The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-03-12 00:00:00

RESIGNATION OF SIR M. H. BEACH.

THE NEW IRISH SECRETARY.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach has resigned the position
of Chief Secretary for Ireland, while retaining a seat
in the Cabinet. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour,
Secretary for Scotland and member for East Man-
chester, has been offered and has accepted the vacated
position. The following official statement was issued
on Saturday afternoon:
. "Sir Michael Hicks Beach has been ordered to take
complete rest in the country for a time, and be
intends, as -soon as his general health is sufficiently
re-established for the journey, to visit Germany for
further medical advice as to the condition of his eyes.
Pending the result, he will remain a member of the
Cabinet 'without office." -

The following medical certificate as to the health
Of Sir- M. flicks Beach has_ been published
"63, Brook-street, March 4,1887.—We have to-day
examined professionally Sir Michael Hicks Beech,
.and having regard to the facts that he has a catataA
in either eye, and that his general health has gradu-
ally deteriorated, Ivo are very decidedly of opinion
that he will, should he continue to discharge the
duties of his official life, break down altogether in
health, and that when the time arrives for the opera-
tion for the eyes he will probably be in a state that
will render an operation imperfectly successful.—
Signed, WILLIAM JENNER, M.D., F.R.C.P.; ROBSON
ROOSE, 'M.D., F.R.C.P. Edin.; G. ANDERSON CRIT.
CIIETT, F.R.C.S.E."

"Since I examined the eyes of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach, in November last, a marked increase has
taken place in the density of the cataract. The sight
both for distant and near subjects has also deterio-
rated to a considerable extent, so that Sir Michael
can now only with difficulty decipher print or writing
which is small or indistinot.—Signed, G. ANDERSON
Cserenar, F.R.C.S.E."
Li accordance with medical advice, Sir Michael
Hicks-Beach left town on Saturday evening. He is
staying with his cousin, Mr. Beach, M.P., at Oakley
Hall, Basingstoke, and is not expected to return to
town till the end of the present week.
On Saturday evening. Mr. Balfour, after a long in-
terview with the Prime Minister, left town for
Windsor, to have an audience of the Queen, and kiss
hands on appointment. He returned to London on
Sunday, subsequently proceeding to Dublin, where,
at a special meeting of the Irish Privy Council, he
was sworn in as Chief Secretary.
'The Press Association was enabled to give the fol-
lowing particulars relating to the retirement of Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach. When Sir Michael last year
gave up his position of the leader of the House of
Commons and undertook the duties of Chief Secretary
fur Ireland, Lord Randolph Churchill assuming the
leadership of the House, there is no doubt that the
growing physical infirmity which has now necessi-
tated his resigning his office was giving anxiety to
his friends. Mr. Critchett was consulted by Sir
Michael in November, and since that date there has
been a marked increase in the density of the cataract
which has developed in each eye. The inability to
read small print or writing became some time ago so
marked that Sir Michael had only one course open,
and that was the resignation of his office as Chief
Secretary. It is 7understood that his final step was
taken on Wednesday,- the 2nd inst., and on that day
Lord Salisbury mentioned the subject to the Queen
during his audience with her Majesty at Buckingham
Palsce. Next day the Cabinet met, and Ministers
were then informed of the absolute rest ordered -
for- Sir M. Hicks-Beach. Great- regret was ex-
pressed by all his colleagues, and so strong was
the (leek° that he shook; remain in office if his
health would not thereby be endangered, that subse-
quently a consultation took place, and an examina-
tion of Sir Michael was made, both as to his eyesight
and general health. It had been intended that the
medical cjrtificate issued after the consultation should
be kept secret, in order to allow of the selection of a
successor before the publication of Sir Michael's re-
tirement, which ,it was considered might otherwise
give rise to misstatements as to the reasons for the
step. The fact, however, having been announced, it
was determined that there should be no delay in
filling up the vacant office, and Mr. Balfour was
offered the position by Lord Salisbury, and accepted
it, the premier having first communicated this pro-
posal to the Queen, whose sanction was received before
a succeeding council broke up. Sir Michael Hicks-
Beach will remain in the Cabinet until it is • seen
whether rest and quiet will so restore his health that
his eyes may be successfully operated upon. With
regard to the latter, Mr. Critchett holds out great
hope. Before many weeks Sir Michael will take the
opinion of the first oculists in Germany, and should
an operation be possible, and be successfully accoin-
plished, it is understood Sir Michael will resume
°thee, but it is not thought probable that the arduous
post of Chief Secretary would be assigned to him.

.CHE porter of a Dublin grocer was brought up by
his master before a magistrate, on a charge which he
could rot deny. Upon being asked to whom he had
sold some chocolate, the pride of Patrick was greatly
wounded.—To whom did I sell it? says Pat. Why
does he thiuk I took the chocolate to sell? —Then, sir,
said the magistrate, what did you do with it ?—Do
with it? Since you must know, said he, I made lay
wthit.

ARE.NT you going to dance P said a venerable old
gentleman at a party to a young one who had been
brought by a friend of the family, and who seemed to
be spending Most of his time in the refreshment-room.
—Going to Canoe ! Not' if I know it ! replied tho
youngster. Not good enough shall stop down bei3O
and punish the old gentlemen's eherry,--Oh I wai the
quiet reply, I sn the old gentleman

A DYNAMITE Sp,W.;
On Tuesday the workmen (34 6yed ap lime
-
.---
the
kilns adjoining the PrOitoe:iinr I,andailt,ei Canal
Aqueduct at Preston discovered a-gutta-percha cart-
ridge, with time fuse attached, and charged with dyna-
mite, placed on the summit of the aqueduct. It was
handed to a detective. The cartridge was a large one,
containing sufficient dynamite to displace 30 tons.
The aqueduct is in a low part of the town, and if it
collapsed great loss of life and damage to property
would be caused by the flooding. The fuse had been
lighted, but evidently by an inexperienced hand, and
it had gone out. No motive is assigned for the act.