaster and those of the Control paymaster are not the same, but very different. The whole question of paymasters is under consideration, and | hand. Under these circumstances, they I have suspended new appointments in had felt it their duty to enter into a all cases in which I could do so without contract with a private firm-Messrs. inconvenience to the service. I am not Heaton and Sons of Birmingham-to prepared to hold out to existing pay-perform for them the preliminary process masters the prospect of an increase in of the coinage of silver-namely, to protheir retiring allowance. ARMY-SALE OF OFFICERS' COMMIS SIONS.-QUESTION. LORD GARLIES asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is prepared to permit the Purchase Commissioners to treat officers who have been placed compulsorily upon half-pay, upon the same principles of equity which have been applied to other officers upon application for retirement from the Service by the sale of their Commissions? MR. CARDWELL, in reply, said, the Act of last Session gave every officer an indemnity in respect of the sale of the commission he held at the time of the passing of the Act, and made the Purchase Commissioners the sole judges in every case. He was not prepared to say that he should ask Parliament for any power to giver over-regulation prices. in any case in which such power was not given by the Act of last Session. THE ROYAL MINT-SILVER COINAGE. QUESTION. MR. MUNDELLA stated that since giving Notice of the Question he had how to ask he had received a communication from one of the principal bankers in Sheffield, to the effect that after applying in vain to about 30 towns in the Kingdom, he found that silver could only be procured in places in the North of Ireland. He wished to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What steps he is taking to diminish the great inconvenience which is at present experienced from the scarcity of silver coinage? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, notwithstanding that they had in the course of the present year coined £600,000 worth of silver, which was double the average issue, there was still such a demand for silver that they had found it necessary to take further measures. The machinery at the Mint, he regretted to state, was not equal to the work which was at present demanded of it, and they were bound to go on coining gold when it was required, while they had also copper coinage on vide blanks to be finished at the Mint. He hoped under those arrangements to commence about the middle of August next issuing £50,000 worth of silver per should be required. At the same time, week, and to continue it as long as silver he must warn hon. Gentlemen that they would probably become before long a were laying the foundation of what glut of silver, and they must not expect him to take measures for reducing it. MERCHANT SHIPPING-GALLEY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE.-QUESTION. MR. M'CARTHY DOWNING asked the President of the Board of Trade, The cause of the delay that has occurred in commencing the works for the erection of a lighthouse on Galley Head; and, whether he can state when it is probable the work may be completed? MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE, in reply, said, the Irish Lights Commissioners had submitted to the Board of Trade estimates for the erection of a lighthouse on Galley Head, and they were being examined at the Trinity House. He had no doubt that an esti mate amply sufficient for the purpose time, and it would then remain for the would be sanctioned within a very short Irish Lights Commissioners to begin the work. RUMOURED ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP HER MAJESTY'S TREASURY. QUESTION. LORD ELCHO: I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there is any truth in the report current in the House that certain evil-disposed persons have, within the last few hours, nearly succeeded in blowing up Her. Majesty's Treasury? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: There is no truth, Sir, in the report. CATTLE IMPORTATION.-QUESTION. MR. MACFIE: I beg to ask the Vice President of the Privy Council a Question of which I have given him private Notice, Whether he has been able to discover by whose authority the animals which have been thrown into the sea near Leith have been so treated? MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that on the 24th of July the Department received a telegram from the veterinary Inspector at Leith asking whether diseased carcases might be taken out to sea 20 miles off, and thrown overboard. The reply telegraphed was "The diseased carcases must be buried unless you can obtain security that they will be sunk at sea, so that they cannot be picked up or washed ashore." THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, there was no intention whatever of limiting the option to the present Session of Parliament. Of course, a reasonable time must be allowed to the writers to take the option; but, as far as he was aware, there was nothing in the Minute which would operate to make retirement compulsory. PUBLIC HEALTH BILL-[BILL 261.] (Mr. Stansfeld, Mr. Secretary Bruce, Mr. Hibbert.) CONSIDERATION. Order for Consideration, as amended, read. Unfortunately that security was not obtained, and some 16 cattle were washed Motion made, and Question proposed, ashore. He hoped, however, that theyThat the Bill be now taken into Conwere not diseased cattle, as to which he sideration.”—(Mr. Stansfeld.) trusted proper care had been taken, but apparently healthy cattle taken back afterwards and thrown overboard. Undoubtedly there was a mistake in the matter, which he hoped would not occur again. He had been mistaken in stating that the local authorities at Leith were to blame, inasmuch as the cattle did not appear to have been within their juris diction. THE CIVIL SERVICE-TEMPORARY WRITERS.-QUESTION. MR. KNIGHT rose to move that the Bill be considered upon that day month. He remarked that there had been no debate on the Bill going into Committee because it had been withdrawn with a view to its alteration. It was considerably shortened, many great powers were taken out of it, and in the form in which it had come back to the House it was not quite so objectionable as when it was first introduced. This Bill formed part of a general scheme to subject the whole of the local government of England to a Central Board in London. The scheme was begun last year, when the Board by which everything was to be governed was established—namely, the Poor Law Board, with a new name. Of the clauses of the Bill, 18 might be classed under the head of "tyranny," and 23 under the head of "taxation." Every one of these might well be made the subject of a speech; but on the present occasion he intended to refer only to two or three of them. The right hon. Gentleman had stated that the Bill was simply a slight transfer of powers. [Mr. STANSFELD emphatically denied that he had ever made such a statement.] At all events, he (Mr. Knight) had understood the right hon. Gentleman to say So. Clause 9 transferred all public pro MR. OTWAY wished to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which he had given him short private Notice. There was a Treasury Minute issued on the 27th of June last to the temporary writers employed in the Civil Establishments of Her Majesty's Government, and it contained the two following conditions:-It offered to these writers a choice either to continue in their employment on the terms laid down in Clause 3 of the Order in Council of the 19th of August, 1871, or to retire, receiving a gratuity for the sale of a pension commuted to five years' purchase under Section 7 of the Superannuation Act of 1854. The Question he wished to put to the right hon. Gentleman was, Whether the choice given by this Trea-perty belonging to districts or parishes sury Minute to the temporary writers would be continued after the close of the present Session of Parliament, or whether there was any chance of the retirement to which allusion was made in the Minute being then rendered compulsory? to the sanitary authority which was to be subject to the Board in London. At first sight this appeared to be a very simple affair; but it would be found that by Clause 18 all local property in England would be transferred from the bodies who held it as trustees for the |