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[who unsatisfactory. but laid them than gnome overcrowding. which could not ihe prevented. The street Rummy Com- .pnny had an exclusive franchise. and Ian interference with " would weaken [the confidence of British lnvestorl in ii'anadtan seouritiittt. Mr. curry, on be-. grail of the Electric Light Company. claimed ihnt the promoters of this Eenterprise wcrc asking for larger pow- ere. in the hill than they had given not- ice or. He also objected to certain provisions permitting the sale of Plec- iriclty. Mr. Royce said the Township of York was affected and (ii-sired to {how an opportunity or cxprcssing its Iviev.te. I A bill authorizing tho construction ot " strum railway from Ottawa to a. 'lmint near Morrinhurx was allowed to. "go through. ' Speaker's At-lmme. Thw St:.'-nker'u chambers in the Legis- lature were the scent- of u merry gath- erintr last evening on the occasion of Mr. Iccarttttrel's annual ut-homo to the- members. The Premier nnd his cul- lougucs. together with most of the members of the House. and several score of representative clt1tom.n, "ere present, and greatly onion-(l the Speaker's hospitality. Mr. Evantnrelr presided over the function with his ttt'- cuatomed polished t'out'xr't4.V, and moved among the throng. oxcitunR1tut plou- trant words and conversation with all. Refreshments were provided, and a capital programme of vocal and in- strumental selections was rendered, Tho gathering broke up at a hue hour after an evening; of grunt pleasure. Departmental Stores. A deputation of some twenty retail merchants of the Province waitod up- on the Government yesterday after- noon and united for the Government aun- port of " bill to be introduced by Mr.' Conttwe in veeard to tr.trrartmenttrl stores. The bill will teuuiro a license to be taken out and a fota, paid for every' branch of business conducted by a de-, nartIm-nial store. The spcnkeru were James i'onmc-e. M.P.P.: w. H, notrers,) President of thr 'I'urnnto :imoi-inion:[ E. M. Truwrrn. Secretary, and John', Hartrreavost, Secretary of tho Provin- cial inundation. Tho (luvcrnmcnt pro- mised a consideration of tho request made. m ,