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of Ireland if he can state why a head constable in the town of Ballynahinch, County Down, where there is one sergeant and five constables, is kept at the cost of over a hundred pounds per annum; and if he can say how many towns having a similar population have a head constable in charge.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) It is considered necessary in the public interests to retain a head constable at Ballynahinch. Head constables are stationed in many other towns similiarly circumstanced in respect to population.

Drill Instructors to Royal Irish

Constabulary.

MR. SLOAN: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that there are no recruits now in training at the Royal Irish Constabulary depôt, inquiries will be made as to the necessity for further retaining the the staff of drill instructors who hold the temporary rank of acting sergeant, and are occupying positions which might be held by senior constables.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The Inspector-General does not consider that the services of the present staff of drill instructors can be dispensed with. The reserve force at the depôt is being augmented by a number of men serving in the country, and the instructors will be employed in putting these men through a course of drill. They will also be required for recruits as soon as recruiting

recommences.

South African War-Medal AwardsCase of Gunner Kelly.

MR. COGAN (Wicklow, E.): To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Gunner James Kelly, J Battery, R.H.A. (No. 88,614), who in an engagement at Slingersfontein, Cape Colony, in the late South African war, when a section of his battery was surrounded by Boers and Sergeant A. Watson was shot, ran to his aid under a heavy fire, and was subsequently assisted by Sergeant-Major Cox as well as another man; and whether, seeing that Sergeant-Major Cox has been awarded a distinguished service medal for saving Sergeant Watson's life, he will explain why Gunner Kelly has been

passed over and no notice taken of his action, and will he be awarded a similar medal to that given to Sergeant-Major Cox.

was

not

(Answered by Mr. Secretary ArnoldForster.) The name of Gunner James Kelly, J Battery, R.H.A., brought to Lord Roberts' notice for gallant conduct. Battery Sergeant-Major Cocks was awarded the distinguished Cocks conduct medal for good work and not for any specific act of gallantry. I am afraid, therefore, that I am not in a position to take any further steps in the matter. Evidence of Commission of Inquiry into

Transvaal Mines Department. MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library of the House copies of the Report and Evidence of the Commission appointed in the Transvaal in the autumn of 1903, at the instance of the Legislative Council, to inquire into the management of the Mines Department by Mr. Wybergh.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I have communicated with Lord Milner on

the subject of the Question.

Chinese labour in South Africa-Pay

ments to Chinese Government. MR. DUNCAN (Yorkshire, W.R., Otley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say whether any payment will be made to the Chinese Government by an importer of labourers into South Africa, either in the form of payment for licence or capitation grant on each enlisted labourer.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am not in a position to make any definite statement on this matter pending negotiation, now in progress, with the Colonial Government on the regulations.

Wilby Town Estates, Suffolk.

MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye): To ask the Parliamentary Charity Commissioner when the last scheme relating to the Wilby Town Estates, Suffolk, was sealed, and whether a copy was sent in due form to each of the persons interested.

(Answered by Mr. Griffith-Boscawen.) The last scheme was sealed on the 26th

January, 1869, after due notice in compliance with the provisions of the Charitable Trusts Acts. On the 20th January, 1903, an order under the Board of Education Act, 1899, was sealed determining in accordance with the existing trusts the part of the endowment of the charity which is held for educational purposes. No notice of the proposal to make such an order is required by the Act to be given to persons interested, but the Commissioners, in accordance with their practice in such cases, sent a draft of the order to the trustees of the charity, and a draft was also sent to the parish council of Wilby at the request of the council.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

Proposed Royal Naval Reserve Station in Ross-shire.

MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state when it is proposed to proceed with the establishment of a Royal Naval Reserve Station at Ullapool, Ross-shire.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Woodbridge) The establishment of this station is necessarily delayed pending the result of negotiations for a satisfactory site, which are at present in progress.

"Centurion" Gun Sights.

*MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, are the old sights of the "Centurion," which are correct, unfit for use in action because the man using them and firing the gun is 10 feet from the training and elevating gear, and is therefore unable to lay the gun himself; are the new tele scopic sights of the ship, intended for use in action, also faulty, in consequence of their defective connection with the gun; did the captain of the "Excellent" refuse to pass all the turret sights, and declare the ship unfit to leave Portsmouth; is he aware that the telescopic sights can only be rectified by bringing the "Centurion" home and fitting new sights; and when do the Admiralty propose to do this.

MR. PRETYMAN: The captain of the "Excellent" does not pass sights, he only makes a report to the Admiralty, with whom the decision rests. The remaining

points raised in the Question are dealt with in Lord Selborne's letter to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, published in the Press yesterday.

*MR. GIBSON BOWLES: But did the captain of the "Excellent Excellent" report. the sights faulty and the ships therefore unfit to leave Portsmouth?

MR. PRETYMAN: The captain of the "Excellent" makes a report generally to the Admiralty on all points. I cannot make public any confidential reports.

Treatment of Sick and Wounded Soldiers. DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can submit to the House a statement showing how far the general recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Care and Treatment of the Sick and Wounded during the South African Campaign either have been carried out or are still under consideration with a view to adoption.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BROMLEY DAVENPORT, Cheshire, Macclesfield): A detailed explanation of all action taken. would involve the preparation of a very lengthy report. The following brief statement will, however, I think, sufficiently show what has been done, taking the recommendations of the Commission. seriatim : (1) The establishment of officers has been increased by 100. The Royal Army Medical Corps has been increased by 400 men. (2) The supply of surgeons and trained orderlies in the event of a great war is now receiving careful consideration. The equipment provided by the Mowatt reserves for three Army Corps, one cavalry division, and line of communication troops will, it is hoped, be quite complete by the middle of 1904. (3) The supply of candidates is now sufficient and the quality most satisfactory. A college has been established in London, through which all captains must pass before promotion. Promotion to the higher ranks will be by selection, and all must attain a high standard of qualification. Acceleration in promotion from captain. to major can now be obtained by officers who show special merit at examination. Also special professional attainments will be recognised by appointment to special posts carrying

extra pay. (4) The formation of Queen | natives brought from tropical districts Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing shall not be employed on the high slopes? Service provides for a great increase in

the establishment of women nurses. (5) *MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Sanitary officers have already been, and Cleveland): Does the mortality, among are still being, appointed to important the British Central Africa natives, of commands. (6) A new and improved 280 per 1,000 still continue? pattern of ambulance wagon has been adopted. (7) Experiments are now in progress having for their object the provision of a tent of improved pattern and more suitable for sick and wounded.

Weekly Cost of British Forces in South
Africa.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the cost per week of the military force now in South Africa.

MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORT: The total cost of the force now in South Africa may be taken at £80,000 a week.

Accidents in Transvaal Mines. MR. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give the percentage of accidents and of deaths from accidents, and also the death rate from other causes, among the natives employed on the gold mines in South Africa during the last two years.

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON, Warwick and Leamington): The Transvaal Mining Engineer's report for the year ended 30th June, 1903, gives the following figures as to accidents. For year 1901-2 average number of coloured persons employed on gold mines 18,837, number killed sixty-five, number injured 106. For the year 1902-3 average number employed 43,875, number killed 172, number injured 300. The death rate from all causes on the Witwatersrand mines is given at 57.7 per 1,000 per annum, and from sickness alone at 54.5 per 1,000 per annum for the period November, 1902-April, 1903, on page 389 of Cd. 1897.

MR. JOHN BURNS (Battersea): Will the right hon. Gentleman at his leisure give a return of the industrial mortality of the last two or three years in a Paper similar to that he gave about six weeks ago?

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*MR. LYTTELTON: I do not quite follow the hon. Member. The Question MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, is whether Chinese women and children Mansfield): Will the right hon. Gentle who accompany accompany indentured Chinese man say if it is not the fact that the labourers in the Transvaal will be submortality in some districts in the Trans-jected to the same restrictions as the vaal is as high as 100 per 1,000, and will labourers. That supposes a condition of he give instructions to Lord Milner that things in which they do accompany them.

It may also suppose a condition of things in which they may follow them.

DR. MACNAMARA: My Question is whether the suggestion in the Question that the Chinese women and children may accompany them is correct.

*MR. LYTTELTON: They may or may not, The Chinese labourer may desire to bring his wife and children with him, or he may desire to see for himself what the conditions are, and bring his wife out afterwards.

DR. MACNAMARA: Then I will ask whether, if he desires that his wife and children shall accompany him, it will be possible for them to do so.

*MR. SPEAKER: This does not arise out of the Question.

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax): Will the women and children be subject to the same rigid restrictions as the labourers themselves.

Plague Prevention at Hong-Kong. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received from the Governor of HongKong a report relative to Haffkine's plague prophylactic; and, if so, will he state when the system of inoculation was the number of persons inoculated, and brought into operation in Hong-Kong, how many have succumbed to plague.

*MR. LYTTELTON: In accordance with the promise given last July, the Governor was asked to embody the information desired in his next general report on plague, and, no report having been received, he has been reminded by telegraph.

Suez Canal Navigation in War Times.

LORD EDMUND FITZMAURICE (Wiltshire, Cricklade): I beg to ask the Under-Secretary Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Governof State for ment still adhere to the opinion that the Convention between the Powers in regard to the Suez Canal, which was signed at Constantinople on the 29th

*MR. LYTTELTON: I have answered October, 1888, and the ratifications wherethat Question once.

MR. WHITLEY: No

of were deposited at Constantinople on the 22nd October, 1888, cannot be brought into practical operation, as was stated by Mr. Curzon on the 12th July, 1898, owing

*MR. SPEAKER: The Question on the to the reserves made on behalf, of Her Paper has been answered.

Transvaal Magistracy.

MR. OSMOND WILLIAMS (Merionethshire): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the utterance of the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court of the Transvaal on 21st October last, as to the want of knowledge shown by magistrates of the elementary principles of law, and the results thereby entailed; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter.

*MR. LYTTELTON: I am aware that the Chief Justice made observations on some of the magistrates of the nature referred to. I understand that changes are to be made in the method of appointing magistrates, with the object of securing a higher standard of legal knowledge. It must be remembered, however, that in the Transvaal the duties of a magistrate are administrative as well as judicial.

Majesty's Government by the British delegates at the Suez Canal Commission in Paris, 1885, which were renewed by Lord Salisbury and communicated to the Powers in 1887; and if any communications have taken place between the Powers in regard to these reserves since 1898; it is to be understood that His Majesty's and, if the Convention is not operative, if Government adhere to the opinions embodied in Lord Derby's despatch of 6th May, 1877, written at the time of the Russo-Turkish war, in regard to the principles which regulate the navigation through the Suez Canal in time of war.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY, Kensington, S.): The position has undergone no alteration since the answer was given to which the hon. Member refers. His Majesty's Government adhere to the opinions embodied in Lord Derby's note to the Russian Ambassador of 6th May, 1877, with regard to the principles which

should govern the navigation of the Canal in time of war, and consider that the rules laid down in Articles 1 to 6 of the Convention are in accordance with those principles. Regulations designed to give effect to the second paragraph of Article 4 were issued by the Egyptian Government on the 10th instant.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES: Can the noble Lord explain how it was that the Government agreed to sign in 1888 a Convention they declared against in advance in 1887 ?

EARL PERCY: 1 must ask for notice of that Question.

Shanghai-Nanking Railway.

MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having regard to the fact that the preliminary agreement for the construction of the Canton Kowloon Railway was signed on the 28th March, 1898, and that the construction of the line is contingent on arrangements being made for financing the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, will he state the amount required for the construction of the latter line, and when the British and Chinese Corporation expect to be in a position to proceed with the work of construction.

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chequer if he has considered the advisability of imposing a duty on the export of china and ball clays from this country.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX. CHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.): Yes, Sir, I looked into this question recently. The export of china and ball clays, though increasing, does not reach half a million tons a year, and the revenue derivable from even a high ad valorem export duty would be But the course of the insignificant. export figures shall be watched.

Estate Duty Office.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES: I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer how many additional officers added to the staff of have been the Estate Duty Office during the present financial year, when were they authorised by the Treasury, when did the new officers commence their duties, and are they still engaged on them; what addi tional expenditure, if any, has been authorised during the present financial year for the working of this department; have any changes been made in the methods of collecting the Estate Duty, if so, what are those changes, have they been successful, and are they still in operation.

CHAMBERLAIN:

MR. AUSTEN Sixty-one additional officers, thirteen of whom are temporary boy clerks, have been added to the staff of the Estate Duty Office during the present financial year by the authority of the Treasury, dated 21st October, 1903.

The new

officers, with the exception of ten who have not yet arrived, commenced their duties at various dates in the months of

December and January, and are still engaged on them. No additional expenditure, except out of savings which have been affected out of the Vote for the Inland Revenue Department,, has been authorised during the current year for the working of this office. In connection with the assessment of death duties generally, certain changes have recently been made in the distribution of business and in the

method of keeping the records of it. It would not be possible to explain these changes within the limits of the answer to a Question, but it may be said that they have been adopted in pursuance of the recommendation of a Committee which

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