The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-04-18 00:00:00

THE CHARITY COMMISSION.

The thirty-second report of the 'Charity Commis-
sion just issued, refers to the proceedings of the
Select Committee uf the HouSe of Commons on chari-
table trusts. The result of that inquiry, says the re-
pOrt, has fully justified the expectation that it would
have the effect of dispelling the misapprehensions
which had been so widely and so mischievously enter-
tained as to the law by which charities aro regulated,
and as to the practice which has been adopted by
courts of equity, and by the board in giving effect to
its provisions. The Select Committee, in their report
to the House of Commons, expressed their approval
of the past administration of the Charitable Trusts
Acts, and their opinion that the powers and duties
conferred upon the commissioners may safely be
enlarged.

There was a co art-martial held on a, yoting ofaeer
who had gone on a spree and had a figl-A in a bar-
room. The bar proprietor was brought 'helot:ft, the
Court and put in the witness-box. Th 9, Inis-Oe'r was
plaecl in view.. "Witness, do ydu meognise the
prisoner?" "Yes, your honour, and mat of the
Court."

THE ROYAL VISIT TO IRELAND.

No doubt can be entertained that the success of the
Royal visit to Ireland is completely assured. The
citizens of Dublin have given the Prince and Princess
of Wales a welcome which has been not only cordial,
but enthusiastic. The example of Dublin, it is
believed, will be followed elsewhere, and the result
from a social point of view can hardly fail to be
important. The Prince and Princess have been
occupied from morning till night in the discharge
of public duties ever since they landed, and they
have won all hearts by the kindly interest
they have shown in everything brought to their
notice. Saturday's programme commenced with a
visit to the Port and Docks, in order that the Princess
might re-christen as the Alexandra the large tidal
basin, hitherto known under the name of North Wall.
The basin has been in course of construction since
1870. The Royal visitors drove along the quays,
which were lined with spectators chiefly of the labour-
ing classes; their greeting was one of unalloyed re-
spect. A spacious tent had been erected on the
principal quay of the Basin, and in this the Prince
and Princess were received by the members of
the Port and Docks Board. The Countess Spencer
acc--_,mpanied her guests; but the Lord Lieu-
tenznt was absent, having gone to Meath for
hunting. After the members of the Board had
been presented, Mr. Murphy, the chairman,
read an address of welcome, to which the Prince re-
plied. Their Royal Highnesses then advanced to-
wards the edge of the Basin, and listened with much
interest to an explanation of the works given by Mr.
Stoney, the engineer. They expressed themselves as
being particularly struck with an enormous block of
concrete, weighing seven hundred and fifty tons, which
was suspended above the water from the stern of a
gigantic pontoon, and at the desire of the Prince this
was partially lowered into the water, as was also a
diving bell which hung at the other end of the
pontoon, and in which twenty men can descend at a
time. Then followed the ceremony of christening
the Basin. A bottle of champagne had been
suspended over the edge of the quay, and
arranged in such a manner as to ensure
its being broken against the wall when
a cord was pulled. Amidst the cheers of the spectators
and the booming of a salute of twenty-one guns from
Pigeon-house Fort, the Princess pulled the cord and
the re-naming of the Basin was satisfactorily per-
formed, the Royal party immediately after taking
their departure for the Castle. At Trinity College,
which was next visited, the Prince and Princess had
an enthusiastic reception, and in replying to an
address his Royal Highness alluded to the loss that
institution had sustained by the death of its Chan-
cellor, Lord Cairns. Their Royal Highnesses after-
wards paid a visit to the Artisans' Industrial School,
where the boys gave them a very hearty welcome. A
State dinner was giVen at Dublin Castle in the
evening. On Sunday morning the Prince and
Princess attended Divine service in the Chapel
Royal.

The Prince and Princess of Wales left Dublin on
Monday for Mallow. Prior to their departure the
Royal party attended the presentation of new colours
to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, e.nd the
Prince, in performing the ceremony, referred to the
distinguished services which the regiment had per-
formed. The Royal visitors met with a most enthu-
siastic reception in proceeding to the Kingsbridge
Station of the Great Southern and Western Railway.
Whilst the streets were thronged the Lord Mayor
was hissed near the City Hall, and his lordship's in-
dignation being excited, he made an extroardinary
speech. The Royal party arrived at Mallow at about
five o'clock, and were greeted with many manifesta-
tions of loyalty and goodwill.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince
Albert Victor, left Convamore on Tuesday, and
travelled by train to Kilrneaden in the county of
Waterford, whence they proceeded to Curraghmore,
the seat of the Marquis of Waterford. They returned
to Convamore in the evening. Their Royal High-
nesses were most loyally received throughput the day,
and several addresses were presented, including one
from a number of labourers in different counties..
introduced by Mr. Villiers Stuart, M.P.