26 NOVEMBER 1881, Page 2

St. Paul's Industrial &hoot on the ground that he has

no power to compel evidence on oath, and that more unsworn evidence would be useless. He has, therefore, remitted the whole matter to the Public Prosecutor, who " will decide independently whether the facts of the case justify any criminal proceeding." Sir William Harcourt intends, moreover, to secure an inquiry through " an important and independent authority " into the whole management of Industrial Schools, which absorb large grants of public money, without apparently doing much good. We trust the Public Prosecutor will see his way to prosecute, for the evidence is ridiculously conflicting, even when narrowed to such a point as the condition of the seven Jew boys in the school, their recognised guardian denying ill-treatment ; while Mr. A. Mitten, of the same community, says the boys constantly told him of it. If the prosecution is not instituted, the boys' statement, as is shown by the pro- ceedings of three public meetings, will be believed by the poor en bloc.