Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Report of the Law Officers of the Crown, to whom the case had been referred, and until he received their Report it was im possible for him to say whether or not any irregularity had arisen in the proceedings. When he received that Report, it would be his duty to consider it, and he should then have no objection to lay upon the table all the Papers relating to the matter which had not reached his hands at the date of the last publication.

ARMY-RETIREMENT OF ARTILLERY

OFFICERS.-QUESTION.

GENERAL DUNNE said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether it be true that £5,000, the moiety of an increase of £10,000, sanctioned by the Treasury to be applied to the Retirement of Officers of Artillery, is to be suspended until a scheme for retire.

ment on some other basis has been substituted, while the total sum calculated to be the proportion for the Royal Engineers has been properly applied to the promotion of that corps ?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON said, in reply, it would be in the recollection of the hon. and gallant Gentleman that a short time since the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. Childers) had put a similar Question to him. As there appeared to have been some misunderstanding with respect to his Answer on that occasion, he had entered into correspondence with the hon. Member respecting it. His answer now was that he did not wish to fetter himself with any distinct engagement upon this subject at present, but desired rather to reserve to himself the power of acting in accordance with what the fair requirements of promotion in the Royal Artillery might demand, and with reference to the plan which he hoped the House would adopt.

ARMY-MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

QUESTION.

MR. O'BEIRNE said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been directed to the slow and unsatisfactory promotion which takes place from the rank of Assistant Surgeon in the Army Medical Department; and, whether he is of opinion that measures should be taken to assimilate the system of promotion in that branch of the Service to that which exists in the Indian Medical Service, where it is obtained after a period of twelve years?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON, in reply, said, he could not help taking exception to the first portion of the hon. Member's Question. The hon. Gentleman could, he imagined, have scarcely been aware of the fact that last year no less than sixty-five Assistant Surgeons were promoted, while in no year during the ten preceding years had the average of promotions exceeded forty. Instead, therefore, of the promotion being "slow and unsatisfactory," it had never been more rapid or more satisfactory than it was at the present time. With reference to the latter portion of the hon. hon. Gentleman that the whole of this Member's Question, he might remind the subject was carefully considered by a Select Committee as lately as 1866, and under the circumstances he did not see that any measures such as those suggested by the hon. Gentleman were required.

FEES ON ORDINATIONS.-QUESTION. MR. MONK said, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Table of Fees to be taken on Consecrations and Ordinations under the Provisions of the Act 31 Vict. c. 135, has been submitted by the Archbishops to the Lords of the Treasury for their sanction?

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH replied that no such Table of Fees had as yet been presented to the Lords of the Treasury. Some months ago, when the hon. Gentleman made a similar inquiry, he had informed the hon. Gentleman, on the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, that such a Table was in preparation. He had, however, received no further information, and, although he had sent a communication to the Archbishop, he did not anticipate an immediate answer on account of the absence from town and the indisposition of the most rev. Prelate.

INDIA-INDIAN SERVICE MEDALS.

QUESTION.

MR. KINNAIRD said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, Whether any decision has been arrived at as to granting a Frontier Service Medal to the Punjab Irregular Forces and Regular Troops, European and Native, engaged in important expeditions for the defence of the North West Frontier against the Hill tribes of Afghanistan since the annexation of the Punjab to British India in 1849 ?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE replied that the matter was not one in

which the Secretary of State could take the initiative. He apprehended that any steps which might be taken in the matter must be taken by the Government of India. He had no reason for stating that a proposition on the subject would be made; but he thought it not improbable that there would be, and as he was disposed to give every encouragement to the system of granting Service Medals whenever it could properly be done, if any proposition of the kind should come before him in this case he would give it his favourable consideration.

COLONEL SYKES said, he would beg to ask, Whether, considering that a Medal had been granted to the Troops serving in the New Zealand campaign, in 1863, it was intended to grant one to the Troops who served in the campaign of Umballah, where the loss in three months was greater than that which had occurred in three years in New Zealand?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE said, in reply, that he must repeat that he could not officially take the initiative, but he would communicate privately with the Governor General on the subject.

THE CIRCUITS IN YORKSHIRE.

QUESTION.

VISCOUNT MILTON said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether considerable changes are not contemplated in the Circuits of the Judges for the Midland and Northern Districts; and whether Her Majesty's Government, in the event of any change, will consider the necessity of hold ing assizes at some convenient place within the Southern Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire ?

MR. GATHORNE HARDY said, in reply, that he was not aware that any changes were contemplated, unless changes might be contemplated by the Judicial Commission now sitting. No steps in the matter would be taken by the Government without considering the Report of that Commission, which was now pursuing its inquiries.

ARMY-7TH SURREY VOLUNTEERS. QUESTION.

MR. WHALLEY said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with reference to a Letter addressed by him to the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Surrey, dated the 21st instant, and relating

to a complaint on the part of the Commanding Officer of the 7th Surrey Volunteers of conduct of Colonel Colville, one of the Inspecting Officers of Volunteers, Whether it is in accordance with the rules of the Service that an Inspecting Officer should make injurious comments as to the discipline of any one Regiment, in his official capacity, to another Regiment, and that, too, without notice or intimation to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment so spoken of?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON: Sir, in answering this Question, I cannot help saying that it is much to be regretted that the hon. Member in the shape of a Question has made what is, in effect, an ex parte statement; and not only an ex parte statement, but a statement in regard to a transaction still incomplete. The letter referred to in the beginning of the Question was one referring to complaints that had been made by the commanding officer of the 7th Surrey Volunteers with regard to the conduct of Colonel Colville. They were made in a very irregular manner, and the substance of my letter was to request that the Lord Lieutenant would call upon the commanding officer of the 7th Surrey Volunteers to make any complaints which he might choose to bring forward against Colonel Colville in a regular and proper manner. I have not yet received any answer to my recommendation. I have only to add that Colonel Colville entirely denies the imputations referred to in the latter part of the Question, and I am bound to say that Colonel Colville is one of the most able, valuable, and experienced of our inspecting officers.

MR. WHALLEY attempted to offer some explanation, but was compelled to resume his seat amidst loud cries of "Order."

BRITISH FACTORY AT ST. PETERS

BURG.-QUESTION.

MR. CLAY said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the British Factory at St. Petersburg is a body officially recognized by the British Ambassador?

LORD STANLEY said, in reply, that the British factory was only a voluntary association of British merchants, nearly all of whom were, he believed, members of the Russia Company to which he had alluded on a former occasion. As such a voluntary association it was undoubtedly recognized.

He was not aware that it enjoyed any peculiar rights or privileges. Any sums of money raised and administered by the society were, he believed, raised by the enterprize of the members of the factory themselves.

RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.

QUESTION.

MR. KINGLAKE said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What obstacles now impede the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between this Country and the Republic of Mexico?

CASE OF MR. CASTLE.-QUESTION. MR. J. STUART MILL said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is now in possession of any information respecting the circumstances under which Mr. Castle, of Melton Mowbray, was sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour for nonpayment of costs?

MR. GATHORNE HARDY: Sir, I have received some information on the subject, from which it appears that Mr. Castle had taken proceedings against a man for using threatening and abusive language. The summons was dismissed, and Mr. Castle was ordered to pay the costs, or to be imprisoned with hard labour. I may mention that the Act, commonly known as Jervis's Act, gives the magistrate discretionary power to impose imprisonment with or without hard labour. Mr. Castle, it further appears, has been several times imprisoned for non-payment of costs, or things of that sort. On this occasion, however, somebody, to prevent his going to prison, came forward and paid the costs for him, and therefore he was not imprisoned at all, nor was he put to the slightest inconvenience, though he protested loudly against the interference of his friends, and professed himself very desirous of undergoing imprisonment.

OFFICE.-QUESTION.

LORD STANLEY: Sir, the relations at present existing between England and Mexico are not of a satisfactory character. We have no diplomatic intercourse with that Republic, and, consequently, we have no direct means of affording that protection which we should wish to give to British subjects resident in Mexico. But I wish to point out-though I think I stated it before in this House-that though this state of things is one which Her Majesty's Government regret, it is not directly or indirectly their doing. The fact is that the present Government of Mexico, acting, as I venture to think, not very wisely, but acting, no doubt, within their right, chose to consider the recognition by England of the Mexican Empire an act of hostility against the Mexican Republic, which, they contend, was the only legiti- ARMY-STOREHOUSES FOR THE WAR mate Government ever in existence in that country, though, of course, during the time. when the Empire of Mexico was de facto established, it must necessarily have been in abeyance. They therefore upon this ground thought fit to break off diplomatic relations with this country. We can not deny their right to do that. Neither do I think it would be-I will not say suitable to the dignity, but consistent with the self-respect of this country, they having taken that step, that we should ask them to re-consider it, and admit us again to friendly intercourse. All I can say is, that whenever they may think it right to take what I will venture to call a more rational view, and show a wish to make up this difference, they will not find any difficulty in the way of a reconciliation on our part. But I think the House will agree with me that the first overtures ought to come from them, and not from us.

VOL. CXCIII. [THIRD SERIES.]

MR. ADAM said, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. Childers) he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Treasury have yet decided between the Admiralty and the War Office, as to the proposal to purchase land and erect storehouses for the latter Department at Woolwich, while accommodation for that purpose can be obtained at comparatively small cost in the naval property at Deptford?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON said, in reply, that the question was not yet decided, and up to the present time the Treasury had taken no part in the discussion. The Admiralty had offered to the War Office a spot in Deptford Dockyard; it, however, was not deemed so suitable for the purpose as the spot that had been originally applied for. It was now proposed that a joint Committee of the Admiralty, War Office, and Treasury would consider the matter, and he had no doubt that in this way a satisfactory arrangement would be arrived

8 N

at, and that ground for military storehouses would be provided at Deptford Dockyard.

ARMY-MARCH OF TROOPS FROM
ALDERSHOT TO SANDHURST.
QUESTION.

MR. OSBORNE: I wish, Sir, to put

ARMY-KNAPSACKS FOR THE TROOPS. a Question to the Secretary of State for

QUESTION.

MR. WARNER said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the 92d Regiment has reported favourably of Colonel Carter's Knapsack, and preferred it, after a careful trial, to the plan of equipment invented and put forward by a Committee sitting at the

War Office; whether the Officer command

ing the Brigade of Guards has applied to the Horse Guards, consequent upon a limited trial, to have a further and more extended trial of Colonel Carter's equipment, and the nature of the reply given to his application; and, whether the Secretary of State for War will direct that Colonel Carter's equipment, now excluded from trial, be fairly tried, in competition or otherwise, before any new equipment is finally decided upon for the Army?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON: Sir, I am extremely glad to have this opportunity of stating that there is not the least disposition on the part of the authorities either

at the Horse Guards or the War Office to

deprive the army of whatever knapsack may turn out to be the best and the most convenient. It is quite true that the 92d Regiment has reported favourably of the trials they have made of Colonel Carter's knapsack, and it is intended that the trial shall be extended to the other Highland regiments, as it appears that Colonel Carter's knapsack is better adapted for the uniform and equipments of the Highland regiments than for the army generally. It is also true that the officer commanding the Brigade of Guards has applied to the Horse Guards to have a further and more extended trial of Colonel Carter's knapsack. This, however, was before a trial had been made of the knapsack invented by a Committee appointed for the purpose. The latter, as far as it has been tried, has given great satisfaction. There is no objection whatever to a further trial of Colonel Carter's knapsack being made, if it be thought desirable, as the

sole wish of the authorities is to obtain the best and most convenient knapsack for the army.

War respecting a statement which appears
in the evening papers. It is stated that
on Wednesday last, during the great heat
of that tropical day, a flying column was
sent out from Aldershot, that nine of the
men forming part of it experienced sun-
strokes, and that eighty-seven of the men
had to be sent to hospital. I want to
know, Whether there is any truth in that
hon. Gentleman has taken any steps-
report, and if there is, whether the right
which he usually does in the case of fla-
grant outrages of this sort to prevent
troops being sent out in flying columns in
the heat of the day?

Gentleman answers this Question, I wish
MR. BUXTON: Before the right hon.
to say that I have been informed that
when the flying column arrived at Sand-
hurst there was no provision whatever to
the sun.
give them shelter from the intense heat of

A friend of mine was present, and he states that the troops were completely exhausted when they marched on to the ground at Sandhurst, and that there was no shelter or shade of any sort provided for them; there were no tents, nor were they taken into a neighbouring wood where shade might have been obtained.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON: Sir, I have had no information on the subject to which the hon. Gentleman refers. The House, therefore, will not expect me to answer the Question now. If the hon. Member will be adequately informed of the circumrepeat it to-morrow, I shall by that time stances, and will give him an answer.

[blocks in formation]

ceiving upwards of 2,000 sheep per week. An Order of Her Majesty in Council might prohibit the importation from that country, but it was feared that the sheep would still come through some of the Dutch or Belgian ports. Extra inspection had, however, been ordered, but as the disease had a period of incubation of eight days, during which it was impossible to detect that the animals were infected, this did not appear to be any security against diseased animals getting into the country. A quarantine of ten days offered more security, but it must be general, and this would be hard on importers of healthy sheep from uninfected parts of the country. The Privy Council were carefully watching the matter in order to take immediate steps to check the importation of the disease should it appear to

warrant severe measures.

THE LATE LORD BROUGHAM.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT.

MR. ROEBUCK, who had given Notice to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in consideration of the great public services of Lord Brougham, it is the intention of the Government to propose the erection of a monument to his memory, in Westminster Abbey? said: I feel, Sir, so great an interest in the Question that I am about to put to the Government, that I do not wish it to be put with the usual dry formality, and I will therefore conclude with a Motion, though I promise the House not to avail myself of the privilege which I shall thus obtain by indulging in any very large number of words. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in his opinion, there ought not to be erected a monument to the memory of the late Lord Brougham, expressive of the admiration in which that great man was regarded by the country? I make this Motion for two purposes-one because, from my very intimate relations with that noble Lord, I have felt the greatest regard and veneration for his memory, and I therefore trust that the House will permit me to express my own feelings on the matter, and the other because it will give the right hon. Gentleman in his reply-supporting as I hope he will the proposal that I make an opportunity of expressing in a few apt and eloquent sentences, such as he always has at his command, his own feelings with regard to that noble Lord. I have waited long I cannot say that I have waited patiently in the hope that some one more

competent to perform this task-for I am fully sensible of my own inadequacywould undertake the duty. But, Sir, no one has come forward for that purpose. The Session approaches its end, and I feel myself obliged to ask the Question of which I have given Notice, and in a few feeble words to express my own convictions with regard to this subject. The character of Lord Brougham's mind was one of vast extent and great perspicuity. He was not merely a philosopher, but a philosopher whose power of teaching was unexampled by any man of his time. He was not merely a philosopher, for as an orator he was able to guide, instruct, and I fear very often to frighten one of the first legislative bodies that now exists upon the face of the earth. And it should be recollected that those great powers of Lord Brougham's mind were always exercised for the good of mankind. It was not merely a personal object that he had in view. I have no doubt that, as is the case with every man, he had personal objects, but whatever powers he enjoyed were devoted to the benefit of mankind. It should also be remembered that when he began his career it was not so easy a task to be the friend of the people as it is now, when that character is frequently assumed as a road to wealth and popularity. At that time he who would be a friend of the people had before him a thorny path. was Lord Brougham's lot to have frequently to contend with foes of vast power and great influence in this country, and he ran great risk, I do not mean bodily risk, but personal risk, in undertaking the cause for which he so gallantly contended. No matter in what clime oppression appeared Lord Brougham was always to be found on the side of the oppressed. Who will forget what he did on behalf of the African slave? He lent his great powers alone, but in companionship with other great men-to strike off the chains from the African slave; and ignorance in every part of the world, and more particularly in his own country, found in him an ever ready and unceasing opponent. There was no man who understood so completely as he did the instruction of the people. He stood alone he towered above all the statesmen of his time-in his appreciation of the danger arising from popular ignorance, and he did all in his power to do away with that ignorance, and to support in every shape the principles of civil and religious liberty. Every person who could

[ocr errors]

It

not

« AnteriorContinuar »