The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-08-13 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

IRISH LAND LAW BILL.
The HOUSE OF COMMONS held a sitting on August
6,h to resume the report stage of the Irish Laud Law
Bill as amended. On Clause 1 which admitted certain
classes of leaseholders to the benefit of the Act
of- 1881, Serjeant Madden moved an amendment de.
elating that leaseholders should he deemed to be present
tenants, the effect of which would be to make
them subject to the same conditions as if their
leases had expired. -- Several Irish members
,ppos-ed the amendment on the ground that it
w.nld involve the forfeiture of the tenant's
improvements.—On a division it was carried by
106 to €o.—An Amendment by Mr. Sexton on Clause 2,
pr,posiog to put leaseholders who came into Court to
have a fair rent fixed, in the same position as regaids
their improvements as the tenant from year to year
under the Act of 1881. was lost on a divi.ion by 1:5 to
97.—Mr. M. Healy moved an Amendment on Clause 3
which would provide that a tenant who had sub let
with the knowledge of the landlord would not be
deprived of the beoefits of the Act.—The House divided,
ar.d it was lost by 138 to 102 —Mr. Dillon
repeated Mr. Parnell's offer to agree to the debts of
the other creditors being subjected to the same eeduc.
tion as the landlord's, but only in the event of the
creditors going voluntarily into Court.—Mr. ()bomber.
lain suggested that if the tenant came forward and
stated that be was unable to pay his rent the Court
shou'd have power to call for a schedule of all his debts,
and, after notice to his creditors. to make such com-
position as it thought fit,—Sir W. Harcourt said he
would support Mr. Chamberlain's suggestion and vote
for it.—Lord Hartington argued that the phin
proposed by Mr. Dillon would enable the tenant to
rn,ke a preferential selection of his creditors, and be
would yore with the Governe3ent.—The House divided,
and Mr. Dillon's amendment was rejected by 126 to
98. Several other amendments in the name of the
Attornev.(leneral were made on the bill, which was
read a third time and passed, at 15 minutes to six, amid
Ministerial cheers.

THE \TIMM EDON MEETING.
In the Muss OF LORDS on August 8, the Earl of
liVernvas calk d attention to the proposed removal of
the Natiofial Rifle Association from Wimbledon-com-
mon, urging that such a step would he a death blow to
the institution as a national One. The Duke of Cam-
bridge, explaining that hs had no personal in.
terest in the matter, said he considered it
was not at all safe for the shooting to go
on at Wimbledon, alihough he admitted that
the Association had taken every possible precaution
ag,ainst accident. He believed the institution would he
unite as successful elsewhere.—After speeches In Lords
'vantage Spencer, Trnro, and Rrownlow, Lord Harris,
-Under-Secretary for War, adteitted that the quest'cin
a rifle shooting was undoubtedly a national one, and
promised that the Government would consider any
practicable proposal put before it by the National Rifle
Association, though they could not pledge themselves
with thirir eyes shut.

THE SUGAR BOUNTIES.
Replying to Mr. Kirnber, Sir J Fergusson stated in
the Commons, in reference to the sugar conference,
that no further replies to the invitation of the Govern-
ment hail been received than those which he bad speci-
fied in his previous reply. It depended upon the dates
at which the replies ot the Governments concerned
were received when the meeting of the conference
could be proposed. No answet hail been received
from France, but he thought one might be expected
very shortly.
GENERAL GORDON'S PAPER MONEY.
In regard to General Gordon's paper money, the
right hon. gentleman informed Mr. Ferguson that all
just claims had been honoured by the Egyptian Govern-
ment.

TH PI STRAND.
Mr. Tatton Egerton inforrced Mr. Kimber that the
attention of the Metropoli'an Board of Works had
ben directed to the large amount of traffic in the
Strand, and the Board had had before it a suggestion
that the thoroughfare should be widened either by the
removal of the south side of Holywell•street or the
removal of the church of St. Mary-le-Strand; the
Board was, however, not in a pasition at the present
time to act upon either of these suggestions.
LONDON FIRES.
Mr. W. H. Smith promised to answer later &question
by Mr. Webster asking whether, in view of the fact
thr-, several large fires, involving loss of life as well as
of property, had recently occurred in the metropolis,
he would give facilities for the discussion of a measure
for further strengthening the Fire Brigade.
THE MIDLAND anima.
Mr. Lawson having asked whether the Secretary to
the Board of Tattle could do anything to promote a
settlement of the Midland Railway dispute by
arbitration, Baron H. de Worms replied that
although the Board of Trade would be glad
if their good offices could in any way tend
to an amicable and equitable solution of the
difficulties which have arisen, they bad no power
to initiate any action, or offer any advice in the
matter. In reply to further questions founded On
allegations as to the a tmointment of incompetent per-
sons to act as engine drivers, Baron H. de Worms said
he could give no information, and could make no
inquiries, because this was a dispute between the corn-
Mil,/ and its employes. in which the Board or the
Government had no authority to interfere.

COLONISATION.
Mr. W. H. Smith informed Mr. Kircher that the
Government were not in a position to propose to
nirliament any scheme for a guarantee in respect of
colonisatint
APPOINTMENTS HELD I3Y ROYAL PERSONS.
In answer to Mr. Ferguson, the First Lord of the
Treasury said a member of the Government had
blocked the motion for a return to give p4rslculars of
appointments held in the public service by Royal per-
sons, because in the view of the Government the return
wag of an invidious character, and ought not to be
granted by the House.
TIM CIVIL SERVICE. .
The Civil Service Estimates was then proceeded with
in Oommittee of Supply, and were under consideration
until a late hour.