§ LORD CAIRNSthought it would be convenient to their Lordships if the noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) were able to inform them what proposal he intended to make as to the date and duration of the Easter recess. The noble Earl would perhaps allow him also to put a Question as to another subject—namely, Whether any progress had been made in the negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Hudson's Bay Company?
§ EARL GRANVILLEhad to state, in answer to the first Question of the noble and learned Lord, that the House of Commons had come to the laudable resolution, in consideration of the pressure of Public Business, to shorten the usual duration of the Easter holidays. But although he believed there had this year been morn work and more discussion in their Lordships' House than customary at this early period of the Session, they could not be said to be overwhelmed with business. He therefore intended to propose the usual adjournment, which would be from Friday, the 19th of March, to Monday, the 5th of April.
With regard to the noble and learned Lord's second Question, the negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Hudson's Bay Company had been under his attention ever since he had 799 had the honour of being at the head of the Colonial Office, and he had had repeated interviews with the Canadian delegates and with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Company. At one time, he must say he felt perfectly hopeless of arriving at any amicable arrangement, the views of the two parties being so conflicting. But he had to-day sent a final proposal to each of them. He could not, of course, tell what the result would be, but he trusted that their good sense and moderation would induce them to accept it. At the same time, their Lordships must be aware that a scheme which was intended to reconcile the claims of two contending bodies must partake of the character of a compromise, and must, to some extent, be unpalatable to both of them.