The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-08-05 00:00:00

The House adjourned at five minutes past two o'clock.

In the HouSE Or LORDS, August 1, the Winter Assizes
BBL brought up from the Commons, was, on the motion of
the Lord chancellor, read a second time.
The Notices to Quit (Ireland) Bill was read a' third time
and passed.
Earl ,Cadogan stated, in answer to Lord Waveney. that no
other army corps would be mobilised this settlion ; and Lord
Cardwell maintained that the recent mobilisation proved the
success of his short service and reserve system.
The Earl of Carnarvon drew attention to the Parliamentary
papers describing the state of Barbadoes, especially with
reference to the recent riots; and several noble lords
approved the decision of the Government in acquitting
Governor Hennessy of the charges made against him. Their
Lordships afterwards adjourned.
The HOUSE OF COMMONS held a Morning Sitting to forward
the Education and other Civi Service Estimates.
In Committee of 'Supply, Lord Bandon, in moving the
Education Estimate for England, £1,707,055, mentioned that
It was an increase on last year's expenditure of £118,492. The
teeseaem arm oil grant to day and evening schools was
ziefs. 976, but there was a ueereate in tut, buitain% g. aata
, £2.1,000. Fifteen additional inspectors and 15 inspectors'
assistants had been appointed. The grant was paid on
2,071,977 children' being an increase of 109,000 on last year,
and wnile anemia of grant was 12s. 9d. per head per child,
it was 134 Bd. for the ensuing year. While the rate of in-
crease in the numbers on the register in the five years
before 1870 was 36 5, or 453,000 children, in the last five
years it was 62 per cent., or t. 051,00 children, and the
average attendance had increased from 36-9 per cent, or
804,000, In the first period, to 694, or tBl,OOO children. The
ratio of average attendaue,es to the number on the register
was 68 per cent, in the five years before 1870, and 66 percent.
in the five years fjllowiag The day schools inspected in
1870 were 8,279, and in 1875 13,217, being an increase of
4938, while the increase in the five years preceding 1870 was
only 1,912 The voluntary schools were now 17,328, an
increase of 936, accommodating 2,772,001 children, and the
Board Schools were 1,9-22, an increase of 633, accommodating
887,000 children. The number of teachers is 20,910, which is
an increase of 2.2'26, and there are 29,910 pupil teachers, an
increase of 2,636.
The vote was agreed to without debate.
Lord Sandon also moved tbe Scotch Education Vote, which
amounts to £.43e,227, being an excess of 4:81,817 on last year.
The increase of grants to day schools, 4c., is £44,723, and of
building grants £.32,000. The average attendance has
increased by 40,000. The grant is paid for 346,812 children,
which is an increase of 22,550 slues last year, while the
average amount of the grate, has risen from 131. 7d per child
to 144. 6d.
The vote was agreed to after a short conversation among
the Scotch members.
The Irish Vote, £645,949, was moved by Sir M. Hicks-
Beach, who dwelt, LOL so much on the financial detail's
as on the position of national teachers and the import-
game of promoting local coutributione. As the Act of
last year had not been successful the Government pro-
posed in the non-contributory districts to accept volun-
tary contributions through the managers in place of
payments from the Guardians. It was also proposed
to press for the payment of school fees, and the
Government would make an early communication to the
National Board to make fresh regulations for the year 1877.
'there was a long discussion on the vote, in the course of
which the Irish Secretary's new scheme for stimulating local
co .tributions was very favourably spoken of, and a general
opinion was expressed that the payment of !school lees
would not be objected to.

The Votes for the British Museum, Art and Science Depart-
ment, and a number of other Educational and Civil Service
Estimates were agreed to.
On the Pollution of Rivers Bill being called on; Dr. Playfair
and Sir C,lke made attempts to stop it for the Session, but
gave way to the representations of members on both sides
favourable to the measure, and some progress was made in
considering the amendments.
The Bishopric of Truro Bill was read a third time and
passed.
At the Evening Sitting, after an unsuccessful attempt to
"count out" the House,
Mr. O'Connor Power called attention to the subject of the
Irish political prisoners, and moved—" That, in the opinicu
of this House, the time has come when her Majesty's gra-
cious pardon may be advantageously extended to tne pri-
soners, whether convicted before the civil tribunal, or 1-y
courts-martial, who are and have been for many years under-
going punishment for offences arising out of insurrectionary
movements ei,nnected with Irel‘nd."
Mr. Bright joined in the plea made by the Irish Member
for the retells, of the Fenians, and an animated debate
ensued, in which several members took part.
The Solicitor-General for Ireland explained the case o
each of the eight prisoners now in confinement, and denied
that they could be rightly termed political offenders. Their
offences, in fact, were such as would not justify the Govern.
ment at the present in showing any clemency towards them
voseitetmth., motion was negatived 4117 to
The other business was disposed of, and the House ad-
journed at five minutes to two o'clock.

In the HOT:IZ OF Comfoxs, August 2, Mr. nukes called
attention to the report of the joint Committee on Parlia-
mentary Agency, and moved a series of resolutions for the
purpose of framing rules respecting the practice of parlia-
mentary agency and the regulation of the conduct of parlia-
mentary agents.

Sir J. McKenna moved, as an amendment to the first reso-
lution, to the effect that at the period of the session, and
without time for further consideration of the report of the
joint committee, it was not expedient to delegate the powers
of Parliament for the purpose of constituting parliamentary
agency as a distinct professton.
Sir W. Harcourt thought it was too late in the session to
consider the question, the House being in a condition of -
liquidation, and it being therefore inexpedient to introduce
new measures for legislation.
Mr. Cross said the question deeply affected a large and
respectable body of men throughout the country, and 1$
would be unfair to arrive at any conclusion until an oppor-
tunity had been afforded for full consideration of the ques-
tion out of doors, lie advised the withdrawal of both the
motion and the amendment.
Mr. Dodson and Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen concurred.
After some remarks from Mr. Charley and Dr. Kenealy, who
hoped that something would be done to decrease the expense
a private bill legislation,
Sir J. McKenna withdrew the amendment.
Mr. Anderson called attention to the condition of Scotland.
and asked that enrolled law agents as well as writers to the
aigneS should not require examination under the resolution.
Mr. Ratites said he had rather wished to call attention to
the matter than to press it unduly upon the House.
After some further discussion the amendment and the
motion were withdrawn.

On the motion for going into committee on the Sale of
Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) (No. 2) Bill, Mr. M. Brooks
moved the postponement ot th,st stage for two months, and
Mr. Stacpoole seconded the amendment

A debate ensued, but eventually the Bill was talked out
and the lions° adjourned.