The Sun. — London, England, 1858-05-11 00:00:00

THE SITN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 11, 1858. ~,.~ -~ minded peopte, the natives Of New Zealand, had evidently been deceived, and he calle d on the cretary for the Colonies to exam ine intooble lord the Se the facts of the case, and he trusted that he would no longer allow the British name to remain under the great stigma which in New Zealand now attached to it. Lord STANLEY said the hon. baronet had rased two distinct questions. The first was with regard to the evidence given by Mr. Sewell before the New Zealand Loan Committee of last year. The hon. baronet could not be more surprised than he was when first he pointed out to his notice the apparent discrepancy between Mr. Sewell's evidence and the facts as they appeared on the official records of the local leghslature of New Zealand. The house would remember that they were asked last year to give the imperial guarantee to a loan of half-a million for purposes connected with the colony of New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) It seemed that 200,0001. was to be guaranteed for one purpose, and 300,0001. for another. The question was raised before the committee whether in the event of Parliament being unwilling to sanction a guarantee for the whole amount, a guarantee of 200,0001., if offered, would be accepted by the legis lature of the colony. The question was put to Mr. Sewell, and he replied that the question was raised in the legislature and distinctly negatived. Now it ap peared by the records of the New Zealand legislature that a resolution was passed directly contrary to the evidence he bad just quoted. The resolution was in the following words :—" That in the event of the financial scheme of the Government failing for raising the neces sary loan of 500,0001., the loan of 200,0001. offered by the Home Government for the liquidation of the New Zealand Company's debt shall be received on the terms proposed, anti the mode of payment shall bl stand over as part of the general adjestment of the puic require ments." Now here he paused to observe that that was the first part of the resolution ; but Veen there came an addition to it : "It being an essential part of suc h ad justment that the land, on being e xonerated from its special liabilities, as well a s from t he New Zea land debt, in accordance with the resolution, shall be relieved prospectively as well as retro s p ectivel y from an y other liability." Now there was no doubt that, on the face of it, that resolution purported to be an acceptance by the legislature of the colony, or at least by one branch of it, of that very proposition which Mr. Sewell stated that the legislature had refused to accede to, and on hearing the statement of the honourable baronet he lost no time in applying to Mr. Sewell for an expla nation. The explanation was that the resolution di vided itself into two parts. The first part accepted the proposition of a guarantee limited to 200,0001., which was moved, as he understood, by a member in opposi tion. For some reason the members of the local govern ment did not think fit to meet the resolution by a direct negative, but they met it. by an amandrnant or addition, which neutralised the first part of the resolution, and rendered it totally unmeaning, and in that light, ap parently, the amendment was received by the local legis lature. He did not find that it same before the Upper House, and it appeared to have been treated as—what in fact it was—a dead letter. The resolution was coupled with an impossible condition, and consequently amounted to a virtual refusal. Mr. Sewell's statement that the offer had been distinctly negatived undoubtedly went further than the facts of the case warranted ; but when a witness was questioned and cross-questioned, and every word was taken down as it came from his mouth, he might, without intending it, fall into some inaccuracy of statement—but Mr. Sewell contended that what he stated was substantially the truth, and that no deception was practised upon the committee, and if the guarantee had been limited to the smaller sum of 200,0001. it would not have been accepted by the local legislature. So much for the case of Mr. Sewell, and now with regard to the case of Mr. Mantell and the purchase which he had made of lands from the natives. Mr. Mantell was appointed a commissioner for the purchase from the na tives of lands in the settlements of Canterbury and Otago. He believed that the amount Mr. Mantell purchased was 30 millions of acres, and that the price was 5,0001. Now, he was not defending all that had taken place at New Zealand and elsewhere with regard to the purchase of land. He was willing to admit that unjustifiable transac tions had taken place with regard to the purchae• of land from aborigines. They had generally taken place not in consequence of, but notwithstanding, the policy and wishes of Government. But when they were speak ing.of the price given to the natives for land as being in adequate, they must bear in mind that the value these lands possessed was entirely owing to the exertion of the settlers. It was the roads, the harboure, the vicinity to markets, and the operations of commerce, that gave value to land ; and although the price given migbt be small apparently in relation to the price of land in this country, still -it by no means followed that that price might not be at the time, and under the circumstances, a sufficient representation of the then value. But with regard to the promise of schools and hospitals, although tbere was no doubt that Mr. Mantell held out, as be believed he was authorised to hold out, promises to the natives, yet he believed that nothing in the nature of a contract could be said to have been entered into, and for this plain reason, that nowhere could he find the slightest approximation to a statement of what was the amount to be expended for these objects. It was quite clear that a general promise to provide hospital accommodation and schools, so fund being set aside for that purpose, al though it might be an obligation in point of morality, could hardly be said to have assumed the definite form of a contract. But he must remind the hon. baronet that the power had been taken out of the hands of the imperial legislature. The moment the control of the waste lands passed into the hands of the colonial legislature, the colonial legislature took upon itself all those obligations. There was at the present time a sum at the disposal of the New Zealand government for that purpose, but looking at the state of feeling among the white inhabitants, he should only be deceiving the hon. baronet if he were to hold out any hope that that sum would be increased. Mr. LABOUCHERE, as chairman of the committee, i bed to say that the committee was in no way misled by the evidence of Mr. Sewell. No doubt the resolution pas,ed in the form it did to carry out some party tactics in the colonial legislature. At the same time he regretted that Mr. Sewell, who bore a high character both in pub lic and private life, did not give tathe committee the ex planation which he had since given. With regard to the general question, he assured the house he was not at all favourable to the principle of guaranteeing colonial loans, except under very special circumstances inched. When he was at the Colonial-office many such applioltione were made, but he thought they ought never to be acceded to except under very peculiar circumstances. Mr. ADDERLEY said a member of that house ought t‘i be exceedingly cautious how he made attacks on indi viduals. He averred that the house was not deceived by the evidence of Mr. Sewell. He was well acquainted with the subject, having been the recognised correspondent of the colony in this country, and having been put in pos session of the whole state of the case. There were two portions of the colony interested, and neither would con sent to the liberation of the lands of the other unless its own were liberated also, so that thelgrant of the smaller sum would have been absolutely useless without the guarantee of the larger sum. Mr, FORTESCUE quite agreed with Mr. Adderley ae to the smaller sum being of no use to the colony. With regard to the purchase of the native rights it should be remembered that the purchase was of the primal right to tracts in which there was no individual property and which were in a wild state. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY conceived the explanation which had been made was satisfactory. He was one of those who voted against the loan altogether, and he trusted that the house would take warning by what had happened in this case. Mr. W. WILLIAMS was also opposed to these guy• rautees. Sir J. TRELAWNY withdrew his motion. INDIA. Sir W. CODRINGTON said that the army being now very large—it was composed of at least 200 000 English troops—the numb er o f recruits required ' yearly must ne cessarily be great. He should sayat at least 30,000 men would be required to meet the annual ea•ualtiev, which were now unusually heavy, heaccount of the number of men we had in India. IZrioworlmust say that the present system of recruiting was anythng eer but factory. Men were cajoled into entering the and measures were adopted with that view which could not be regarded as other than dishonourable and discred n i able. The standard, which used to be 5 feet 6 inches, or 5 feet 8 inches, had been reduced to 5 feet 3 inches, in order to complete the levies required for India ; but it bad since been raised again to 5 feet 4 inches This re duction has bal a prejudicial effect upon the discipline of ' the service ; for instead of men from the agricultural districts, it had filled the regiments with recruits from the lowest classes of the great towns. He thought it would be well to revert to the old practice of raising particular regiments in particular counties and towns, and identify them with those local:ties. (The gallant general read a long extract from Sir Charles Napier, who was a warm advocate of this plan of localising dif fereot corps.) Again, he deeply regretted that motives of economy should have prevented the keeping up of the military train. If there was one branch of the vice less efficient than another at the breaking out of a war it was sure to be this ; but there was none upon which the safety and comfort of the army more de p_nd,:d. (Hear, hear.) He thought it would be better to collect what remained and attach it to the camp at Aldershott, where it would supply a much needed want in the means of instructing the army. Again, he thought the substitution of military auditors in the room of the commissariat was unfortunate. The commissariat t officers were military men, and under the command of he general ; and Clair mode of keeping the accounts was Simplerth anti less costly than the new mode. For instance, . o e coat of keeping the accounts of the Chinese expedi we,. was 4,0001., whereas under the commissariat officer Would only have been 1,300/. Again, he found that there i o , a a credit in favour of this country from the Aa e‘na, amounting to 20,000/. a-year. Now it duty was , Io , _, l l Z . (the gal ant general's) knowledge that a Our 9 ,, i.dirrs 7 a, : ci lv ev ixect e d upon the wine consumed by lie thought ti, at this the uoif rms if our officers. ought to be removed, or else that the proceeds shouludtyl(33lexpended in increasing the comforts of the soldier. e to ar, hear ) :$1 r. ONSEL reftr:ed isstatereent of Gen. Peel, to the t ffect that faith must be -entpt with the students at e ex at Cershalton, and that it would thought, h o ;c _ upon the public. He (Mr. Itltisal ever, that faith might he kept with the publi c any cost, by giving the present pupils, whPenutilli:ic.aairtdrhiciveudt at a proper age, adtniaion to the Woolwich by a pass examination, without subjecting them to any competitive test. (Hear.) Formerly, when the pupils at Woolwich were boys, there might be no impropriety in three or four of them sleeping in one room, but now that they were young men it was most desirable that each should have a room to himself, and he hoped, therefore, that the gallant gentleman would ask for a small vote lot teat purpose. Col. KNOX concurred in the suggestion of the right hon. gentleman ; but why had he not himself acted upon ' it ! Sir F. SMITH agreed in what had fallen from the two last speakers. He thought it most desirable that each regiment should have what might be called a home, and he instanced the Marines as illustrating the advantage of that system. Having himself served at Aldershott, he had always been of opinion that a Land Transport Corps was the only thing wanted there to complete the educa tion of the officers and men in the art of campaigning. Col. BOLDER() said it was not remarkable that the Marines should be the favourite corps of the service. A man who entered the service went on board ship for three or four years, and when he returned t o England he had often 601. or 701. of pay to receive. He cou ld then purchase his discharge and commence some sm all busi nesstiee awti Woolwich, 0 4 0 0 1 / w . i o e r h ,50h/e r eme m bered . As or the w sleeping hen h a e c c w o a m e m t o h d e a r 0 - andth geteythseelydormatherp threefierrcroedmmthiesspioranestbieeefoerfe jethieetylyweeereeelp9y„. ing one room than otherwise. They used to mess toge theud tha t erhandm theiraket money the junior scholars g arsf e ag f e fo rt r h t e h r e t m ha can if d t t h h e e y y f had lived by themselves. (A. laugh.) Major WORTLEY was surprised to hear the astir. vations of the gallant colonel. For his own part he hoped the alteraticen suggested at Woolwich would be made as soon as possible. Gen. PEEL said that everything which fell from the gallant general (Sir W. Codrington) would always meet with the greatest attention ; but the gallant general must know that when there was so much pressure upon the recruiting service, they could not afford to be too particular. Before the breaking out of the mutiny, the British army was in round numbers 157,000 strong, and there were in India itself four regiments of cavalry, and 24 battalions of infantry. At the present moment the total British force consisted of about 223,000 men ; so that it had been necessary to raise during the past year no fewer than 56,000 additional men ; and there were now in India 23 regiments of cavalry and 105 battalions of infantry. It had thus been necessary to send out from the home establishment 19 regiments of cavalry and 81 battalions of infantry. To make up the deficiency r) created they had formed two new regiments of cavalry and one of infantry ; and they had raised 25 second battalions, They had moreover increased the strength of the cavalry regiments from 469 to 660 men, and that of the infantry regiments from 840 to 950 men. The number of men voted had not yet been raised ; but as 48,000 men had been enlisted he eight months, he saw no reason to doubt that such would soon be the case. The annual casualties were very heavy. Taking them at the ordinary rate during peace, namely 12 per cent., they would require about 30,000 recruits every year to keep up the strength of the army. To this must be added another 20,000 men still wanting to complete the military armaments of the country ; and it would thus appear that the total number of recruits that would be needed during the year would be 50,000. (Hear, hear.) In the first instance the standard had been lowered to 5 feet 3 inches, in order to provide troops for India, but it had been raised again to sft. 4in. With regard to the Commissariat and the Land Transport Corps, nothing was more difficult to keep up in the time of peace than establishments of this description ; but he proposed to institute an inquiry into the subject. He would also take the other subjects which had been men tioned into consideration. He was very glad to say that a plan had been suggested by which faith could be kept with the students at Carshalton, without any expense to the country. The accommodation for those at Wool wich should receive attention ; but he would remind the house that at the time he came into office the determination come to was that they should be removed to Sendhurat. Col. NORTH could not help expressing the regret he felt that 16 militia regiments should have been disbanded at a moment when the army was 20,000 men under the strength voted by Parliament. Reduction and then in crease of the army caused an immense expense to the country, and was most injurious to the service. The house then went into committee on the ARMY ESTIMATES. On the first vote, 101,9771. for the departments of th e Secretary of State or War and the Commander-in-Chief, Mr. W. WILLIAMS complained of the loose way in which the estimates were placed before the house. This vote comprised sums for three assistant secretaries ; what were they all to dot He also found a large salary of 9501. put down for the chaplain general. What were the duties of this chaplain-general ! Was he a kind of bishop over the other chaplains ? Col. KNOX said that when the War Department was reorganised, a pledge was given to Parliament that full explanation should be given of its expense and manage ment. This had never been done; and they were now payingiftreble the amount in the Commander-in-Chief's department ; and he very much doubted whether the business was more efficiently conducted. There were in reality four secretaries—one more than stated by the last speaker ; there was a military correspond ing secretary. Parliament ought to insist on the pledge being fulfilled which was given before the war, with regard to the expense and distribution of the force. A commission ought to be appointed to inquire into the whole business of the department. The relation of the Commander-in-Chief and the head of the War Depart ment was not what it ought to be. (Hear, hear.) With a military man at the head of the department there was less chance of a collision ; but if a civilian filled that office great difficulties might occur. The duties of the office ought to be clearly defined. Sir Thos. Trowbridge bad been appointed head of the clothing board ; after wards a change was made, and a gentleman was ap pointed whose only recommendation appeared to be that he knew nothing of the requirements of that department. Sir F. SMITH said that the duties of the department could not be performed with a smaller staff. Sir D. NORREYS referred to the state of the house (there were only 0003.0 as members, present) as evirieno ing the culpable apathy of Parliament on matters cf national expenditure. He stated the particulars of claim which had been sent in to the War-office for the property of a deceased soldier, and said that a delay of six months bad occurred before the matter was settled. This was highly discreditable to the management of the department. The most lavish expenditure was incurred in the movement of troops, owing to the want of system and good management. He did not blame the hon. and gallant general now at the head of the department for this wasteful expenditure. Col. NORTH expressed surprise at the complaint of the hon. baronet. It was possible by application at the War-office, to obtain at any time the fullest information as to the death of soldiers, and the property which they might have left. Sir D. NORREYS reiterated his statement. After a few words from Sir J. TRELAWNY, Col. BOLDERO said that the department instead of being too large was much too small. Three departments, the army, ordnance, and militia, formerly under three heads, each responsible to Parliament, had been consoli dated into one ; and the staff was not sufficiently large. At Weedon, for instance, where upwards of a million had been spent in little more than a year, the accounts bad never been audited, and it had now been necessary , to send down extra clerks for the purpose. All the ad vantage gained by the amalgamation had been an in crease of expenditure. In 1852-3 the amount of force under those departments were 113,697 men, and the ex pense was under nine millions. Now the force was 133,000, and the expense was 11,500,0001. Still it was insufficient properly to conduct the business of the de partment, and he believed that it would be necessary to add another million to the estimates. General PEEL said he would endeavour, when he prepared the next estimates, to meet the views of Mr. Williams. Instead of the staff being reduced, he was convinced that it must be enlarged. (Hear, hear.) He refereed to the case mentioned by Sir D. Norreys, and said that nothing could exceed the anxiety of the depart• inent to give the earliest and most satisfactory informa tion in all such cases as that referred to. Mr. W. WILLIAMS repeated his question about the three secretaries. General PEEL said the only answer he could give was that the whyle of those officers were fully employed. Mr. WILLIAMS said it appeared there was also a military corresponding secretary. Sir W. CODRINGTON said the office was a most onerous one, and the duties were very satisfactorily per formed. Col. KNOX was satisfied that good order and method would materially lessen the labour of the War-office. Col. NORTH bore testimony to the efficiency of the military corresponding secretary and others, and said that there was not one officer too many. The vote was then agreed to. 233,0001. for manufacturing establishments, military storekeepers, and barrack•mastere. NEWDEGATE said it appeared that the estimate for the manufactory at Enfield was 96,0001. or 97,000/., instead of 55,000/. This was a great increase, he hoped the produce would be correspondingly large. The report of the committee of 1854 on the manufacture of small arms had recommended that a debtor and creditor ac count should be kept in the government establishments showing the cost and the production. He had long been anxious to see this account produced, and hoped that the 1 , precedent would be followed in other departments. At present the Enfield acc oun t s h a d to b e picked °e t . from four or five different pl a c es i n th e est i mates. It wa s too ' much that the house should beexpected to compile these accounts. In addition to the large increase in the Enfield expenditure, several extraordinary items had been intro duced. In 1854, after the committee had recommended that the . expense for the establishment at Enfield should be limited to 34,0001., it had amounted to 150,0001. , and had since swelled up to 270,0001. or 300,0001 T h e apenee of the artificers had increased from 39,0001. to 84,0001. It had been said ti-at the etnphyment of ma e bi ner y would dispense to a great extent with skilled la benr. The estimate was that 1,000 men, costing 39,000 j., wool I produce 150,000 muskets in a yeAr; but it turned out that with an expenditure of 84,0001,, c my 50,000 muskets were produced. (Hear.) He made no charge against the managers of the establishment, but it was evident that t'iey were still oblig,d to employ a great number of ekilldd labourers, whereby the aims trade were deprived (.f their best workmen. As the in spectiog officer at Enfield was the same who Map cte-i the arm; sent in from private establi.ihments the latter h w o e u r s e e p w la a c i ed th a a t t Eaudfiiesladdsvhaenutaldge. act as T s h a eintention of competitor to this the gun trade. The bead of the Enfield establishment was naturally interested in its success. But it was not fair to the arms trade that a person in such a position ebould b the ju!ge c f the arms produced by the trade. Let the arms be inspected by souse officer who was not connected with Enfield. That was a fair request. The arms trade thought that they produced a better article than the En field establishment, and all they wanted, if there was to Le competition, that that competition should be a fair o dfi n if e, cul li ty e and thought danger. w AR du e t o t h e gun trade and their exertions in times e f Mr. MONSELL said the return showed that Enfield produced only 20 ,030 muskets l as t y ear. Thi s y ear it would produce b e tween E 50,000 and 60,000. Tile cost of a rifle m a d e at E nfield was under 3/., whereas those made at Birmingham cost 3/. ss. or 3/. 6s. The trials made between the guns of Enfield and Birmingham were, as he understood, all in favour of the Enfield gun. The prophecy made by the Birmingham people with re• gard to the machinery bad completely failed, for the pieces fitted admirably with each other. The ( xperiment of the Enfield was therefore entirely successful. He con curred in the praise which was due to the artificers and workmen of Birmingham, but be did not think that the gun trade would be injured by the establishment at Enfield. General PEEL hoped his hon, friend would allow the dispute between Birmingham and Enfield to come to an end: He did not believe that Birmingham would be in jured by Enfield. There was at present plenty of work for both. The price of the Enfield rifle was 2/. 104. that of the London and Birmingham trade was 2/. 18s. 30. But there was also the advantage that the pieces of the rifles made at Enfield fitted into each other. Mr. NEWDEGATE said that some of the muskets which were seat from Birmingham and tried at the Tower very nearly interchanged with each other, so ex cellent was the work, although they were not intended to do so. What the best witnesses said was, not that interchangeability could cot be established, but that the weapons so made would not be so perfect and lasting as those made by hand labour. With regard to the dif ference of price, he could only Fay that the Americans, who made very cheap guns, had not succeeded in mak ing guns so cheaply as the Enfield rifl43 were said to be made. He was sure that the trade would avail them selves of any improvements which were made good at Enfield. Sir J. RAMSDEN said that the Birmingham gun trade continued to make guns by hand, whereas at En field they were made by machinery, and this produced the difference in price. Every encouragement was given by the Government to the private trade, with a view to their erecting machinery, so as to keep the En field establishment up to the mark by competition.., . Mr. W. WILLIAMS was willing to assume that the difference between the cost of weapons made in the Go ♦ernment establishment and by private individuals was correct. That was not the usual result, but the hon. gentleman who spoke last explained the reason. There were items for muskets made at Liege, St. Etienne, and other foreign places. He should like to know the cause of this. General PEEL said that these were contracts made during the war, which were not yet completed. In one instance 12,000 muskets had been delivered, and 10,000 in another, but all bad not been yet delivered. Colonel BOLDERO said that experiments had been made at Woolwich between "Old Bass," the Enfield rifle, and Mr. Whitworth's invention. The result was that one ball from "Old Bass" struck a target six feet kigh at a distance of 300 yards. Tho Enfield rifle, at 500 yards, made 25 per cent., and the Whit worth, at 800 yards equalled the Enfield. (Rear, hear.) The Enfield carried 1,100 yards, but Whitworth's carried 2,000. General CODRINGTON said that he was last year the president of the committee by which these experi ments were conducted. The committee had to investi gate into the range and precision of the guns, and their applicability to the lives and quarters t f the soldier. Toe committee had as yet only time to 'investigate the range, and there codd be no doubt as to the value of Whitworth's arm. There was no difficulty with Whitworth's gun to get so many shots in the tar get as to enable them to take an average ; but that was not the case with the others. The invention was no doubt of the greateet value. He understood that com mittee of investigation was to be made permanent. Lord ELCIIO understood that the greater efficacy of the Whitworth gun arose from its smaller bore. A harder metal than lead was made which increased the penetration. Sir W. CODRINGTON said that the experiments at Woolwich were carried on, not to try the absolute merits of Mr. Whitworth's gun, but to test it in com parison with the Enfield, and in both cases soft lead was used. It was a part of the merit of Mr. Whitworth's gun that an iron ball could be used without damaging the gun. General PEEL had no doubt, after what the gallant general had stated, of the superiority of the Whitworih gun, and every encouragement had been given by the Government for testing its merits. Mr. CONINGHA 51 said it was a aew thing for Go vernment to produce a cheaper article than private in t iriduals. But the circumstance was explained by the fact that machinery bad been erected at Enfield. The principle of Government turning manufacturer was false and dangerous. If the Whitworth gun superseded the Enfield, would it not entail a loss upon the country ? Sir W. CODRINGTON thought the manufacture of arms was an exception to the general rule, and that the result justified the experiment which had been made. was a matter of experience that artiales manufactured by contract were not always to be trusted, and it was of vital importance that th e arm y s h ou ld h ave wea p ons in which they could trust. Mr. NEWDEGATE said that the superiority of the rifles furnished to the trade had been clearly proved in the Crimean and Indian war. The pricciple of the present Enfield was devised by Mr. Westley Richards, and the best thing done by the late Government was the associating him with Mr. Whitworth, which ended in the production of the Whitworth rifle. He trusted the house would not believe that the trade were likely to allow themselves to be beat ; the country could not corn mit a greater mistake than to sacrifice private trade to support a Government establishment which could only be carried on at a great expense. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said that in the estimates the storekeepers and barrack masters were in columns. fie thought the dutie. of these departments could be per formed by one staff of officers,. The vote was then agreed to ; as was also the next. 358,3171., wages of artifi:ers and labourers. On the next vote, 450,4601. for clothing and necessaries, Mr. MONSELL asked the rea-on of the increase of the vote for clothing of the infantry of the line. General PEEL said he had himself been surpieed at the inorease, but it aro-e from the increased sum g iven to recruits. Tasy now got the bounty in full, and part of the increase was to provide for the free kit which was given. The vote for the embodied militia made up the rest of the increase. Mr. WILLIAMS also considered the vo'e very large, but be congratulated the right hon. gentleman on having abandoned the building at Rotherhithe, which would have cost 300,0001 Colonel KNOX Paid that the present system of the clothing was the worst possible. It now cost twice as much as it, and the soldier was not as efficiently clothed. Tne system of clothing colonels was the most economical for the country. Colonel GILPIN also thought the old system was the most economical. Col. BOLDER() objected to the vote. He thought it was not in a proper fora). It was impossible to tell from it what was the cost of clothing a private soldier. Cloth ing and necessaries ought to be kept distinct. As far as he could make oat, the clothing of each man cost 31. Ils. Under the old system it Wail only 2/. 6s. If they had all the details, he was sure they would find the loss double. Lord ELCEO wished to ask a question with regard to the great coats. He found that a system had been introduced in London of having au extra great coat hanging up in each sentry-box, but at Edinburgh Castle there was nothing of the kind, General CODRING roN said the regiments could use up the old great coats for the purpose ; they only required to ask permission. General PEEL would be very glad to have the custom introduced in all garrisons. Every sentry-box of the Guards now had a great coat in it. Mr. KINNAIRD thought it wou ld b e b e tt er to diminish the number of sentries, Thera was no possible use for them. Colonel BOLDERO said the East India Company was responsible for 92,000 men, but he understood the War Department now wished to clothe them. He wished to know why there was no appearance of this charge in the estimates. General PEEL said that the Ea , t India Company paid a certain sum every month, but it went to the Treasury, not to the War Department. Lord E LCIIO thought it was a mere work of super• erogation to have sentries at the R )yal Academy and the British Institution. Major WORTLEY said those sentries were on duty only in the d ►y time. Mr. WORTLEY thought it would be better if the whole of the charge troops in India was borne on the votes, ar.d credit then given for the sum paid by the East India Company. The vote was then agreed t ). On the next vote, 690,6241. fur provisions, fuel, and light, Mr. MONSELL asked whether there would be any objection to allow the permanent staff of the militia to obtain rations at contract price / After a brief conversation the vote was agreed to, as was also a vote of 634,727/. to defray the expense of war like stores for the land and sea forces. Oa the vote of 285,7361. fur fortifications, Sir C. NAPIER. took exception to the item in the estimate for forts. He described the forts as being small and useless, and objected to their being spread over the whole of our c at, as they were so insignificant as to be quite inapplicable to repelling an invading force. He proposed, therefore, to move the reduction of the vote by 50,0001., the amount required for these inter .liediate forts. Sir J. RA NISDEN observed that the hon. and gallant admiral was under a mistake in supposing that the forts extended over the whole of the coast. The charge to which he referred was fjr three forts betwee❑ Gosport and the advanced lines. Sir C. NAPIER said this explanation removed his objection to the vote. Sir J. TRAAWNY complained that many of the I , rts being built of limestone were who ly unfit for their purpose, end instanced the one at the back of Mount Edgecumb e , w hi ch a 30-gun brig would destroy in ten n,baves. Mr. W. WILLIINIS deprecated the outlay fur this class cf workß. S . r 13. WILLOUGHBY wished to know whether the 21,0001. stated iu this estimate would finish the work I Gen. PEEL could not say ; but in reply to another question, said that a n y b a l ance that might remain over the expenditure of the year would be paid back again is, to tile Exchequer. The limestone forts had been erected ou the recommendation of a scientific emn,nission. The vote was agre,d 74,7801. for civil buildiogß, after a brief discussion, was also agreed to. 397,6911 for barracks. Cpl. NORTH asked if any notice was to be taken of those plans which bad been sent in and gained prime by competing: architects. He believed the cost of the prize plan was 140/. a man, while the cost of the barra c k s a t Alder, , bot, which way built by engineers, as 1001. a man. Did this 1001. a man cover all the requirements of court•marLial rooms, mess rooms, and other necessary items of accommodation which were included in the esti mate of the architects ? With regard to the statement of his Royal 'Highness the Commander in-Chief about the barracks ef this country, every word of that statement be bolieved to be true and incapable of contradiction. His R iyal Highness stated that the Horse Guards was net accountable for the state of the barracks ; that he was aware many things were required for the comfort and accommodation and health of the soldier, but that he did not hold the purse strings of the nation, and that any representations made by him were met by the reply that no funds were available. Referring to the speach of Lord Panmure, in answer to the Royal Duke, in which the noble lard spoke of the advantages the soldiers en joyed he (Col. North) held that though the soldier had perhaps no legal right to a pension, it bad always been understood that after 21 years' service the pension wool I be given as a matter of course, and he did not believe that any Secretary of State would venture to refuse it. Then as to the ration., though they might b e su ppli e d a t less than the market price in this country, in many of the colonies the men were charged considerably more than the price paid by Government for the food. The state of Portman-street barracks was disgraceful ; and with re gard to the barracks of the Sappers and Miners at Chat ham, which Lord Panmure referred to, was it fit that the barrack accommodation for that or any othercorps should be so deficient that one set of men had to turn into the beds from which another set turned out 1 The hon. and gallant gentleman urged that the mode in which the bar rack repairs were performed was most faulty. He also referred to the report of the Sanitary Commission, in order to show that it was not the fault of the military authori ties that the barracks were not more healthy, as every de partment had made every requisition for th a t p urpose . If the correspondence on the subject, which had been pro mised by the Secretary for War, did not show this, he should move for further information, General PEEL explained that the correspondence moved for by the hon. and gallant member for Bodmin would not give a fair and full account of the circum stances connected with the various alterations which had been made in barracks. He agreed that plenty of re quisitions had been sent in for this object, but where there was no vote of the house the answer was always the same—that there was no money. Sir J. RAMgDEN admitted that the Horse Guards were not to blame fur the shortcoming in barrack accom modation, but he also contended that Lord Panmure was not to blame, as he had immediately on coming into office, appointed a committee to inquire into the state of barrack accommodation, and since then there had been great improvement. Neither was this house to blame, for in 1855, 1856, and 1857 not less than 1,500,0001. had been spent on barracks by the house. The real truth was, that in long years of economy the barracks had fallen into such a state of neglect that it would take years to do anything effectual with them. Colonel NORTH—Who is to blame ? Sir J. RAXISDEN—The economy of previous years. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY said that Col. North had made a most unfounded charge against the house, ft,r between 1854 and 1858 not less than 3,134,043/. had been spent on barracks, besides 700,0001. for huts. The repairs cost 300,0001. a year, and in one year the house voted 40,0001. for plans of improvements in barracks. He found that 400,0001. had been voted for Aldershott, which had been exceeded by 13,0001. This year 88,0001. was asked for, and a further sum of 20,0001. would be required, making 531,7201. which would be required. But would that complete the work, the total sum esti mated ft r which was 400,000/ ? There mast be some bad management in laying oat these enormous sums. Sir H. YERNEY would like to know who was re sponsible for the position of the barracks at Aldershott. Taey were placed in such a psition that a hospital could not be erected unless more land was bought. Colonel B. KNOX had already protested against the infamous state of the - barracks, especially those in Port man-street. He must remark that tenders had been at.ked from architects for plans for barracks, which bad been sent in, and were very creditable performances. Were these persons who sent in the plans to be employed in building barracks ? He feared not, and if so it would be a great fraud on them if the Royal Engineers took advatita,ge of their plans. He disapproved of the en trusting to engineer officers the construction of barracks, and he regretted that the hon. and gallant member for Chatham was not present ; but he wished to say he thought great blame attached to that hon. and gallant gentleman, who bad been instructed to lay out bar rac k s at Abierehott, and he wanted to know why the barracks were opened on the confines of the estate. They were on one side of the road, and the village on the other had gas, while there was none in the camp. The expenditure at Aldershott had been very great at a time when barracks were so much wanted elsewhere. It was to have been a temporary camp, but it had since been built up with huts, which were going to pieces. He hoped that something would be done to get the troops in Lon don better barracks. Colonel BOLDERO agreed that the old barracks were had and uninhabitable, but what he was astonished at wa that the new works should be carried on on a bad plte. There had been a reckless expenditure on Atderehott, which was to have been a common encamp ment for troops, but which had been changed into a per raament camp, composed of huts, which were already rotten, and now permanent barracks were being built. He wished to know how it was that when there was such a large number of men at Aldershott they were not employed in making the road and drains. The expen diture for the present year under those beads would be '550,0001., to which must be added 100,0001. for buts. As regarded Nettey Abbey Hospital, Surgeon Gibson 'had stated that the site was quite unsuitable for such a buil I ing. He was told that at low water the foundation was on a level with the sea. Lord EBRINGTON said, though he bad no wish to anticipate the motion of which be had given notice f,r the following day, with regard to the mortality cf the army, be must make one or two remarks having a bear ing on that subject:. The teal question was whether, having fnoled a good deal of money away, at AlJerehott and elsewhere, they were not bound to continue their expenditure till the soldier was lodged in a manner which would give him as good a chance of life as was possessed by the community generally. Portman Bar racks were, as had been prated, very bad, but they were far from bving the worst barracks that he had seen. The Wo3lwich barracks were in such a dilapidated con dition that the galleries a'ong which the soldiers walked had to be shored up to prevent accidents and loss of life; and in the very centre of the building, and under neath the soldiers' dormitories, were laboratories and other places which were enough to breed a pestilence ; while in one part of the barracks there still remained the old and justly condemned airangement of a double tier of beds. It would be impossible to fetch up the arrears of accommodation for :ioldiers without a con siderable outlay, and in a mere economical point of view it was desirable that the existing defects should be re moved. Mr. TITE said a few years ago architects were in vited to send in plans for barracks, and a promise was given that the successful competitors should be em ployed, the premiums being made very small on that account ; and the architects who happened to be suc cessful now complained, and he thought justly, that the promise made had not been fulfilled. He had been in communication on the subject with the Secre tary at War, who had promised to give the subject his best consideration. The greet evil hitherto had been that barracks had been erected without any definite plan. He could not but think that architects who were accustcmed to erect civil buildings were the most suitable persons to erect barracks. As regarded Netley Hospital,/for which a vote sf 73,000/. was asked, he trusted that the hon. and gallant general wonid postpone it till after the re port of the cemtnission bad been laid before the house, together with the report of the medical officers. Gen. PEEL said of course if the architects alluded to cpd b nhaaocictaut actually g ua r o a t t t n a d i of economical. The Their estimate plans, er e et by the h o n. gen t' enean were promised employment they barracks was 1401. p er h ea d, f or cava l ry b arrac k s 3001. l a ly n and n n fo u r r r a e r d t i e t r A y l ti 3 e 3 r o s l h . at per w a h a e a 4 d s , l. w f h a e r r e the a s t l h ne. o for infantry ow ev er, fantry, 1501. for the cavalry, and 1571. fur the artillery. He thought that, although Aldershot had been so much abused, the barracks there were, on the whole, very good. The only fault which he had to find was that they were situated at the extremity of the property. Wits. respect to the remarks of the noble lord (Ebrington) he thought his wisest course was to deal with matters as he found them. It was of no use to talk about the money which hal been spent in vain ; what the Government would do was to endeavour as far as poseible to apply a remedy to existing evil , . Mr. S. HERBERT agreed with the hon. and gallant general that the poirt now was to endeavour to set light whatever was wrong in the barracks. In consider ing the amount of money which had been spent they should take into account the enormous size of barracks. A barrack war, in fact, a town. There was a larger population in WelLngton•barracks than was to be fouled in certain towns which were represented in that house. (Laughter,) I barracks there must be a prison, read ing-rooms, and suitable residences fur the officers ; in fact a barrack was a complete town. Lord Panmure o b r e di being e v : hal attributed to him the statement that the great mor tality among the Guards was the consequence of their mortality among them. His lerdship also remarked that over -crowded. fra ll ni e a d s i s d ign n t o n t g say they were over barracks than into the hospital f almost any other there were fewer admissions into the hoas:ryitar;:;°Pnofrottrntahne and other serious complaints were very numerous in the bar rack. If he examined he would find that cases of fever Portman•barracks, and hence it was that they were re peeseuted a. so unhealthy. He had the greatest coufi deuce that i n th e hand-, of the hon. and gallant gentle man this question c f barrack accommodatten would be dealt with in a sati•fact,ory manner. As regarded Netley Hospitel lie was still of the opinion he had expressed, that the sieo was a most unfortunate one ; and as to the Medicsl Beard, t r whom Lord Panmure referred, all he could say was that they appeared, like many civil boards, to have p a id ver y lit t l e a t tent i on t o the construction of holoitai s . Generel PEEL said that as a centracthad been ente red into tk e vote couel no t b e p os tponed. entered ir'T i l L E , o postponing the work-% t a n t e ' v w e n cl u t i h d a tb be l n t o d ne rli h n a n i c t , y ) n i t n r aecttnhpapdi stopping been n G tft n e t r r a rt , tioe of the vete and postpone the remainder. (Hear.) for the Al lershot barracks be struck out of the vote. f l" w EE w L ur s d :id fro h m e had Sir nilo.oVhjEeßctNißoYn'to take a por- A ll ti j e ° r r a W fe ° w P: l l: el E ar Y ks P f r i c o P m " C 'd ol t o h n a e t l liamsdea, Captain ANNESLEY said that a more unfit place for soldiers could not be tound than Portman barracks, and be wished to know whether they were likely to be done away with ? • the Gil peienranonfdBBst:ooJl.. Ganeral PEEL said that nothing could be determined upon until after the report had been received. Tue amendment of Major Wortley wadi then put and negatived without a division, and the vote was agreed to. The house then resumed. WAYS AND MEANS, The house then went into committee of ways and means, and a vote of 11,000,0001. was granted. PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND LOAN BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. Lord SFANLEY said he had to propose a vote to the following effect : That her Majesty be authorised to guarantee the repayment of a loan not exceeding 100,0001. to the colony of Prince Edward's Island, with interest thereon not exceeding 4,0001. He did not in- , tend in introducing this subject to ask the committee to p'edge themselves either to the principle or the detail of this bill. He thought he was justified in saying that there existed on ail sides of the house an objection to imperial guarantees for colonial purposes, and in that objection he fully concurred, for he thought that the system was dangerous and embarrassing to the imperial finanoes, and injurious to the nolonies themselves, for the colonies should understand that coexistent with self government should be self-support. He might be asked why he proposed to depart from the rule in the present ease, and the reason was, that the present case was ex ceptional, and not likely to occur again. In helping this colony, they were only repairing an old wrong caused by the imperial Government, for this colony had been injured by an act of the Government of this country 90 years ago. In 1767 nearly the whole, or the greater part, of the soil of the island—nearly a million and a half of acres—was put up, he could hardly say by auction, but by public lottery in London, and disposed of in a single day, there being 67 lots of 20,000 acres each. The land was granted on the condition of introducing settlers in the proportion of one to 100 acres, and there was also a' quit rent of from 2e. to 6s. for every 100 acres.. Improvi dent as were these conditions, Government did not even interfere to enforce them. Soon after the settlement of the colony the American war broke out, and it was held that the introduction of settlers had become impossible, and they were consequently not introduced, and the Go vernment tacitly, if not in express words, dispensed with that part of the bargain. The payments also fell into ar rear, and they were not enforced. The consequence was that nearly all the soil of the Island was vested in pro prietors, the greater part of whom were absentees, and who, from the conditions of their tenure, were placed in antagonism to the great part of the population. From that time up to the present the whole history of Prinee Edward's Island was a reoord of one long quarrel between the proprietors thus imposed on the colony by the Impe rial Government and the rest of the population, their tenants. At first various attempts were made to get the grants revoked, but those attempts were not encouraged by the government of the day, but, on the contrary, a 'are e amount of arrears of quit-rent was forgiven in 1818, and at the same time the quit-rents were reduced. In 1830 a further change was made—the quit-rents were abandoned, and a land-tax substituted for them. About this time the colonists changed their tactics, and instead of endeavouring to obtain forfeitures they attempted to drive out the proprietors by imposing excessive taxation. During this period there was a reduction in the value of eelonial currency, so that ls. 6J. currency was only worth ls. sterling, reducing in that proportion, of course, the , rent of the proprietors. Reepoosible government was in. )roduced into the colony in 1851, and it was felt that all parties had a right to complain that at that time no at tempt was made to settle this question. In 1855 the mat ter was brought to a crisis. The colonial government sent home two acts, one imposing on these proprietors a rent charge for military and other purposes, and another giving tenants compensation for improvements. The machinery by which these acts were to be worked out was so unjust that her Majesty was advised to dis allow both acts. As to the first act, the Governor wrote home saying that though the measure was liable to the objection that it was a class tax, yet he had seen with regret the impossibility of getting arty other measure which would effect the object oontemp ated, and he thought if it was not passed greater evils would follow. As to the other act, he advised the Government to give their consent to it. The Government wrote back in return, expressing their alarm at the mischief that might result from the continued agitation of this question. His predecessor in office had felt the danger of leaving this quesion open, and he suggested that an amicable settlement should be come to by the lands being bought up. The amount of the loan necessary was 100,0001., which was proposed to be repaid in 20 years, the secu rity for that arising from land sales and general revenue. His predecessor had assented to that proposition ; but from some circumstances last year he postponed the bill but promised that it should be brought in this year. The revenue of the colony, which was 12,000/. in 1848, was now between 20,0001. and 30,0001., and the colony was absolutely free from debt, though the expenditure had pretty well kept pace with the revenue; but there was a small available surplus.. He would not go into the calculation of the rentals. It was enough to say that the net rental was 7,0001., a sinking fund was pro vided, and the debt would be repaid in 20 years. Under these circumstances, he trusted that when the time came for the principl j of this measure to be discus-ed the house would give its sanction to it. The noble lord con c'uded by moving a resolution to the effect that her Ma jesty be authorised to wive a guarantee for the repay ment of a loan of 100,0001., and interest, not exceeding 4 per cent, per annuee. Mr. BLACKBURN said this was one of the legacies left to the present by the late Government, and was one which he supposed they would rather not have received. He trusted that the house would not agree to this resolu tion. No reason had been given why, if the tenants of these lands wished to buy up the fee , simple, they should not do it individually ; but it was proposed that • it should be done by a guaranteed loan of 100,0001. i Now, Parliament had objected entirely to the principle, and he thought the most simple way would be to nega tive this resolution. The resolution was then put and agreed to. CHANCERY AMENDMENT BILL. The house resolved itself into committee on this bill, resuming at clause 9, which was agreed to. The remain. ing clauses were also agreed to, and the preamble amended. CHELSEA-BRIDGE ACT AMENDMENT. Lord J. MANNERS moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the act of the 9th and 10th of her present Majesty, chap. 39, relative to Chelsea-bridge. Mr. ALCOCK said he should take the opportunity, when the bill was in committee, to move to abolish the toll altogether. Leave was given to bring in the bill. STANHOPE AND WOLSINGHAM RECTORIES. L rd H. VANE obtained leave to bring in a bill for the future appropriation of the tithe or tenth of lead ores in the parishes of Stanhope and Wolsingham, in the county of Durham, belonging to the respective rec ters thereof, subject to the existing incumbencies ; and and for making other provisions for the endowment of the said rectories in lieu thereof, and for other purposes. The house adjourned at 5 minutes past one. tion. The character of Mr. Ball was too well known to require any vindication. Mr: Slade said they all knew and respected Mr. Ball. The room was then cleared, and after a brief de liberation strangers were re-admitted, when The Chairman announce d th a t th e committee had come to the following resolutions, viz.:— " That Geo. Gavin, Esq., was not duly elected to serve in the present Parliament for the county of the city of Limerick. " That the last election was a void election. " That George Gavin, Esq., was, by his agents, guilty of bribery at the last election for the county of the city of Limerick. " That it was proved to the committee that John Doherty, a voter, bad been bribed by John M'Carthy with two orders for 21. and Si. respec tively, and by Morgan H. Howard with an order for 21., in virtue of which orders he received the value of 101. in goods and money from James Fife, a grocer, to whom, after application by post to John O'Donnell, the said sum of 101. was paid by the hands of Morgan H. Howard. " That John Browne, residing at O'Brien's bridge, in the county of Clare, and formerly an officer in the 15th R-giment of Foot, and after wards in the Clare Militia, was bribed with 101. by Daniel Doyle, to secure the votes of certain voters who were tenants of h's father, and that in consi deration of such bribes, he induced seven of those tenants to vote for George Gavin, Esq. " That these acts of bribery were committed without the knowledge or consent of the said Geo. Gavin, Esq., and contrary to his expressed in structions." Tae committee then broke up. Names of Companies. Ashtn &Oldh Birmingham Coventry.. • • Derby .. • • • GrandJunctn. Do., 6 pr. Ct. Grand Union Kennt & Avn Leeds &Livrp Leicester.... Leicstr &Nth Loughborogh Macclesfield. Neath 0xf0rd...... d Dividend ) , y per m Annum. 93 71. p. et. 40 4/: MO 111. 100 6/. 15s. 100 21. pr. et. 10 61. pr. et. 100 7s. 6d. 40 6s. 100 251. 100 51. 83 11.55. 143 701. 100 21. 10s. 100 161. 100 Name of Company. Berlin .... .. East London Do. 4 per Cent. Pref. Do. 5 per Cent. Pref. Grand Junction .....• Do. New .• •• • • Lambeth . • .... .. • • .. New River Company.. Southwark & Vauxhall %Vest Middlesex .• .. Do. Do, ...... Name of Company. aungerford.... •• Southwark ...... , Ditto New of 7% p.c. Waterloo ..... ........ Ditto Old Ann. of 81. Ditto Nw ditto of 71. Vauxhall ............ Name of Company Commercial ...• ....•• Do. Preference East and West India.. Grand iurry D. & Canal Do. Loan Notes Do. 5 per cent. Pref. London .•• • • .•••• • • it. Katharine • • •• •• .. Southampton •• •• •• •• Victoria .• •••• •• •..• Ditto New • • •• •• •• Price.! 93% 193 Name of Company. 10n, Names of Companies. 'Peak Forest. Regent's • • • • 'Rochdale.... Stffrd &Won: Stoarbridge.. 'Severn and Wye Rail. j Warwick & Birming. 'Warwick & Napton..,l Worcstr & t. Birming. Wilts & Brks 51. per cnt. 61. per cnt. 41. percent. 51. per cent. 4t. per cnt. 51. per cnt. per cent •••• lOs per cent.l 11. 12s. Od. It. Is. Od. 28s. DOCKS. Dividend per Annum. 51. pr cent. 6/. pr cent. 41. per cent. Amount of. Share. 51. pr „ cent. .£ s. d. 10 0 0 Stock. 25 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 041. per cnt. 4 per cent. 5/. Os per c. lINT-srocK 1100 0 0 1 61 8 0 1 5 1 8 Dividend per Amount of Share. X s. d. 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 60 0 0 40 0 0 70 10 3 Dividend per Annum a Os. 17s. 281. 121. 10s. 11. 16s. 105. 75. Od. Amount of Share. Z s. d. Stock. Stock. Stock. 100 0 0 100 0 0 25 0 0 Stock. Stock. 50 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 Paid. Annum. Bank of Egypt Bank of London British North American Ch. Bk. Ind. Aust & Ch. City Colonial Commercial of London. Eng . Scot. & Aust. Ch. Gond. Char. Bk. of Aus. Do. New 20/, per cent. SZ. per cent. 9 per cent. 4i. per cent. M. per cent. Z s. d. 100 all Price. Paid. 4 s. d Pric e Price, PP 71. p. c. & by. l 4i. per cent. 51. percent. London and County Lou.& Eastn Brikg. C. London Joint-Stock Londn dad Westminstr Nat. Provincial of Eng. Ditto, New .. • • Ditto ditto Natio•ial Bank New .• oath Wales Oriental Bank Corpora. Ottoman Bank Provincial of Ireland.. Ditto, New.— .•• • • 10nian.....• .• • • • • • • • • South Australia .• -• Union of Australia.... Paid. I Price. X s. d. Stock. too "6 0 too 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. I „ 50 0 0 20 0 0 14 0 0 B ANKS. Amount of Share. Paid. per cent. 6?. per cent. 28 per cent. 18 per cent. 16pc.dcbs d. 40 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 1 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 1 50 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 tol 131,6 61. per cent. 20'. per cent. 101. per cent. Price Z a. d. all 18 15 0 50 0 0 an 6 0 0 50 a 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 113. p. ct.&bs. al. per cent. 51. per cent. 101. per cent. 211. per cent. Union of Hamburg.... Union of London... Unity Mutual .... • • • • Western Bank or Londn. 151. per cent.' 15 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 35 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 22 10 0 LIST OF SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. - -- -- - 4 a. d. X 8. d. Sank of Scotland .... 71. per cent. 100 C 0 100 0 0 19010 s British Linen Company 8/. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 217 /Os Caledonian Bank ..... 81. per cent. 10 0 0 210 031 16s City of Glasgow Bank 5/. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 81 5s Clydesdale Bank .... 5341. p cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 12115 s C irnmercial Bank .. 7?. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 225110 Eastern Bank.. •• .• •• 61. per cent. 25 0 0 10 0 0 111 bs Edinb. Is Glasgow...• 3 34 1 . p cent. 5 0 5 0 0 981 5s National Bank ...• - 634 per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 184 53 Northof Scotland Bank 5/.percent 20 0 0 210 05? 103 Royal Bank of Scotl. .. 51. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 143/ s Union Bank of Scot. .. 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 851 Os Western Bank•• -- •• 7/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 -1 0 Alliance Fire and Life.. 834 /.pr cent. 100 0 0 11 0 0 16110 s British Guarantee ... 41. per cent. 10 0 0 2 0 0 11 7s Caledonian Fire Insur. 10c.per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 251 Os City of Glasgow Life.. 61. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 03/ lOs Colonial Life ......... 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 3 0 081 Os Edinburgh Life Insur. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 15 0 0 26l Os Eng. & Scot, Law Life Sl.per cent. 50 0 0 3 5 0 41 Os Life Assoc. of 13cetiand 611. per cent. 40 0 0 3 0 0 'll Os Nationai Fire and Life 61. per cent. 10 0 0 1 4 0 1/19 S North British Insur... 71. per cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 37/10s Northern Assurance Co. 20 0 0 1 0 0 11 15s Scottish Provincial .... - 50 0 0 2 0 02/ 12s Scottish Union Intone. 7 31 1 . pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 II 14s Standard Life -••.. •• 51. per cent. 50 0 0 7 0 0 301 Os GAS-LIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. £ s. d. £ s. d. British Provincial •• •• 71. per cent. 20 0 0 all 243 Brig • hton „ .......• ~ 51 per cent. 20 0 0 - 14 City of London .. •• •• 2/. per cent. 150 0 0 150 0 0 - Equitable.. •••••• •• •• 2/. 50 0 0 all 43 - - European .... ....... 6/. per cent. 20 0 0 Great Central .• .. •• . . 4/. per cent. 10 0 0 -- 11 Imperial .. •• .• .... - 10/. per cent. SO 0 0 - 80 Ditto New - 50 0 0 12 10 6 - Ditto Debentures - Stock 100 0 0 - Do. Continental IstCap. 31. Si. 50 0 0 42 15 0 - Do. Do. 2d Cap. 4/. 15s. 50 0 0 41 0 0 - Do. Do. 3d Cap. 41. 103. 50 0 0 43 10 0 - Do. Do. 4th Cap. 31. 50 0 0 41 0 0 53 Independent ....• -.• 51. 40 0 0 all - London Parl. Preferen. 6/. per cent. 25 0 0 - - Phoenix Ratcliff..... .••••••• 5/. 20 0 0 16 0 0 15 31 Surrey Consumers - United General - - Westminster Chartered 7 per cent. 5 0 0 0 - 52 Ditto, New ... -.. •• - 50 0 0 10 0 0 lo Western A •• •• 10 0 0 all 8% - Ditto B OO •••• •••• 10 0 0 4 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. ...---. ------ Z s. d. X s. d. Acadian Charcoal Iron •• 10 0 0 2 0 0 -. African Steam Ship . • .. 20 0 0 10 0 0 - 50 0 0 20 0 0 Assam lea • • .. •• •• ••6t. rer cent. Auctien M __ /14/per cent 50 0 0 - art•• •• •• •• 25 0 0 19 0 0 3014 A u3 t ra lian Agriculturl - _ . A us tralian Trust •• 81. pr cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 - .. - t 0 0 0 all A us tra l ian loyal Mait Ang l o -M ex i c an Mint.. 11. 10s. 10 0 0 all - British American Land 51. per cent 50 0 0 40 0 0 - a/. Percent 100 0 0 32 10 0 137 Canada ... •• •• •• • • .. Do. 5 per cent Bonds 51. pet cent StockStoc 0 0 0 Stock 1 1 0 00 - 0 0 .... Ditto, 5 per cent bds 51. per cent. Ditto, 6 per cent. .. 6/. per cent Stock k k :0 0 0 0 0 00 0 _- Ditto, 6p c. bds 1874 41. p er cen Ditto, 6p c. bds 1876 6/. per eent. Stock 100 0 0 2/. per cent. 50 0 all 15 Crystal Palace . Ditto Preference 7l pr. cent. 5 0 0 5 o 0 _ all Crys. Palace of Fran c e - 4 0 0 - City Navigation Bonds 3 14 1 . per cent - ___ - Electric telegraph Eng.&A.us. Cop. Smelt - 50 0 all 13i Eng &Iris. Slag. T. Co - 50 0 0 all . Equitable lleversionry S/ per cent. 100 0 0 1)0 0 0 - Ditte New .• -- .• _ 50 0 0 22 10 0 Gen. Revers. & Invest. 51. p c and 1/. 100 0000 0 0 Gen. I. Sc. Col. (Lim.) - 2h 0 0 all .r Gen.SteamNavigation 10/. per et. & 15 0 0 14 0 0 Loudon Gen. Omnibus 12/. per cent 40 0 all 3 Hudson's Pay...... •• 5/. per cent. Stock Stock - llUngerford .......• •. 2/. 5.3. 00. 0 0 all Loa. Ne. &Na. Mauso. - 10 0 0 all - - London Reversionary 5/. per cent. il+ 0 / all - Mex. &S. American - 0 0 all - Nat. Discount Comp - N.S.W. Gov.sp.c. Deb 5/. per cent. - 100 0 0 - Nor. Bri. Australasi an 6d. 1 0 0 all 3 / 4 North of Europe, Stn Bl. per cent. 20 0 0 17 10 0 Prlce'sPatentCand. Co - 21 0 0 all l'eel Itiver.Land&Slin. - 50 0 all 2 Pen. & Oriental Steam 71. per cent 50 0 0 all 79 Ditto New 50 0 0 10 0 0 1734 Reversionary Int. Soc. 4%1. pr cent 100 0 0 all • Ditto New - •-. . - 4 1 pr cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 - A 2/• Royal Mail Steam 4l. p. share. 100 0 0 SC 0 0 59 • Scottish Aus. Invest l5/. per cent. 10 0 all 1% South Australian Land 7/. per cent. 25 0 0 all - Trust and Loan Comp. 731.. pr cent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 - Vas Diemen's Land- 10s. 100 00/28 10 e DIA 5 per cent. Bonds t 6 per cent -- 1 --- --7 BIRTHS. BATEMAN —On the 7th inst., at Great George-street, West minster, the wife of Benjamin Bateman, Esq., of °' daughter. NAPIER—On the 2d lust., at Naples, Lady Milliken Napier , of a son. ROUSE - On the 7th inst., at the Parsonage, Waltham Abbey, the wife of the Rev. Rolla C. M. Rouse, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. 2100 RE —STEVENS —On the 6th inst., at the parish church, Walthamstow, Henry John, youngest son of Mr. Thomas Moore, of H.M.'s Cu-toms, to Emma, third daughter of Mr. John Stevens, the Chestnuts, Marsh-street, Waltham' stow, and 33, Mark-lane. PuLLIn.—TAYLOR--On the 10th inst., at St. Stephen's, Niral brook, Mr. John P. liar, of Rye-lane, Peckham, to Sophia , the third daughter of Mr. John Taylor, Pancras-lane, Cheap' side. LIMERICK ELECTION COMMITTEE. The committee on this election has been sitting these lust few days. At its re-assembling yesterday morning Mr. Slade, the counsel for the sitting member, intimated that the gallant gentleman intended to withdraw from the contest, as it was impossible to dispute the agency of Mr. Doyle. Major Gavin, however, hoped the committee would allow him to deny, upon oath, his knowledge of the bribery. Major Gavin, the sitting member, stated that previous to the election he gave his agents strict orders to do nothing that was contrary to law. He declared that he would not continue to sit if a single shilling had been illegally expended in the contest. He refused to canvass any one who had previously promised to support Mr. Ball. The evidence of Captain Browne had taken him quite by surprise, a ', until he heard it, he had no idea that Cal,tain Browne was in any wayconnected with his election. The following was the evidence of " Captain Browne :" Mr. J. Browne, jun., examined by Mr. James, Q. C. —I reside at O'Brien's Bridge, county Clare. I was an officer in the 15th Foot, and afterwards served in the Clare Militia. My fither has proper y in the counties of Limerick and Clare. There ere 10 of his tenants freeholders of the city of Limerick. I learned on one occasion from my wife that Mr. Daniel Doyle had called. He left word with Mrs. Browne for me to be sure that I went into Lime rick. I wrote back that I would not go into Limerick for any attorney without knowing what he 'wanted. In consequence of a letter I received I want into Mr. Doyle : as I am a poor man— (laughter)—he said ho would pay my expenses, and give me 101., if I would use my influence with my lather's tenants. Mr. James—Did you accept that offer ? Witness--Of cour,e I did. (Laughter.) I went amongst the tenants the next day to rob Father Hennessy's nest. (Laughter.) They had all ten promised Mr. Hennessy to vote for Mr. Ball, and it was to get them from him I was to be paid the 107. Doyle told me at the time he promised me the 101. that they had all p rom i se d t o vo t e f or M r . 83.11. I robb e d - Father Hennessy's nest of eight cut of the ten freeholde(s. lam heir to my father. I told the voters I was to get 101. if they vo•ed for Major Gavin. Doyle told me he would pay the expenses of the voters and give them something forthemselve3. I told them that to induce them to vote for me. They said they would go with me as the old gentleman, my father, did not want them to vote in any particular way, ford as I was to make 10/. by their voing for Major Gavin. After the election I applied verbally and by letter to Mr. Doyle for my money, which I mately obtained, with 11. for expenses. Mr. Doyle knows that while the governor is alive my incoino j 5 small, and that 101. would be an obj-ct tom • Crosi-examincd. by ' Mr. Slade — I don's ra7 whether it was :i g ht or wrong to take the 10/ , but I must try and work my own interest. An eldest son can alway s i n fl uence hi s f a ther's voters. The letter o f t h e 16th was mar k e d " private." Yi u are paid f or w h a t you do, an d so am 1 too. (Laughter.) I took money and,would do so again. the late John respect to his alleged connexion with i the Sadleir ; b u t th e Chairman intimated that, a.. Mr. E. Jam es w i s h e d to examine Mr. Ball with b charge of intimidation had was not necessary to allude fnuortthbeeretnogtohnaet into,alleg it PRICKS OF SHARES. Prom the Official List. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING . , LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1858. CANALS. 15 - 6 0 25 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 WATER-WORKS. Dividend per Annum. BRIDGE Dividend per Annum. QUARTERLY RETURN OF MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND DEATHS. - This return, being of the marriages solemnised in October, November, December, 1857, and the births and deaths which took place in January, February, March, 1858, has just been published. It comprises the births and deaths registered by 2,196 registrars in all the dis tricts of England during the winter quarter that ended ou March 31, 1858 ; and the marriages in 12,272 churches or chapels, about 3,939 registered places of worship unconnected with the Established Church, and 629 superintendent Reg , strar's cfEces, in the quarter that ended on December 31, 1857. The return presents an unfavourable aspect, The marriages of the year 1857 and of the last quarter of that year were below the average number. The weather was severe, the people suffered, and the death-rate in the first quarter of the year 1858 was heavier than it is on an average ; but the birth-rate in the same quarter, though lower than in the three previous quarte rs , was a b ove the average. T he population of the country is still increasing. MARRIAGES.—The Christmas quarter is always distin• guisbed in England and Wales by the multitude of its marriages. Ninety-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two persons married in the last three months of 1857. The marriages of the quarter were at the rats of 1.878 persons married to 100 living in a year ; the de cennial average rate of the corresponding quarter being 1 994. BIRTHS.—The births of 171,001 children, born alive, were registered in the quarter that ended on March 31 ; a number exceeding by 620 the births in the correspond. ing winter quarter of 1857 ; and the highest number that was ever registered within the same time and season. Children were born at the rate of 1,900 a day. Tee births in the quarter were at the rate of 3.568 annu ally to 100 of the population, the average being 3.518. The births fluctuate little in comparison with the mar riages and the deaths in the several divisions of the king dom ; but the decrease of births in the northern cairn-. ties is worthy of note. INOREASE OF POPULATION.-171,001 births and 125,902 d ea th s were registered in the first ninety days of the year ; and the natural increase of population in that period was therefore 45,099, or 591 daily. The natural increase in the winter quarter of 1857 was 687 daily. The falling off in the increase of population is referable to the excessively high rate of mortality during the past winter : for the births exceeded by 7 daily the births in the winter of 1857. The daily natural in crease of population in the United Kingdom was pro bably about 760 daily. 19,146 emigrants sailed from the ports of the United Kingdom at which there are Government emigration agents ; of whom 7,230, or al lowing persons of undistinguished birth-place, 8,142, were of English origin. Oa an average 90 English left our shores daily. 5,683 of the English emigrants sailed to the Australian colonies ; 2,299 to the United States ; none to the North American colonies. Noth i ng is more remarkable in the movement of our population than the decrease of emigration since the war. In the three months of 1849, January, February and March, 60,626 emigrants sailed from our ports ; 49,524 to the United States, 1,337 to British North America, and 8,627 to the Australian colonies ; in the corresponding three months of 1858 only 19,146 emi grants sailed from the same ports, 8,208 to the United States, 24 to British North America, and 9,867 to the Australian colonies. PRICE of PROVISIONS —The price of provisions has undergone great fluctuations. The price of ,wheat in the first three months of each of the three sears 1856, 1857, and 1858, was on an average 725. 4d., 565. 10d., 465. sd. a quarter. The fall of price since 1856 has been 26 per cent., and since 1857 it has been 18 per cent. Beef and mutton by the carcase at Leadenhall and New gate were cheap er i n t h e winter of 1846 than i n the winter of 1857. The price of beef fell from Sid. to 51d. a pound, of mutton from bid, to sid. a pound. Beef is at the same price, mutton is dearer than it was in the first three months of 1856. Potatoes present an unfor tunate exception ; they attained an exhorbitant price. The York Regents at thP waterside market, Southwark, in the three winters of 1856, 1857, and 1858, sold respec tively at 865., 110 e., and 1525. 6d. a ton. The price in 1858 was 39 per cent. higher than the price in 1857, and 77 per cent. bightr than the price in 1856. The greengrocer's bill has thus increased, and the supply of vegetables for thelpoor population has been inadequate. THE PUBLIC HEALTH .- 125,902 deaths were regis tered in the three months ending on March 31. This number exceeds by 17,375 the deaths in the correspond ing winter quarter of the previous year, and by 22,694 the deaths in the winter quarter of 1856. The rate of mortality in the three winter quarters was 2.186, 2.292, and 2'627 per cent, per annum ; or about 22, 23, and 26 per 1,000. As a general rule the mortality in Eng land is highest in cold winters, lowest in winters of mo derate temperature, and it has a tendency to rise when the temperature of the winter quarter exceeds forty degrees of Fahrenheit. The mortality of the quarter was at the rate of 2.854 per cent, in the town districts, and at the rate of 2.367 per cent. in the coun try districts, thus exceeding the average in town dis tricts by .176, and the average of country districts by .141. Tne cause of the increase, therefore, pervaded town and country; but its pressure was most severely felt in the towns. The deaths in the three months amounted to 125,902, and the mortality was at the rate of 26 deaths annually in 1,000 of the population. Had the mortality been at the rate of 17 annually in 1,000, the deaths would have amounted to 82,000. The excess of deaths over this number in the 90 days was 43,902, or 488 daily ; which it was shown in the lart quarterly report may be properly designated unnatural deaths. Country Markets. COLCHESTER- MAT 8. A good supply of wheat, and a slow trade at rather un der last week's prices. Malting barley nominal in value, the season being nearly closed. Beans and peas the turn dearer. Prices to-daywere as follow :—Wheat, white, 463 to 503; red, 42s to 465; barley, 36s to 43s ; oats, 24s to 30s ; beam; &lazagan, als to 38s ; middle and small, 38s to 42s ; peas, white, 42s to 44s ; grey, 42s to 445. Official Statement of the Quantities of Corn, &c , in the port of London, from the following pi May 3 to May 8, both inclusive. received nts, from P 1), 11 ' 4 1 as 1 0 a c v afks Colchester Harwich 4 40 290 3.034 Leigh Nialdon 1995, , 103 ,—1 41 583 KIRKCALDY—MAT 8. Here, to-day, we had moderate supplies of grain. Sales ready, at last week's prices eels, and inferior a shade lower. Wheat. Barley. I Oats. I Beans. I First 4Bs Od 378 Od 298 Od J Os Od Second 4ss Od 35s 6d 27s Od f Os 0 1 I I Third 3ss Od 30a Od 23s I Os Od of all kinds for good par• COAL MARKEL—MAY 10. Prices of Coals per ton at the close of the market s. d. Tan field Moor l2 3 Tanfield Moor Butes 12 6 Howard's West Hartley Netherton 16 0 Wylam Longridge's Wst Hartley 16 0 Hastings Hartley 15 6 Bell's Primrose l2 0 Walker Primroso 12 6 Walleend, &o. s Gosforth l4 6 Braddyll . 16 3 Benson 15 0 Eden ~.15 0 . ::14 ,Eden Main l5 6 Framwellgate l5 6 Wharneliffe 15 6 Powell's Duffryn Steam 21 6 Haswell ' l7 6 Whitworth l4 6 Trimdon Thornloy l4 6 Tees l7 3 Harvey l4 6 Elartlepool Hetton l4 Hatton Wayne's Merthyr 20 0 t, 59 ; sold 45. Wallgencl, &c Acorn Close l5 6 Hough Hall 15 3 South Hetton .17 3 Lambton l7 0 South Kelloe 16 0 Stow Art's 17 0 South Durham .,.,14 6 Ships at mark LOCAL SHARE lit ARKBTS. LIVERPOOL-MIT 10. - STOCK EXCHANGE—The market has declined to per cent, to-day from the opening, and closed rather weak. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 371 to B—London and North Western, 95 sA—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 911 Midlands 93 I—Eastern Counties, 1 2 i ll—Caledonians, 42$ a—Blackburn, 9i 10 --South Eastern, 20i a—North British, 12a i—Dutch Rhenish, 44 fi d.—Great Western of Canada 19a 19a —York and North Midland, 371 8— Chester and Holyhead, 181 181—Berwicke, 231 —Leeds Northern, 24 MANCHESTER, MAT 10. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market opened with a weak business, but prices were not fully maintained, and closed rather lower. Londons, 9 4—Dovers, 20i—Midlands, 93 —Leeds, 91i i—Birkenhead stock, 71 —Sheffields, 3713 -- District Bank, 10 p. DEATHS, AYRTON—On the Bth inst., at his chambers, 9, Bridge•stree t, Westminster, Wm. Ayrton, Esq., aged 81. EVERY—On theBth inst. , at Eggington Hall, Burton-on-Tren t, Fiorence Gertrude, only child of Sir Henr, Every, Bart. Einv—On the Bth in.t., suddenly. Josiah Phillips EadY4 Esq., of Wick Hall, Hackney-wick, aged 49. GREY—On the 9th inst., in Eaton-place, Mary, widow of 0 0 late Hon. Sir George Grey, Burt , K.C.8., aged 88. KING—On the 7th inst., at Grove Lodge, Cambridge, David King, Esq., solicitor, aged 43. LONDON ; Printed and Published by MURDO of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office► 14° ' 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the counlY of Middlesex, Tuesday, May 11, 1858.