The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-01 00:00:00

THE RELIEF BILL: A SCENE.

The Medical Relief Disqualification Removal Bill
having been brought up from the Commons and read a
first time,
Lord Milltown gave notice that he would move the
second reading on Thursday.
Lord Granville gave notice that he would more the
second reading on Tuesday.
Lord Milltown was quite willing that the second
reading should be taken on an earlier day than that
which he had first named, and would move it on
Tuesday.
A short but sharp discussion ensued as to which of
the two noble lords should move the second reading.
Lord Granville having asked by what right Lord Mill-
town, in the absence of the leader of the House, gave
such notice in respect of a bill which the Government
had abandoned, Lord Milltown replied that the bill
having been in nobody's charge when it left the HOLM
of Commons, it came up as a derelict bill to their lord.
ships' House, and he had as much right as any other
peer to move the second reading. This brought up
Lord Rosebery, who, despite an objection by Lord
Elleuborough on a point of "order," suggested that the
matter was a simple one. Notice had been given by
Lord Milltown that he would move the second reading
on Thursday; but when the noble lord came to the
House on Thursday he would find that the bill had been
read a second time. Sir William Harcourt, who
took charge of the bill when the Government
abandoned it, had handed it on to Lord Granville
for its carriage through their lordships' House.
By a cry of "No, no," Lord Milltown expressed his
dissent from Lord Rosebery's statement, and the
controversy was then suspended.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Lord Enfield and Lord Dunraven, replying to a
question by Lord De La Warr, gave some details as
to the centres of examination for the public service.
Lord Henniker, in reply to a question by Lord
Lamington, said the late First Commissioner of Works
had announced that he felt himself unable to ask Mr.
Herbert to complete the frescoes in the Robing-room
of the House of Lords. If the noble lord wanted
further information as to paintings in that room he
had better ask a question on the subject next session.
rds Redesdale. Fitzgerald, and Emly expressed
their opinion that Mr. Herbert had very strong claims
to be commissioned to complete the frescoes: and Lord
Iddesleigh paid an eloquent tribute to Mr. Herbert's
great position as a painter.

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF BRITISH ARMAMENTS.

Lord Napier asked her Majesty's Government
whether it was not desirable to convene a Royal Com-
mission to consider the present condition of the vrma-
ments and munitions of war in the United Kingdom
and the colonies, and what additions to them were
necessary to meet a hostile combination, or any other
emergency. .

Loi-ct Wemyss made some suggestions as to the
weapon with which the rank and file of the army
were armed; and Lord Ellenborough gave his opinion
that the army had not been in a satisfactory state for
the last 30 years.
Lord Bury stated that a small committee would in-
quire and report to the Secretary for War before the
right hon, gentleman decided as to the weapon with
which the troops should be armed. He did not say that
the army was in a satisfactory condition, but things
were progressing, and to show that they were he re-
ferred to figures showing the sums proposed by the late
Government to be taken this year for arms and stores
generally. He assured their lordships that the Secre-
tary for War was q,.ite alive to the importance of the
subject, but his right hon. friend did not think the,
moment was opportune for the appointment of a Com-
mission such as Lord Napier proposed.

WATERWORKS AMENDMENT BILL.

On the motion for the third reading of the Water-
works Clauses Act (1847) Amendment Bill,

Lord Bramwell felt bound to make a last effort to
prevent the passing of a bill which was so utterly un-
just. The noble and learned lord having repeated the
objections which he had urged against the bill on each
of its previous stages,
Lord Truro submitted that, in his pleading ad zniseri-
cordiam for the water companies, the noble and learned
lord ought not to ignore the water consumers, who for
so very many years had been the victims of their extor-
tion.

Lord Fitzgerald having again replied to Lord Bram-
well's objections,
The bill was read a third time and passed.
OTHER BILLS.

The Turnpike Acts Continuance Bill, the Pt.otic
Health (Ships, Szc.) Bill, the Artillery and Rifle Ranges
Bill, and the Submarine Telegraph Cables Bill were
also read a third time and passed.

The Poleharnpton Estates Bill, the National Debt
Bill, the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt Practices)
Bill, the School Boards Bill, the Exchequer and
Treasury Bills' Bill, the Greenwich Hospital Bill, and
the Public Health (Members and Officers) Bill passed
through Committee.