Sitting of 25 September 1886

Preamble
The House met at a quarter before Twelve of the clock.
QUESTIONS.

  OFFICE OF WORKS (FURNITURE DEPARTMENT)—MEMORIAL OF ASSISTANTS.
  MR. LAWSONasked the First Commissioner of Works, If his attention has been called to a Memorial presented by four assistants in the Furniture Department of the Office of Works dismissed in 1884; whether they have asked for an impartial inquiry to elicit all the facts of the case, not known at the time of the dismissal of MacGillivray and his three fellow clerks; and, whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the decision which was then arrived at to refuse all further inquiry?
  THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET): The case of the four assistants in the Furniture Department of the Office of Works dismissed in 1884 was, I am informed, very carefully gone into at the time, and has been further considered by each of my Predecessors in Office, and I cannot hold out any hope that I can depart from their decisions; but I shall read through the Papers myself with a view to seeing whether any new facts have been adduced.

  ROYAL PARKS AND PLEASURE GARDENS—KEW GARDENS.
  Mr. MACDONALD CAMERONasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the seats promised to be put on the Thames frontage of Kew Gardens have been placed there; and, if not, when they will be; whether any further decision has been arrived at as to the opening of Queen's Gate for public use; and, if not, would he state the reason; whether it is proposed to remove the brick wall around the Gardens in Richmond Road; and, whether the authorities will permit smoking in the grounds of the Gardens?
  THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET): Sir, I will see that any promises which have been made as to placing seats on the Thames frontage of Kew Gardens shall be carried out without delay. As to the opening of Queen's Gate—or more properly the Temperate House Gate—that suggestion has frequently been made to the Office of Works, and especially urgently and repeatedly by the hon. Baronet the Member for the Kingston Division of Surrey (Sir Whittaker Ellis); but we have never been able to admit that a sufficient case has been made out. If ever the Lichfield Road is extended to the station, a new gate at the end of that road and immediately opposite the station will, we believe, meet the wants of the public. As to removing the brick wall round Kew Gardens, I am informed that that could not be done without injury to the Gardens, and without exposing many of the valuable shrubs in them to the destructive effects of easterly winds and dust. As to the suggestion to permit smoking in the grounds, that question is new to me; but I shall inquire into it.

  INDIA—NAVANCORE—EXCLUSION OF M. MONTDAR.
  MR. HUNTERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any objection to lay upon the Table the Correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and the French Government relating to the exclusion of M. Montdar from Navancore, and the alleged injustice of which M. Montdar complains of having received from the Government of India?
  THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON), in reply, said, this was a matter which really related to the Indian Department; but he was informed by that Department that they could not agree to presenting the Papers, because the matter was one of a personal character, and not of public importance.

  WESTERN AUSTRALIA (LAW AND JUSTICE)—APPOINTMENT OF THIRD JUDGE.
  MR. DEASYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If it is the intention of the Government to adhere to the 75th Regulation of the Colonial Office in making the appointment of Third Judge in Western Australia?
  THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE)(who replied) said, that the Colonial Office was not aware of any proposal to the effect stated in the Question of the hon. Member.

  GREAT BRITAIN AND SPAIN—TREATY OF EXTRADITION.
  MR. F. S. STEVENSON(for Mr. SHIRLEY)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any Extradition Treaty exists with Spain; and, if not, whether such a Treaty can be negotiated, so that criminals may not escape justice by going to a Foreign Country?
  THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON): Yes, Sir; there is an Extradition Treaty with Spain, concluded on June 14, 1878, and still in force.

  ACCESSION OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN—CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE.
  MR. LAWSON(for Mr. SHIRLEY)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the intention of the Government that the jubilee year of Her Majesty's accession to the Throne should be appropriately celebrated in some National manner, so as to give pleasure and satisfaction to all loyal subjects; and, if so, can he state whether the Government have considered the manner in which such celebration would most fitly take place; and, whether their attention has been drawn to the recent suggestion of the Prince of Wales as to the Colonial Exhibition?
  THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL): Of course, it will be of great interest to the Government that the jubilee year of Her Majesty's Reign should be marked by appropriate celebrations; and, of course, the Government will consider the question, as far as it may lie within their province to do so. But all celebrations of this kind will probably possess greater value in proportion as they arise from the spontaneous action of the people.

  PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND)—CONSTITUTION OF THE PROPOSED ROYAL COMMISSION.
  MR. MURPHYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he could give the names of the gentlemen who would constitute the Royal Commission on Public Works in Ireland?
  THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL), in reply, said, it was not in the power of the Government at present to do so. The matter was one which required very careful consideration.

  EVICTIONS (SCOTLAND)—EVICTION ON THE CHISHOLM ESTATE, INVERNESS-SHIRE.
  MR. WALLACEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary for Scotland a Question of which he had given him private Notice.
  THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL): My right hon. Friend is not here.
  MR. WALLACE,continuing, said, the Question was, Whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman had been drawn to a paragraph in The St. James's Gazette on the 22nd September, headed "Scotch Evictions," in which a correspondent stated that an eviction took place during the preceding week on the Chisholm estate, Inverness-shire, the farmer and his wife being turned out on the roadside? The hon. Member then read the whole of the paragraph.
  MR. ADDISON, rising to Order, asked the Speaker whether it was in Order to read to the House a long article from a newspaper?
  MR. SPEAKERsaid, it was not out of Order if the hon. Member was laying the foundation for an Answer; but it might be for the convenience of the House if the hon. Member would abridge the quotation.
  MR. WALLACE: I cannot shorten it, because I have finished. The remainder of my Question is to this effect—

  PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT.
  Message to attend The LORDS COMMISSIONERS;—
  The House went;—and a Royal Commission to that purpose having been read, the Royal Assent was given to several Bills.
  And afterwards Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord High Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command).
  Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
  After which,
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
  My Lords, and Gentlemen,
  By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the 11th day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the 11th day of November next.

A TABLE OF ALL THE STATUTES
PASSED IN THE FIRST SESSION OF
THE TWENTY-FOUBTH PAELIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
OF GREAT BEITAIN AND IEELAND.
50 VICTORIA.—A.D. 1886.

A TABLE OF ALL THE STATUTES

  PUBLIC GENERAL ACTS.
  1. AN Act to apply a sum out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the year ending on the thirty-first day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament.
  2. An Act to repeal the enactments authorising the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of money for Secret Service within the United Kingdom.
  3. An Act to amend the Submarine Telegraph Act, 1885.
  4. An Act for facilitating the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed to hold a Court of Inquiry respecting Riots and Disturbances at Belfast.
  5. An Act to continue various expiring Laws.
  The Acts contained in the following List, being PUBLIC ACTS of a Local Character, are placed amongst the LOCAL AND PERSONAL ACTS.
  i. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to enable the School Board for Birmingham to put in force the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, and the Acts amending the same.
  ii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to enable the School Board for London to put in force the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, and the Acts amending the same.
  iii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Divided Parishes and Poor Law Amendment Act, 1876, as amended and extended by the Poor Law Act, 1879, relating to the Parish of Broadwell, and to the Hamlet of Filkins.
  iv. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885, relating to the Parish of Misson.
  V. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act, 1870, and the Public Health Act, 1875, relating to the Borough of Droitwich, and the Local Government Districts of Marsden and Penrith.
  vi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act, 1878, relating to the County of Montgomery.
  vii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Improvement Act District of Cambridge, the Local Government Districts of Cheshunt and Cleckheaton, the Borough of Portsmouth, and the Rural Sanitary Districts of the Stockport and Wangford Unions (two).
  viii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Burslem, the Local Government District of Denton and Haughton, the Borough of Dewsbury (two), the Local Government District of Heckmondwike, the Boroughs of Lancaster and South-port, and the Local Government Districts of Ulverston and Widnes.
  ix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act, 1861, relating to Ballyshannon, Buckpool, Coldingham, Cullen, Dovercourt, Dunbar, Loch Ranza, Lynmouth, Mevagissey, Newlyn, Penarth, Saint Ives, Shanklin, and Wexford.
  X. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Dudley, Stourbridge, and Kingswinford Tramways, Great Grimsby Street Tramways (Cleethorpes Extension), Halifax and Districts Tramways, Jarrow and Hebburn and District Tramways, and North Staffordshire Tramways.
  xi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Bangor and Bradford (Yorkshire), and the Local Government District of Tyldesley-with-Shakerley.
  xii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Local Government District of Panteg.
  xiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Galway and Londonderry.
  xiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Rural Sanitary District of the Barnet Union, the Boroughs of Kingston-upon-Hull and Newport (Mon.), and the City of York.
  Xv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Bradford (Yorks), the City of Chichester, the Local Government Districts of Cleator Moor and Hornsey, the Districts of Maryport, Southborough, and Tunbridge Wells, and the West Kent Main Sewerage District.
  Xvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Gateshead and Kingston-upon-Hull, the Local Government District of North Bierley, and the Boroughs of Stockport and Wigan.
  xvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Local Government District of Dukinfield, the City of Manchester, and the Rochester and Chatham Joint Hospital District.
  xviii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Act, 1882, relating to Chelsea.
  xix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act, 1870, relating to Abingdon Gas, Hoddesdon Gas, Honley Gas, Horley District Gas, and Langley Mill and Heanor Gas.
  xx. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1867, relating to Urray Water.
  xxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Bradford Corporation Tramways, Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramways, City of Oxford and District Tramways, and Stratford, Ilford, and Romford Tramways.
  xxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Birmingham ahd Western District Tramways, Birmingham Central Tramways (Extension), South Birmingham Tramways (Extension), and South Staffordshire and Birmingham District Steam Tramways.

  LOCAL ACTS.
  The Titles to which the Letter P. is prefixed are Public Acts of a Local Character.
  P. i. AN Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to enable the School Board for Birmingham to put in force the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, and the Acts amending the same.
  P. ii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to enable the School Board for London to put in force the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, and the Acts amending the same.
  P. iii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Divided Parishes and Poor Law Amendment Act, 1876, as amended and extended by the Poor Law Act, 1879, relating to the Parish of Broadwell, and to the Hamlet of Filkins.
  P. iv. An Act to confirm a provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885, relating to the Parish of Misson.
  P. v. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board under the provisions of the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act, 1870, and the Public Health Act, 1875, relating to the Borough of Droitwich, and the Local Government Districts of Marsden and Penrith.
  P. vi. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board under the Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act, 1878, relating to the County of Montgomery.
  P. vii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Improvement Act District of Cambridge, the Local Government Districts of Cheshunt and Cleckheaton, the Borough of Portsmouth, and the Rural Sanitary Districts of the Stockport and Wangford Unions (two).
  P. viii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Burslem, the Local Government District of Denton and Haughton, the Borough of Dewsbury (two), the Local Government District of Heckmondwike, the Boroughs of Lancaster and South-port, and the Local Government Districts of Ulverston and Widnes.
  P. ix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made hy the Board of Trade under the General Pier and Harbour Act, 1861, relating to Ballyshannon, Buckpool, Coldingham, Cullen, Dovercourt, Dunbar, Loch Ranza, Lynmouth, Mevagissey, Newlyn, Penarth, Saint Ives, Shanklin, and Wexford.
  P. x. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Dudley, Stourbridge, and Kingswinford Tramways, Great Grimsby Street Tramways (Cleethorpes Extension), Halifax and Districts Tramways, Jarrow and Hebburn and District Tramways, and North Staffordshire Tramways.
  P. xi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Bangor and Bradford (Yorkshire), and the Local Government District of Tyldesley-with-Shakerley.
  P. xii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order of the Local Government Board relating to the Local Government District of Panteg.
  P. xiii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board for Ireland relating to Galway and Londonderry.
  P. xiv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Rural Sanitary District of the Barnet Union, the Boroughs of Kingston-upon-Hull and Newport (Mon.), and the City of York.
  P. xv. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Borough of Bradford (Yorks), the City of Chichester, the Local Government Districts of Cleator Moor and Hornsey, the Districts of Maryport, Southborough, and Tunbridge Wells, and the West Kent Main Sewerage District.
  P. xvi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Boroughs of Gateshead and Kingston-upon-Hull, the Local Government District of North Bierley, and the Boroughs of Stockport and Wigan.
  P. xvii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board relating to the Local Government District of Dukinfield, the City of Manchester, and the Rochester and Chatham Joint Hospital District.
  P. xviii. An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Act, 1882, relating to Chelsea.
  P. xix. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Gas and Water Works Facilities Act, 1870, relating to Abingdon Gas, Hoddesdon Gas, Horley Gas, Horley District Gas, and Langley Mill and Heanor Gas.
  P. xx. An Act to confirm a Provisionel Order under the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1867, relating to Urray Water.
  P. xxi. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Bradford Corporation Tramways, Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramways, City of Oxford and District Tramways, and Stratford, Ilford and Romford Tramways.
  P. xxii. An Act to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Tramways Act, 1870, relating to Birmingham and Western District Tramways, Birmingham Central Tramways (Extension), South Birmingham Tramways (Extension), and South Staffordshire and Birmingham District Steam Tramways.
  xxiii. An Act to extend the time for purchasing Lands and completing the Railways and works authorised by the Exeter Teign Valley and Chagford Railway Act 1883.
  xxiv. An Act for authorising the release of the Balance of the Deposit Fund remaining deposited as security for the completion of certain of the Tramways authorised by the Plymouth Devonport and District Tramways Act 1882.
  xxv. An Act to enable the Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Salford to purchase waste lands in the Borough and for other purposes.
  xxvi. An Act to extend the time for the purchase of Lands and completion of certain Works authorised by the Moore Street Market and North Dublin City Improvement Act 1882 and for other purposes.
  xxvii. An Act to enable certain fundamental Rules of the Institution called "The Warehousemen and Clerks' Schools for orphan and necessitous Children" to be repealed altered or amended at a special Court of the Institution and for other purposes.
  xxviii. An Act for further extending the time for the completion of the Works authorised by the Drainage and Improvement of Lands Supplemental Act (Ireland) 1878 as extended by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
  xxix. An Act to amend the Ionian Bank Act 1882 and for other purposes.
  xxx. An Act for incorporating the Woodstock Railway Company and for other purposes.
  xxxi. An Act to incorporate and confer powers on the Leeds Compressed Air Power Company and for other purposes.
  xxxii. An Act for conferring further powers on the Lynton Railway Company for the construction of works and for other purposes.
  xxxiii. An Act to empower the St. Helens and Wigan Junction Railway Company to make new Railways and for other purposes.
  xxxiv. An Act to incorporate a Company and to authorise the sale and transfer to them of the Harbour of Ardrossan and for other purposes.
  xxxv. An Act for incorporating into a separate Company the holders of shares and stock in the railway undertaking of the Muswell Hill Estate Company Limited and for other purposes.
  xxxvi. An Act to extend the time for constructing the Chatham and Brompton Tramways.
  xxxvii. An Act for incorporating the Barry and Cadoxton Gas and Water Company and conferring powers on them for the construction of works the supply of Gas and Water and for other purposes.
  xxxviii. An Act to extend the District and the limits of Water Supply of the Local Board for the District of Nelson in the County of Lancaster and to confer upon them further powers with respect to the acquisition and management of a Recreation Ground and the improvement and government of their District and the raising of money; and for other purposes.
  xxxix. An Act to empower the North London Tramways Company to raise new Capital; and for other purposes.
  xl. An Act to extend the powers of the Rotherham and Bawtry Railway Company for the acquisition of Lands for and the completion of their authorised Railways; and for other purposes.
  xli. An Act to provide for the acquisition of Parliament Hill and other Lands and their addition to Hampstead Heath.
  xlii. An Act to extend the Powers of Section 37 of the Metropolitan Railway Act 1885 for the Purchase and Extinction of the Divided Ordinary Stock of the Metropolitan Railway Company; and for other purposes.
  xliii. An Act to authorise the Seacombe Hoylake and Deeside Railway Company to construct Extension Railways; and for other purposes.
  xliv. An Act for conferring further powers on the Halifax High Level and North and South Junction Railway Company in relation to their undertaking and for other purposes.
  xlv. An Act to authorise the Mersey Railway Company to extend their Railway in Birkenhead and for other purposes.
  xlvi. An Act to confer further powers on the Midland and South-western Junction Railway Company and for other purposes.
  xlvii. An Act to authorise the construction of a Railway between Portsmouth and Hayling Island with a Bridge available for road traffic over the southern entrance to Lang-stone Harbour and other works and for other purposes.
  xlviii. An Act to enable the Sutton and Willoughby Railway Company to extend their Railway to Mablethorpe in the Parts of Lindsey in the County of Lincoln and to confer upon them further powers in relation to their Undertaking; and for other purposes.
  xlix. An Act to authorise the Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company the Sheffield and Midland Railway Companies Committee and the Cheshire Lines Committee respectively to construct new Railways and other works and to confer further powers upon that Company and those Committees in connexion with their respective Undertakings and for other purposes.
  l. An Act to explain and amend the Bank of South Australia Act, 1884; and for other purposes.
  li. An Act for the Abandonment of the Midland and Central Wales Junction Railway.
  lii. An Act to incorporate the Plymouth and Devonport (Extension) Tramways Company and to authorise that Company to acquire and complete certain Tramways constructed under the Plymouth Devonport and District Tramways Act 1882 and to construct certain other Tramways in the county of Devon and for other purposes.
  liii. An Act to revive the powers for the construction of a portion of the Railway authorised by the Rosebush and Fishguard Railway Act 1878 to authorise the North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway Company to construct a deviation Railway and for other purposes.
  liv. An Act for conferring further powers on the Bridgewater Railway Company in relation to their Undertaking and for other purposes.
  lv. An Act to confer further powers upon the Neath Harbour Commissioners, to alter the Constitution of the Commissioners, and for other purposes.

  GENERAL INDEX TO SESSION 2, 1886.

    EXPLANATION OF THE ABBREVIATIONS.
    IT being a principal object of this Index, that the proceedings on each Motion shall be completely recorded, some abbreviations of forms were necessary. Those who are accustomed to the proceedings of Parliament will readily fill up the voids. Those who are not so familiar, may find the following explanation useful, but will find the whole formulœ set out at length in the "Contents."
    The names which immediately follow the title of a Bill are those of the Peers or hon. Members who have charge of the Bill.
    The numbers which are added at stages of Bills are the official numbers of the prints and reprints ordered at each stage, and, with the Statute, will enable the reader to follow all the changes the Bill has undergone.
    The entries—Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a;" Amendt. "this day six months;" Question put, "That 'now,' &c."—indicate the usual form of raising the issue—namely, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
    "The Ballot, Amendt. on Committee of Supply" indicates that the Question was raised by means of an Amendment moved on the Motion (after the Order of the Day for the House to go into Committee of Supply had been read), "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair." In this case the issue is formally raised by the Motion "To leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question, in order to add" other words. the decision is taken on the Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
    The Nos. added to the "Parliamentary Papers" are in most cases those given in the Commons' "List of Papers for Sale."

MINUTES.
SELECT COMMITTEE—Report—Employers' Liability Act (1880) Amendment [No. 24].
PUBLIC BILLS—Royal Assent—Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) [50 Vict. c. 1]; Secret Service Repeal [50 Vict. c. 2]; Submarine Telegraph Act (1885) Amendment [50 Vict. c. 3]; Disturbances at Belfast Inquiry [50 Vict. c. 4]; Expiring Laws Continuance [50 Vict. c. 5].
PROVISIONAL ORDER BILLS—Royal Assent—Elementary Education Confirmation (Birmingham) [50 Vict. c. i.]; Elementary Education Confirmation (London) [50 Vict. c. ii.]; Local Government (Poor Law) (No. 7) [50 Vict. c. iii.]; Local Government (County Divisions) [50 Vict. c. iv.]; Local Government (Gas) [50 Vict. c. v.]; Local Government (No. 3) [50 Vict. c. vii.]; Local Government (No. 6) [50 Vict. c. viii.); Pier and Harbour [50 Vict. c. ix.]; Tramways (No. 1) [50 Vict. c. x.]; Local Government (No. 8) [50 Vict. c. xi.]; Local Government

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(No. 9) [50 Vict. c. xii.]; Local Government (Ireland) (Public Health Act) (No. 2) [50 Vict. c. xiii.]; Local Government (No. 7) [50 Vict. c. xv.]; Local Government (Highways) [50 Vict. c. vi.]; Local Government (No. 5) [50 Vict. c. xiv.]; Local Government (No. 10) [50 Vict. c. xv.]; Local Government (No. 11) [50 Vict. c. xvii.]; Electric Lighting [50 Vict. c. xviii.]; Gas (No. 2) [50 Vict. c. xix.]; Public Health (Scotland) (Urray Water) [50 Vict. c. xx.]; Tramways (No. 2) [50 Vict. c. xxi.]; Tramways (No. 3) [50 Vict. c. xxii.].

PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT— HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
THE PARLIAMENT was this day prorogued by Commission.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY)acquainted the House that Her Majesty had been pleased to grant two several Commissions; one for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Bills agreed to by both Houses of Parliament, and the other for proroguing the Parliament:—And the LORDS COMMISSIONERS—namely, The LORD CHANCELLOR; The EARL of IDDESLEIGH (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs); The LORD STANLEY of PRESTON (President of the Board of Trade); The EARL of KINTORE (Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard); and The LORD SHUTE (Viscount Barrington) (Captain, of the Gentlemen at Arms)—being in their Robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack; and the COMMONS being come, with their Speaker, and the Commission to that purpose being read, the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
Then THE LORD CHANCELLOR,pursuant to Her Majesty's Command, delivered Her Majesty's Speech, as follows:—
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,"
"I AM glad to be able to release you from your arduous duties.
"My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
"The mutiny of a portion of the Bulgarian army has led to the abdication of Prince Alexander. A Regency has been established, which is now administering the affairs of the Principality, and preparations are being made for the election of his successor,
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in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin.
"In answer to a communication addressed by the Porte to the Signatory Powers, parties to that Treaty, I have stated that, so far as this country is concerned, there will be no infraction of the conditions guaranteed by Treaties to Bulgaria. Assurances to the same effect have been given by other Powers.
"The demarcation of the Afghan frontier has advanced to within a few miles of the Oxus. In view of the approach of winter, my Commission has been withdrawn; but the information which they have obtained will be sufficient for the determination, by direct negotiation between the two Courts, of the portion of frontier which still remains unmarked.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the supplies which you have voted for the requirements of the public service.
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"I have directed the issue of a Commission to inquire into the circumstances which appear to have prevented the anticipated operation of recent Acts dealing with the tenure and purchase of land in Ireland.
"I have observed with much satisfaction the interest which in an increasing degree is evinced by the people of this country in the welfare of their Colonial and Indian fellow-subjects; and I am led to the conviction that there is on all sides a growing desire to draw closer in every practicable way the bonds which unite the various portions of the Empire. I have authorised communications to be entered into with the principal

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Colonial Governments with a view to the fuller consideration of matters of common interest.
"I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may be with you."
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which,
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the Eleventh day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Eleventh day of November next.