Star. — London, England, 1831-03-29 00:00:00

n:oad, as well as by other distinguished persons. The cues of Knares. borough and Steyning would not easily be forgotten ; and it was pleasing to sec virtuous examples offered, not only by our loftiest dukes, but a lso by our poorest freemen. If gentlemen wished to know whether the county of York resented the projected invasion of its territorial in tegrity, he could only say that a feeling of approbation more general .end complete had never attended any measure than that with which re present plan was received in Yorkshire, where it had been termed the great charter of the 4th William. In proof of this feeling he re. fe:red to petitions, which he had already presented, from various Awn in the e.-unty, which had from 50 to 60,000 signatures attached to them, .o:t! also to the present petition. DUNCOMBE said he would not copy the example of the noble ioru. dad turn his back on the Speaker, and address another part of the :louse [looking up at the gallery] where there might he something more attractive (hear, hear). As to the county (Yorkshire) meeting, he nn. lcrstood it was a complete failure, whc:her as regarded numbers or what :night be deemed the character and weight of the county. He was told :here was not more than 1,000 or 1,300 persons present, and at no time mote than 3,000, including idlers and those who were collected by the Assizes; and that in the - Castle-yard, which was capable of holding 10,000 persons. The bill might well be popular in Yorkshire, or some parts of it, since it was to send more members than heretofore ; but be - vu against the extensive disfranchisement of the measure. It went most extensively to deprive poor men of their votes, besides wholly dis ranchising so teary places. (Hear.) Mr. S. WORTLEY protested against this petition being considered ..s ndicarive of the sense of the county of York on this subject. Ar. SYKES asked whether any one pretended to say that this sub ject was not popular in the county of York? (hear.) Mr. D NCO M BE—I never said any thing of the kind, that the :neature was not popular. Mr. SYKES—Then I did not very well understand the hon. mem lar—(hear and a laugh.) lie maintained, that from the absence of opposition, some indication might be taken as to the feeling of the county ; and the sentiments evinced in every town and village where the question was agitated. completed the manifestation. They all said, and truly, that the question was—" Should there be a legislature of King, Lords, and Commons," or " King, Lords, and borough owners ?" They decided against the " borougbmongers," and were or " King, Lords, and Commons." • Mr. F.ISE objected to the measure, and could not believe that the ptev 4 sanction such disfrAnchisement, and the taking away of iota hum the ma of the people, " from the hewers of wood and the chawers of water." :11r. WITH ELL declared that the subject was most popular through out Yorkshire. Lord MORPETH, in moving that the petition be printed, thanked colleague (Mr. Duncombe) for the correction in reminding him that he had not always directed his address to the Speaker. Mr. SADLE It bore testimony lo the thinness of the meeting at York; former meetings had been much fuller. Lord HOTHA 51 repeated Sir R. Peel's complaint, that according to the calculations in taking the population of " boroughs" instead of :hat of " parishes," much injustice was threatened. The place he re. presented (Leominster) was so situated; the borough had 3,000, but the parish upwards of 4000 persons in it.—( Hear.) Lord ALT HORP replied that if any such error had resulted from fellewing the population returns of 1821, the Ministers would gladly correct it ; this would not be affecting, but sustaining the principle of the Bill ; but this was not the stage for discussing the point. Ordered to be printed. Lord MORPETII presented 76 petitions from places in Yorkshire, &e. and for the Member for Beverley, 115 potions from Wales, &c. ngeitiv: the negro slavery. COAL TRADE OF LONDON. Mr. F. LEWIS brought in a bill for the better regulation of the vend of coals in the port of London. (Hear.) In moving that it be rad a fint time, he spoke of its importance and provisions. By some extraordinary proceeding, coals in London were far dearer than any where else, whether it was Dublin, or whatever other place might be seieeted. When it was recollected how vast a proportion of the people were collected in and about the metropolis,this excessive dearness of coals was a serious evil. There might be circumstances that would somewhat :aid to the prices in London, but it was the duty of that house to see that the pricts were not increased still farther by any legislative tnactinents. (clear.) Inquiries bad been instituted, and there was not inembnr of the committee who had not agreed that the 47th of G,.0. 111. for regulating the trade, introducing coal meters, &c. had niat;rially ircreased the evils. (Hear.) It went to regulate the trade by I::eters, &c. in a very grievous manner; this interference between the teller and buyet was most pernicious. He, by the new bill, sought to (filet the abolition of the city meters, and thus leave the seller and the merchant to deal as they could. He was glad to be able to add that the city authorities had supported these views fully, fairly, and sincerely. (Hear.) The bill provided that the dues for the Orphans' Fund and the city to be taken by the ton, not the chaldron, and that the amount henceforth for both to be Is. and for the market Id per ton. This had the sanction of the city authorities. The duty (we understood him to state,) to be wholly collected by the Custom-house. The vessels would give their tonnage, and thus compound with the Custom-house. At present the collier was not allowed to employ men to discharge the' vessel; that would be altered—the parties would be entitled to employ theft own men. The bill would also alter the system of transferring the curl from the wharf; that system interfered between the seller and the puelia-er, and opened the door to many frauds. The bill also pro. posed that the coal should be sold by weight, as was the case in almost all cites, except London. He then spoke of the system of destroying each coal near the pit. in compliance with custom ; and that chiefly resulted am the system and advantage of breaking coals. Let them establish the system of selling and buying coals by weight, and this ex. tm.,ant plan, which tended to keep up the price, would be materially, wholly corrected. Each cart was to have a weighing machine with it ; and at the wharf there would he a weighing machine provided, In,: thus the weight of the waggon could afterwards be deducted, and tar weight of the coals so ascertained. This was to be free of expense v, the purchaser—and the plan would put an end to the system of :oal.meters. (llear.) Fur those persons, whose services would be dispensed with, he had proposed to make some provision. The city, tt sas arranged, would have to • c rovide for the meters out of the penny tuts, which poduced (we think he said) eleven thousand pounds a year, and when the lives of the meters should have fallen in, that would allow of a reductiuu of sun one penny. lie felt himself bound to say, that throughout these arrangements the city had behaved with the utino.t (lieu.) The duty imp.sed by this Bill, which was now Lrought down to a minimum, and lower than he expected ever to see, would be collected in the easiest manner. He concluded with moving, that the Bill beread a first time . Alderman W.lll'H 111 A N - Observed, that the present system had kti to the greatest frauds: coals charged Ss. in Dublin were charged at 14s. to the Londoners; he meant the same bolt of coal. ( Hear.) lie 'poke of th e sm a ll coa l. A recent action had exposed such ttausavion. Mr. Ald. THOMPSON said the metropolis anti the country would be under the greatest obligation to the Hon. 3lentbcr for this bill. As the London 'cis were answerable for an outlay to the extent of about 1 000,091. it ears requisite to take care that nothing was done to injure the stability of that engagement. As to the proposed abolition of the ' , flip-meters, ha tioubted much its policy ; besides there must be some per- ' sons to perform their duty. Coals were cheaper in Dublin than in Lon- I , don. because there was not near so much expense in conveying them to Dublin. He feared this measure, good as it was, would not materially !educe the price of coals inLondon; he meant so long as the great com a:nation in the North continued. (Hear.) If certain quantities had been delivered fr.= the pits the vessels were obliged to wait till the Lest mouth adore they coald get a supply. That was a disgraceful , •oatbinati9n, and the government ought to direct all its attention to break it up. As there was one member of the government interested in the,e matter:, it was to be hoped that he would show his disinterested .ls by aiding such object. It was desirable to throw the trade as open as possible. Mr. Alderman 'WOOD said the allowance would not defray the com. pcssations. He contended that the reductions of the duty had already ticen felt by the public. Sir M. RIDLEV contended that the observations of an hon. Alder. man (Thompson) regarding the coal-owners, were unfounded, unjust, unbecoming the person alicded to, and the person using them. He 'aid there was no instance, evert during the greatest frost, that there was got arapk supply of coals in the London market. There was no traria lion of price at the pit's mouth ; and if there were changes, or extra 'Tice., they recoiled from pers.,ns between the purchase at the pies noses, and the sale in the London market. Mr. 11. GORDON said, was he to understand that the system of re 4ulating the vend in the river was discontinued, or to be discontinued? Lord 110 WICK said, it appeared to be forgotten that there were "ttler panics, who nothing to do with the regulation of the vend.— There were coals near his father's house, within a quarter of a mile of the sea, which were hot sent to marker, because it would not be pro. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON said he would not be 'livened by t"iint s from performing his duty. He did consider the combination in e Kurth an odious monopoly ; and he should not apply to the Hon. Bart. to tell Idol ;tow to perform his duty, but should ever denounce it s an odious menoi.oly. The Bill was then read a first time, and ordered to be read a second ::are on the 18th of April. Lord HOWICK postponed the Emigration Bill till after Easter. CIVIL LIST. Lord ALTHORP, in moving that the civil list report be peed to, "4 th at h e should not pledge hiniselfnow, as he had observed on Fri. I.ly, that he would not pledge himself to any reduction of the salaries of Luschold officers ; when the bill was brought forward would be the ;.tep"r time for 00:ciding on the subject. (Hear.) Col. DAVIES said he should throw no obstacle in the way of this imposition. He thought towards a Sovereign who had acted so well, they ought to conduct themselves with a large and liberal hand. He thuuld 11X: to have some new regulation regarding the pension list. His 414 1e , Ey had apparently 75,0001. granted ,while the whole of that sum M a' already di spose d of. (Hear.) 54" r G. %VA REENDER did not think that the sum allowed to his ",ty suflici.:nt to support his establishment. He did not con the allo.t•ance to his: Majesty came out of the pockets of the people at all; for it wu a fact that the sum voted was not equal to the surrender that bad been made by his Majesty of his heroditary re venue. If any proposition should be made to add something to the privy purse, he (Sir G. Warrender) would most assuredly support it. Sir H. H A RDINGE said that be would support the views of his Majesty's Ministers on the subject. Lord DARLINGTON said he would be ready to support all that was necessary to uphold the dignity of the crown ; but he thought that the household officers could admit of being curtailed, and he did not think that a reduction of 20 per cent. was too much. Mr. BRISCOE thought that no pensions should exist hat for ser vices really rendered to the country, and that these should be so ar ranged as to come under the control of the house. He would support that reduction because he did not consider that it would at all be to inconvenience his Majesty. Mr. GRATTAN (we believe) remarked that his :Majesty's Ministers had come in on a pledge of retienehment, and he reprobated the idea, after a Committee had been appointed, that the recommendation of that Committee should not be attended to. He, upon principle, would sup port that recommendation. Mr. CURTEIS condemned the use which the Honourable Secretary for Ireland had made of his Majesty's name, in saying that it would be an insult to his Majesty ; and when the proper time ar rived he (Mr. Cute's) would divide with the honourable member for Middlesex. Mr. WILKES made a few observations in opposition of the reduction. Mr. HUME said, he dissented from the hon. member who had said that lie would support, even profligately, the dignity of the Crown. He (Mr. Hume) would never be profligate in his vote in that house. He likewise dissented from the hon. hart. who had said that what was given to his Majesty did not come out of the pockets of the people. His Ma jesty had only a life interest in the hereditary revenue, and it was not an act of justice that that should be embarrassed by being engaged be ' yond the life of Lis Alajesty. He would never consent to giving the addition proposed, but the time had not yet arrived to divide the house on the question. (Hear, hear.) He thought the household expendi ture ought to be reduced, and he would be very much disappointed if his .Majesty's Alinisters did not act upon the recommendation of the Committee. He objected most to the existing state of the pension list, for that really took from the dignity of the Crown. He would even be contented if the pensions were Lift in the hands of his Majesty, but the fact was that all the pensions had been granted by Ministers. When the bill came before the house, that would be the time to examine more nearly the pensions. The Pension List ought to be cut off from the Civil List altogether ; and some arrangement should be made which ' would prevent individuals from receiving pensions who had large pri vate property. In the mean time, lie would merely content himself with entering his protest against any additional grant. Mr. CALCRAFT said that the mode of proc.mling was not creditable to either aide of the house. It was now nine months since the accession, and the civil list had not yet been provided. For himself he would not vote for more, nor would he vote less, than the original sum, because that sum was the same that bad been found to answer the purpose for many years; and he had seen that when attempts were made at indis creet reduction, that that house had been applied to, to relieve the civil list from debt, and he would do nothing that was to disturb a system that had been found to work well for so many years. His Majesty bad the credit of a much larger income than was really available at his own proposal. Ile (Mr. Calcraft) had never heard that his Ma jesty had been offered an outfit for the Queen, and if such a provision was not made her Majesty must be involved in embarrassments. He would suggest that the Queen should be placed in the same situation as former Qum's. Making a provision of 73,0001. for the pension list was merely placing a barren sceptre into his Majesty's hand, be cause it was all anticipated, and if his Majesty wished to grant a pen sion of 401. on his own account, he had not themeans provided for him; no King had ever before been so confined. He (Mr. C.) would be wil ling to make a grant for his Majesty's private purposes. Sir It. INGLIS made a few observations. An lion. MEMBER said he hoped that his Majesty's Ministers would not press their views on the question. Sir T. FR EEM ANTLE said, that he thought his present Majesty had done more for his time than most Kings had done, and he had been worse treated than any other King. Mr. ROBINSON did not see the utility of voting more than his Ma. jcsty was willing to receive. He thought it inconsistent in the Minis. ters to proposean addition of ten thouund pounds, which was only to be dispensed among the officers of the household. lie considered that the honour was great of itself to any noble family to be servants of the Crown. (Hear.) The pension list was as well understood by the public as it was by the honourable members ; and they knew that it formed no part of the provisions for the King. He regretted that the last civil list had deprived the house of granting to the King the means of rewarding his servants by pensions to such whose services he had approved of. Mr. T. B. COURTNEY thought it improper that the pension list should he so often spoken of, and still that examination into it should be deferred. He disapproved of the manner in which the civil list had been divided, and said, that it had never been explained. Lord A LTHORP, in explanation, repeated that he would decline to give any pledge. Sir JONEPH YORKE said his Majesty would be placed in a very disagreeable situation were any Government not to appropriate the reduction of the Committee in the indirect manner , intended by the Noble Lord. Lord ALTHORP could not believe that any Government would so act. Mr. O'CONNELL thought it singular that any member should propose an outfit for the Queen when rejectd by the King. The best service to be rendered to the King was to make him popular among the people by lessening their burdens. (Hear.) With respect to the Irish pensions, they had never been fairly laid before the house. It appeared, for instance, that a barrister in Ireland, who was generally Counsel for individuals prosecuted by the Crown, received a pension of 3001. which was discovered only after his death. Two newspapers, the Patriot and the Correspondent, had also been long in the receipt of pensions, which did net appear in the returns. Amongst all the Irish pensions he could not find one, with the exception of that to the family of Lord Rodney, which had been merited. Formerly the Catholic barristers, for fear, no doubt, of their becoming agitators, received pensions. One gentleman received no leas than three of these pensions. If a division took place, he should support the report of the committee. Mr. G. PRICK was surprised that the wonderful results which were to attend a Seieet Committee, should end in the paltry reduction of 12.0001. Parturient monks nasectur ridiculus mus: and when this miserable reduction was rejected by Ministers, he trusted the people would be able to distinguish between the real friceds and the professors of economy.—(llea.) Mr. LENNARD said the chief merit of the Committee was esta blishing the principle, that a large sum, about 400,0001. or 800,0001. not et nnecteil with the King, should be separated from the Civil List. Mr. GOULDURN asked the noble lord in what manna he intended to provide for the charges which he had sepal:iced from she civil list. The noble lord had been represented to state, that the office of auditor of the cavil 144 was a sinecure. This statement had caused great pain to the gentleman who had held that office. Lor.l A LTHORP intended to move the charges alluded to, sepa- rately in a coniniiitee of the whole house. He had used the expression sinecure, but without the least intention to hurt the feelings of the firmer auditor, applying the word to the office, not to the bolder. Mr. Pll IPPS asked whether the noble lord was now satisfied that the duties of the office were discharged by the auditor, not by his first clerk ? Lord A LTIIORP was satisfied that the gentleman had discharged all the duties required in his office, but they might be discharged effi ciently by the first clerk. The resolutions were then sead a second time. Mr. HUME gave notice, that when in Committee he should move a reduction in the allowances to the junior branches of the Royal Fa mily, and proportionate to the reductions which were taking place in allowances generally. NAVY ESTIMATES. The House then went into a Committee of Supply' on the Navy Estimates. Sir J. GRAHAM moved a vote of 21.2111. for the salaries of the officers and the contingent expenses of his Majesty's yards abroad.— Agretd to Sir J. GRAHAM moved a vote of 534,2241. for the pay of artificers and labourers in the yards abroad.—Agreed to. Sir J. GRAHAM moved a vote of 210,000 L for timber and other ship-building materials. Mr. HUME said the quantity of stores were more than was imme diately wanted ; 15,000,0001. might have been saved, but for the sys tem at laying in stores which were lost, or employed in building unne. ce•sary ships. He wished to ask what was the actual number of the yachts. little were formerly five Royal yachts, besides one for the Commissioners at Portsmouth, and one for the Lord Lieutenant of Ire land. He would ask particularly what was the use of the yacht reserved to the Lord Lieutenant ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said it was the intention of Government to discontinue the unnecessary building of a mass of ships. He excepted, however, the fourth-rate frigates, of which all the great naval powers had a greater number than this country. (Hear.) IVith respect to the yachts, the actual number of the royal yachts was five. They had not been reduced, but the expense was not great, and they offered one of the few opportunities which existed of keeping post captains in full pay, forming but a slight equivalent to the opportunities enjoyed by military officers. With respect to the Lord Lieutenant, he was in the custom of taking maritime excursions, and as he was the representative of the Ring, it was thought proper that hc should preserve all the parapher- Lalia of royalty. Mr. O'CONNELL said an excuse was never wanting. It was well known that the present Lord Lieutenant was fond of cruising, but he had too good taste to sail in the clumsy official yacht, having a much more elegant ore of his own. The existence of the yacht led to • ludi crous eireums:anoe. The Lord Lieutenant, when he returned to Eng land, sailed out of the port into the yacht, and then stepped into • steam boat. Mr. HUM R Raid it was quite clear that this was an establishment kept up for the benefit of individuals, and while that course was pur. sued no reduction would take place. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said he weht to the Admiralty with the determination to make every possible reduction. He made every In quiry, and found that ever since the reign William the Third the num. bee of yachts was the same as a: present, and that they had constantly been used as a reward of meritorious services. After this information, he did not think himself justified in reducing the number. Mr. HUM E said, he gave his right honourable friend full credit for good intention ; but the simple que.tiort seas, were the yachts necessary ? He cared nothing for the times of King William---(a great laugh)—he meant the times of William the Third. He had but little respect for' the wisdom of our ancestors ; hc thought we should judge for ourselves, and act according to the circumstances in which we are placed. Sir J. YORKE said, though bred up in the service he must say that if there was to be retrenchment in the navy the yachts in ordinary were the objects to which It should be applied. Sir B. MARTIN said, the whole exp-nse of the yachts was the dif ference between the half-pay and the fall-pay of the captains, which was about 2501. a-year each. To make th( reduction would be unkind towards the meritorious officers by whom they were commanded. Mr. HUME asked, whether there wss an hospital ship to be given by the Admiralty in place of that now in the Thames, which was found to be too small. He understood the late government had refused a vessel for such purpose. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said such an application had been made to the late government, and declined ; it was repeated to the present' Board of Admiralty, and was now under conslderation of the Treasury. Mr. HUMI: said therewas 21,0001. a year taken from the merchant seamen for the support of Greenwich Hospital, from which they received no benefit, which lie thought should be discontinued ; and that in the mean time they were well entitled to have an hospital ship from govern ment. Sir J. GRAHAM said, after the best cinsialrlio t he had been able to give the subject, he thought the sum taken from the wages of the merchant seamen fur th_ support of Greenwich Hospital, could not be dispensed with, but he had a bill prepared for admitting merchant seamen to the benefit of the hospital. Mr. WARBURTON said the present tax was in reality on the shipowners rather than the semen, and there would not be the least objection to the tax after bin Right Honourable Friend's Bill, to allow merchant seamen the benefit of the Hospital, should be passed. Mr. HUME said, if the tax was one on the shipping, it should lie levied on the tonnage instead of on wages, at an expense of 20 per cent. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, that expense should be done sway with. Mr. SYKES said the seaman would never be persuaded that the tax was not taken from his wages till it was laid on the tonnage.—The re solution was agreed to. The resolution was, 98,0001. to defray the charge of repairs and lin provcments in his Majesty's Dockyards at home and abroad. Mr. ROBINSON inquired why the naval establis:lment had been removed from Halifax to Bermuda, after a great expense had bee► in. curred at the former place. He thought there should be an Admiral commanding in the West ['ldiot, and another in North America. He' wislaal to know the expense incurred, and to be incurred, at Bermuda. Sir J ibIES ORA IiA3I said, the enormous expenditure at Her. tnuda had excited his anxious attention, and he had appointed a con. tideutial officer to go there as Commissioner, and report what part of the contemplated works could he dispensed with. The vote at present asked for these works was 20,0001. Next year he hoped to lay an ac curate estimate before the house. Sir JOSEPH YORKE thought more use should be made of Sheer ne-t alter so much had been expended on it. There could be no danger of fire there, us with the power of the steam-engine, the fire of Etna could be extinguilhed.—The resoltition was agreed to. 50,5001. was voted fur pilotage, and other contingencies; and 25,000 L for transports. On the motion that 23,0401. be grunted for hire of packets. Mr. HUAIE said, this was a post-office expense, and ought to be defrayed by the Post-office, who could get It done for half the present charge. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, when the present contracts expired, it was not intended that they should be renewed. The resolution was agreed to. The next resolution was 25,0001. for ship-building at rsombt7. Sir J. YORKE thought all our ships should be built at home. Sir J. GRAHAM said, the grant was merely to complete what had been begun ; no more should be expended In the same way. Sir G. CLERK said, orders had been sent out by the late govern. ment not to build any more ships at Bombay. Sir C. FORBES vas sorry to hear there were no more ships to be built at Bombay, as the ships built there were the best in the service. There was no such vessel in the service as the Ganges. The ships that were building in India when he went there, forty years ago, were still excellent. He thought the vessels employed in India should be built there. After this monstrous measure of reform was passed, bow was India to be represented in that house.? A M EMBER said he was a large proprietor of oak, and wished the First Lord of the Admiralty would say whether they meant to take any supply of British oak this year, or whether they meant to use all teak timber and African oak. Sir B. MARTIN raid the navy meant this year to use one-half African oak, and one-half British. Sir C. FORBES said he hoped his hon. friend did not mean to coin • pare Africa.) oak to teak wood.—(A great laugh.) Sir B. MARTIN said he considered the African oak fully as good as the teak.—(A laugh.) Sir CHARLES FORBES said a Naval officer told him he had gone to l'ottsmouth incog, and went through the Ganges, and never saw so line a vessel. The resolution was agreed to. On the motion for 782,0001. for half-pay of Naval officers. Mr. HOME asked whether the nateni of promotion promised by the late Government had been adhered to. Sir J. GRAHAM said, the excellent system of granting but one pro. motion for three vacancies had been strictly adhered to ; and the admit. Cage of it was felt even in the present estimate by a reduction of 30001. Mr. HUBIR said, he wished it had been adopted 50 years ago.— ( A laugh.) The resolution was then agreed to, as were 246,0501. for pensions and allowances to naval officers their widows and relations; 1,3001. fur bounties to chaplains; and 249,2001. towards paying out-pensioners of Greenwich Hospital. Sir J. YORKE asked whether it was inter•.dcd to give merchant seamen the same advantage u the present oat-pensioners of Greenwich Sir J. GR AHAM said, that as at present advised it was not. The intention was that they should be equally admitted into the hospital with the King's seamen. 155,9051. was voted for superannuationa to cornn.:ssioncrs, secretaries and clerks of the civil department of the navy ; and 136,805)1. for freight of ships for conveyance of troops and stores. On the resolution for granting 3.0001. for freight of ships catty g troops, artisans, and stores to the Swan River, Mr. 11U51R said, a large grant of land at Swan River had beca made to Mr. Peel. A considerable outcry was raised, and he asked whether there would be any exlense to the public, and was assured there would not. _ Mr. GOULEGRN said, he believed the expense was incurred by soiling out troops and settlers. The resolution was agreed to. 68.5001. was voted for conveying convicts to New South Wales. 5,3801. bounties for capturing piratical vessels. 50.0r.01. for sslariee and contingent expenses of Victualling Office. 63.3631. 9s for salaries of uffices, and contingent expenses of Vic tualling yards. Sir G. CLERK asked whether it was the intention to discontinue the issue of beer ? Sir J. GRAHAM said, where seamen 1.. d been it unhealthy sta tions, it was intended to allow beer. Mr. HU3IR complained of the manner of supplying the navy with beef; if the plan was adopted as regard.d the army, 50,0001. a year might be saved. Sir J. GRAHAM replied, that experience had proved a better plan could not be adopted. If the article provided did no: meet the con tract, the articles were sent back at the cast of the contractors. He had lent most anxious attention to this subject, sell recollecting the lectures on the subject he had heard on the other side of the house. Resolution agreed to Sir J. GRAHAM then moved the following grants:- 24,143 L for salaries of naval medical establishments. 30,0001. fut medical stores. 31.6111. for prov;sions of officers in ordinary. 8.341. for otticzis and men of the yard service afloat. Mr. HUM E.— What was meant by yard service afloat ? Sir GEORGE CLERK understood that it was for men engaged on the craft. Grants agreed to. Sir J. GRAHAM then moved a grant of 85.1571. for the expensc of new works for the victualling and medical departments. 157,10011. for half.pay of medical officers, their widows &c• 175,0001 for provisions for garrisons abroad. STEAM.PACKETS. Mr. Hi."3lE said, though it was not connected with the subject, he wished to know whether the extravagant system of the post-office steam-packe►s was continued. Mr. G. DAWSON defended the eatalishmer.t. The Post office was not an establishment for revenue. He hoped that there never would be l i any effort to lessen the communications between England and Ireland, for the sake of saving a few hundred pounds. It was never thought of looking for revenue till all expences were paid. Mr. 8. RICE did not understand that the member for Middlesex de sired to limit the communications ; but it was different to allow an establishment like the Post-office to expend money as It pleased, and be satisfied so long as there was some balance to be handed over to the Treasury. To encourage the feeling would be most destructive. The Treasury ought to have the controul—and expenditure on a large scale ought not to be allowed, except under the controul of the Treasury or some responsible authority. M. G. DAWSON said he had never meant to contend that these ought to be unlimited expenditure by the Post-office. Mr. HUME said, if the recommendation for economy were °bin tionabls, it was not his, but that of the e2tl R , port of the Co.nmissieesre of Revenue Inquiry. Mr. G. DAWSON observed, that he should not glide his judgment by any thing contained in that Report certainly. Resolutions agreed to. Mr. S. RICE then moved a grant, not exceeding 8,/,0001. to defray expenses on account of civil contingencies. Mr. HUM E said this was the most reduced charge ler had witnessed for many years ; and he therefore augured favourably for the Intentions of an economical administration. He should move for aecuunta expla natory of items of charges for fees for installing the King of Wurtem berg, the Dukc of Sussex, &c. as Knights of the Bath. If those great charges were for fees, who got them ? If honours were grant , d, why war , the nublicreaddied with expense on such account ; and there was a cha ge of 1;601. for a tr-valuation of Dublin : what could we have to do with that charge?—(Hear, hear.) In the Irish estimates there was a charge of 76% for tinging the bells of three churches, St. Patrick, dEt. in Dublin. on the death of the late king. Why were three parishes selected ? and how many days did they ring ?—(Hear, and a laugh.) Mr. S. RICE said, the expenditure was that of last year—not that he meant thereby to insinuate that there was any thing wrong in the charges. These extraordinary disbursements would he henceforth dis continued at separate charges ; they would be included in the expendi ture on account of diplomatic expenditure. Any accounts that might be called for would be readily produced—he had them already before him. The expense of commissions of inquiry required consideration—in the lest ten years 800,0001. had been expended or, account of the e sions. Many of them were closed. Mr. WARBURTON defended the grant to Mr. Bubbage in these estimates for his discovery. Mr. O'CONNELL said, that the salary to the Insp. ctot of Police in Ireland of 4001. a.yenr was too much ; and lie thought that the election of a temporal I'eer ought to be defrayed by the Peer himself. Mr. STANLEY explained, and said it was now under consideration to snake a great alteration in the constabulary force of Ireland. Mr. G. DAWSON said, that great improvements had been made lately in the police of Ireland, particularly as regarded ptisons ; but he still thought that a further saving might be effected. Mr. GOULBURN rose to explain, and denied that during his being in office there had ever been any new appointments of Brigad t. Ma jors of Yeomanry made in Ireland. Cul. SIBTHORPE objected to provisions that bad been made to officers of the Exchequer in lieu of tees, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Goulbum, end Mr. S. Rice explained. The question was then put and carried, that the sum of 80,0191. be voted for the civil contingencies in Ireland. Sir R. GRANT brought up the Report of Committee of Supply— which was agreed to. On the motion of Colonel TRENT, that the Irish Election Bill he read a seccnd time, the gallery was cleared, but the House did not di vide at first, but the gallery was cleared a second time, and were di. vidcd—For the Committee, 43.—Against It, 20.—Majority 23. After some conversation on the Corporation Fund: Bill, the house went into a committee, the CHAIRMAN reported progress, and asked leave to sit again, which was agreed to. The Arbitration Bill went through a Committee. Report to he re•- ceived on the 12th of Aptil. The Indemnity Bill was read a second time. Mr. HUME, pursuant to notice, moved that the witnesses in the Evesham election case be dischargcd,but he had since been informed by the noble lord under him that it would be unnecessary to press the mo • tion, as the arrangement had b. en made. The Marquis of CHANDOS Explained, and said he was determined to persevere in his measure against the burgh. Lord STANLEY presented 160 petitions, containing 22,000 sigae tures, against negro slavery. Mr. HUME presented 77 petitions against negro slavery, and one for reform from the county of Middlesex, and many others in favour the Reform 13111—the greater number of which were from ,cotland. Sir R. INGLIS presented a petition from the inhabitants of the western districts of the metropolis against the Reform Bill. Mr, MALCOLM presented a similar petition from the Mayor and Aldermen of Lincoln. Sir M. SHAW STEWART presented a petition from Glasgow fir protection of West India property. Mr. S. LUMLEY presented a petition from the nobili•y alai in. habitants of the county of Nottingham, praying for parliamentary re form ; the Hon. Member presared four others from the same county on the same subject. lie also presented a dozen from the same county for the abolition of Flavery. A vast number of petitions were presented against negro slavery, and a great number in favour of the reform bill, and on miscellaneous matters. All the orders of the day being disposed of, the House adjourned at twenty minutes past three o'clock. CLARE ELECTION. RETURN OF MR. MAURICE O'CONNELL. WEDNESDAY-(TIIIID DAY.) This morning the independent party evidently had the battle hollow. At twoo'clock Mr. Steele was authorised by Sir Edw. O'Brien's friends to announce that the honourable baronet bad resigned. The numbers polled this day stood thus : For Mr. O'Connell Sir Edward O'Brien - - Majority for Mr. O'Connell - O&M POLL. For Mr. O'Connell 325 Sir Edward O'Brien - 177 Majority for Mr. O'Connell . —l4B When these numbers were announced In the Sheriff's booths, dim were repeated peals of cheering, as well as when the Sheriff announced Maurice O'Connell, Esq. duly elected as Knight of the Shire to serve in Parliament for the county of Clare. Mr. M. O'CoxxEr.t. roseand thanked the High Sheriff for his cour tesy and impartiality during the contest; and the constituency of Clati. for their support ; after which Mr. W. R. Alsitox got up and addressed the Sheriff ; explainin,z that he had offered himself as a candidate, believing that no other gen tkman had the intention of so doing ; but that at the moment he knew r. O'Connell had solicited their suffrages beat once resigned. At the close of the proceedings the chairing took place ; and a:\ tr. wards an excellent dinner was given at Carmody's hotel. S:r Edward has addressed the electors of Clare in aa cave: tis. in shich he observes— 135 73 -,-62 " Agitation has prevailed, and, contrary to the sea se of by far CI, !treater part of the intelligence and the I.reper yof your county, election has been &Titled against me, Leann I hold the opinion that the legislative union of the two kiegtlonts is i.:diss.luttio, und look to the Rritish connection as the sure totthtlatlol of the la:snits and I ro peri,y of the countty. " Without one unpleasant recoll.ctibn, T sppcai front your decision to the public at large. As regards n yse:f, I had no personal object or am bition to gr.ttity. Advancing in years. delica'e in health, sod unable; even to solicit in perscn the votes of the constituency, to tatiain at ti . v residence here is far more agreeable to me titan 13 4:l3er again hr.,. ilt.• busy scenes of public life; but 1 felt it due to a county a hose confidence I possessed for so many years, and to my friends, and to arty family, not voluntatily to abandon a situation which I was conscious I could till with advantage to the whole body of the people. and in wniri it would have been my object to soothe and allay the unfortunate agitation which, for near five years, has disturbed and disorganized so large a portion of your aunty. LIVERPOOL ELECTION—MR. FAVA ELT UNSEATED. The case on behalf of the petitioners having closed on Friday, on the meeting of the Committee on Saturday, Mr. Sergeant SPatextE conimenci.d his address 071 the beh a if eP Mr. Ewart. The Learned Counsel, after making some genet al remarks on the evidence, said, the great and principal, if nil the only question fur the Committee to decide, was, one of agency, both in law and in fact; and he should submit, that not tilt least proof, direct or indirect. existed that Mr. Ewan was at all IM4le of the proceedings that were giving forward. He could not be at all connected with the transactions that to. k place. The learned counsel went into a review of the evidence, but declined calling any witnesses. He concluded by again declaring tivat Mr. Ewan was not at all connected with the agency, and in his opinion it would be nitist unjust to declare that den. tleman's election null and void. At the conclusion of Mr. Serjeant Spankle's address, the Committee adjourned until four o'clock, when it came to the following decision That the sitting member, Mr. Swart, was not duly elected at the last election of a burgess for Liverpool ; that the whole election was void ; that the petition was not frivolous or vexatious; and that the opposition to the petition was not frivolous or vexatious." To which the Committee added, in a Special iteport—" That it is the opinion of this Conimittee that gr-ss bribery and treating had prevailed during the Let vlsction at Liverl•a: I." Mr. Swain. is disqualified by this decision from siltirg in nubs. .ilrot. The proceedings before the Committee have cost the patties at Last 40001. in addition to nearly 100,00(11. for the election. The difference to advertizets from the abatement of duties will be immense. The present duty of 3s. Gd. reduced to Is. will enable Newspapers to charge but 4s. or 4s. Gd. in stead of 78. or 3s.—and on longer advertisements to abate full 50 per cent. On such articles as Warren's Blacking, Lardner's Cyclopedia, and the Burlington-street Novels, thousands will be saved per annum; and Books, in general, may be sold at 20 per cent. less when ;be heavy charges on advertizing are reduced. We have heard of 3001. on a single novel or monthly volume; and to make the circuit of the Papers, costs about 4001.—0 f course, therefore, great advantages will result to commerce generally, from the re duction of from 50 to 75 per cent. in an expenditure for which the public pay with profit in the price of the snick.