The Sun. — London, England, 1860-05-11 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five lock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Buckley and Connah's Quay (Flintshire) Railway, the Tenbury and Bewdley Railway, the London and Sout2i "Western Railway (new lin e to Bristol, -Exetei,'Xc.), and the Horsham and Steyning and Heeding Roads bills were read a second time. The Kilrush and Kilkee Railway, the Poalnashen7, the Manchester and Buxton Road, and the East Somerset Railway bills were read a third time and passed. INDIAN FINANCE. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE hoped that the Go vernment, so soon as possible, would present their lordships with copies of the minute issued by the Governor of Madras with reference to the new scheme of Indian finance. The minute had been published in many of the Indian newspapers, and there could not be any ob jection to furnishing the paper. The Duke of ARGYLL said there would bo no objec tion to produce the minute alluded to by the nobl.. marquis. PAPER DUTY REPEAL BILL, This bill was brought in and read a first time, on the motion of Lord REDESDALE. Lord MONTEROLE said he took this, the earliest, op portunity of giving notice that, on the motion for reading this bill a second time, he should move that it be read a second time that day six months. (Hear, hear, from the Opposition.) The Earl of WICKLOW said he hoped the Government would allow plenty of time to consider the bill before the second reading. He was adverse to seeing bills that had been agreed to by the other House of Parliament rejected by their lordships, yet there were some exceptions to that rule, and the present measure under discussion was one of them. If the Government persevered with the bill, he trusted their lordships would refuse to give it a second read ing. (Hear, hear.) Earl GRANVILLE, in moving the second reading of this bill, which had been adopted by the House of Commons, entered into an explanation of its provisions, the object of which he said was to simplify the tariff and to give greater facilities to trade ; but the noble lord spoke in so low a tone of voice that he was scarcely audible in the gallery. On ordinary occasions he said it was necessary in proposing the second reading of such a bill to state all the arguments in its favour; but most of those arguments were connected with the general question of the French tre ity, upon which a debate had already taken place in that house, and he would not, therefore, re-open the discussion unless it were neces sary or required by their lordships. Ho should, however, be happy to give any explanation with regard to the bill. The Earl of DERBY—My lords, I will offer no opposi tion to the proposal which the noble earl has just made upon the part of her Majesty's Government, and if I abstain at this time from discussing the policy of the Government upon this subject, we do not thereby intend to signify an acquiescence in, much less an approval of, the course they have pursued in regard to the treaty with France. (Hear, hear.) When the treaty was first announced, we on this side of the house stated the objections we entertained to the terms of it so far as they were then known. We entertained those objections as strongly when we were better acquainted with the details, and every day that passes strengthens my conviction that her Majesty's Government, in making use of ♦ery inexperienced agents, in departing from the ordinary course of diplomacy, and in entering into the consideration of this subject with very inadequate means of information, have unfortunately placed the country in a very serious difficulty by having en tered into a very disadvantageous treaty. And at the pre sent moment, as regards the advantages supposed to be de rived from it, we are absolutely and entirely at the mercy of the French Government, and from the scanty accounts we hear I am certainly not disposed to believe that the French Government will use with very great moderation the power which has been most unwisely entrusted to them. (Hear.) At the same time I agree with the noble earl that the occasions must be very rare indeed when your lordships may feel it your incumbent duty to reject a proposition con nected with the finances and commerce of the country which has boon made on the responsibility of the Govern ment and has received the sanction of the House of Com mons ; and of course these considerations weigh with much greater force when it is not only a question as between the House of Coramc.ns and the country, but a question also which involves the negotiations with a foreign power, and the maintenance of a treaty by which, koweyer much we may disapprove of it, we are in point of fact bound. But, as your lordships are aware, the bill compromises several different subjects, and if we object to any one of its provi sions it is not possible for us, consistently with the privi leges of the House of Commons, to eliminate that one and send back the bill so amended to the other house. We have no choice but its acceptance as a whole or its absolute re jection, which would disturb the whole financial arrange ments of the Government, and also interfere with those commercial arrangements which have been entered into on the full understanding that the system adopted by the House of Commons would be carried out. I therefore think that, while on the one hand it would be very unwise to take on myself the responsibility of asking your lordships to reject the proposal, I cannot, on the other, avoid saying, that in my belief the arrangements made, including the treaty, are of the most improvident and most dangerous character—(hear, hear)—and that the financial condition of the country, not only in the present year, but still more in the next year, is a matter of the deepest anxiety to the mind of every man who has seriously turned his attention to the subject. (Hear, hear.) Undoubtedly these are pro posals, calculated to aggravate that difficulty, for taking off duties which, on a fitting occasion, might be very justly and wisely reduced, but ought not to be reduced in the present condition of the country. Nevertheless, we are bound to sanction the present bill. We are compelled to adopt pro positions for reductions in the already too small revenue of the country. There is, however, another question with which the terms of the treaty do not in the slightest degree interfere, and with regard to which no negotiations or com mercial-arrangements have as yet been made, but in respect of which her Majesty's Government are calling upon this country to make a wholly useless and dangerous sacrifice of the permanent revenue to the amount of X 1,500,000. (Hear, hear.) I need not say that I allude to the bill for the aboli tion of the paper duties. (Hear.) My noble friend who sits on the cross benches (Lord Monteagle) has given notice of his intention to oppose the second reading of that•-bill; and` I feel that so far from embarrassing the Government, - or in terfering with any of their other arrangements, or in the slightest degree prejudicing the financial or other business of the country, the rejection of that bill will tend materially to improve their whole scheme. The noble earl knows that no exertion will be wanting on my part to obtain the re jection of that bill, and thereby to save to the Government a very large portion of revenue. I cannot help thinking that the noble earl has confounded two matters which are entirely distinct. He speaks of the reductions made in the tariff being a relief to the consumer to a certain amount, and says that the consequent loss to the re venue had been considerably lessened by the increased consumption, but when he assumes there has been a relief to the consumer he is not entitled to take as that relief the whale amount of the duty taken off, because he will find that upon several of those matters upon which the duty has been taken off the consumer is obtaining no relief whatever. The price of the articles upon which the duty has been removed has been kept up, if not increased, and I cannot therefore admit that the relief to the consumer is equivalent to the amount of the reduction of duty. I will not enter further at present into the subject of the commer cial and financial arrangements of the Government, or of their policy. Your lordships will recollect that before Easter it was stated by the noble earl that he thought it would be convenient that the whole of these financial arrangements should be brought under your lordships' discussion, and I think the most fitting occasion for that purpose will be when you are dealing with that important item of a million and a half, which is involved in the abolition of the paper duty. (Hear, hoar.) The bill was then read a second time. LUNATIC ASULUM IN DONEGAL. Viscount LIFFOR.D moved for a copy of the order in council naming the village of Letterkenny as a place whe re the proposed lunatic asylum of the county of Donegal is to be built. The noble lord objected to Letterkenny as being too remote from the principal towns, and inconvenient of access, and pointed out several other more eligible sites for the institution. lie complained that a considerable slight had been thrown upon a body of gentlemen whose duties were bound up with these asylums, viz., the landed proprie tors and gentry of the county. He was authorised by the Marquis of Abercorn, the lord-lieutenant and largest pro prietor in the county, and by the Earl of Arran, the owner of nearly the whole barony of Innisowen, to express their strong disapproval of the contemplated site for the building. I He had also received letters from the Marquis of Donegall, and 12 magistrates of the county to the same effect, and only from three persons in favour of the project. He re gretted extremely that the noble earl (the Lord-Lie utenant) was not then in his place, as he then would ha felt it his duty to express himself more strongly with r and td the matter. But he would at least say this, tha nobody con nected with an English county would endu he treatment which those in the county of Donegal ha 1 , eceived at the hands of the Irish Government. Earl GRANVILLE expressed his regret that the noble earl (Earl of Carlisle) was not in his place. In the absence of the noble lord he could not undertake to pronounce an opinion on the merits of the question, but there would be no objection on the part of the Government to the produc tion of the papers, and their lordships would then be in a position to decide upon it. The LORD CHANCELLOR having put the question, The Earl of LEITRIM said he was not surprised at the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland being absent, and he thought the noble lord acted very prudently in tayine-, away. Earl GRANVILLE said that the noble earl the Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland was not in Loudon at the present time. If the noble earl opposite wished to make an attack upon his noble friend, he would suggest that due notice should be given to him. At that moment there was no question, he believed, before their lordships, for he under stood the motion had been agreed to. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the question had been put, but he did not think it had beet). carried. The Earl of LEITRIM said that his noble friend near him had called their lordships' attention ( to a very serious question connected with the proposed trigonometrical posi tion of the lunatic asylum for the county of Donegal. That was the decision of the Irish Government, and he strongly objected to the mode in which that Government was con ducted, by being made entirely subservient to electioneer ing purposes. He objected to the humbug of her Majesty's Government bringing a Reform Bill into the House of Com mons to reform that house whilst the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland was corrupting that country in its highest source. Even in the matter of a lunatic asylum the Lord-Lieutenant could not ect without an eye to electioneering interest. There was no excuse for the Lord-Lieutenant. It had been a thousand times said in the other House of Parliament that Ireland was safe with a lord-lieutenant to prevent jobs, and that, as he was responsible to Parliament, property and public security might be safely entrusted to him. He (the noble earl) held diametrically opposite opinions, and that the present Lord-Lieutenant in particular was one of the greatest mischief makers in the whole of that country. The whole Government was unsafe. The gentry were set aside, the Government was in the hands of stipendiaries, from the Lord-Lieutenant downwards, and consequently these jobs took place. Here was a very gross instance, and a gross job. Within the last five years there had been expended, and very properly, no less than £306,114 on lunatic asy lums in different parts of Ireland. Within a few miles of this very town where it was proposed to build an asylum there had been expended during the last five years £41,451, and in Derry since 1856, £1,425. About fifteen years ago a rule was laid down that all lunatic asylums in Ireland should be erected in assize towns only, and he should like to be informed on what principle that rule was Row to be departed from. It was of the utmost importance that per sons improperly confined in lunatic asylums should have an opportunity of being released ; but if those asylums were built in remote places it would be difficult for them to have that opp rtunity. There could be no good object in laying out several thousands pounds in erecting a lunatic asylum in that part of Donegal ; it would bo far easier and better to make some addition to the asylum already existing. He found, however, from the report of last year, that there was at this moment no excess of lunacy in that part of Ireland, but rather a diminution. In Derry and Donegal together there were only 214 eases in the asylums, six in the prisons, and very few in the poorhouses. This asylum, therefore, was not wanted, and the project was altogether objection able. He did not think it satisfactory that when a matter of this kind was brought forward by the Government on its own responsibility no explanation should be offered to their lordships. Why should not the Lord-Lieutenant be present to answer for his own jobs, or, at any rate, some one been sent down to Bath in order to ascertain from the noble earl how this question was to be answered in his absence ? Why did not the noble earl, who was said to be responsible, come down to that house when notice of a question had been given, and make some of those pretty speeches he made in Dublin ? (A laugh.) On one occasion when he (the Earl of Leitrim) made a motion respecting Ireland, he founi by the Dublin newspapers that his speech was answered by the noble earl the Lord-Lieutenant at a public meeting in Dublin. He thought.that was highly improper, and not respectful to their lordships' house. The general feeling of the country was exactly such as he had expressed—that the Government did everything in Ireland with reference to electioneering jobs. They had lately seen how the lord-lieutenancy of Londonderry had been given away, aid also the lord-lieu tenancy of Roscommon. He would only and that through out Ireland the lord -lieutenancy was held in the most thorough contempt, and that with respect to the Earl of Carlisle in particular, the feeling prevailed that the Govern ment had sent him to Ireland on purpose to disgust the Irish people still further with the office of lord-lieutenant. The Earl of EGLINT ON said that during the absence of the noble earl the Lord-Lientem.nt sm.,- e ,:- to attempt to pronounce anopinion on the question towhich the noble earl near him had alluded. lie quite acquitted his noble friend the Lord-Lieutenant of all the charges of jobbery or corruption brought against him. Though the question of lunatic asylums was not brought before him (the Earl of Eglinton) when he was lord-lieutenant, he knew how such questions came before the lord-lieutenant. They went before a committee of the Privy Council, and the lord-lieutenant, who signed the decision of that committee, was as innocent of all blame in the matter as any of their lordships. But while he acquitted the noble earl, he did not acquit the system, which 12e considered entirely erroneous. He entirely acquitted the 111;d,Lieutenant of Ireland of all blame in this matter, but he thought it would be much bet ter for Ireland if the system were changed. Although it was impossible for the Lord Lieutenant to be away from his duty, still he (the Earl of Eglinton) thought some member of the Government might have been prepared to answer for him. Earl GRANVILLE was understood to say that he was not in possession of the information required. After a few words from the Earl of DESART, The Earl of CLANCARTY was of opinion that the insti tution of viceroyalty, with the office filled by a nobleman who was a stranger to the country, was ono of great value to Ireland. So far, therefore, he dissented from the opinions which had been expressed by his noble friend (the Earl of Leitrim.) The Earl of LEITRIM disclaimed having said anything against the office of Lord Lieutenant in Ireland. His com plaint was against the noble lord who at present filled the office. The motion was agreed to, and their lordships adjourned HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'cleek. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords' amendments to the Manchester Improvement Bill were considered and agreed to, and the bill was ordered for third reading. The following private bills were read a third time : Belfast and Ballymena Railway; Bucks County Rata; Great Northern and Western (of Ireland) Railway, and Limerick and Ennis Railway. The Abergavenny Improvement, and Leeds Township Bills were considered, and ordered for third reading. PETITIONS. Several petitions were presented against the Wine Licenses Bill, the Registration Bill, the Medical Relief Bill, the Census Bill, &c. NATIONAL DEFENCES. Mr. F. SMITH gave notice that on the motion for the adjournment of the house to -morrow evening, he would ask the Secretary for War certain questions relative to the na tional defences. SCOTCH AND IRISH REFORM BILLS. Mr. BAXTER asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Akrairs whether, in consideration of the committee on the Reform Bill for England and Wales having been deferred till June, and with a view to expedite the passing of that measure, he would agree to postpone the Scotch and Irish Reform Bills till the next session of Parliament Mr. SCULLY asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he would agree to postpone going into committee on the Representation of the People Bill until after the second reading of the Representation of the People (Ireland) Bill; or whether, with a view to uniformity of legislation, he would introduce provisions applicable to Ire land into the Representation of the People Bill, so that Parliamentary Reform fcr both countries may proceed pari passu ? Lord J. RUSSELL said that it would be most inconve • silent to proceed further with the Irish Reform Bill until after the English Reform Bill had been' into committee. It was then proposed to proceed with the second reading of the bill. As regarded the Scottish Bill he could not say when it would be brought forward again, but he would in. form the house previous to going into committee on the English Reform Bill. for War, the stuuLl)er of regiments or numerical strength of the garrisons of Hong Kong and Canton, Europeans and natives of India, not included in the amount of forces stated by the Secretary of State as proceeding to or ar rived in China. He also asked the Secretary to the Ad miralty the number of marines and sailors now on the China stations ? ,Lord C. PAGET said that an answer had already been given in reference to this subject, to the effect that it would not be expedient to make the information required public. As far as he (Lord C. Paget) was concerned, he would be happy to give the hon. and gallant member in private all the necessary intelligence he might wish to obtain. WINE LICENSES, &c., BILL. Mr. AYRTON asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was willing to move that the Refreshment Houses and Wine Licenses Bill be committed pro forma, for the purpose of introducing his amendments therein, and Laving the bill reprinted ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he could not accede to the proposition of the honourable anti learned member. The debate on this subject had extended over a long period, and the fact was that there was no necessity for any material alteration in the bill which had been submitted to the house originally. The amendments in no way touched the principle of the bill, and he had al ready made an ample explanation on that subject. No inconvenience would arise from the course the Government proposed to pursue in reference to this bill. COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS. On going into committee of Ways and Means, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE Et moved the resolution which he had previously brought forward, in re ference to the licensing of houses. With regard to this re solution he did not wish to press on hon. members the adoption of the particular description of house to be taxed under the bill. The questions which the house wouldhaife to decide upon would relate to the different places, the elifferent values, and other circumstances, in reference to what would constitute a house that should be properly licensed. The hon. member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton) proposed that no house should bo compelled to take out a license. Hav ing referred to the committee appointed to in quire into public-houses some years ago, the right hon. gentleman contended that some of those houses which did not profess to sell strong liquors did so surreptitiously, and it was necessaryin many cases the taking out of licenses should be rendered compulsory.Th e practical operation would be that such houses would form a symbol to the police, under whose surveillance they would be placed. Mr. AYRTON complained that at present the licensing system proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was rendered more obscure than it had yet been. In the first place, they were called on to adopt this system as a part of the financial scheme of the right hon. gentleman, but from what he had just stated it appeared that it was merely a matter of police. The argument as to repressing the illicit sale of strong drink by the imposition of licenses would be inoperative. In support of that state ment he also adverted to the select committee on public houses, and from the evidence adduced before them it was quite clear that such sale could be repressed only by the intervention of the police, and could it be expected that these parties would come forward and avow the illegal practices in which they were engaged. It was quite absurd to expect such a course on their part, and how then could it be supposed that these persons would not endeavour to evade the payment of a license ? He also objected to the amounts of the licenses. There was a further objection, and that was imposing this tax on the country when its object was only to carry out a matter of police regulation. That proposition, ho considered, came with a very bad grace from the right hon. gentle man, who, when a Chancellor of the Exchequer iu expectation, took an opposite course in reference to a similar subject, and refused to consent to a national charge for police, which body should be a mere local charge. On financial grounds, therefore, they were not called on to agree to this resolution for taxation in reference to these licenses, and he contended that the operation would be most unjust on a very large class of the community. For instance— a number of houses situated in the metropolis would be obliged to pay this tax, whereas houses of a similar class in the country would be utterly exempt from its imposition. He referred particularly to coffee houses and lodging houses. The hon. and learned member concluded by moving the omission of the license tax on refreshment. After some discussion the house divided on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was as follows : " That, towards raising the supply granted to her Majesty, there shall be charged, levied, and paid, unto and for the use of her Majesty, her heirs and successors, for and upon the several licenses hereinafter mentioned, the respective rates and duties following, that is to say : If the house and premises in respect of which such license shall be granted shall be under the rent and value of £2O a-year, 10s. 6d. The numbers were For the motion Against Majority —7O On the next clause, that the license should be £1 is on all refreshment houses rated at £2O and upwards. Mr. AYR TrINT 41-4. 41_ Le in. ea. Mr. HARDY thought there could be no reasonable argu ment for having two different scales of taxation. As the bill Row stood it gave power to the police to inspect refreshment houses, but unless those houses were licensed to sell wine there was no power of punishment against persons keeping disorderly houses. He thought that persons keeping disor derly houses of this kind ought to be punished in the same way as persons keeping disorderly public-houses, viz., by having their license taken away. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the hon. member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton) had said there was a uniform license in most trades. That was so, bat the inference drawn from it was a very doubtful one. He thought it would be an extreme hardship on small deal ers in teas to pay as much for license as was paid by Fort num and Mason ; and therefore he considered there ought to be some distinction between the large and small dealers. He did not wish to press for any complicated scale of licen ses, and therefore he thought it would be better if the reso lution stood as it was. Lord J. MANNERS thought the argument of the right hon. gentleman was not strictly applicable to the case before the house. He thought that substantially no injustice would be done to the small houses by the proposal of the hon. member for the Tower Hamlets, but if the Chancellor of the Exchequer was going to revise the whole system of licenses, that was an argument for not departing from the present system. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not mean nor had he said anything about revising the licensing system. He said the system was a bad one which imposed a uniform rate upon small and large dealers, and that some distinction should be made he thought was reasonable. Mr. Alderman SALOMONS thought this tax would fall very heavy upon the dealers in the metropolis, and he trusted the Chancellor of the Exchequer would give way, and allow the tax to be a uniform one of 10s. 6d. The committee divided, when the numbers were— For the clause Against The resolution was then agreed to. On the proposal for every license to be granted as herein after mentioned to any licensed keeper of a refreshment house to sell therein by retail foreign and British wine to be con sumed in such house or on the'prernises belonging thereto— If such house and premises shall be under the rent and value of £5O a year, £3 3s. And if the same shall be of the rent or value of £5O a year or upwards, £5 ss. And for every license to be taken out by any person for the selling by retail in any shop of foreign wine not to be consumed in the house or shop or on the premises where sold :—lf the house and premises s shall be under the rent or value of £5O, £2 2s. ; and if the same shall be of the rent or value of £5O a-year or upwards, £3 3s. Lord J. MANNERS asked whether colonial wines would be classed under the head of British or foreign wines ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said they would be classed as foreign wines. (A laugh.) Mr. AYRTON wished to know whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer meant to keep up the difference between licenses granted to wholesale and retail dealers. The license at present, he believed, was £lO 10s. for persons who dealt wholesale, and £2 2s. and £3 3s. on retail dealers. Preserv ing that difference would not promote the consumption of unadulterated wine. The difference between the two ought to bo abolished and one uniform license established. He had opposed the resolutions purelyfrom a desire to pro. mote temperance, and he left the regulations for intempe rance to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the hon. gentleman had raised a perfectly legitimate question for discussion. The wholesale dealer was a man who usually dealt in large quantities of wine, or wished to have the power of doing so, and he therefore paid ten guineas for his license. But it would be scarcely fair to charge the retail dealer, whose shop was open for the sale of other articles, so large a sum, and he could not see that any prac tical inconvenience would arise from maintaining a distinc tion. An eight or ten guinea license would press so heavily upon the retail dealer that he would be required to dispose of wino some hundreds of pounds in value before he could realise any profit. If, on the other hAatl, they were to reduce the ten guinea wine license to five or six guineas ho was afraid the next step they would be called upon to take would be to reduce the 10 guinea spirit license- Mr. GRIFFITH was not disposed to take a puritanical view of the question, but ha should like to know the de scription of shops likely to be engaged in the retail of wine. He hardly supposed that there was to be no check upon the retail of wine, though it did not appear at present that there was any. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had acted upon the principle that there was no objection to the wide extension of the sale of wine to be consumed on the premises ; but regulations would be enforced for preventing the abuse of the privilego in consuming wine on the premises. After a few words from Mr. NEWDEGATE, the resolution was agreed to, as also was a resolution that the license upon Premises of the rent or value of a° a year or upwards should be .C 3 3s. per annum. The house then resumed. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE CATAR mid that, if On clause 1, relating to the duty on licenses, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved an amendment for the purpose of restricting the sale of wine not to lse consumed on the premises to wine in bottle only. The amendment was agreed to, as was an amendment making the clause applicable to British as well as foreign wines. On the next proposition, viz., the amount of the duties to be granted, Mr. PALK said it raised the question so much discussed, viz., that any person keeping a shop for the sale of goods or commodities might sell wine in bottle, and he wished to ask whether they would be under the control of the police. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that every person keeping a shop would be entitled to take out a license for the sale of wine in bottle, and that they would not be under the control of the police. After some observations from Mr. WARNER and Mr. B. W OODD, Mr. AYRTON said, if this clause remained as it then stood, no more wholesale licenses would be necessary, for a retail dealer would be able to sell any quantity, and he, of course, would tal e out a license of the lower value. This clause raised an important question, and ho should like to know what license or authority the right hon. gentleman intended to r epeal. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the clause had been considered by the leg,l advisers of the Go vernment, and they thought the sale of " goods and com modities" was clearly defined, and that their was no fear of their enabling persons to substitute a retail license for a wholesale license. But he might further observe that the second clause would prevent such substitution taking place. He understood that the wholesale dealer had a right to do everything which was proposed now to be given to the re- Lull Scaler. Mr. AYRTON said a distinction must be drawn between the terms. He believed a wholesale dealer would not be entitled to sell less than two gallons, and if a man sold less than one dozen, then ho would be a retailer. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said they had constituted a license which was to enable a person to sell wine by retail in general. Then as to what would be a selling of wine by retail was determined by the second clause. Mr. AYRTON said he thought a new definition would be necessary in reference to what persons were or were not to sell less than two gallons, for as the bill stood every wholesale dealer would give up his license and be in future retail dealers. After a few words fiorn Mr. J. LOCKE to the same effect Sir S. NO RTHCOTE said the point he wished to ask for information on was this —any person who kept for sale "goods and commodities" might sell wine not subject to the control of the police, but if not, how were they going to prevent its being consumed on the premises, and being drunk in the back rooms ? Mr. W. E WART apprehended the clause was suffi ciently clear to prevent any evasion, as the parties would only be entitled to sell in bottles. Mr. VILLIERS said all the clause did was to enable a new class of persons to take out wine licenses, and he thought the ten guinea class and the three guinea would still be kept distinct. Merchants would be prevented from selling in bottles. as they were under the present law. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the object of the first clause was to describe the persons who should be entitled to take out licenses for selling by retail wine not to be consumed on the premises, and the object of the second clause was to define the terms "retail and whole sale." It appeared to him that it would not be reasonable that those who kept shops should not be allowed to take out licenses of this kind, and that being granted he thought it would be improper to prevent wholesale dealers from hav • ing the same privilege. If the words "or who shall have taken out a license as a wholesale dealer in wine" were added to the words " other than foreign wine," he thought the clause would meet the views of all hon. gentlemen. (Hear, hear.) Mr. SPOONER asked whether there was anything to prevent the retail dealer, to whom thoy were about to give a £3 3s. license, from selling out of his shop to anybody. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the object of the second clause was to prevent that. Mr. PALK put the case of a large tailor who kept a large number of hands —working probably on the premises— what was to prevent him from taking out a license and re tailing wine to his workmen ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE R said there was nothing to prevent such a man from retailing British wines:at present in the way described, but he never heard of the practice. The amendment, " Other than foreign wine," was then agreed to. Upon the amendment containing the words " reputed quart bottles," Mr. AYRTON suggested that the language of what was called the " Maraschino Act" should be followed in this clause. After a conversation in Which Sir S. Northcote, Mr Cross, Mr. Malins, Alderman Salomons, and Mr. W. Ewart took part, Sir S. NORTHCOTE said he felt disposed to take the sense of the committee against the insertion of these words altogether. He saw no object for restricting the sale of wine to moasures of less s ze than quart bottles. Mr. 'HENLEY said he thought the house had had some experience of this kind of legislation in the results. The number of public-houses with licenses for beer " not to be drunk on the premises" was very great at first, but they had now almost entirely disappeared. The effect of legislation was very apparent in the increased number of in formations. A man went into one of these houses, and ordered a glass of beer; it went like lightning down his throat—(a laugh) —and then his confederate outside watch ing the proceeding, went and laid an information before the magistrates. The same sort of thing would take place with regard to the toile of wine. But if wine were not to be sold In less nteasure than quart bottles, this trick would not be so easy. A m.n might indeed shove the neck of a quart bottle down his throat, but then he found he could not go on s) well with it. (A laugh.) He thought the amend ment a very good suggestion, and he should support it, The result mould be, so many informations would bo laid that this class ofliconses would cease to be taken out. Sir S. M. PETO said that the number cot licenses for beer to be drunk on the premises was i 9,915; not to be drunk on the premises, 2,915. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. JAMBS said that the sale of wine in a quart bottle I would be evid ence th at there w as no intention that it should ) be consumed on the premises. This was a test or line of demarcation which was necessary to the working of the bill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said-he had listened mith, great interest to this discussion of the bottle question. (Laughter.) He had come to the conclusion that the best course would be to make the minimum limit a. reputed pint. (Hear, hear.) Mr. AYRTON said-he /14 hould stand upon the quart. (4 laugh.) Any one might - go to one of these licensed HORSE RACING BILL. Lord REDESDALE said he had given notice of the second reading of the bill relating to horse racing for Tuesday next. Tie had, however, been informed the noble lord the president of the Jockey Club would be de tained at Bath races, and therefore could not be in the house that evening. Under these circumstances he should postpone the second reading until Tuesday week. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS BILL. This bill, on the motion of the E Lrl of SH.A.FTES. BURY, was read a second time. PETITIONS OF RIGHTS BILL. This bill was read a second time. CONSOLIDATION OF CRIMINAL LAW. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved that the Offences against the Person Bill, which was the first of the coven bills introduced for the purpose of consolidating the crimi nal law, be committed. After a short discussion, in which Lord Brougham, the Marquis of Westmeath, Lord Cranworth, and the Lord Chancellor took part, the motion was agreed to, the house went into committee on the bill, and the clauses were for reerally agreed to. The following bills then passed through committee : Offences against the Person ; Larceny, &c. ; Forgery ; Malicious Injuries to Property; Coinage Offences; Acces sories and Abettors ; Criminal Statutes Repeal. The Exchequer Bills (L 13,230,000) Bill was read a second time. CUSTOMS BILL. HYDE PARK. Sir M. PETO asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in the event of the Government entertaining the proposition of connecting the north and south sides of Hyde Park by a road, he would lay plans, sections, and estimates of such proposed road upon the table of the house prior to any vote being taken to carry the same into effect ? Mr. COWPER said that the subject was receiving the most careful consideration from the Board of Works, and before asking for a vote in reference to a matter of such importance he would lay the estimate for the works before the house. POOR -LAW BOARD. Sir M. PET 0 asked the President of the Poor Law Board whether, as the powers of the Poor Law Board expired at the end of the present session of Parliament, it was the intention of the Government to introduce in the present session a bill for the renewal of those powers ; and, if so, when such bill would be introduced ? Mr. VILLIE RS replied that it was intended to introduce such a bill this session. TROOPS IN CHINA. Sir LIE LACY EVANS asked the Secretary of State "HE smv, LONDON, IrRIDAy EVENING, it wts agreeable to the house, he would move that the re soluions just agreed to should be reported forthwith and inserted in the bill, so that the committee might consider the Treasure as a whole. Tie suggestion was acceded to, and the report of the re solutions was brought up and agreed to. REFRESHMENT HOUSES AND WINE LICENSES BILL. Tie CHANCELLOR of the EXCFAEQUER moved that the house go into committee upor this bill. Mr. PALK contended that it wr;uld be unwise, as wellas injurious to the morals, health, and happiness of the people to permit unrestricted cormW i i t i on in the sale of alcoholic drinks. So l ong ago as t):0 reign of William and Mary an experiment similar to now proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer 'was tried, and the trade was carried on to an enormous P :dent, but the evil became so great that the legislature was compelled to interfere. The right hon. gen flow:A now for the first time since the days of - William and Mary sought to take away the power of the magistrates to grant licenses, and to throw the whole power into the hanAls of the supervisor of excise. No necessity, however, had been shown for the incroase'of public houses, and it could not be alleged that there was a want of public-house accommodation, inasmuch as a return published in 1855 proved that at that time there was a public-house for every 38 of the male and female populat'on above the age of 21. Under the bill any person, though of bad character and the associate of thieves, might obtain a wine license. The bill was neither a fiscal measure nor a free trade measure, nor yet a measure dictated by any principle of sound policy. lie would therefore move that the house gointo committee upon it on that day six months. Mr. PACKE in seconding the motion said the bill was one cf the greatest attempts to infringe the liberty of the subject that he ever remembered to have seen introduced into that house. It would render every old woman who sold cakes or ginger beer liable to a yearly tax. In fact he did rot know that the bill would not apply even to butchers' shops. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not think the house would be willing to resume the lengthened debate which had been brought to a close on Monday night. The objection of his hon. friend who had seconded the amendment did not really apply to the bill; the general words in which were subjected to many important limita tions. The other hon. gentleman's (Mr. Palk's) objections were no doubt of a very different character. He had listened to the hon. gentleman, and he admitted that his opinion was entitled to much consideration. The Government had stated in that house what they anticipated would be the social consequences of certain measures, and the fallacies against the bill were that hon, gentlemen declined to draw dis tinctions which ought to be drawn, and which lay on the surface of the case. The case of wine licenses was different from the beer bill. He had propounded this measure as a deliberate attempt to effect a great improvement in one portion of the law, with re gard to which refreshment was to be had by the people, and under which they were to be enabled to find fermented liquors in the same places as eatables. After the long arguments he had offered to the house the other night it would not be respectful to repeat them at this moment. But when they went into committee he hoped they would make such amendments as might be required, if any were necessary. (Hear, hear.) The amendment was then negatived without a division, and the house went into committee, Mr. MASSEY in the chair. 1860. houses, and drink off a-reputed pint, and get his bottle filled again. The committee then divided on the proposal to ea "in reputed quart bottles only."-_ For the addition 33 Against it 90-57 The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then pro posed to insert the words, "in reputed quart or pint bottles culy." Mr. W. WILLIAMS again alluded to the deficiency of reputed measures. Sir S. M. PETO suggested that the limit should be in imperial measures. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought that would be very objectionable. Mr. WARNER would insert the words "not less than one-sixth of an imperial gallon." Mr. M'CANN said this discussion reminded him of one in the Irish Parliament, where it was seriously proposed that every quart bottle should hold a quart. (Laughter.) The - addition proposed by the Chancellor of the Exche quer was then agreed to. The - clause as amended was then ordered to st and part of the bill. On clause 2, which enacts that the sale of foreign wino in any less quantities than two gallons, or in less than one dozen reputed quart bottles, shall be deemed to be selling by retail. Mr. AYRTON said he supposed that any person who took out a license to sell the lesser quantity would be at, liberty to sell a larger, and thus there would be an end to all wholesale wine licenses. Sir P. BARING remarked that if a retailer were limited to the sale of a dozen he might evade that by selling to the same person a dozen dozens in the course of a day. The clause was then agreed to. On clause 3, which provideethat permitting the drinking of wine in a neighbouring shed or building, with intent to evade the provision of the act, shall be deemed to be drink ing on the premises —a short discussion arose, which re sulted in the word " buildings" being struck out, and the word "premises" inserted. On clause 4, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said ho wished to remove one or two misapprehensions as to the effect of this clause. The hon. gentleman who seconded the amendment, for the purpose of throwing the bill over at this stage, appeared to consider that this clause obliged all persons selling refreshments to take out a licmise. Now, he wished to observe that the intention of the clause was limited in two most important particulars, that was to say, that the sales of victuals or refreshments affected by this clause were sales of victuals or refreshments to be consumed on the premises. He was not speaking of strong liquors. That was one limitation. The other limitation was that the sale of victuals or refreshments was to constitute the pur pose for which the house or shop was kept, and not where it was incidental that provisions were supplied. As for example, the case of a person having ledgers, and, perhaps, making an arrangement with a lodger to supply him with breakfast, would not come within the act. He would not go into the cuestion. whether it would be convenient to in sert an exception in the case of lodgers, but he took this as an instance that that would not be a case to which the clause applied. Mr. HARDY proposed an amendment, requiring that coffee-houses and other houses of refreshment which kept open from ten at night till four o'clock in the morning should be required to take out a license for a refreshment house, by which they would be subject ,to the inspection of the police. After some conversation, Mr. Hardy's amendment was agreed to, with the exception of the hours being made nine to five. Some verbal amendments having been afterwards made, the clause was agreed to. Clause 5, after some discussion, was agreed to. Upon clause 6, Mr. W. MARTIN moved an amendment to diminish the population of towns to which the clause applied from 50,000 to 10,000. Mr. LYALL moved the insertion of words limiting the granting of licenses to houses which had been established twelve months. He said his object was to prevent shops being opened under the colour of refreshment houses solely for the sale of wine. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER objected to the amendment as ineffectual and vexatious. A great number of houses might have been established for twelve months, and yet have no pretensions to receive these licenses, while it would bo very vexatious to prevent a re spectable man, who had opened a refreshment house in a populous neighbourhood, from selling wine until the lapse of a year. (Hear, hear.) Both the amendments were then negatived, and the clause was agreed to. Clause 7 was withdrawn 01 clause 8 agreed to. Upon clause 9, Mr. W. MARTIN suggested, whether as the proprietors of refreshment houses would have the same privileges as licensed victuallers and beerhouse keepers, they should not have the same liability with regard to the billeting of sol diers. The Highland Roads an idges Bill was read a third time and parsed. The Labourers' Cottages (Scotland) Bill was read a second time. THE BLEACHING AND DYEING BILL. The committee on this bill was, on the motion of Mr. CROOK, postponed to Wednesday, the 27th of June. FISHERIES (SCOTLAND) BILL. The amendments on this bill were considered. Mr. LOCKHART moved the insertion of the words "or for pointing" after the words "instrument" and "fish" in the first four clauses of the bill. The amendment was agreed to. On clause 12, line 10, Mr. CAIRD moved, after the word "present," the inser tion of the words "or by this act." He said there ought not to be one law for the poor and another for the rich. Mr. COCHRANE protested against the hon. member's remark, which was only intended to court popularity. It was absurd to suppose that proprietors would put lime into the rivers to destroy their own fish. After a conversation the house divided— For the amendment 37 Against it 6 The SPEAKER said, as the house had not•been able to form its judgment on this proposal, he should give his vote so as to leave the matter as it was left by the last decision of the house. He should give his vote fcr the noes. REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS (IRELAND) BILL • (No. 2). Mr. CARDWELL obtained leave to bring in a bill to provide for the registration of births, deaths, and marriages in Ireland. IRREMOVABLE POOR. Mr. VILLIERS moved for the appointment of a select committee on the operation of the act 9 and 10 Vic., c. 66, and the acts 10 and 11 Vic., c. 110, and 11 and 12 Vic., c. 110.—Agreed to. The house then adjourned at a quarter to 1 o'clock: STATIONS OF THE _ROYAL NAVY IN COMMISSION. Nereus, 42, store depot, Mae- Com J Barlow, 1853, Valparaiso Niger, 44, se ' Capt P Crae ro ft , 18 54, Australia Nile, 90, so, Capt E Barnard, 1859, Devonport Nimrod, 6, so, Corn R Wynniatt, 1859, East Indies Oberon, 3, st-v, Lieut -Corn F Paget, 1852, S C of America Odin, 16, st-v, Capt Lord J Hay, CB, 1854, East Indies Opossum, 2, se, gunboat, Lieut-Com G Bevan (acting), East Indies Orion, 91, so, Capt J Frere, 1854, Mediterranean Osborne, st-v, Mast-Com G Bower, 1842, particular service Pearl, 21, se, C a pt J B or l ase, CB, 1855, East Indies Pelorus, 21, so, Capt F Seymour, 1854, Australia Pembroke, 60, Capt E Charlewood, 1855, Coast Guard Perseverance, 2, t -sh, Corn E Power, 1850, particular ser vice Persian, 12, Com E Hardinge, 1856, Cape of Good tope Pioneer, 6, se, Cow H Reilly, 1858, East Indies Plumper, 9, screw; Capt G Richards, 1854, Pacific Pluto, 4, st-v, Lieut- Corn C Simpson, 1848, Coast of Africa Porcupine, 3, st-v, Capt H Otter, 1854, Devonp or t Princess Charlotte, 104, Mast-orn H Thomsott, 1854, Hong Kong F romethens, 5, st-v, Lieut-Com T Hollingworth, 1855, Coast of Africa Pylades, screw, 21, Capt 1i de Courcy, 1852, Pacific Quail, sc gunboat, Lt-Corn N Osborn, 1856, Mediterranean Queen, 86, so, Capt C Hillyer, 1852, Channel Fleet Racer, 11, screw, Corn the Hon T Pakenham, 1856, North America and West Indies Racoon, 21, sc, Capt A Paynter, 1854, Medit erranean Recruit, 6, st-v, C om D Spain, '1856, Mediterranean Renard, 4, se, Corn J Goodenough, 1858, East Indio; Renown, 91, se, Com A Forbes, 1846, Mediterranean Retribution, 28, st-v, Commodore H Edgell, C.B, E Indies Rhadamauthus, 4, st-v, Mas Com F Sturdee, 1845, parti cular service Ringdove, 4, so, Corn It Craigia, 1456, East Indies Roebuck, 6, sc, Corn F Marten, 1854, East Indies Rolla, 6, Lt-Com C Nelson, 1854, apprentice brig Royal Adelaide, 104, Rr-Ad Sir T Pasley, Bt, Capt Williams, 1841, Devonport Roydl Albert, 121, sc, Rr-Ad Sir C Fremantle, K.C.B• Capt H Lacon, 1856, Channel Fleet • Russell, 60, se, Capt G Wodehouse, 1854, Coast Guard St Jean d'Acre, 101, sc, Capt T Thompson, 1847, Mediter. St Vincent, 102, Rr-Ad the Hon G Grey, Capt T Wilson, 1853, Portsmouth Sampson, 6, st-v, Capt G Hand, 1832, East Indies Sanspareil, 70, se, Rr-Ad C Talbot, Capt A Wilmot, C.B, 1854, Queenstown Saracen, 4, Mas-COm W Stanton, 1852, East Indies Satellite, so, 21, Capt 4 - Prevost, 1856, P ac ifi c Saturn, 72Capt. G Ramsay, C.B, 1843, Pembroke Scourge, 6, so, Corn W Jones, 1854, Mediterranean Scout, 21, se, Capt J Corbett, 1857, East Indies Scylla, 21, se, Capt R Lambert, 1855, Mediterranean Seagull, 2, se gunboat, Lt-Cont W Chimme, particular. ser. Sharpthooter,B, so, U-C orn C Gibbons, 1848, Cof Africa Sidon, 22, st• v, Capt R Crawford, 1856, Cape of G Hope Simoom, 8, se, Corn J Cooke, 1852, partieular service Siren, 16, C orn G Balfour, 1856, S.E. Coast of America Skipjack, 2, se gunboat, Lt-Com J. Murray, 1848,W Indies Slaney, 2, se gunboat, Lt-Com 11. Leet, 1865, E Indies Snake, 4, so, Com H Harvey, 1857, East Indies Snap, 2, se gun-boat, Lieut-Com W Butler 1855, E Indies Sparrowhawk, 4, se, Cora J Byng, 1856, E Indies Sphinx, 6, st-ves, Cora G Day, V C, 1855, E Indies Spitfire, 5, st-ves, Lt-Com W Chapman, 1859, P of Africa Spy, 3, Lt-Corn J Hanmer, 1848, S E Coast of America Starling, se gun-boat, Lt-Com J Whit s h e d, 1854 2 E Indies Staunch, 2, se gun-boat, Lt-Com E Pollard, 185, E Indies Styx, 6, st .ves, Com C Vesey, 1854, N America and W Ind Supply, str-sh, Mast-Com W Ballist an, 1854, Woolwich Surprise, 4, se, Corn Lord E Cecil, 1857, Coast of Africa Tartarus, 4, st, Com A Mansell, 1855, Mediterranean Termagant, 25, so, Ctpt It Hall 1855, S E Coast of America Terrible, 21, st-ves Capt F Glasse, C 8,1846, Mediterraneag Terror, 16, Capt F Hutton, 1844, Bermuda Topaze, 51, se, Capt the Hon J Spencer, 1854, Pacific Tortoise, 12, store•ship Ascension Trafalgar, 91, so, Capt E Fanshawe, 1845, Channel Fleet Tribune, 30, se, Capt G Hornby, 1846, Pacific Triton, 3, st-ves, Lt-Com It Burton, 1849, Coast of Africa Urgent, se troop-ship, ComesHire,lBs4, particular service Valorous, 16, st-v, Capt W Aldham, CB, 1853, W Indies Victor Emmanuel, 91, Sc, CaptW Clifford, C B, 1847, Med Victoria and Albert, 2, st yt, Capt the Hon j Denman, 1841, Portsmouth Victory, 101, Vice Admiral H Bruce; Capt R Coote, 1854, Portsmouth Viper, 4, sc, Corn W Hewett, 1858, Portsmouth Virago, 6, st-v, Cora M Dunn, 1856, particular service Vixen, 6, st-v, Cora L Lambert, 1858, Pacific Vulcan, 6, se troop ship, Corn A Strode, particular service Vulture, 6, st.v, Capt G Parker, Mediterranean Watchful, 2, se g-bt st, Lt-Com F Inglefield, 1857, E India Weazel, 2, se gun-bt, Lt-Cora W Howorth, 1856, E Indies Wellesley, 72, Capt Supr G Goldsmith, CB, 1842, Chatham Wellington, 72, Capt It Robinson, 1840, Devonport Woodcock, 2, so gun-boat, Lt-Com G Bbsanquet, 1855, iS Indies The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed hat it was Dart of et difficulties, and that it would be much better not to import any such provisions into the new system they were now devising. The clause was agreed to, as were also clauses 10 and 11. On clause 12, Mr. AYRTON objected to that part of the clause which proposed to place the metropolis in this matter under the jurisdiction of the commissioners of police, submitting that jurisdiction should be confined to the justices of the peace, as was the custom throughout the country in regard to in specting those houses. Mr. SOTHERON-ESTCOURT agreed with the hon. member who had just spoken that the licenses to those houses should he issued by the nearest justices of the r eace to the parties applying for them. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the intention of confiding the inspection of these houses to the commissioners of police was because they were the persons who had the best local knowledge of the metropolis. Sir G. GREY said nearly all the jurisdiction in matters of this kind had already gone from the magistrates in the districts round the metropolis to the police who were con sidered to have the best knowledge of parties applying for licenses. Mr. HARDY thought it was very desirable that the police magistrates should be removed from the squabbles which usually attend the issue of licenses. Mr. WILLIAMS said the metropolis was now divided into districts, and each district magistrate had a clerk, who he considered was the most fit and proper person to make applications to for licenses. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the object of the clause was to combine the knowledge of the police with the responsibility of the magistrates, which he considered would be accomplished by the provision in the clause. He thought it would be far better to give the exer cise of the office to the police magistrates of the metropolis, who were engaged in the administration of justice, than to the Middlesex magistrates, who had no judicial functions fo perform. Mr. J. LOCKE said there was no distinction between the magistrates of the counties in which the metropolis was situated and the magistrates throughout the counties. He therefore thought if it was right the duty should be en trusted to the magistrates throughout the country, it was equally proper it should devolve upon the magistrates who were connected with the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) Mr. V. SCULLY complained thatno power of appeal was given by the act. Secret decisions might be come to—arbi trary judgments might be given behind the backs of par ties. He trusted the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not give such a power to the police magistrates. The CIIANCE L L OR of the E X CHEQ UER was anxious this should be understood by the house. What they pro posed was that the power should be placed in the police magistrates of the city of London. The Government were agreed the Felice were the parties on whom they must de pend for knowledge, and the y olice were inconstant com munication with the police magistrates, and not with the Middlesex justices. Mr. HENLEY objected to the manner in which parties were to be tried. Under this clause, on mare information to the police magistrates; a decision might be given with out any reason assigned, and in the absence of the parties. Notwithstanding the whole of the amendments to this clause it would want amending still further, because they did n t secure that the party objected to should have notice of the ground on which the objection was raised. After some further conversation, clauses 12 and 13 , were postponed. Mr. lIUNT moved that the Chairman report progress. Sir W. MILES protested against this attempt to delay public business. The disputed clauses were postponed, but there were a great many other clauses about which there was no dispute, awl which, therefore, might be proceeded with. On clauso 14, Mr. E. JAMES suggested that it should be postponed. Sir W. MILES suggested various technical amendments to the clause. Mr. SCULLY suggested that, if only in justice to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had been in the house for eight hours without any refreshment, the Chairman ought to report progress. . (Laughter and cheers,) The house then resumed. The Sheriff Court-houses (Scotland) Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on the 4th June. THE lIERRING. FISIIERIES (SCOTLAND) BILL. The LORD-ADVOCATE moved . that the house should go into committee on this bill ?pro forma, and stated that certain alterations would have to be madewhich he thought would be beneficial. . Sir J. FERGUSSON trusted the Lord Advocate Would consider the period of "close time," and make the necessary alterations in the bill before it again came before the house. Mr. CAIRD thought the bill ought to have been referred to a select committee before any of the clauses were struck out. After a few words from Mr. Bupit2tNA.N . , the house went into committee pro forma, for the purpose of having the bill re -printed, and then resumed. , THE PRISONS , (S(.7OTLAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time. -sr- - Aboukir, 90, so, Capt D Curry, 1846, Channel Fleet Acorn, 12, Cora It Pears°, 1856, East Indies Actaeon, surv. v, Corn J Ward (b) 1858, East Indies . Adventure, so storeship, Com E Lacy, 1856, East Indies Agamemnon, 91, sc, Capt T Hope, 1852, Mediterranean Ajax, 60, sc Capt j eill Boyd, 1846, Coast G uar d Ar.c.-it 7 , 4, cm, Oy u' 3 mara, meatterrau. - Alecto, st-v, Com H Raby, V C, 1855, Coast of Africa Alert, 17, Sc, Com W Pearse, 1855, Pacific Algerine, so gunboat, Lieut-Com W Arthur, 1854, ladies Algiers, 91, se, Capt G O'Callaghan, 1846, Channel Fleet Amethyst, 26, Capt S Grenfell, 1853, Pacific Amphion, 36, so, Capt T C oc h ran, 1857 , Mediterranean Archer, 13, sc, Capt R Courteney, 1859, Coast of Africa Ardent, 3, st-vl, Com J Parish, 1857, S E Coast of America Argus, 6, st-vl, Corn H Ingram, 1856, Mediterranean Ariadne, 26, sc, Capt B Vansittart:lBs6, Channel Fleet Arrogant, 47. s e I Commodore W Edmonstone, 1853, As cension .- Asia, 84, Capt eir Gordon, 1846, Portsmouth Assistance, store-ship, Com C Balfour, East Indies, 1859 Assurance, 4, so, Cora C Aynsley, 1856, Mediterranean Atalanta, 16, Com T Pasl e y, 1855, N A merica and W Indies Atholl, 4 Com E Wilson, 1845, Greenock Ban ghee,, st-vl, Corn C Campbell, 1858, Mediterranean Ba erer, so, gunboat, Lieut.-Com, East Indies Beagle, 4, sc, Cora E Hay, 1858, East Indies Black Eagle, st yacht, Mast-Coro, J. Petley, 1844, parti cular service Blenheim, 60, so, Capt F Scott, C B, 1848, Coast Guard Boscawen, 70, Rear-Admiral the Hon. Sir F. Grey, K C B, Capt R Powell, C B, 1855, Cape of Good Hope Bouncer, 2, sc, gunboat, Lieut-Com A Owen, 1852, E Indies Brisk, 16, so, Capt A D'Horsey, 1857, Cape of Good Hope Brilliant, Cora G Gardner, 1848, Naval Reserve training ship Britannia, training-ship, Capt R Harris, 1849, Portsmouth Brune, st-v, Lieut-Com E Lodde r , 1854, Coast of Africa Buffalo, se, Mast-Cora A Brown, 1854, particular service Bustard, 2, sc gunboat, Lieut-Com F. Hallowes, 1856, East Indies Buzzard, 6, st-v, Com F Peel, 1855, S E C oas t o f A merica Cadmus, 21, sc, Capt H S Hillyar, C B, 1854, Mediter ranean. Crosar, 90, so, Capt T Mason, 1849, Mediterranean. Calypso, 18, Capt F Montresor, 1851, Pacific Cambrian, 40, Capt J. M'Cleverty, CB, 1848, East Indies Cambridge, gun-ship, Capt A Jerningham, 1851, 'Devon port Camilla, 16, Com G. Colville, 1855, East Indies Caradoc, 2, st-v, Lieut-Com C Buckle, 1847, Mediter ranean Castor, Corn J. Palmer, 1855, Naval Reserve Train Ship Centaur, 6, st-v, Cora E D'o D'A Alpin, 1853, East Indies Centurion, 80, so, Capt H Rogers, CB, 1854, Channel Fleet Chesapeake, 51, sc, Vice-Admiral J. 'Hope, CB, Capt G Willes, 1856, East Indies, Clio, 22, so, Capt T Miller, 1855, Pacific Clown, so gunboat, Lieut-Com W Lee, 1855, 1842, East Indies. Cockchafer, 2, so gunboat, Lieut-Corn H Holder, 1854, Devonport Conqueror, 101, so, Capt E Soth e by, C B, 1852, D evonport Cordelia, 11, so, Corn C Vernon, 1855, Australia Cornwallis, 60, sc, Capt G Randolph, C B, 1854, Coast Guard Cossack, 20, sc, Capt R Moorman, 1857, North America and West Indies Cressy, 80, sc, Capt the Hon C Elliot, C B, 1841, Mediter ranean Crocodile, 8, rec ship, Cora W Greet, 1854, off the Tower 17, an C 1... .7 Dyklsocgoo, 1056, Unot, Cumberland, 70, Capt C Schomberg, 1851, Sheerness Curacoa, 31, so, Capt A Phillimore, 1855, S.E coast of America Cyclops, 6, st v, Capt W Pullen, 1856, East Indies Dasher, 2, st v, Com P De Saumarez, 1845, particular service Dauntless, 31, so, Capt L Heath, C B, 1854, Coast Guard Dee, 4, troop ship, Mast Com T Pullen, 1814, particular service Diadem, 32, so, Capt j Cockburn, 1850, Channel Fleet Donegal, 101, sc, Capt H Broadhead, 1846, Channel Fleet Doris, 32, se. Capt E Heathcoto, 1852, Mediterranean Drake, sc gunboat, Lieut-Corn A Blanc, 1856, East Indies Eagle, 50, Capt E Tatham, 1854, Coast Guard Edgar, 21, se, Rear-Admiral J Erskine, Capt J Katon, 1856,' Channel Fleet Edinburgh, 58, sc Capt E D!Ey ncour t , 18 49, Coast Guard Elk, 12, Cora H sc, 1855, Australia Emerald, 51, sc, Rear-Admiral Sir A Milne, K.C.B, Capt A Cumming, 1851, North America and West Indies Encounter, 14, so., Capt It Dew, 1858, East Indies Esk, 20, so, Sir J Le .M M'Clure, C.B, 1850, East Indies Euryalus, 51, so, Capt J Tartleton, C.B, 1852, Port smou th Excellent, 46, g-s, C a pt 14 Hewlett, C.B, 1850, Portsmouth Exmouth, 90, sc, Capt J Stopford, 1841, Mediterranean Fairy, se yt, tender to Victoria and Albert yacht, Ports mouth Falcon, 17, so, Cora A Fitzroy, 1857, Coast of Africa Fawn, 17, se, Cora It Cater, 1858, Australi a Ferret, 8, Com W Fisher, 1856, particular service Firebrand, 6, st-v, Corn J Bruce, 1855, particular service Firefly, 4, st-v, Cora F - Skeid, 1854, Woolwich Firm, sc gunboat,. Lieut-Com :W Boulton, 1854, E Indies Fisgard, 49, Commodore the Hen JDrummond, CB, Wool wich Flamer, se gunboat, Lieut. Corn H Bingham, 1851, E Indies Flying Fish, 6, so, Com W Hope, 1854, Channel Fleet Foresters, 2, so gunboat, Lieut-Com A Innes, 1853. E Indies Formidable, 84, Capt R Watson, CB, 1842, Sheerness Forte, 51, so, Capt E Turner, 1857, Sheerness Forward, 2, so, Lieut-Com C Robson, 1851, South America Furious, st-v, Capt 0 Jones, 1855, East Indies Fury, 6, st-v, Cora j Wilson (act), East Indies Ganges, 84, Rear-Admiral R 13aynes, CII, r:ll,t J Pafford, 1858, Pacific Gannet, 11, Corn E. Lambert, Ic'sl, Mediterranean Gladiator, 6, st-v, Corn 11 ilickley, 1858, N America and W Indies Gorgon, 6, st-v, Cons B Pim, 1808, N America and W I Grappler, 2, sc, Lieut-Com A Helby, 1849, Pacific Grasshopper, sc gunboat, Lieut-Corn J Tucker, 1855, E I Greyhound, 17, Sc, Corn F Sullivan, Sheerness Growler, 2, so gunboat, Lieut-Com H Crozier, 1851, Medi terranean Hannibal, 91, so, Rear-Ad G Mundy, CB, Capt M Conolly, 1858, Mediterranean Hardy, 2, so gunboat, Lieut-Com A Bogle, 1855, E Indies Hastings, 60, so, Com C Luckraft, 1855, Naval Reserve Training Ship ? Liverpool Haughty, 2, so gunboat, Lieut-Corn C 1851, E Indies Havock, 2, sc gunboat, Lieut-Com C Fairholme, 1851, E I Hawke, 60, so, Capt W Crispin, 1852, Coast Guard Herald, sury ves, Capt H Denham, 1846, Feejee Islands Hermes, 6, st-v, Com W Gordon, 1854, Cape of Good Hope Hero, 91, so, Capt G Seym our , CB , 1844, Devonport Hesper, so st ship, Master-Com J Loane, 1846, East Indies Hibernia, rec ship, Re ar -Ad m i ral H Codrington, C B, Capt F. Warden, C' B, 1845, Malta Highflyer, 21, so, Cap 'V Heath (acting), East Indies Himal9ya, so storeship, Capt J Seccombe, 1859, particular service Hogue, 60, so, Capt R Macdonald, 1854, Coastguard Hydra, 6, st-v ' Corn R. Hamilton, p ar ti cu l ar service Icarus, 11, se, Com N Salmon, V 0, 1858, North America and West Indies Illustrious, 72, Com II Marston, 1845, Portsmouth Imam, 72, Cornmod H Dunlop, C B, Com H Grant, 1845, rec ship, Jamaica Impregnable, 104, Vice-Admiral Sir B Reynolds, K C B, Capt W Stewart, C B, 1854, Devonport Imperieuse, 51, so, Rear-Admiral L Jones, C B , C apt Maguire, 1854, I?,ast Indies. Indus, 78, Rear-Admiral Sir H Stewart, K C B, Capt W Hall, C B, 1850, North America and 'West Indies Industry, st-v, 2, storeship, Master-Corn G. Hodges, 1841, particular service Infiexinle, 6, st-v, Com G Brooker, 180, East Indies Intrepid, 6, so, Com J Marryat, 1855., Mediterranean Iris, 26, Commodore W Loring, C B, Australia Jackal, ce4, st-v, Lieut-Cons J Simpson (6) , 1 854, particular servi James Watt, 91, se, Capt E Codd, 1851, Mediterranean Janus, se gunboat, Lieut-Com H Knevitt, 1855, E Indies Jasper, 1, se gunves se l, Li eut • Com. W Pyin, 1849, West Indies Kestrel, so gunboat, Lieut-Com Robinson (acting), East Indies Lapwing, 4, so, Com M Reilly, 1856, Mediterranean Leopard, 18, st-v, S Rear-Ad m i ral Sir Lushington, KC B, Capt F 'Wainwright, 1856, S E Coast of America Leven, 1, so gunvessel, Lieut-Com J Hudson, 1854, East Indies Liff.iy, 51, so, Capt H Preedy, C B, 1855, Mediterranean Locust, 3, st-v, Lieut-Corn J Field, 1846, particular service London 90, so, Capt H Chads, 1848, Mediterranean Lynx, 4, sc, Lieut-Com II Berkeley, 1854, Cst of Africa Lyra, 9, so, Com R Oldfield, 1855, Cape of Good Hope Madagascar, storeship, Capt R White, 1856, Rio Janeiro Masander, 44, Capt W Burnett, C B, 1854, Ascension Magicimpne, 16, st-v, Capt J Commerell, 1859, E Indies Majestic, 80, sc Capt W Mends, CB, 1852, Coast Guard Marlborough, 131, se, Vice-Admiral A. Fanshawe, CB, Capt the Right Hon. Lord F Kerr, 1852, Mediterranean Mars, 80, so, Capt J Strange, 1854, Channel Fleet Medina, 4, st-vl, Capt T Sprott, CB, 1855, Mediterranean Medusa, 4, st-vl, Com W Bowden, 1851, Coast of Africa m e p ara , 6, sc, Com J Hunt, 1856, Portsmouth Melpomene, 50, sc, Capt C. Ewart, 1855, Channel Fleet M e r se y, 40. so, Capt H Caldwell, CB, 1853, Channel Fleet Mohawk, 4, so, Corn P M‘Dous, , al, 1856, Mediterranean Monarch, :84, se, Vice-Admiral E Harvey, Capt H Har vey, 1852, Sheerness Mo w nke h y, st-tug, See M as G . S ynd ercorabe (acting), W oo l- j ic Mutine, 17, so, Com W Graham, 1858, Pacifi c Naiad, 42, store-skip, Mas-Com W Dillon, 1843, Callao' Nautilus, 6, Lieut-Com W Grant, 1852, apprentice-ship Neptune, 91, so, Capt F Campbell, 1857, Mediterraneazi MAY 11, COUNTRY MARKETS. MANCHESTER—Max 10. English wheat was firmly held, and as buyers wished A reduction little business resulted. Foreign 2d per 701b1 lower. Flour a slow sale. English beans is dearer; fill Egyptian beans and Indian corn declined is. Oats and oatmeal oatmeal in little demand. BIRMINGHAM—MAY 10. ' A less supply of English wheat. Sales slow, at barely late rates. Malting barley is per qr lower; grinding un altered. Beans fully as dear. MELTON MOWBRAY—MAY 8. There was a fair supply of wheat to-day, with a sloe business at the annexed prices :—White wheat, new, Os Od to 57s Od; red, 44s Od to 53s per 36 stone; barley ill small supply, at 40s to 45s for malting, and 35s to 38s per qr. for grinding; oats, 30s to 35s Od per 24 stone; beaus, 44s to 56s for old; new, 52s per 38 st. PLYMO UTII—MaY 8. The busine , s was slow to-day. 'Prices for wheat as before, barley scarce, and at late prices ; oats unchanged. A thia attendance at market. The quotations are--English whits wheat, 55s to 56s ; red, 53s to 54s per qr ; French do., 450 to 465; grinding barley, 30s to 325; oats, 24s to 265; and flour, fine, 39s to 40s ; seconds, 37s to 38s. EDINBURGH GRAIN—MAY 9 Wheat on the top is Od down.. average Os 2d up. Barley on the top is 3d down average is Od down: Oats on the top is 6d down. average Os ld down. Beans on the top is Od down average is hi down• Averages per Imperial quarter. Wheat.... Barley 2O 4„ 2-12ths • Oats 1 11 10 0-12ths Beans Total Supply and Sales. Wheat .. 921 4 ciri Sold 849 qrs 8ar1ey........ 510 qrs.... Sold 244 qrs Oats .1579 qrs S o ld 412 qrs Beans l3l qrs Sold 52 qrs DUBLIN—MAY 8. With a middling trade to-day, business was done at the Following rates : s. d. m. d. Wheat, white 33 0 to 35 0 Do., red 3l 0 to 33 0 s. d. 5. d. Do., new t o 0 Bere. l3O to 140 Rapeseed 20 0 to 23 0 Oatmeal l5 0 to 17 0 Bakers' flour 17 0 to 22 6. Indian corn Do., new 0 to Barley Oats Do., black ls_o to 15 6 DERBY SMITHFIELD —MAT 8. • There was a less supply of fat beasts to-day, with a full attendance of buyers; the demand was good, at an advance in prices. Sheep were well represented and sales were ready. Fat and s t ore ca l ves were Plentiful ; sales heavy. Fat pigs in good supply. Beef Hides, 32d to 52d; calf skins, 7d to Od. TILE M./11 LS. MAILS DUE. Australia, Ceylon, and Mauritius (via South ampton) • • • • . • May 19. Do. (via Marseilles) June 4. Bahamas and Havana (via New York) .. .. June 7. Canada, &c. (via Cork) .. .. • • .. May 9. Cape of Good Hope, &c. .. • • .. June 1. China, Penang, and Singapore (via S'ampton) May 19. Do. (via Marseilles) May 13. Gibraltar (via Southampton) .. May 19. India (Calcutta), Ceylon, &c. (via Southampton) May 19. Do. (via Marseilles) May 13. India (Bombay), (via Southampton) .. May 25. Do. (via Marseilles) .. May 19. Lisbon, Brazils, Buenos Ayres, &c • . June 5. Lisbon, Vigo, and Oporto Mi►y 11. Malta, Egypt, and Aden (via Southampton) .. May 19. Do. (via Marseilles) .. May 13. United States, California, &c. (% is Cork) .. May 16. Western Coast of Africa, Madeira, Tencriffe . May 10 West Indies and Pacific, Carthgena, Cuba, &el May 14. INGULAIt FREAK.---At present may be seen by the curious, in the open preserves of Mr. John Harris, of Greysouthen, a nest, in which are four eggs of a pheasant, and five eggs of a partridge. Tha old birds have hStherto agreed very w e ll, alternately 'depositing their eggs in this partnership concern as above stated.--Cumberland Pacquet. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway'sPiIIs and Ointment.-- All the maladies incidental to spring can be prevented, checked in their course, or ultimately c ure d b y these fine purifying and cooling medicaments. The pills rouse the stomach, regulate the liver, stimulate the kidneys, and act gently on the b Jwels. Th e oin t ment rubbed over any part penetrates to nei g h bouring o rgans, which it frees from all noxious and irritating humours ; and aided by the pills, expels them. By these remedies the skin is cleansed of all freckles, spots, and disfigurements, without driving them inwards or doing h arm. It is wonderful hew weak ness, low spirits, and en erva ti on give way to vigour and vivacity under a course of Holloway's medicines, which may be safely used at all times by both sexes. BIRTHS. CAMPBELL.—On the Gth inst., at Westbury-hill, near Bristol, Lady Campbell, of Barcaldine, of a daughter. HALPORD.—On the 10th inst., at 72, South Audley-street, the Hon. Mrs. Augustus Raiford, of a son, stillborn. MARRIAGES. FOSTER—RAILSEOTTOM.—On the 10th inst., at Dover Major Charles M. Foster, 32d Light Infantry, third son of the late Lieut. -Col. Foster, to Sophia Augusta, eldest daughter of John Ramsbottorn, Esq. WICKRAM—LEPEVRE.—On the 9th inst., at St. George's, Hanover-squar e , William, eldest son of H. L. Wickham, Esq., to Sophi a Emma, youngest daughter of Henry F. Shaw Lefevre, Esq. D.TgATIIS. • ACWORTIL—On the Bth inst., at Star-hill, Rochester, Geo. Acworth, Esq., aged 61. BYERS.--On the 9th inst., at his residence, 4, Dawson , place, Bayswater, William C. Byers, Esq., of the War office, aged 46. Gouctu.---On the Bth inst., at the Deanery-House, Lon donderry, the Very Rev. Thomas Banbury Gough, Dean of Derry, aged 84. LONDON Printed and Published by MURDO YO UN of No. 112, Strand, Printer,- at The Sun• Office, No. 11?, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the oottaty of Middleeez t Friday, May 21, 1860„ ~ ,M ~~ r► • I