After a short speech from Sir C. Dilke, and a
statement by Mr. Cross that he hoped to announce the result of his nego- tiations with the Water Companies in a few days, the rest of the sitting was occupied by a contest between Sir Stafford Northcote and the IrishMembers. They wished for an adjourn- ment, in order that Mr. Shaw might bring up the question of relief to Irish distress, after the papers on the subject had been published ; and Mr. Lowther objected that papers were promised upon every subject, and were they to wait for them all ? Sir Stafford Northcote seems, however, in a private con- versation with Mr. Shaw, to have expressed wishes which led Mr. Shaw to think he accepted the adjournment. He had not done this, but had asked Mr. Shaw to speak when the Report on the Address was brought up, and the misunderstanding increased the determination of the Irish Members, who finally prevailed, and the debate was adjourned.
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