The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-07-23 00:00:00

nO YAL ASSENT.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, on July 19, the Royal
Assent was given by Commission to the Criminal Law
Amendment (Ireland) Bill and other bills which had
passed both Houses.

COPYIIOLD ENFRANCHISEMENT.

Their lordships were for a considerable time in Com-
mittee on the Copy hold Enfranchisement Bill, of which
Lord Hobhouse has charse. The bill, with amendments,
was subsequently reported.

METROPOLITAN OPEN SPACES.

The report of amendments in the Metropolitan Open
Spaces Acts Extension Bill was brought up, and some
amendments having been added to those already made
in the meabure, the report was received.

SCOTCH LAND VALUATION.

The Valuation of Lands (Scotland) Bill was read a
second time.

LEGITIMACY DECLARATION.

Lord Milltown moved the second reading of the
Legitimacy Declaration Act (1858) Amendment Bill.
After a conversation, in which the Lord Chancellor,
Lord Selborne, Lord Fitzgerald, and Lord Watson,
while not opposing the second reading, pointed out
particulars in which the measure would require amend-
ment, the Bill was read a second time.
Their lordships rose at 25 minutes to eight o'clock.
THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN CONVENTION.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS. Sir J. Fergusson,
answering questions from Mr. Bryce, intimated that
there are no negotiations now going on, nor likely to
be renewed, with regard to the Anglo-Egyptian Von.
vention. As her Majesty's ratification had never been
given of course it could not be said to have been with-
drawn, and during the last 30 or 4,) years there had
been several cases of treaties falling to the ground
in consequence of the ratifications not being ex.
changed.
THE WELSH TITRES RIOTS.

At the end of the questions Mr. T E Ellis asked
leave to move the adjournment of the Haase in order
to call attention to "a matter of urgent public im-
portance "—n9mely, the removal of the trial of the
prisoners charged with riot in connexion with the
collection of tiffs, at Llangwm, in Wales; and 40
members having risen in their places he proceeded to
complain that the removal of the trial from tbe county
in which the alleged offence took place would put the
prisoners to great expense and inconvenience, and it
was unfair to the men and an insult to the Welsh
people. It was absurd to suggest that a fairer trial
could be obtained in London.
The Attorney-General, who denied that it was in—
tended to bring the case to London, and complained of
the repetition of the statement after the contradiction
he had already given to it, took full responsibility for
applying for the removal of the case into the Queen's
Bench Division, but he pointed out that the order for
removal could only be obtained on the Court being
satisfied as to its necessity.
Mr. G. 0. Morgan contended that the removal of the
trial was an unnecessary and high•handed proceeding
for which there was no justification.—This drew from
the Solicitor General a strong protest against such a
remark while the case was sub judice, and he pointed
out that al! that the Attorney-General had done was
to insure that the trial should take place before a
special jury.—Sir W. Harcourt, however, maintained
that no case had been made out to justify a change of
venue, to which Ur. Matthews replied that an applica-
tion
.to remove a criminal trial was entirely a matter
within the discretion of tho Attorney-General; and
after some further discussion the motion was nega-
tived on a division by 198 to 129.

SUPPLY.

The House then went into Committee of Supply and
1C8.3 engaged until a late hour in the consideration of
the Civil Service Eitimates, Class 11. (Salaries and
Expenses of Public Departments).
On the vote for the Privy Council Office, Sir R. Paget
complained of the want of a special department for
anricul urn, and moved the reduction of the vote; Sir
W. Barttelot, Mr. Hanbury, and Major Rasch joined
in urging that more attention and assistance should be
given to the development of agriculture. Mr. W. li.
Smith, who recognised the importance of stimulating
the knowledge which was needed in the processes of
agriculture, and of encouraging the development of the
methods of dealing with land, promised that the subject
should have the attention of the Government; and
ultimately the amendment was withdrawn and the vote
agreed to.
the o
Charity
ha Traderty we r
also epeed
to, The votes for the Foreign and Colonial Offices, the
Privy Council Office, the Board of Trade, and the
Bankruptcy
journed. rad
Department
the o f
voteth fore Board
Com-
mission was under discussion when the Committee ad.
TECHNICAL I NSTIMICT lON.
The adjourned debate on the motion for leave to
l Instruction Bill was resumed
by Sir W. Hart-Dyke,
began by referring to the
recommendations of
introduce the Technicaom
ht
Commission on Technical
Education, all of whi thought ch ha would be embraced
by the bill. It r, zed empower local authorities to

111-iDIIBII, or asset In establishing, teehnical schools, or
to assist public elementary schools to provide technical
instruction; and the latter provision, which would
obviate the necessity of any new buildings, would, he
thought. be s ttisractory to the ratepayers, especially in
the metropolis. The bill,moreover,would be administered
under the supervision of the Science and Art Depart—
ment, and the local authorities empowered to carry it
out in the country would be School Boards or town
councils. He believed the bill would be popular with
the working classes, and he had no fear that it would
in any way interfere with or check priva's effort.
Mr. Mundella, who remaked that he rose mainly to
deprecate discussion until the bill was printed, gave a
general support to the bill; and Sir W. Hart Dyke,
reply ing to Mr. Mason, said the bill would not apply
to Scotland, but a separate measure for Scotland would
be introduced.

The motion was then agreed to, and the bill was sub-
sequently brought in and read a first time.

SCOTC'H LICENSING BILL.

The Licensed Premises (Earlier Closing) (Scotland)
Bill was considered in committee, and the House
adjourned as 25 minutes past two o'clock.