Bridlington and Quay Gazette. — 1877-02-24 (Bridlington, Humberside, England)

SUICIDE OF A LEEDS CLOTH  MANUFACTURER.  Mr. R. H. Robinson, who carried on an extensive business as a woollen manufacturer and wholesale clothier in Bond Street, Leeds, committed suicide on Thursday morning at his residence, Kirkstall Hall, by blowing his brains out. He had recently been a little indisposed, but on Wednesday he was so far recovered as to attend his business and go out to a dinner party, and he was then apparently in good health And spirits. On Thursday morning he did not rise until late, and when his wife took him a cup of tea into his bedroom about twelve he complained of being tired and sleepy. She left him dressing. A few minutes afterwards a servant, who was cleaning in the corrider, heard a loud report. She instantly fetched her mistress who, on going into the chamber found her husband lying on the bed grasping in each hand a pistol, both of which had recently been discharged. Mr. Keighley, the deceased's medical attendant, happening to be passing at the time, was called in, and found an orifice on each temple. The pistols must have been fired simultaneously, and death had been instantaneous. The relatives cannot give any motive for the commission of the act. It is, however remarkable that his brother, a bank manager, destroyed himself a year ago in a similarly unaccountable way.  PARLIAMENT. The House of Lords was occupied on Tuesday with a long debate on the Eastern question, Commenced by the Duke of Argyll, who drew attention to certain instructions given to Lord Salisbury, and asked if the Government would take any further steps to carry out those instructions. His Grace was followed by Lord Derby, who defended the course taken by the Government in the Eastern difficulty. After several other peers had spoken, including Lord Kimberley, Lord Salisbury, in a vigorous speech, pointed out our obligations with respect to Turkey, and while expressing astonishment at the attitude of the Porte, condemned coercion. Lord Granville confessed that the Government had a delicate question to deal with, but made certain complaints. Lord Beaconsfield also spoke. At the mid-day sitting of the House of Commons on Wednesday Mr. Cowper-Temple moved the second reading of the Ecclesiastical Offices and Fees Bill, the main object of which is to reform the Ecclesiastical Courts and their procedure. In the course of a discussion of some length, the measure was supported by the Home Secretary, who expressed a hope that it would be referred to a Select Committee. This suggestion being agreed to, the bill passed the second reading. The Scotch Game Laws Amendment Bill was then brought forward for second reading by Mr. M•Lagan, and although the measure was opposed by several Scotch Members, the motion was ultimately carried without a division. Sir Charles Dilke moved the second reading of the Registration of Borough Voters Bill, which proposed to effect an assimilation of the Parliamentary and municipal registers. Mr. Gorst opposed the motion, and was speaking at the hour viten the rules of the House required the suspension of the debate. Several new bills— including one by Mr. Pease for the abolition of capital punishment—were read a first time, and the House rose a few minutes before six o'clock. In the House of Commons on Thursday the new member for Halifax took his seat. The PostmasterGeneral said he could hold out no hope of a reduction of the postage to India. Lord Sandon made a statement upon the outbreak of cattle plague, and said the most prompt measures had been taken to stamp it out. A long discussion took place as to the motions of private members and the adjourned debate on the Eastern question, during which Si^ I to give way unless a forward 4-for  Prager  objected  definite  were  'express  distinct   motion brought _ t opinion upon the policy for the Crovernment. Hartington did not think the Opposition were d st present to express their opinion, and they d select their own time for rsising a direct 

Article type: Incident