2 SEPTEMBER 1922, Page 2

It turns out that Mr. Shaw is the gentleman who

bought Stowe House and proposed, alternatively, that it should become national property or a new public school. It seems that as the money he hoped for has not been subscribed the plan for making Stowe a public or quasi-public institution is in abeyance, and Mr. Shaw is putting the house up for sale again. He has bought so many houses in London and so much land that we hazard the guess that his business is that of a dealer. May it not have occurred to him : " If I deal in houses and land, why not in titles ? " According to his own account some official of the Government must have encouraged him to try to collect money in return for titles. Who was the official ? The Committee of Inquiry ought certainly to find out. Mr. Shaw has made an accusation and we want to know whether it is true.