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(Idubcntng. "r'J,r-J'-J- If any reader who is in difficulty wita reference to his y;arlen, will write direct to the ad- dress given beius th, his queries will be an. swered, free of charge, and by return of post. —EDITOR] Some correspondents omit to add their names, J or merely end with initifils. In these cases it is obviously impossible to reply.—E.K.T. ► THE VEGETABLE GARDEN IN MARCH. GENERAL. Finish digging and cleaning spare plots, and 'prepare good seed beds. Admit as much air to frame crops as is consistent with safety, and lIlake up what new hot-beds are required. Turn the manure two or hree times, sprinkling it with water occasionally, preparatory to form ing the beds, which should be allowed to settle down naturally. Cover with frames, and after a few days with a foot of light, rich soil. When excess of heat has passed away the bed will be ready for sowing. Examine early crops, and repair any losses due to frost or inclement weather. Towards the end of the month most vegetable seeds may be sown on the open border, provided the soil be dry. GLOBE ARTICHOKES. When danger from frost, is past remove the protecting material from beds. Sow under glass or in the open this or next month, and cover with two inches of good soil. The seed- lings must be put out in May, 3 feet apart, in rows from 3 to 4 feet asunder. JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES. Fork over the beds, and dibble in medium- sized tubers from 4 to 6 inches deep in rows 2 or 3 feet asunder, the sets being placed from 15 to 18 inches apart in the lines. The plant succeeds anywhere, and so is specially useful for filling up odd corners, which would not otherwise be cropped. ASPARAGUS. Keep the beds free from weeds, and prepare fresh ground for sowing ia April. Deep, rich, sandy, well dressed, and thoroughly drained soils are best, and an open situation should be chosen. The surface must be left as rough as possible until seed-time. If the soil be shallow or the subsoil poor, excavate a hole, and fill it with a mixture of good loam, sand, leaf-mould, lime rubbish, and scrapings. BROAD BEANS. Plant out from frames, and earth up early crops. Make main and late sowings three or four inches deep in double rows three feet asunder, placing the two lines forming each double row nine inches distant from one an. other arranging the seeds about seven inches apart, for the plants to come alternately. BROCCOLI. Sow in the open ground in fresh, sweet, well dug soil, in open situations. It is most essential that a good seed bed be prepared, though it need not be too rich Get the seeds in half-an- inch deep in drills ten inches apart, and net the seed-bed as a protection against birds. BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Sow now in a cold frame on a warm border in shallow drills 12 inches apart, and prick out the seedlings from frame sowings six inches apart into open beds directly they have made half-a-dozen leaves, earthing them up when they are of good size. CABBAGES. Sow early kinds and a few Coleworts in the open towards the end of March, to come into use from July till November, using an ounce of seed to eight square yards of seed-bed, and covering it with half-an-inch of fine soil. Prick out the seedlings from frame sowings into other frames, give free ventilation, and transplant to the open later in the season, with as large a ball of earth as possible attached to the roots. Do not allow the plants to become crowded or drawn. All planting should be done as far as possible during showery weather, and it is well to dip each root into a puddle composed of soot, lime, and clay. When rain cannot be waited for, draw shallow drills, soak them with water overnight, and immediately lightly mulch them with short manure. CARROTS. Choose a warm and dry soil, and make a small sowing for the earliest out-door crop at the end of the month, in drills from eight to 12 inches apart, using an ounce of seed, mixed with dry sand or earth, to a row of 60 feet, and covering it with IT inch of fine soil. This sow. ing may require protection with mats from frost. Weed the crop as soon as the rows can be seen, and thin out the seedlings to several inches apart. During showery weather thin out a second time, finally leaving the roots to mature at from four to 12 inches asunder in the rows, according to size. The young carrots from this second thinning make a delicate dish. Rigorously destroy weeds.. CAULIFLOWEES. Prepare plots for planting out cauliflowers. A light, rich soil is essential, and it must be thoroughly and deeply broken up. The land jpust be generously treated if good results are "desired, and since the crop is justly one of the most esteemed, plantings should be made in the very best soil possible. CELERY. Sow now in pans or boxes in a house or on a very gentle hoo-bed, and about the middle or end of April on the open border, covering the seed very lightly. As the seedlings of early sowings successively become about two inches high, prick them out four inches apart close to the glass in boxes in a frame, or six inches asunder in a prepared border under handlights. Shade for a few days, keep the bed moist, and gradually admit air until it be safe to remove the lights during the day. The earliesc of these plants will be fit to move into trenches in May. I CHIVES. The leaves of chives are used as a mild sub stitute for onions. The tufts may now be raised, divided, and replanted where the crop has not been previously grown for some time. CUCUMBER. Early in March prepare a heap of manure, Providing 2 and 4 loads for 1 and 2 light frames respectively. At intervals of from 7 to 10 days turn it, and towards the end of the month build it up into a suitable, tolerably firm bed, and cover it with a frame. After about a week, add a layer of from 7 to 9 inches of soil, and plant out dwarf, strong, and thrifty seed- lings in the middle of April. Shade the plants until established, gradually increasing the amount of light and air. Preserve a day tem- perature of 80 degrees, increasing to 90 degrees In hot weather, and a night heat of 60 degrees. ow the seeds 2 inches deep a month before they are required, in pots or pans of light, rich, turfy loam on a hot-bed or in a sunny corner of the greenhouse. In the latter case the pots or pans must be covered with sheets of glass until germination be accomplished. HERBS. Many perennial herbs can now be divided and replanted, and it is perhaps the best time in the year to repair deficiencies in the herb garden. KOHL RABI. When properly cooked, kohl rabi roots are superior to turnips. Well tilled, heavy soils tn *5es';» 8 ground being prepared as for Sow from towards the end of March June, inclusive, and thm out the seedlings to • «wo or three inches apart directly they are »rge enough to handle, planting out all thin- ,rtizkgs shall,Iy a foot apart, in rows li feet ELBIliider. A few roots may be left at suitable apa,rt fc0 mature in the seed-bed,/but a o»f fn r?,U8t either be drawn or again thinned mai« A a"0w room for the leaves of the re- car»fniir to j 8Pread without touching. Hoe "wah«»« a? regularly between the crops, and er carefully after transplanting. Tl LEEKS. aoagh profitable even in poor soil, a rich loam is most desirable for leek culture. If the ground be very damp, prepare raised beds, and if, on the contrary, it be light, trenches must be made, as for celery, Large roots can only be grown in very richly dunked soil, and occasional dressings of weak liquid manure rijay advantageously be poured between the rows from time to time. Sow during March, and for succession in April, one ounce of seed to two square yards of firm bed, and cover it with halr-an inch of fine soil. Begin to thin out the seedlings when they are five or six inches high. and after slightly shortening the leaves, plant them with a dibbler from eight to nine inches apart, as deeply as the base of the leaves, in well watered beds or trenches. Fur- ther thinnings will provide successional crops, a few plants being left to mature in the seed bed. Use the hoe occasionally, and water generously. The produce will be fit for use from September onwards, and when properly stewed there are few vegetables that compare with this in flavour and wholesomeness, none that excel it. LETTUCE. Immediately before sowing place a layer of fresh or green manure nine inches under the surface. The main sowings for summer use should be made in drills an inch deep and a foot apart, using an ounce of seed to four square yards of prepared seed bed from March until the end of June. Thin out early, to prevent crowding, eventually placing the plant 12 inches distant from one another. In summer it is generally advisable to transplant with a trowel. Lettuce is without exception the most whole- some and elegant of saladings, and at the same time it is probably the simplest to grow to per- fection. ONIONS. Any firm, deeply worked and well pulverised soil, in an open situation, will do, though rich loams are to be preferred for this crop. If only light and porous land be available, it must be firmly trodden down at seed time. The beds should be prepared as long beforehand as possible, those for spring sowings being left rough through the winter. Select a poor, firm soil for pickling onions. When levelling down, preparatory to sowing, give a sufficient sprink- ling of mixed soot and salt, to just colour the SUI face of the bed. Select a day when the sur- face soil is almost dry, and sow in drills from six to 12 inches asunder, according to the vigour of the variety, one ounce of seed to three square yards. Cover with half-an-inch of fine soil; tread lightly over the drills touch the surface with a rake and firm the bed down all over with the back of a spade, provided the soil be dry. E. KEMP TOOGOOD, F.R.H.S., ':G pro Toogood and Sons, The Royal Seed Establishment, Southampton.
\ WEEKLY NO T E S . ..-....---'-../'.
WEEKLY NO T E S The opening of the Great Central Railway this week provides another link between Lon- don and the North. The new line which is an extension of the old Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, has been constructed in less than five years, and it is probably the last of the great Trunk Railways, communicating with the North, which will have a London terminus. When the Queeu came to the Throne there was no railway with a Met ropolitan terminus. The Great Western was the first with its station at Paddington, but this was not opened until 1838, and there are officials still living who had charge of the arrangements for the Queen's first railway journey between Paddington and Windsor. fhen followed the London and Birmingham, now the North Western, and the Midland Rail- way was the last to extend its operations to London In 1868. Now the Great Central makes a further addition to the already excellent sygfcems provided by the London and North Western, the Great Northern, and the Midland Railways. There will consequently be no lack of competition, and this always tells for the public benefit. It is precisely this stimulating effect which is so badly needed on the Southern lines from the Metropolis. Possibly the Great Central may some day continue its system to the coast so as to tap the traffic between the North and the Continent, and in that case it would render a valuable service to the South east counties of England. Speaking generally there is not much scope within the narrow limits of these islands, for fresh enterprise with regard to main line routes, but on many rail. ways, and especially in the South, there is ample room for improved rolling stock, and cheaper and better services. —e— The addition of nearly three millions to the Navy Estimates for 1899-1900 makes the financial outlook even more formidable than was anticipated. The demands of the four great spending departments for the coming year are now published, and from these figures it is certain that the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer will require an additional revenue of between five and six millions. It is scarcely possible that so large a sum can be met without suspending some of the annual payments towards the reduction of the National Debt. It is not a sound policy according to the purists of finance, but it is argued that the gradual dis- appearance of consols is a serious inconvenience to bankers and others, seeing the large amount of investments which are required to be placed in Government securities. Since the year 1817 the debt, then standing at 886 millions has been reduced to 634 millions. In the meantime there have been interim additions of 366 millions, so that the total amount paid off is nearly 620 millions in the course of 81 years. In point of size our National Debt now ranks third in the world, France coming first with a burden of 1,088 millions, Russia being second with 643 millions. After this country the next in order are Italy with 516 millions, Spain 369, the United States, 363, Austria, 348, and Russia, 318, the figures representing millions sterling. Everyone of these shows an increase in the last decade, with the exception of this country which has paid off more in the last ten years, than in any former period. —o— The Budget of 122 millions now in prospect reminds one of the really immense cost of gov. erning the world. The British Empire costs more to manage than any other nation, the total annual amovtnt required being not less than 270 millions. The Germans come next with an expenditure of all the various States of about 220 millions. This appears to be a large sum, but no other Government in the world is carried on so economically, or does so much for the people as is the case in Germany. France has requirements reaching to about 140 millions in the year, but her monster debt is largely responsible for the costliness of her Government. In France there is a bewildering variety of taxes upon almost everything. The expenditure in Russia is less readily ascertain able but it is probably not less than 150 millions. If we take the six great European Powers, the United Kingdom, France, Ger- many, Austria, Italy, and Russia, they show an expenditure of about £ 800,000,000, and if we add in all the smaller States, they bring up the total to over 900 millions. The expenditure in the United States is close upon 100 millions. Asia does not readily lend itself to statistics, but if we take in that Continent and the rest of the world, we have, according to the most reliable figures, a grand total of between 1,300 and 1,400 millions as the cost of governing our terrestrial sphere. This after all is less than a pound a year for every individual, but this takes no account of the demands of local bodies. Some nations of course cost more to govern than others. The European coats f,2 5s. Od. a year for every individual, while the American can manage on 91 9s. Od., and for the dark and yellow races it is probably not more than 3s. or 4s. per head.
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A lion always places its head near the ground when roaring. Though the springtime may smile Upon valley and hill, That last winter's cold Will remain with you still.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LOITD-S.—MARCH 13. The Transvaal Mortgage Loan and Finance Com- pany Bill and the Surrey Commercial Docks Bill were read a second time. Cathcart's Divorce Bill was read a third time. HOUSE OF COMMONS. CHINESE QUESTIONS. Mr. Pritchard Morgan obtained leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a matter of urgent importance- namely, the support given by her Majesty's repre- sentative at Pekin to the demands of Italy for a sphere of interest in China and for a naval base in Sammun Bay. He maintained that the policy of the Government in this matter was in con- travention of the resolution passed by the House on March 1, 1898, which affirmed that it was of vital importance that the independence of Chinese terri- tory should be maintained. In his opinion the de- mands of Italy, if granted, would encourage other countries to ask for similar concessions, and he asked where this partition of China would stop. He feared that if the Powers of Europe were all to become next-door neighbours in China jealousies and irritation would be aroused and dangerous con- sequences would follow. The expansion of trade and commerce in China could be secured without effecting the partition of that Empire. Sir E. Ashmead-Bartlett pointed out that as three European Powers had already obtained naval stations on the Chinese coasts with spheres of influ- ence or interest it would have been very difficult to oppose the wishes of Italy, one of our oldest allies. Mr. Brodrick ridiculed the notion that it was the business of the Government to prevent any other Power from establishing any interest in China. As to the action of Italy, it had been taken on her own initiative; but the Government had shown a friendly disposition towards her and would welcome the appearance ot Italy in the East. Nothing was more unwise than to travel beyond one's proper province, and the proper province of the British-Government in regard to China was to safeguard the interests of Great Britain. As long as those interests were not threatened it was not desirable to stand in the way of friendly Powers anxious to safeguard their own interests. The Government wished well to Italy's negotiations, and, as far as they were concerned, were willing to support them by diplomatic means. Mr. Courtney was disappointed with the right hon. gentleman's speech, for he had hoped to hear that the Government were maintaining an attitude of strict neutrality. He looked upon the action of Italy as most, unfortunate, for her energies ought not to be dissipated by ambitious ventures abroad. Our attitude, he maintained, ought to have been one of non-interference. If Italy was to obtain a naval base in China, why should not Austria-Hungary, Holland, and other countries attempt to obtain similar advantages ? Was it, he asked, to our interest that China should become the prey of con- tending greed? He warned the Government that by che course which they were taking they might be precipitating that very dissolution of China which they dreaded. Sir E. Grey, referring to the resolution passed in March, 1898, remarked that the Government's acceptance of it, contrasted with their present support of Italy's demand, undoubtedly laid them open to a charge of inconsistency. But he took himself no exception to their present policy. Since the resolution of 1898 several spheres of interest had developed in China, and in the circumstances he did not see how the Government could possibly have adopted towards Italy the attitude described by the right hon. member for Bodmin. The fact was that it was now impossible for us to stand aside and to have no inter-communication with other Powers. Such isolation was not possible, and what ought to be done was to keep in constant touch with the other countries interested in the Far East, for if that con- stant touch were not maintained the Powers, between whom friendly relations ought to be preserved, would run the risk of drifting apart. Captain Bethell doubted whether the Government were right in assisting Italy, even though that assist- ance had been exclusively diplomatic. It would have been better to stand aside and to allow Italy to fight her own battles, it being his view that it was an unsound policy to make any arrangements with other Powers which might pave the way for the partition of China. Mr. Gibson Bowles regretted that European countries should be gnawing coaling stations out of China, but recognised that the Government could not put difficulties in Italy's way. Mr. Bryn Roberts and Mr. Marks also spoke, and The motion was negatived without a division. ARMY ESTIMATES. Mr. Balfour moved a resolution giving Govern- ment business precedence on Tuesday, and took the opportunity to explain the circumstances under which the Army Estimates were not proceeded with on Friday of last week. He also stated as a reason for encroaching on private members' time that the first reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill must be obtained on the 21st inst. and read a third time on the 24th.. It was therefore necessary to make sub- stantial progress with Supply. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman characterised the right hon. gentleman's resolution as quite unjustifi- 11 able, and reminded him that the first members' motion down for discussion to-day was one of great interest, being concerned with the reports of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis. Mr. Channing complained that several hours were wasted on the preceding Friday, and after some con- versation, in which Sir W. Foster, Sir J. Lubbock, Mr. Hobhouse, and Mr. Courtney took part, Mr. Buchanan moved an amendment limiting the operation or Mr. Balfour's motion to Vote 1 for the army. Mr. Balfour could not accept the amendment, but undertook not to ask on Tuesday for more than Vote 1 and the three non-effective army votes. After some further discussion, the amendment was negatived without a division, and then the motion was carried by 222 votes to 118. NAVY ESTIMATES. The adjourned debate on the motion for going into Committee of Supply on the Navy Estimates was resumed by Sir U. Kay-Shuttleworth, who expressed the regret felt in all quarters of the House at the absence of the First Lord of the Admiralty. Alluding to the colossal growth of the expenditure on the navy, he asked whether.means might not be found to check it either by some change of policy and of administra- tion or by agreement with other Powers. Referring to the Czar's proposal for a conference, he said that if the Government should fail to offer every assistance in promoting the objects of the Emperor the country would be of opinion that a great opportunity had been lost. Criticising Mr. Goschen's speech on introducing the Estimates, he claimed that credit was due to more than one Board of Admiralty for the present efficient state of the Navy. It was very gratifying that in the autumn there was no need for a vote of credit or for any special efforts. It was right, however, to recognise that a great burden had been imposed upon the Admiralty, and to guard against any possible breakdown of administrative machinery in that growing and unwieldly department some attention should be paid to internal organisation. Examining the programme of new construction, and comparing it with that of France, he commented on the com- parative slowness of construction in that country, and pointed out that this gave us a great advantage. France was now building battleships with less vigour than formerly, having arrived at the conclusion that LV in the race of construction she could not profitably persevere. As far as battleships were concerned, he thought we had good reason to be satisfied with our strength, and he doubted whether there were adequate grounds to justify an increase in the number of these vessels. Sir J. Colomb hoped the Government would not base their action at the Peace Conference on the supposition that the only combination we might have to meet would be one of two Powers. If all the other Powers of the world were to agree to modify their naval programmes—then, but not till then, ought we to consent to modify ours. Referring to the contribution to the navy from the Cape, he expressed regret that the First Lord of the Admiralty had omitted to notice in his speech the very im- portant subject of the relations of the colonies to the navy. Mr. Kearley urged the Government to take measures to increase the numbers of the Naval Re- serve, and the discussion was continued by Mr. Gibson Bowles, Sir J. Baker, Admiral Field, and other members. Sir C. Dilke insisted that if any reduction of ex- penditure should ever become necessary there ought to be no economy at the expense of the navy; Mr. W. Allan said it had pained him to hear the late Secretary to the Admiralty practically condemn the programme of the Government; and Mr. Arnold- Forster referred to the enormous improvement of the navy in recent years, and paid a sincere tribute to the present Board of Admiralty for its good work. Mr. Macartney expressed gratification at the almost unanimous approval which had been extended to the naval programme, which, he assured the House, was based on grounds of necessity. To those who thought that the Estimates were too large he pointed out that it was not possible to regard only the rate of naval construction in France. Other countries had to be borne in mind as well, and the proposals of the Government with regard to battle- ships were founded upon their knowledge of the intentions of other Powers. Explaining the references of the First Lord to the disarmament conference. h, said the right hon. gentleman, while he attached great importance to that conference, would not lose sight of the fact that the conditions and responsi- bilities of the naval service of the country were very different from those which the navies of other countries were designed to meet. Having replied to questions which had been put to him with reference to the supply of armour, the appointments of lieu- tenants, the naval reserve, and other matters, he appealed to the House to consent to go into Com- mittee. Mr. Channing warned the Government that pro- vocation programmes were dangerous. The House then went into Committee, and on the vote fixing the number of men and boys for the navy at 110,640, Mr. Labouchere, who was supported by Mr. Dillon, moved to reduce the vote by 4000 men as a protest against the growth of our naval expenditure. Mr. Balfour, replying to an observation made by Mr. Dillon to the effect that the intentions of the Government appeared to be to render the navy capable of meeting a combination of any six Powers, declared that no Government would ever commit itself to such an insane policy. The pro- gramme now before the country was in accordance with the accepted principle that the naval strength of Great Britain should be such as to enable her to meet a combination of two Powers. The amendment having been rejected by 147 votes to 19. progress was reported. The report of the resolutions passed in Committee of Supply on March 10 was agreed to. HOUSE OF LORDS, MABcu 14. SECONDARY EDUCATION. The Duke of Devonshire, in rising to call attention to the subject of secondary education and to present a bill, said that at the close of last session, in bringing in two bills, the principal one of which constituted a Board of Education, he made a general statement of the views of the Government with regard to the reform of secondary education in this country. He then gave some account of the provisions which already existed for secondary education from public, local, and private sources, and of the department and authority by which that provision was controlled and the expenditure regulated. He stated that the Government had no intention of bringing secondary education under any centralised control such as that which had been found necessary in regard to elementary education. He said, how- ever, that in their opinion the creation of local authorities ought to be preceded by the constitution of a central authority, not for the purpose of unduly controlling the action of such local authority, but mainly for the purpose of giving them such advice and guidance as they would not be in a position to obtain from the isolated and detached departments which at present existed. He further indicated the nature of the authority they proposed to create, and said that it would concentrate within one department the powers now exercised by the Education Departmentand the Science and Art Department. During last autumn and winter, and up to a very recent date, he was glad to say the subject had been very extensively discussed, and he had no reason to be dissatisfied with the reception which the measures had met with, though the contention he made that the preliminary organisation of a central authority ought properly to precede the formation of local authorities, had met with some criticism. It was the intention of the Government to reorganise the Science and Art Depart- ment, and transferpowers now held by them to thenew body, and he held more strongly than he did last year the opinion that it was necessary they should first put their own house in order before trying to introduce a better system into the local administration of educa- tion. The bill provided for the transfer to the new body of powers now possessed by the Science and Art Department, and for the transfer of the powers of inspection possessed by the Charity Commmissioners in the case of endowed schools. They proposed that the bill should not come into force before the 1st of April next year, which was hardly more than necessary time to con- duct an inquiry into the present position of the Science and Art Department. The bill differed in some minor details from that of last year, but the Government had seen no reason to depart from the principle of the measure or to extend its scope. The bill was read a first time. HOUSE OF COMMONS. SOUTH-EASTERN AND L.C. AND D. RAILWAY COMPANIES' BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. Pickersgill moved that it be read a second time this day six months. He said the amalgamatiou it proposed did not concern only the county of Kent, but was one that Parliament must consider upon national grounds. The traffic of the route between England and the Continent should not be controlled by a monopoly. The conduct of the promoters had not been such as to conciliate the approval of Parlia- ment; they had not been respectful to Parliament,; they had endeavoured to force the hands of Parliament in a way that he hoped the House would resent. The companies asked Parliament to sanction an arrange- ment practically in operation. Since January last a joint board had been managing all the aff;às of the two companies. It was not a straightforward amalga- mation. The working union proposed in the bill was a new departure among railway companies, and it was decidedly detrimental to the public inte- rests. Efforts must be made to bind the companies down to provide reasonable and adequate ser- vices of workmen's trains and to reduce the rates charged on agricultural produce grown in our own country. He thought they were among the worst offenders in respect of these preferential rates, and opportunity to bind the companies down in some special way ought not to be lost. Mr. Woods seconded the rejection of the bill. Mr. Lawrence Hardy explained that the Con- tinental traffic was not concerned in the present bill, and was safeguarded by statutory enactment in perpetuity. What had to be considered was the wants of the i district; and the county of Kent was almost unanimous in favour of this working union. It would, therefore, be a strong measure to reject the bill on the second read- ing instead of. sending it to a Select Committee. He had satisfied himself that this working union was for the benefit of his constituency and of the district. Mr. Griffith-Bosca.wen said his constituency in Kent were nearly unanimous in favour of the bill. He was rather astonished at the character of the opposition, which appeared to be largely factious, and made up by a certain newspaper. Sir W. Hart Dyke said that though he wished to deal lightly and carelessly with the opposition to the measure, yet it seemed to him, as an old compaigner in, as well as out of Parliament, that this opposition was the most peculiar he had ever known. The whole question the House had to decide was this- was Parliament willing or not to send the bill to a Committee to make the proposal effective as re- farded the benefit of the passenger and goods traffic ? If the bill was passed one result would be the ex- penditure of one million sterling for the improvement of the traffic, and it would eventually enable the com- panies to reduce their very high tariffs for agricul- tural produce. Mr. Bryce said the effect of the bill, if passed, would be to hand over that part of England which the two railways served to one company's control, thus giving it a complete monopoly. The matter was one of great importance, because it raised a large question of policy. If the bill went before a com- mittee there ought to be certain conditions attached to it. One was that the committee should be an exceptionally strong one, that it should have great freedom in its methods, not being restrained by the ordinary rules of procedure, so that it would be enabled to conduct what was really an inquiry into a large question of public policy. He also urged that stringent conditions ought to be imposed, including the following-a large reduction of rates and fares, additional facilities for the travelling public, and more workmen's trains; and further, that it should be left open to allow some other railway company to eome into the district if it thought fit in the future. Mr. Ritchie agreed with Mr. Bryce that the bill should be read a second time and referred toya Com- mittee. No doubt an amalgamation of this kind was one of large public interest; but if the House rejected this proposal on some shadowy idea that a no.ibern eompany would buy up the Chatham and Dover Com- pany, he thought the House would take a course not in accord with the public interest. The Board of Trade would have to make a report to Parliament upon the bill, and he hoped to get some more concessions for the public than they had at present. If the bill were passed into an Act it would place in the hands of the Chatham and Dover Railway a sum of money that the company could not otherwise obtain to improve their rolling stock, and it would give additional facilities to the public. It would give facilities to the public for travelling between one line and another that they had not now got. He believed that it was to the in- terest of the public that it should go before a hybrid committee. Mr. J. Burns said he was extremely dissatisfied with the speech of Mr. Ritchie. He would, there- fore, vote against the second reading of the bill. Mr. C. Bonsor felt confident that the bill was really in the interests of the public first and the shareholders afterwards. The arrangement, which had been come to would be an absolute protection against undue monopoly; the companies bound themselves not to increase an rate, fare, or charge which was at present in existence while it was their intention to go through the whole of the tariffs, fares, and rates, so as to remove anomalies and to do their best in their own interests as well as in those of their customers, which were identical. Mr. James Lowther supported the bill. Mr. Lough spoke of the way the companies had acted with regard to workmen's trains. On a division, the second reading was carried by 288 against 82. The bill was then read a second time. Mr. Bryce moved that the bill be referred to a select committee of nine members, and this was agreed to. AN IRISH AMALGAMATION. On the motion for the second reading of the Great Southern and Western and Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway Companies'Amalgamation Bill, Mr. J. Redmond moved the rejection of the measure. It was, however, read a second time, and on the motion of Mr. G. Balfour, the bill was referred-to a Select Committee of nine members, five to be nominated by the House, and four by the Committee of Selec- tion. "EVERYBODY HIS OWN LANDLORD." Mr. Chamberlain moved to introduce a bill to empower local authorities to advance money for enabling persons to acquire the ownership of small houses in which they reside. It was a voluntary bill, said the right hon. gentleman, but the Government endeavoured in it to meet certain objections to the details of the former bills. The amount to be advanced would be E240 upon a house valued at £ 300. The utmost expense of carrying it out was not to rise above a rate of 7d. in the E. The transfer fee of such a house in the event of a sale should not be more than 10s. If the conditions of the loan were violated the local authority had power to take the house and sell it. The bill applied to Ireland and Scotland. Mr. McKenna criticised the bill, which was then read a first time. Discussion was resumed on the Army Eatimatea, and occupied the remainder of the sitting. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MARCH 16. 1 PETROLEUM BILL REJECTED. Mr. Reckitt, Liberal member for the Brigg Divi- sion of Lincolnshire, moved the second reading of his Petroleum Bill, which, he explained, would raise the flash point of oil to an extent necessi- tated by considerations of the public safety. Mr. A. Cross, Unionist member for Glas- gow, supported the bill, denying that the cost of oil would be increased by raising the flash point, and stating that the manufacturers in Scot- land had fixed the flash point at 103, with the object of building up a trade by supplying a perfectly safe commodity. Mr. Kimber, Conservative member for Wandsworth, moved the rejection of the bill, on the ground mainly that it would repeal the legislation of 1879, and revert to that of 1871, and that it was a Protectionist measure. Mr. R. G. Webster seconded the amendment, urging that the numerous fires in the metropolis which were attributed to the quality of the oil now supplied from abroad, were really due to the defective character of the lamps in the hands of the working classes. Mr. Tully and Mr. Ure sup- ported the bill, whilst Sir E. Hill spoke in favour of the amendment. Mr. Jesse Collings said that the Government Bill dealing with this subject was in a very forward state. The whole question was ex- tremely intricate, the nature of the lamps and the storage, as well as the conditions attending the two departments of the trade, needing to be carefully studied. It was hoped by the Government that their own bill would settle the problem, and they could not consent either to have their hands tied by the present measure or to place an additional tax on an article for the benefit of certain people who were at the bottom of this agitation. After some further discussion the bill was thrown out by 244 against 159. Mr. Macartney, replying to a question, briefly communicated particulars of the accident on board her Majesty's ship Terrible.
ACCIDENT TO MR. LEOPOLD DE…
ACCIDENT TO MR. LEOPOLD DE ROTHSCHILD. Mr. Leopold de Rothschild met with an accident on Wednesday while following the staghounds. The meet was at Mentmore Cross Roads, and Mr. de Rothschild's horse, in running in the vicinity of North Marston, fell at an awkward ditch, and threw its rider, who, when picked up, was found to be suffering from a cracked collar-bone. He was attended on the field by Dr. Square and Dr. Harris, of Leighton Buzzard, and subsequently, on beingcon- veyed to Ascott Lodge, Mr. Noble Smith, of London, saw the patient. According to a message received later, Mr. Leopold de Rothschild was progressing as comfortably as could be expected.
DISASTER ON THE TERRIBLE.
DISASTER ON THE TERRIBLE. The first-class cruiser Terrible left Gibraltar on Sunday night with relieved crews and time-expired men from ships of the Mediterranean Squadron. Soon afterwards there was an accident to one of her boilers. The defect was made good, and the ship made excellent steaming in the Bay of Biscay, and until within 800 miles of Plymouth. Then,' and as the ship was going at 18 knots, steam and flame burst out in the stokehold, and it at once became imperative to effect the rescue of the men wh,) were there engaged. It was found that Edward Sullivan, of Liverpool, one of the stokers, was scalded beyond hope of recovery, and that George Under- wood, leading stoket, was terribly injured, while four others were painfully, though not seriously, scalded about legs and feet. Captain Robinson made for Plymouth with all possible speed, and arrived in the Sound on Wednesday. Sullivan, it was stated, lingered only a few hours, but the others are reported to be recovering. When Captain Robinson landed at Devon- port to report the accident to Admiral Sir E. Free- mantle it was decided not to detain the Terrible at Plymouth, but to send her on to Portsmouth, to which port the majority of the men on board belong, and after landing some ordinary cases of sickness for hospital treatment and about 60 ratings belonging to the port the Terrible proceeded. The officials at Devonport refused to give any information as to how the accident occurred, or to publish the names of the injured. The inquest and official in- vestigation were appointed to be held at Portsmouth. A later message says that the port boilers were giving trouble, and Sullivan opened the furnace door to ascertain the cause. At the moment the boiler tub9 exploded, and the escaping steam blew the fire out on him. He was burned and scalded almost beyond recognition, but though the accident hap- pened at ten a.m. he lingered until seven p.m. Underwood, whose injuries were of an extremely painful nature, is now out of danger. In the first accident on Sunday two men were scalded, but wt badly.
[No title]
Philosophy, proverbial or otherwise, has never been able to fathom the cunningness of the fox. The various ruses to which Reynard has resetted to elude pursuit are innumerable. He has taken refuge in educational institutions during lesson hours, or hidden himself in chimneys, and even in cupboards; but few have seen him balancing himself over the ridge tile of the National school, as happened with the Whaddon Chase on Satur- day. Mr. Selby Lowndes bad the pack trotted on to Howe-park, where they found, and ran a fox well by Bietchley and Newton Longueville almost to Solden, where they turned back to Howe- park, and, having driven him from the covert to the Bottle House, reached the village of Whaddon, where the incident occurred. Mr. Lowndes had hounds taken away, and by means of a ladder the varmint was dislodged. But he did not succeed in getting out of the village before he was killad. Hounds were then taken on to ThenWood," where they found, and ran on to Whadac*. jftirift.
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