The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-22 00:00:00

btto SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. L ON► DON AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. From an anxious desire to meet the public convenience, and with a view to placing the varied advantages of their Railway, in respect both of business and pleasure, more within the reach of every class of the community, the Directors of this Company have resolved, on and after the Ist of May ensuing— To inerease the number of the trains and to accelerate their speed, and vary the hours of departure and arrival of many of them. To carry Second-Class Passengers with their Express Trains. To abolish their Slow Trains altogether, and to convey Third- ClAss Passengers at the Parliamentary fares, with their ordinary Trains, four times a day each way, and at hours to allow of an early departure and late return to and fro. To make the following great Reduction in their Fares through out : Express Train, first class reduced to 20s. second class I 7s. Fast Trains, first class —17 s. second class —14 s. Mixed Trains, first class l4s. second class —10 s. Third class at.......... 65. 6d. By an arrangement with the Floating Bridge Company, the Omni bus fare between Gosport and Portsmouth is reduced from Is. to 6d. each Passenger, including the same weight of luggage as allowed by the Railway Company. First class, 1121 b. ; second class, 841 b.; third class, 561 b. Steps are in progress to increase the convenience of passengers proceeding by steam to France, the Channel Islands, the Southern Coast, and the Isle of Wight. This route to France, although some what longer, is by far the most certain and secure, from there being good harbours Ihr departure and arrival at both ports. Parcels will be carried at a greatly reduced scale, the throughout eharges between Southampton, Gosport, and London, including delivery by passenger trains, being fixed as follows, viz.- Is. Od. for 28 lb. Is. Gd. „ 2s. Od. „ 1121 b. Time Bills, giving full particulars, are in course of publication. (By order), P. LAURENTZ CAMPBELL, Secretary April 18, 1846. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) Sub- Committee No, 3. This Committee did not meet till a quarter-past one o'clock, there not being a sufficient number of Members pre sent to form a quorum. At that hour, however, there were present Mr. Aglionby (chairman), Mr. E. Buller, and another Hon. Member, and the case of the NORTH DEVON was proceeded with. It occupied the Committee the whole of the day, and bad not been aisposed of at a quarter past four o'clock, when the Committee rose, and adjourned until Friday next, having declared the standing orders not com plied with on several points. Sub-Committee No. 4. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) EAST AND WEST OP ENGLAND 3UNCTXON. Tie Committee decided in favour of the petitione rs a g ainst this Bill en several of the points raised. and in favour of the promoters of the Bill upon others , and w ere occupied with the case up to half-past four o'clock, at which hour they adjourned. CHAN CERY -(T HIS DAY.) WEEKS V. LORD sTAImoPE. The arguments in this part-heard appeal were resumed this morning, and continued the whole day. VICE-CHANUERY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.) RUSSELL V. SMITH. This csse came before the Court to-day upon motion to dissolve an injunction, restraining the defendant from sing ing certain songs in various places of public entertainment in the metropolis. The case, which had not concluded at three o'clock, when the Cotirt rose, will be proceeded with to-morrow. EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.) (Sittings in Banco) This day was again occupied with motions for new trials, there being upwards of twenty still to be disposed of when the Court sat this morning. The only case possessing any feature of interest was the following:— JACKSON AND WIFE V. SIMPSON. Mr. Sergeant SHEA moved for a rule to show cause why the verdict in this case should not be set aside, judgment arrested, and a new trial had, on the ground of misdirection, the verdict being against evidence, and also on affidavits. The action was tried at the late assizes for the county of Bent, when a verdict was given for the plaintiff—Damages 1501. The facts of the case were briefly these. The defendant kept a ram and a sheep, which he dignified with the appellations of Albert and Victoria. It appeared, that the ram, which was tethered by the side of Victoria, in the garden of defendant, escaped from his restraint and got into the premises of Mrs. Jackson, the plaintiff. While endeavouring to take him back to his disconsolate " Victoria" plaintiff was upset, and sus tained the severest injuries from the violence of rebellious "Albert." The Co URT, thinking no doubt that sufficient cause could be shown for Albert's conduct, under the circumstances, granted the rule. COMMON PLEAS.—(THIS DAY.) (Sittings in Banco.) POWLES v. PAGE. The Court was occupied the mod of the day in hearing this case, 'which was an action for debt, brought by plaintiffs, a Liverpool banking company, against defendant, who was a member of a firm, and was tried at the late assizes, when a verdict was given for the plaintiffs. The present motion was to set aside that verdict. It pos sessed no feature of interest. The Court would take time to consider. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THISDA Y.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) On clause 8 being proposed, Mr. T. L'UNCOMBE complained that it was not suffi ciently retrospective in its spirit. It provided that all socie ties already in existence should he valid, provided they had been duly and properly certified by the officer appointed for that purpose. Now all societies that had been certified at all ought to be made valid, and not left open to be upset in a court of law for not having been properly certified. Sir J. GRAHAM did not agree with the Hon. Member. It ought still to be left open to the courts of law to decide whether the existing rules had been complied with or not. After a few words from Mr. HAWES, The SOLICITOR-GENERAL explained that any friendly societies that had been established before the passing of the Act for the purpose specified under the four clauses under consideration, or for any legal purpose which could be cer tified, and against which society there should have been no decision in any court of law of competent jurisdiction, should be admitted to be within the provisions of the Act, and entitled to the benefit thereof. In consequence of the decision of Justice Wightman the words contained in all the former Friendly Societies' Acts which were considered— ejusdent generis—with the societies specified under the clauses of the present Act were constrained and narrow in their meaning. The present Act proposed to detail the ob jects for which friendly societies might be established beyond those precise and limited objects contained in the former Acts. Any societies now existing, and instituted for pur poses which accorded with the decision of Justice Wight man, but which were not in the terms of this Act, but were for purposes specified by the four clauses, or for any other legal purpose which could be certified according to the fifth clause of this Act, should be allowed the benefit of the pre sent Bill. The object of this Bill was to enlarge the limited restrictions of the former Act, and to enable parties to asso ciate together for other purposes than those enumerated by the former Act, and all that was required was that those purposes should be some of the specified purposes proposed in the enlarged Act, and for some legal purpose to be allowed by the Attorney-General and by the Secretary of State. After a few words from Mr. HAWES, which did not reach the gallery, Sir J. GRAHAM objected (as we understood) to any in terference or discussion on the, subject of the decision of Justice Wightman. Those friendly societies which now ex isted would be exactly in the same condition as if this Act were not to be pissed. Whether they looked prospec tively, or retrospectively, he believed that the clause which be ' had proposed would remedy many of the evils which at present existed in friendly societies. Mr. T. DIINCOMBF. had to proposed clause were agreed to,there were no less thahesitationn t 4,000 friendly friendly societies in this kingdom h which were in precisely the same condition as that of and e n ruth Shields Society, to 'which allusion had been made,t which had been declared to be illegal by Mr. Justice Wghtm appear t.oco th a t all those of the Right Hon. Baronet it would i From the statement 4,000 societies would now be compelle the Honourable and Learned Solicitor-General hoe called the privilege of a new constitution. Sir JAMES GRAHAM—No, no. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE—WeII, then, if they did not, they wesiLl remain in their present condition at their own peril. The decision of Mr. JusticeWightman had created alarm, and the consequence was, that most of the 4,000 friendly societies had altered their rules in accordance with that decision, and if the law were now to be altered again they would find them selves still in peril. He should therefore propose that, after the word "established" in the clause, there should be added the words " enrolled before the passing of this Act." Mr. ESCOTT said, that with ail respect for the decision of Mr. Justice Wightman, he submitted that the opinion of his Hon. and Learned Friend the Solicitor-General was quite as much entitled to respect.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) 'That judgment might have been wrong; it had not yet been appealed against, or decided in a higher court. He should certainly support the amendment of his Hon. Friend the Member for Finsbury. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that he was afraid that too much importance had been attached to the decision of Mr. Justice Wightman, but of this he was sure, that too much importance by far had been attached to his own opinion. In fact, he did not recollect what that opinion was until it had been put• into his hands a few minutes previously. That opinion was offered on an isolated case ; it might happen that the majority of the 4,000 friendly societies in England were constituted on different principles. With the single exception of the society declared to be il legal they legalised, by the present enactment, every society which came within the description of those included in the ifirst four clauses. They bad nothing to do with sitting in judgment on the decision of Mr. Justice Wightman, and with reference to those societies included in the sth clause ; they had only to come f:rward without expense and without inconve niebce, and lay their rules before the two officers appointed for the purpose, and they woull at once receive from them a certificate that the society w:,* of such a nature as to come within the provision s o f t h e A ct Air.nuTHERFORD stated, t m ' and be legalised accordingly. tat the explanation of the Leatncd Solicitor-General had re which be had entertained upon the svueiljemctany of the doubts Sir GRAHAM made some ) remark,,. whi..h were in audible in the gallery. been M. T. DIINCOMB yet E said that no reas. : , n h ad as assigned why the words "o r entitled " should not be intro ducedin the clause. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL considered the words pro posed to be introduced perfectly superfluous, and would not at all enlarge, but perhaps diminish, the powers of the Bill, by creating a:doubt upon the meaning of the words. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE stated there were many societies "Which were only enrolled, not established. After a few words from Mr. Ewart, the Solicitor-General, and Mr. Rutherford, strangers were ordered to withdraw; but Mr. T. Duncombe declined pressing the House to a division. Mr. DI:NC:9 3O E resumed, and said that he would alter his phrase, and Npve for the insertion of the wordo "or en• j roneci." Sir J. GRAHAM thought that the insertion of these words ' would entirely alter the meaning of the clause. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE conceived that the object of this Bill ought to be to confirm all those societies which had already been instituted and established, and he should therefore take the sense of the Committee upon it. Sir J. GRAHAM believed that the Hon. Gentleman did not quite understand the effect which the introduction of the word "or" would have. It would be neither more nor less than the illegalising of the 4,000 societies which were in existence before the passing of the Act. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE—What would be the' effect of this measure as it now stood with respect to Mr. Tidd Pratt. Why, it would be investing him with privileges of the most enormous amount, and powers which no Government ought to demir. Mr. BICKHAM ESCOTT wished to know whether the insertion of these woes would have the effect of rendering the 4,000 societies already in existence illegal, and of de priving them of the privileges which they now possessed? Certainly such must be the case if they were rendered illegal. Mr. O'CONNELL said this was quite evident, that the societies referred to were either legal or illegal. If the former this Bill could not affect them, and if the reverse, they could not be injured. Mr. HAWES conceived that it ought now to be decided whether the words " or," or "or enrolled" were to be used. They ought to know what they were dividing upon. Sir J. GRAHAM begged to be pardoned for interrupting the Hon. Member, but he must observe that the introduction of the word " or" would entirely change the meaning of the whole sentence of the clause. Mr. HAWES thought they ought to know what they were going to divide about. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said his very object was to preserve the legality of the societies at present in existence, and for this purpose he wished to include the word. After a few words from Mr. RUTHERFORD and Sir DE LACY EVANS, who both objected to any doubt being suffered to remain respecting the sense of the clause, and from Mr. B. ESCOTT, who again inquired whether the effect of the alteration would be to swamp the 4,000 societies, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the observations of hii Learned Friend had been entirely misunderstood ; for the fact was, that the effect of this clause would be to legalise the 4,000 societies alluded to. If the Hon. Member for Westminster believed that this clause would have the con sequence ofoverruling the decision of Mr. Justice Wigbtman, he would beg to tell 'him that the introduction of these words would certainly go to that end. And with regard to the remarks of the Hon. and Learned Member for Cork, that these societies were either legal or illegal, he must say, further, that, without the clause stood as it was, it would fail to bring those societies under the influence of the Friendly Societies' Act. They were told that there were no less than 4,000 existing societies, and they were called by this ingenious word "or," proposed by the 'ion. Member for Finsbury, to legalise them all, whether enrolled or not enrolled.—(No, no.) He main tained it was so; that all societies, whether enrolled or not, whether established for legal or illegal purposes, would be rendered lawful by the proposed amendment. They ought to protect themselves against the probability of danger by the clause as it at present stood, and therefore he must op pose the motion. Mr. B. ESCOTT said the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had not named a single society of the 4,000 referred to that was illegal. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE replied, and said the amendment was not to legalise all societies, but to give the 4,000 already enrolled the benefit of that enactment under the proposed law. If Mr. Tidd Pratt had certified those societies, it would be most unfair to deprive them of the benefit. _ __ Atter a few words from Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND and Mr. COWPER in favour of the amendment, Lord JOHN MANNERS said, he thought if the bar rister had certified the legality of the 4,000 societies, it should be held valid in their favour. • Sir J. GRAHAM considered that, as it was possible Mr. Tidd Pratt might have acted indiscreetly, or without proper inquiry or information in these enrolments, he must firmly oppose the proposed amendment. - After a few words from Mr. SPOONER against the amend. ment, strangers were ordered to withdraw. The House thei divided, when there appeared— For the Amendment Against it 42 Majority Mr. DUNCOMBE then moved that, to the end of the clause , the following words should be added, "provided also that existing benefit societies, known under the name of Odd Fellows, patriotic societies, and ethers instituted for the pur poses of making prevision for old age, and such other pur poses, shall be eligible for enrolment." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the proviso was either dangerous or unnecessary. They had already pronounced an opinion that certain of these societies were illegal, and ought not to be sanctioned, and, therefore, the proviso was unne cessary. There were, however, some of these societies which came within the limits of the corresponding Act, and he should have no objection to bring them within the provisions of the present Bill, if the Honourable Member for Hereford would propose a clause to that effect. After a few words from Sir Dg Lacy Evaxs and Mr. SPOONER, the amendment Was withdrawn, and the clause agreed to. On clause 9 being proposed, Mr. SPOONER objected to the rules of a society being referred for the decision of one individual without any appeal. There was an immense deal of property and the interests of a vast number of persons involved in this decision, and there ought to be an appeal of some sort or other. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said such a course would be productive of delay and expense ; and, on the whole, he was inclined to think the decision ought to be left to one barrister. He had confidence in the skill and ability of Mr. Dad Pratt ; and, with the assistance of the judges, he had no doubt that gentleman would do justice to all parties. Mr. SPOONER said that he could not alter his opinion on this clause. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE wished to know if the present clause would confirm or annul the enrolments of Mr. Tidd Pratt ? He believed the Attorney-General had had a contest with that gentleman. He was not aware who got the worst of it. Mr. SPOONER said they were about to give a very great power to one man over large and important interests. Mr. GRAINGER was of opinion that the clause would add a great expense to the parties interested. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that under the clause parties would be able to:have the opinion of the law officers of the Crown without expense. The clause was theu agreed to. Upon clause 10 been put, Sir J. GRAHAM said he had to move an amendment, or rather an addition to this clause. He would move that where the salary of the registrar was to be fixed at the average of the last three years, that it should be provided that the average did not exceed more than 1,000/. a year. After a few observations from Mr. COOPER and Mr. O'CoNNEL , , which did not reach the gallery, Clause 10 was ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 11 was postponed. Clause 12 was ordered to stand part of the Bill. On the question that clause 13 stand part of the Bill being put, Mr. P. SCROPE said that under clause 13 he did not feel certain whether the tables by which these societies al ready in existence calculated their advantages would have to be submitted to the registrar. He would also take this opportunity of saying that he thought that the present measure, if it was passed, would be of very little advantage to these societies. The attention of the Legislature ought, after the passing of this Bill, to be directed to the framing of some measure which would place these societies in a position infi nitely superior to that in which it was at present proposed to place them. The attention of the Government might also be turned to the introduction of some Government measure by which the poor, by making certain payments, could secure an annuity at any period they named in their old age. The tables of the rates of payments could be published. The poor would thus have the advantages of a Government security fur their annuities, and also of having their annuities payable to them at any portion of the kingdom they might chance to be. That course would be better than the doubtful and uncertain security at present afforded by the friendly societies, which, by mismanagement or miscalculation, might occasion to many the loss of the subscriptions of years. He hoped that his suggestion would meet with the consideration that it deserved at the hands of the Government. • Sir JAMES GRAHAM promised that it should. He also stated that in a short time competent persons would be approached by the Government for the purpose of drawing up tables to;, regulate the amount of sums to be paid on the death of i a member of these societies. And he proposed that no society should be hereafter certified by the registrar unless they consented to be guided by those tables. Mr. T. I.SI.INCOMBE said, that if the Right Hon. Baronet would read the very able book of Mr. Neilson on the subject of annuities, he would find that it would be most unjust to require the tables on that head to be the same in all societies; for instance, it would be unjust to compel the Friendly Ship builders of Liverpool to be guided by the same tables as those of the Operative Tailors' Society of the metropolis, be cause the latter were exposed to much more sickness than the former.—(Hear, hear.) The clause, as amended by the Right lion. Baronet was then put and passed. On clause 14 being proposed, Mr. HENLEY hoped that provision would be made against the sending of any cases connected with friendly societies The SO LIeITOR.- into Chancery. of dispute were the members of th ose s ocieti es GENERAL • 1 in all matters c to law, the case would have atnodbief Euasbemartt.htleeadtitetlPtrohepos of opinion that there e A ttorney- General togo wasn,,n f e o c r e t s h ai e ty tim fo e r being, and to were case could not be proceeded with. the Court of Chancery, the The clause was then agreed to. After some discussion clause 15 was agreed to. Sir J. GRAHAM then moved that the consideration , Clause 16 and the remaining clauses should be postponed till Friday next.—Motion agreed to. NEW V, RIT. On the motion of Mr. YOUNGE, anew writ was ordered for the Falkirk District of Burghs, in the room of J. Baird, Esq., who had accepted the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. reading of the it the ti me o f E E L l P ec H ti l o N ns ST ß O il N l, E wh m ic ov h ed pro t p h o e se s sectoo r nd un . COUNTY ELECTIONS BIL L County 3lr. polling at elections in counties to one day. Colonel WOOD moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Lord J. WORSLEY went through the returns of the number of voters recorded in the several counties, and the number of those who voted on the second day, the result of which was that the number of persons who voted on the se cond day was so insignificant as to render it very desirable to -restrict the time for county elections. The Hon. Member for Middlesex had said that the out-voters would have no opportunity of voting; but even if such were the case, there were corre-ponding advantages; for even, as in the case of West Yorkshire, where there were more than 50,000 voters, it was evident that no change could be made on the second day of polling. Then, as to treating, it was well known that much of the mischief would be saved. He was satisfied toe, the alteration was wholesome, and be should give it his cordial support.—(Cries of "Divide.") Mr. NEWDEGATE wished to say a few words on this measure, which, in his opinion, was at least, premature, for it was very plain that the experience of the past was no criterion for the future.—(Laughter.) He had himself been engaged on a Committee, The SPEAKER—The Hon. Member cannot speak respect- , ing a Committee which has not made its report. Mr. NEWDEGATE apologised, and proceeded to say that if the same plan were to be adopted as that which the Hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Cobden) had said would be used by the Anti-Corn-law League—that was to collect a large number cf voters at the railway stations in a neigh beuring county, and pour them down the polling-places— this would occasion great inconvenience, and if it was proposed to obviate that inconvenience by an increased number of polling-places, that would also occasion great expense. He thought also that if these measures were to be adopted, they would have the effect looked for bmber for Stockport, and y . the Hon. .le . be greatly expedited. This object was given in the assertion that, within three year he would unseat 100 county Mem bers, unless they 'changed their principles and voted against the opinions of their constituents There had been during and their own. the present 36 petitions against the return of burough Members, of which 29 had been decided on, seven dropped, or one-tenth of all the bo rough Members returned. In the same period there had been but three petitions against county elections, or one sixtieth, of which two had been dropped. This would show the decided balance, it might presumed, in favour of the honesty of county elections. He would oppose the Bill and support the amendment. Mr. BRIGHT said that there was not an argument now used against the Bill but what had been employed against the old system, yet every one, of whatever political party, agre.d that the change was a great improvement. The difficulty in the way of travelling was much removed, and by railways it would be easy in most cases to take a whole constituency in a short time, if required. Whatever might be said of the expense of travelling, the expense of keeping the poll open for two days was far greater. He would de cidedly support the second reading of the Bill. Mr. B. iDENISON thought there were advantages in favour of the second day's polling which had not been referred to. He knew of several instances in which the result of the first day's polling had been entirely changed the second day. There was no analogy between the position of the boroughs and the counties in point of distance and travelling. Nor did he see any necessity for the change, as not any of the counties, or the parties interested, had at all complained of the present practice w H i e she c d ons t i o der p e r d ess t h h e is re a sp f e e c w tin w g ord it s s . Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, that if the Hon. Member so wou m ld uc s h ay not so effect on candidates, as en elections generally. He was decidedly of opinion that it was not expedient or politic to reduce the present period for the taking of votes in counties. The paramount question with them should be, not whether, it would reduce the expenses of candidates, but whether it would interfere with the due latitude necessary for the increase of the franchise. Tried by this test, he did not think the Bill necessary as required by the exigencies of the case. He quite agreed in the statement of the Hon. Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire that there was no analogy between boroughs and counties. The change made on the previous law was a salutary one, reducing borough, elections to one day and counties to two, but he did not think there should be any further alteration. With respect to borough elections, the restriction to one day extended only to a range of seven miles, but in the counties there was no limitation. He could see no reason why they should depart from the rule established, and he did not consider the period of two days was any inconvenience to voters. He rather considered that it was in favour of the franchise than anything else. He would therefore vote against the second reading of the Bill. Sir R. INGLIS said that polling-places were not more dis tant from each other than a mile in towns and cities, and were within the radius of a circle extending six miles in counties, and he therefore did not see that the Bill was necessary. Mr. B. ESCOTT said he would vote fur the second reading of the Bill, for, in his opinion, mal- practices took - place most on:the second day 'of polling. The Hon. Member for Middlesex thought otherwise, for the purity of his elec tion—( Hear, hear)—no doubt led him to that opinion. But he had had some experiences, in country elections, and the evening between the first and second day .vas a very tempting. opportunity to those who hung round the booths, and who had probably promised their votes to one party, yet gave them to the other. Colonel SIBTHORP said he had a vote for five counties, and that he would be sorry to see the day when the free circulation of money at elections would be checked. Lord G. BENTINCK said the Hon. Member for Win chester had spoken of the conduct of those who promised one thing, yet did another. He cordially concurred with the Honourable Member in his reprobation of such persons, and he hoped he would apply those principles to his own conduct, and that he would recollect, at the next discussion on the corn-laws, that he promised the electors of Winchester one thing, and that he would not do another. In conclusion, he would support the amend ment of the Honourable and Gallant Gentleman. The Hon. Gentleman the Member for Durham had argued upon the ill effects of the old system, but it must be remem bered that there was a wide difference between the poll being open for fifteen days and only for two. He had the right of voting in three counties, and as he did not wish to be. - dis franchised, he should vote against the Bill. Mr. B. ESCOTT wished the Noble Lord before making observations relative to the opinions and wishes of his (Mr. Escott's) constituents would convince himself that his in formation on the subject could be relied upon. Had the Noble Lord been with him last week, he would have gleaned more accurate information than the Noble Lord had appeared to be in possession of. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the Second Reading. Against it 55 Majority against it RAILWAY DEPOSITS BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. COMMONS INCLOSURE BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and he House adjourned at six o'clock. PRESENTATION OF THE DUN COMBE TESTIMONIAL. The Honourable Member for Finsbury having fixed Satur day evening for receiving the above tribute of a people's gratitude, a deputation from the Central Committee, accom panied by Mr. Syme, the secretary, waited upon Mr. Dun combe at his chambers in the Albany, and having been received with his usual kindness, Mr. SvslE rose and said, Sir,—We have been appointed by the Testimonial Central Committee to transfer to you the result of their grateful efforts, and as they have prepared and furnished us with an address to be presented to you oik this occasion, I think that any preliminary observations of mine will be quite unnecessary. The very able address was then read ; the following is the concluding paragraph "In conclusion, Sir, we beg to assure you that this testi monial is presented by us in the truthful and manly spirit, so beautifully expressed of ' our own order,' by Robt. Nicoll : • An offering to the shrine of power Our hands shall never bring— A garland on the car of pomp Our hands shall never fling. Applauding in the conqueror's path Our voices ne'er shall be ; But we have hearts to honour those Who bade the world go free.'" Mr. DUNCO3IBE then said—Mr. Syme and Gentlemen, is impossible for me to accept this generous tribute of your gratitude without mixed feelings of pride and sorrow. Pride, that my humble exertions en behalf of my industrious fellow-countrymen should be deemed worthy of national approval; and sorrow, that exposure of wrong and asser tion of right should be otherwise distinguished than as acts of justice, which the trustees of the unenfranchised people are solemnly bound to perform towards those for whom they hold the trust. Whatever thanks are due to me for the poor services which entitle me to your gratitude, the labouring classes fully and honourably participate in that reward, inasmuch as their co-operation cheerfully yielded, and without which my best exertions would have been vain and impotent, has at all times and upon all occasions nerved me for the struggle, and emboldened me to persevere in my resistance to the aggressions of their oppressors. The in trinsic value of your splendid testimonial consists in the deep and lasting impression which it is calculated to stamp upon the minds of all thinking men, that Englishmen, who are grateful for acts of justice, arc not likely to violate its laws, and may be, therefore, safely entreated with a fair participation in making and administering them ; and I sin cerely trust that the day is not far distant when acts of simple justice for the labouring classes will constitute the rule and not the exception of representation ; and none will more cheerfully hail the happy advent than myself, being con vinced that the first step towards the perfect freedom of our country is, the recognition of the principle that those whose valour in arms—whose skill in manufactures—whose science in mechanism—whose calm endurance under great suffering and privation—whose success in the art of converting our national resources into wealth, in the enjoyment of which they have not, in my opinion, their fair and legitimate pro portion, may be safely and honourably entrusted with the power of making laws for the further development of their national resources, and with the view to their more equitable distribution. My friends, it is not improbable that your services may be shortly courted by the two great parties now contending fur political ascendancy, and when, if still esteemed worthy of your confidence, I may, as one of your representatives, be called upon to assume a position without reference to the speculative interest of either ; and if such course should subject us to a more severe trial, and a more searching ordeal than in our previous struggles we have undergone, relying upon a continuance of your co-operation, be assured 1 shall not flinch from my share of the trouble, the responsibility, or the danger, which the assertion of your rights and the advocacy of your cause may impose.—(Cheers.) My friends, while I deplore the cause you assign for the inability of some of your order to participate to your flattering offer, I regret that you should have deemed any explanation necessary to enhance its value. This emblem of my countrymen's confidence, ge nerosity, and gratitude, I recognise as the embodiment of the feeling of the industrious classes, and a testimonial of their undivided approval of my conduct; as such I accept it, and in accepting it at your bands, the fulnesi of expression is inadequate to communicate my thanks to the industrious donors, and in commemoration of whose confidence I shall preserve it, treasure it, and esteem it as long as life remains; and when I am no more, and when it shall have passed into other hands, I trust that it may inspire its future possessor with the same pride that I now feel in accepting it, as a token of my countrymen's confidence, affection, and gene rosity. o h f i a t h h i e y d e l e a p t n e t d a t w i o i n th be t i h n e g p a l t ea a s n an e t n d t e , they rm inat bowed and rr h r e et d ir u e l d y , their grateful labours. COURT OF ALDERMEN. Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch of business. THE CITY PRISONS. Alderman SIDNEY said it had been stated in a former Court, that the Lord Mayor had received a communica tion from the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, calling the attention of his Lordship to the report of the inspectors of gaols, regarding the condition of the City gaols. He wished to be informed whether any answer had been sent to that communication ? The LORD MAYOR said that no other answer had been returned than the verbal answer given by himself to Sir James Graham, to the effect that the Committee had agreed to recommend that a new gall should be erectiod instead of the Giltspur-street Compter, and that no doubt that recommendation would be carried out. Alderman SIDNEY observed that certainly no motion to the effect of building a new gaol had been carried in the Court of Aldermen. The LORD MAYOR—I merely spoke of the Committee. Upon the motion for votes of thanks to the Bishop of St. David and the Rev. Charles Farebrother, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, for the Spital sermons preached on Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday, at St. Bride's Church and Christchurch, Sir PETER LAURIE, who seconded the motion, said ho could not help expressing much satisfa c ti on at the sermon preached at St. Paul's on Sunday last before the Judges, by Archdeacon Hale, Micn the Venerable Archdeacon denounced the mummeries which had re cently been introduced into the Church service, and recommended a strict adherence to the good old customs. The propositions were carried unanimously. THE ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE THE KING OF THE FP.ENCH. Alderman FAREBROTHER rose, and said he knew that there was not a man in the Court who did not feel most strongly upon the late atrocious attempt to assassi nate the King of the French.—(Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") It was impossible to contemph.te the escape his Majesty had had without the highest satisfaction, and he could not allow an opportunity to pass without express ing the sentiments of the Court upon the providential deliverance of that most excellent and illustrious monarch, whose loss would not only have been severely felt by France itself, but by every part of civilised Europe.—(Cheers.) All knew the regard which our own moat gracious Sovereign entertained for the King of PFI SUN ) LONDON, WEDNESDAY . _ EVENING, APRIL 22, 1846. the French—an additional motive for declaring the sense which her Majesty's subjects had, in common with the population of France, of the providential escape of the King.—(Cheers.) He wished to see the feeling perre• tuated, and he considered that the Court ought at once to express their great regret that any one could be found in his Majesty's dominions capable of so diabolical a crime as an attempt upon the life of a sovereign so de serving of the love and respect of his people, as well as of the admiration of every civilised nation.—(Cheers.) A member here asked whether there was any prece dent for such a proceeding as the one suggested ? Alderman FAREBRoTHER said it did not signify whether there existed any precedent or not.— (Hear.) It was quite impossible for a moment to think of the warm reception which the King of the French gave to the Corporation upon the occasion of his Majesty's visit to Queen Victoria, or to the members of that Court at St. Cloud, with any feelings but those of the deepest ve neration and gratitude. Mr. Alderman Farebrother then moved that an address be presented to the King of the French, congratulating his Majesty upon his late happy deliverance from the hand of an assassin. Sir P. LAURIE seconded the motion. The King of the French had derived as much gratification from the ad dress present( d to him by the Corporation of London as from any circumstarce connected with his Majesty's vist to this country. The escape of his Majesty was an incident of a most providential character. He seemed to have a charmed life—a li 4 e protected by an inscrutable arrangement for the benefit of his own great country, and fur the service of the whole European community. — (Hear.) No man, in fact, had been so frequently attacked or so wonderfully preserved. Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL said he had no doubt that the other Court would adopt similar proceedings at the next meeting, and both Courts would agree and co-op perate. Formerly there used to start up an injurious Jealousy between the Court of Aldermen end Court of Common Council, but that sort of fe, hog he rejoiced to say no longer existed.—(Hear, hear.) Sir GEORE CARRoLL said that Alderman Farebrcther had anticipated him in moving the address to his most. gracious Majesty the King of the French. It wa s im possible that any man conld be better entitled than he (Sir G. Carroll) to join in a vote of congratulation to the illustrious Sovereign, for he was one of those mem bers of the Court who had been treated in so distin guished a manner by his Majesty at the palace of St. Cloud, where the King entertained them, together with the members of the Royal Family with the greatest respect and attention.—(Cheers.) Alderman CHALLIS hoped the address would not be ' one of a cold and formal character, hut would appear as if it came warm from the heart, and filled with generous and grateful sentiments.—(Hear. hear.) Ile wished it ' to be communicated to the French people that anything affecting their interests was an object of interest to this country.—(Cheers.) Alderman H. Humus suggested that the address should be one of condolence as well as congratulation, as the King, when attacked, was surrounded by his family, whose terror must have been g reatly excited by the event, and with whom it wou ld be proper for the Court to sympathise. He thought the sympathy of the Court should certainly be embodied in the address.— : (Hear, hear.) The less formal and the more hearty and unconstrained the address would be the better. The suggestion of embodying the sympathy of the Court in the address was adopted by generally expressed consent. After a few words from Alderman Wood, Alderman Iluniphery, ai.d Alderman Sydney-, who agreed in every sentiment which had been uttered in praise of the King of t'.e French, the address was unanimously carried, and amidst loud cheers. The Court then adjourned. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. WESTMINSTER. On Monday afternoon Sergeant Brennan, of the G divi sion, accompanied by two of his men, apprehended John Morris, a notorious character in the vicinity of Duck-lane, in the act of coining. He was handcuffed, and the officers were about removing him, when they were suddenly at tacked by a formidable gang, said to be upwards of fifty in number, who beat the police off and rescued the prisoner, made his escape in the handcuffs, the sergeant being severely wounded in the head, besides which his men received other severe injuries. Encouraged by their success on this occa sion, and obviously with a desire to intimidate the officers from visiting the courts and alleys in this neighbourhood, where robberies with violence are nightly committed, the thieves determined upon another attack upon the constables and carried it into effect, but fortunately with a result the reverse of that they had anticipated, five of them being captured. The names of the accused were John Davison, Robert Lawrence, John Wright, Richard Morris, John Smith. They were ragged fellows, and all well-known thieves. The circumstances of the case, as detailed in reference to the last attack, are briefly these :—Police-constaWe John Rounds, 210 B, was on duty at two o'clock yesterday morn ing in Orchard-street, when, as he passed a soup shop, Davison, who was standing on the threshold of the door, suddenly, and without a word having been said on either side, or anything having occurred to justify such an act, came behind him and struck him a violent blow on the jaw, which dislocated it, with a lancewood bludgeon, resembling in appearance the spoke of a gig wheel. The fellow attempted to follow up his blow with a second, but the constable receded a few steps, when Lawrence suddenly made his appearance, but on the constable springing his rattle, and other officers appearing iu sight, the fellows ran off. The police pursued them down Duck-lane, and into New-court, where the defendants, from the windows of a house there, attacked them with bricks and missiles of every description, a female holding a light out in order that their operations might be carried on with better effect. The officers, who were repeatedly struck, entered the house and captured Lawrence, Wright, Morris, and Smith, who used langtraxe of the most threatening de scription, and called out for ,pistols. After the officers had secured them, they returned to,the house in quest of Davison, 1 whom they heard, as they a ended the stairs, th r ow some heavy piece of wood down, an found him in a room with s four bludgeons of the same f inidable character as we have described. Davison made gre t resistance, wished he had a knife or pistol, or some suet' thing, and added, that "he should like to serve them as fie had done Brennan" (the ser geant of the G division). Mr. Barfoot, an Inspector of the B division, asked for a remand, in order that tte sergeant and constables who had been attacked in the morning might attend, as he had no doubt some of the accused were engaged in it. Mr. BOND thought there could be but little doubt about that, especially as regarded Davison, by what had fallen from his own lips. The whole of the prisoners pretended th a t th ey k new nothing about the charge against them. Mr. BOND observed that it was too serious a case for him to deal with .summarily. He should remand them for a week. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. MANCHESTER, Aram 21. Eirecx ExcnAtrox.-The sales are-Bideford and Tavistock, 20s. 6d. dis.- Birkenhead, Chester, Mold, &c., 114 dis.-Birkenhead and Holyhead Juactien, 225. dis.-Blackburn, Chorley, and Liverpool, 1% dis.- Blackburn, ciithere,e, and North Wales, 114 dis.- Boston, Newark, and iikeffield, 134 dis. c.- Chelmsford and B ur y, 15 s . 6d. dis. -Derby and Crewe, 134 p.--Eastern Counties, 2214-E as t Lan cashire, Ne. 1, 114 p. e.-Ditto, No. 2, % P.-E ssex an d S u ff olk, k die.-Glasgow and Dumfries, 34 dis. - Grand Union, X dis.-Hud dersfield, Halifax, and Bideford , 1 p. - Reudal and Windermere, '4 y, and Manchester, 1N d is.- p._ Le L ed iy s e a r n poo d T 1 h a i t r i s d k ß , Gurdyi, 6 s.-uLeeds,LDiveewirptul, Ormskirk, and Pres r Welsh Junction, 15-16 dis.- ton,Els. 9d. p.-London and Manchester (Remington's), 1X dis.- London and York, 1 dis.-Manchester , Buxton, and Matlock, Is. dis. (C), GX p.-Manchester and ni. r i, -Manchester igh and arac 11 . 1 rttin, Continuation t h i r n , Quarters aud Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, Bs. Gd. dis.-Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 8% p.- Ditto, Extension, 1% p. - Manchester and Southampton, % uls.-Northumberland and Lancashire, its. Gd. dis,-North Staffordshire, 1X P. -Preston and Wyre, 34%-Ditto, dittl, Halves (II), 13-16 p.-Preston and Wyre Extension, 4 dis.- Sheffield, Leek, and Crewe, 14s. 6d. c. dig.-- r.hetlield and Manches ter, Quarters (No. 2), par--Ditto, ditto (No. 3), par-Shropshire • Union, 1% dls. c.-South Midland, % dig.- South Eastern and Dover, Halves (No. 4), Bs. Gd. dis.-West Riding Union, 265. p. - White haven and Furness, 3% dis. LEEDS, Aram 21. STOCK Excnixox. —The sales are—Manchester and Birmingham, New Quarters (II), S p.—Sheffield and Manchester, No. 3, 39. p.— Great Grimsby and Sheffield, Quarter Shares 7s. 6d. dis.—lludders • field and Manchester, 1% dis.—lluddersfield and Sheffield, 23( p.— Leeds and Bradford, 243 c.—Leeds and Dewsbury, 265. p.—Leeds and Thirsk. New, 555. dis.—North British, 5% p.—Oxford, Worces ter, and Wolverhampton, 5 dis —Wilts. Somerset, and Weymouth, 214 dis.—Amhergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 275. dis.--- Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 275. Gd. dis. —Birkenhead, Chester, Mold, &c., 275. 6d. dis.—Bradford, Wakefield, and Midland, 219. dis.—Bucking hamshire (late:Rugby), 17e. Gd dis.—Glasgow and Dumfries, 17s. dis. —Leeds and York, 245. dis.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 13s. dis.—Leicester and Bedford, 16s. dis.—Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 7s. p.—London and York, 22s.Gd. dis.—Manchester, Bux ton, Matlock, and Midland, 28. dis.—Northumberland and Lanca shire Junction, 189. dis.—North Staffordshire, 11. 18s. p.—North Western, Bs. cils.—Welsh Midlands, 255. dis.—West Riding Union, 31. Bs. - HULL, APRIL 21 STOCK ExcEtANGE.—North British (Carlisle), Mull and Barnsley, Leicester and Tamworth, and Direct Manchester (Remington's), have been in good demand to-day; in other scrip little doing. The sales are—Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton, 23l —North British, Car lisle, 345. Gd —Direct Northern, 245. 6d.—Great North and South Wales and Worcester, 10s. 6d.—hull and I3arusley Junction, 225. 9d. —Leicester mid Tamworth, COs. 6d.— London and Manchester (Rem ington's), 1113.—Nottingham and Mansfield, 235.—South Midland, —Teen and Dove Valley, 15s.—West Riding Union, 31. 6s. 3,l.—York shire and Glasgow Union, 225. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, aiirittL 21. STOCK EXCIIINGE.—The sales are—Durham and Sunderland, 21% —Lancashire and North Yorkshire 1 die. —Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, Gs. p.—Northumberland and Lancaster, 195. dis.—Rugby and Iluutingdon, 165. dis. SHEFFIELD, Aram 21. STOCK Excnattox.—The sales are—Grimsby and Sheffield, 5* — Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 1/ 7s.—North Western, 13s.—Shef field and Llneohishlre, 11. SToca EzellArrat.- YORK, APRIL 21. ' The sales are-Grand Union ("Nottingham to Lynn), 10s.-Leicester, Tantworth, Coventry, Birmingham , and Trent Valley Jun ct i on, 1-London and York, Berwick, 173 4 - Newcastle and Darlington, Brandling, 43 % -North British, Carlisle Extension, 11. 14s. 6d.-Welsh Midland, 11. 35.- York and North Midland, New (East and West Riding), 8 34 • EDINBURGH, Arum IS. .-- - .77:-.11 ••=7.::= STOCIC EXCIIANGZ.-The sales are Aberdeen, 42 . 3,-Banffshire, las. 6 d.-British and Irish Union, 393.- Caledonian,- 111. 55.-Ditto, Union, 265.-Glasgow, 11. 95.-Newcastle and New, 2a.. 64 . -East Indian Railway, Bs.- Edinburgh and Glasgcw, 7 2 1.-Ediaburgh and Northern, Et ls. Ditto, Newport, Bs. 6d.-Ditto. Loeligelly, 133.-Edinburgh and Perth, 453.-Glasgow and Belfast Lothians, 455.-North British, Extension to Carlisle, 3434-Stirling Airdrie and Coatbritige, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 325. 6d.-Lanark and and Dunfermline, 295. Gd.-Wishaw and Coltness, 7s. 6d. GLASGOW, APRIL 20. SToca EXCUANGE.-The sales are-Airdrie and Bathgato, 405.- Weir, Vs.-British and Irish Union, 405.-Caledonian, 10;4--Ditto, 5/.-Ayr and GallowaY, New, 278. Gd.-Calcdonian Extension, 285.-Caledonian and sDum bartonshire Junction, 2Gs. 6d.-Caledonian Direct Northern, 3 • ~!, . -Cornwall and Devon Central , 305.--Bridge of 295.-East Indian Railway, Bs. 6 61 -Edinburgh and Glasgow, 721.-Forth and Clyde Junction, 33 5. -Glasgow General 'rennin:al, 91.-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 255. Gd•-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 355. -Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, ur. --8. 6d.-Great North and South Wales, lis.-Inverness and Eight, 215.-Lanark and Lothians, 40s. 6t1.-Lestnahagow, 4 03. Ga.-Perth and Crieff, 323. 64.1.-Scottish 341diand Junction, 61.- Scottish southern, 355.-Scottish Central and Caledonian Juliet' ai, 225. 61.-South Midland, and D ufermline, 295. 6d. 3 55 , -St irling u THE AIETROPOLITAN EMI INSTITIJTVN• The an mud subs cription ball. the p re fi ts of which are g iven to the funds which support th e objects of this institntion, which is situated i n Sac kville - street, Piccadhly, took place last e vening In her Majesty's Concert-rooms, Hanover-square. The arrangements under the stewards were on th e usual scale of liberality with wh i ch b a ll s o f this charitable c l ass are distinguished. Refreshment , ' joyous and beDevolentretiPs 1411° Were pro vided hi one of the apartments, whilst dancing was carried on in the large room of the establishment, to the music of the band of M. Jullien, whop services were afforded gratuitously on the occasion. &c., were The band played Eat The most fashionable tunes introduced by the well-known leader— , welt;cs, rmadrilles, polkas, galopades, in all varieties ' D4n ulug . was kept up With greet spirit for many hours by the numerous was it till a very late hour that any of the Vig'tore thought of re tiring. The funds of the inslitutionwill no doubt receive consider able aid from this re-union of its friends and supporters, and ex tended relief will iu consequence be afforded to many suffering present, nor patient.. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. fIOUSE OF LORDS, April 21. Their Lordships met at the usual hour. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. The Bishop of DURHAM presented a petition from Durham against this Bill. 'IHE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH MILDAND RAILWAY. The RIGHT REV. PRELATE drew the attention of their Lordships to the la'e accident on the Brandling Junc tion Railway, on which occasion an engine drawing one of the trains ran off the line, down the embankment, and injured several persons, one woman severely. He therefore wished to ask the Noble Lord, the President of the Board of Trade, whether steps had been taken to prevent persons living immediately contiguous to a railway from receiving injury, or losing their lives by such accidents ; and whether his attention had been called to the particular subject of the accident by the receipt of any report with respect to it ? The Earl of DALHOUSIE said an officer connected with the Board of Trade had been dispatched to investigate the cause of the accident to which the Right Rev. Pre late had referred, and whether it was possible to trace the cause of it. The report of this office a had not yet beer► rec , ived, but be expected it every hour. When he re ceived it he would lay it on the table of the House, ac cording to custom. The Bishop of DURHAM said nothing could be more satisfactory than the explanation of the Noble Lord. THE REFORMATION OF CRIMINALS. Lord CA MPBELL presented a petition from the Lord Provost and citizens of Edinburgh, praying that steps might be taken to reform crimina!s on their liberation from prison, in order that they might become good and useful members of society. SELLING SPIRITS ON THE SABBATH. The NOBLE and LEARNED LORD also presented a number of petitions from various parts of Scotland against the sale of spirituous liquors on the Lord's-day. Messengers brought up several Bills from the House of Commons, and pray ing their Lordships' concurrence to the same. CHARITY TRUSTS BILL. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition, numerously signed, praying their Lordships not to sanction the Bill introduced by his Noble Friend (the Lord Chancellor). The Noble Lord did not, however, concur in the opinions expressed by the petitioners, that the passing of the pro posed Bill would prove detrimental to the interests of voluntary societies. THE DISSOLUTION OF RAILWAYS. The Earl of DALHOUSIE rose to give notice that, in pursuance of the announcement made by her Majesty's Government respecting railways, he would, on Thursday next, submit the Bill to the House; that next day he would draw their attention to a sessional order he in tended to propose applicable to all railway companies, to which the order of postponement to the 27th of April referred. With this intimation, he would now move that all proceedings of that House on Railway Bills be post poned till the 27th instant.—Agreed to. Their Lordships then adjourned till Thursday next. HOUSE OF COMMOIVS, April 21. The SPEAKER took the chair at Four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. Lord MILTON took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Maldon, in the room of Mr. Childers, who has accepted the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. Mr. Rion also took the oaths and his seat fur Rich mond in the room of Mr. Ridley Colborne. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time and or dered to be committed, viz. :—Worcester Gas, Sheffield General Cemetery, Belfast Improvement, Belfast Con sumers' Gas, Dublin Cemeteries, Dublin Markets, Sion College, Queensferry Passage, Liverpool Water, Liverpool raving, Sewering, and Watering ; Metropolitan Sewage Manure Company, Wolverhampton Stipendiary Justice, Frilford (Berks) Inclosure, Graves end and Milton Waterworks, Tunbridge Wells Improve ment, Wath upon Dearne Improvement, Newport and Pille,weully Waterworks, Lcith Petty Customs. THIRD READINGS. • The following Bills were read a third time and passed, viz.:—Liverpool Docks, Glasgow Waterworks, Dundee New Gas (Amendments to he proposed), Upwell-cum- Welney Rector), Royal Asylum of St. Anne's Society. MITCHAM AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. Mr. GREENE moved that the Mitcham and South Western Railway Bill (of which notice of report was given for Thursday, the Bth day of April) be reported, notwithstanding the resolution of the House, of the 7th day of April. The Hon. Gentleman also moved that the order referring the Derby, Gainsborough, and Great Grimsby Junction Railway Bill, to the Committee of Selection, be now read, and discharged. The Bill was withdrawn. CORN-LAWS. Sir JOHN HANMER presented a petition froth the Town Council of Hull against the delay in passing the Corn Bill ; also a petition from Hull, in favour of temperance. RATING OF TENEMENTS. An lbs. MEMBER gave notice, that on a future day, he should move for leave to introduce a Bill to rate 5L tenements in the name of the occupier, instead of the landlord. Mr. DUNCAN presented a petition from the magis trates, town council, and merchants of Dundee, com plaining of the delay which had taken place in passing the Government measure for the removal of the re strictions on trade and commerce, and praying her Ma jesty's Ministers to expedite the passing of it into a law. Dr. BO\VRING presented a petition from the Catholic clergymen and inhabitants of the city of Exeter in favour of the Bill for the removal of the disabilities affecting persons who profess the Roman Catholic re ligion. Mr. B. ESCOTT presented a petition from a place in Wiltshire in favour of the Catholic Relief Bill. PAYMENT OF GREENWICH PENSIONERS. Captain LAYARD presented a petition from the pen. sioners of Greenwich Hospital, complaining of the re. cent alterations in the mode of paying their pensions. RAILWAY BILLS. Mr. MARK PHILIPS presented a petition from the Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, praying the House to suspend for the present any further legislation upon railway Bills. Sir R. H. INGLIS presented a petition signed by the ministers of Salop against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor. Mr. BANKES presented a petition in favour of the Catholic Relief Bill. NOTICES OF MOTION. Dr. BOWRING gave notice of his intention, this day fortnight, to call the attention of the House to the ne cessity of reforming the existing quarantine laws. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Sir 11. PEEL—I beg to give notice that, on Thurs day next, at the time of private business, I shall call the attention of the House to the state of railway legislation, and to the number of railway Bills before us. At the same time I shall propose a sessional order, .the effect of which will be that the House will resolve that it will not give its consent to the third reading of any railway Bill unless it shall be notified to the House previously that a meeting of share hold( rs and scripholders of the Company who promote the Bill, convened after due notice, had been held, at which a certain proportion of the parties had signified their desire that the Bill should be proceeded with.— (Cheers.) I will simply lay at present upon the table of the House the whole of the resolutions I shall move on Thursday, so that the House may be in full possession on that day of the nature and effect of my proposal. ABSENTEE TAX (IRELAND). Mr. S. O'BRIEN gave notice thathe would, on Thurs day next, move that it is expedient to tax absentees, cs some compensation for non-residence. EVICTION OF TLNANTS. Mr. S. CRAWFORD gave notice that - he would, on Tuesday next, move fur leave to bring in a Bill for the protection of ejected tenants in Ireland. VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. Mr. EWART gare notice that be would, on this day fortnight (Tuesday), move for a Committee to inquire into the state of Van Diemen's Land. Mr. H. BERKELEY called the attention of the House to a paragraph which had recently appeared in the Times, with respect to the uttering of base coin on unfortunate females. He wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet whether it was the determination of her Ma jeity's Government to put the law in abeyance with re• spect to the uttering of base coin, when passed upon unfortunate temales, and if so, whether it was their in• tention to carry out the principle in all other details? Sir G. CLERK said, that having seen the statement in the newspapers to which the Hon. Gentleman had re ferred, he had thought it his duty to make inquiry into the F übject, and he was informed that no such rcgu!ation as that to which reference had been made ever existed. The statement in the Times, therefore, had arisen out of some mistake. That statement also attracted the atten tion of the Attorney-General, and he also had made inquiries, and with the same result as that which had at tended the inquiries made by him (Sir G. Clerk). IRISH COLLEGES. Mr. E. B. ROCHE said that under the Colleges (Ireland) Bill, passed last session, Cork was fixed upon as a proper place for a public college to be built. Now, although the Bill had been passed twelve months, yet no step had apparently yet been taken for carrying out the provisions of the measure; even the sites for the colleges had not yet been fixed. He wished to ask the Right Ron. Baronet whether the Go vernment really intended to carry out the law that was passed last session, and if so, why so much delay had oc curred, at a time when 30,000 persons were out of em plop:tient in Cork He wished to know whether the Government intended to carry out the Bill, or whether they had come round to the opinion that these colleges would he infidel institutions ? Sir J. GRAHAM said, that so far from any neglect having taken place on the part of the Government, with respect to procek dings with the Irish Colleges, the pre sident and vice-prestch nt had been appointed, the site of one cf the colleges at Belfast had been fixed upon, and, in a few days, the site of the one at Cork would be chosen. IRISH CORPORATIONS. Mr. O'CONNELL wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to abolish the minor guilds in Dublin ? Sir J. GRAHAM said, that although he had not been prepared for the question of the Hon. and L earne d Member for Cork, he was yet enabled in some degree to answer his inquiry: The lion. and Learned Member was doubtless aware that, with respect to Scotland, a Bill was prepared for the purpose of abolishing the ex clusive rights of which tho Hon. and Learned Member complained. The same evils had been found to exist in Ireland, and a deputation some short time ago waited on the Lord-Lieutenant and represented the great hardships which had arisen under the course of legislation with re sp+ ct to minor guilds, and they prayed that such guild s might be abolished. A promise had been made, which had been already so far carried into effect that a Bill was prepared for the remedying of the grievance, and which would iu two or three days from that time be introdaced before the House. ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE IN IRELAND. Mr. WYSE would wish to put a question to the Right Hon. Baronet which was in some degree connected with the previous questions from the Hon. and Learned Mem ber for Cork. He wished to know whether any measures had been taken for the encouragement of public compe tition with respect to the plans for bui`ding the public colleges, thus giving an impetus to the fine arts and the architecture 't Ireland ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the answer might have more properly come from his Right Hon. Fri, rid, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was more compe tent to reply to the question than he was. He believed, however, that the site of only one or the colleges had been determined upon, and in this case the architect bad been appointed. THE HEROES OF THE PUNJAUB. Mr. BAILLIE said that as a vote of public money had been proposed by Government for the purpose of erect ing a monument to the memory of Sir Robert Sale, he wished to know whether it was intended to grant a situ' lar tribute to another officer of superior rank, who had equally distinguished himself in Affghanistan, and who had also fallen in the late successful campaign—he meant the late Major• General Sir John M'Caskill ? Sir R. PEEL said, I beg to state that, cowidering the services, the high character, and the circumstances attending the death of Sir John M•Caskill, it is my intention to propose that the same tribute of respect be paid to that lamented officer that the Government has already submitted to the House in the case of Sir Robert Sale. OUTRAGES IN THE TOWN OF CARRICK-ON- SUIR. Mr. WYSE said that he collected from the public papers, that on Wednesday last, outrages of a terrific character had taken place in the town of Carrick-on- Suir, and that the military were obliged to be called out. Apprehensions were entertained at Waterford that they would be subjected to the same excesses. He believed that these riots had been of a very serious character, and he was happy to say that, from what he had understood, the memlie - rs of the C-..tthulie Church had been most peaceable. lie had been also infurmed that serious apprehensions were entertained by the members of that Church of the pernicious results that were likely to arise from them, and he wished to know the intentions of her Majesty's Government. Sir J. GRAHAM said that from sources that were open to all Hon. Members were aware that very serious riots had occurred in Tipperary, but he was happy to say that from information which had been received by the Government during the last week these disturbances had been entirely suppressed, and that measures had been taken to prevent their recurrence. IRISH COLLEGES BILL. Mr. J. O'CONNELL wished to know from the Bight Hon. Baronet opposite whether there was any objection on the part of the Government to bring in any measure during the present session to amend the Bill for the founding of colleges in Ireland, which was passed last year? To that Bill there were the strongest objec tions in the country, and he wished therefore to ask him whether he was inclined to take the whole case into con sideration, and thus to satisfy the feelings of the nation. The Right Honourable Baronet was aware that the whole of the Catholic prelates, an overwhelming body of the Catholic clergy, and the whole of the Irish peo• ple, almost without exception, were opposed to the Bil as it now stood. Sir J. GRAHAM—There is no intention on the par of the Government to introduce any alteration of tha Bill. IRISH COUNTY ELECTIONS. Mr. F. FRENCH wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet whether there was any intention on the part of the Government to introduce any Bill for shortening county elections in Ireland. Sir J. GRAHAM—It has &ready been stated in the course of the present session that her Mljesty's Govern ment intended to introduce a Bill for amending the Act which regulated county elections in Ireland. The Bill was already prepared. SIR ROBERT DICK. Sir DE LACY EVANS hefiered that the Government Punjaub were:aware that Sir R. Dick.had fallen in the campaign, as wQII es the other officers whose memory it was the intention of Parliament :,to honour, and ht wished to know whether this gallant officer was to be remembered along with them? Sir R. PEEL—In the course of the several conversa tions which have arisen on the Punjaub campaign, I have stated that it is my intention to recommend the same memorials should be erected to all the officers en joying the rank of Major-General, and I shall there fore deem it my duty to recommend the same tribute of respect to Sir R. Dick as to the other gallant officers who have fallen in this contest. CANADA TIMBER. Lord G. BENTINCK said that he rose to ask for an explanation of a false return which had been made to that House. He had had the honour of moving for a return of the prices of Canada and bevelled timber during the last seven years, he made the motion for that return the last week in January, or the first week in February ; that part of the return which appeared tohim to be false is dated from the Landed Surveyor's-office en Feb. 13, and it was consequently on the 13th of Feb. that the return must have been made before the Board of Trade. That return was not presented to the House until the Ist of April.—(Hear hear.) The object of his moving fur the return was to throw some light on the debate which was then going forward on the timber duties. The return! which had be,qi made to the House had given the following as the prices of bevelled timber. It stated that the prices in 1840, were from Si. ss. to Si. 10s. per load, duty paid In 1841, it stated the prices were from 51. ss. to 51. 7s. 6d. In 1842, the prices were stated to be from 41. 17s. 61 to Si. per load. He begged pardon of the House, he had been giving what he believed to be the real prices of timber during the periods he had mentioned, and not the returns furnished by the Government. The following were the returns presented by the Ministers ;—ln 1840, the price per load of be velled timber duty paid was said to vary from 81. to 81. ss. ; in 1841, it was said to vary from 71. 15s. to 81, and in 1842, from 71. 15s. to 81., the duty being 555. per load. The average of the three years he had mentioned, by referring to the returns laid on the table by her Alaje•ty's Ministers, was 81. ls. Bd. In 1842, the Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government introduced his changes w;th respect to the duties on timber, and he reduced the duty to 255. per load in 1844. The return went to state that the prices in 1842 varied from Si. ss. to 51. lOs ; in 1845, from Si. to 5/. 7s. ; and in 1846, from Si. 12s. 6d. to Si. 17s. 611., making an average of 51. 12s. GI Now, the result of the s e re- turns went to show to that House, and to the country, that the consumers had gained by the remission of 30s. duty, not only the whole amount of duty of 19s. 2d , over and above the duty, making the whole gain 495. 2d. by this reduction of 208. alone upon timber. Now he be lieved it to be the fact, so far from these returns being true, that if a true return had been made to the House, it would have been found that the prices from 1840 to 1842 were as follows :—ln 1840, 54 10s. per load ; in 1841, 51. ss. ; and in 1842, 51. se. ; showing an average of 5/. 65., the duty 555. per load, whilst in the last three years since the duty had been reduced from 655. to 303. He believed that if a true return had been made, it would have shown that the prices were 41. 53. in 1844, 41. 55. in 1845, and 4/. 12s. 6d. in 1846, showing an average price of 41. 7s. 6d., so that the consumers upon the average of three years since the duty was taken off; instead of gaining, as it was represented by the return,49s. 2d. per load, only gained about 19s. 2d., while the balance w e nt i n t o th e pcckets of the producer. Now it was a most important matter to that House that they should be able to rely on the truth and accuracy of those statistical papers which were laid before it by the Board of Trade, and on which the House founded its legislation. fie considered it a serious matter, and his first intention was to move that the subordinate officer should be called to the Bar to explain his instructions and his object in imposing upon the House. It might be all very well for gentlemen connected with the commercial inte rest to discover these false returns, and to be uninfluenced by them; but these returns passed current with the vast majority of the people and with the House, and leading articles, written by learned editors of newspapers, were founded on them, proving the grea t a d v antage to be bounden derived from free trade. He considered it therefore his false duty to explain these circumstances, and re turn had lain upon the table of the House the efor p s r e o v p e e t r i weeks, and it was not until the•lst of April and correct one had been given. Sir ROBERT PEEL said he a c rg ou u l ni d e n n o t t u fe p e o l nthe subject, but merely him self justified to enter nto state the facts. His attest tion had not been called to the error until the Noble Lord had i n timated his intentions to the Govern ment. As to the returns, though made by her Majesty's Government to the House, he was sorry to say that it was impossible for any Minister to un dertake to be responsible for their faultless accuracy. Having discovered that an error had occurred, he had ordered that a correct return should be immediately presented to the House, and it would be in possession of Hon. Members to-morrow. He bad also m a d e inquiries as to what department of the Customs the error had oecurred in, and he held in his hind a letter from the officer by whom the accuracy of the re turn was certified. The letter was to the following effect:—ln answer to your requisition, calling on me to state in what department of the Customs the error in the return on the Memel and Canadian timber arose, I regret to state that it was in the landing surveyor's department. The mis take appears to have arisen from the officer taking the average price from the price current, which is not an official document, and in which the prices are quoted, sometimes including the duty and sometimes not. He. Sir R. Peel) apprehended that there could be no doubt as to how the mistake had arisen. He could only express his regret that the mistake had occurred, but he had taken every measure to rectify it. TENANT RIGHTS IN IRELAND. Mr. P. SCROPE rose to put a question to the Right Hon. Baronet on the subject of the legality of tenant rights in the North of Ireland. There were one hun dred millions of property unprotected in the north of Ireland. The public should be made aware of the bad state of the law on this subject before they proceeded to discuss the present law of landlord and right. It should be ascertained beyond all doubt whether the outgoing tenant in Ireland had really any right to sell his good will to the property which he was about to give up, or whether the tenant was entitled to compensation from the landlord when he ejected him. That claim had been recognised in a great part of the north of Ireland for a long series of years, and to a very great extent. To such an extent, in fact, had that right been recognised that in some instances the outgoing tenant sold their good-will at five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and sometimes even more years' purchase on their rents. It had there fore become a recognised practice ; the tenant had in fact gained a sort of ownership in the soil, which he might dispose of when and as he pleased. Evidence of that right being recognised regularly in Down, Armagh. and the other counties of Ulster, was given by several witnesses bef ore L or d D i von. ut it appeared that the landlords were now invading that right of the tenants, and continued nibbling at it till they hoped they might destroy it. IF the tenants were not in fact .entitled to ,uch right., the public should have a definite answer to that effect from the Government ; and, after it had been recognised fur so long a period, he wished to know whether the landlords of Ireland had it in their power to call in the aid of the military or civil force to eject their tenarts, without giving them any compensation. There were cases in which a number of tenants; mere located on large tracts of land, and where the sheriff of the county was called upon to eject those tenants, with-- out any reference to the right that the tenant had to the sale of the good-will of his farms. The Hon. Member concludedby reading his question. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the questiore - put by the Hon. Member involved no fewer than threes other questions—namely, P. question of common policy, a question of common right, and a question of common ar.) With regard to the civil rights of the tenants in the province of Ulster in Ireland, he begged to say he believed that such a right was not recognised by the written law of the land, but by the law of usage ; and if he were asked whethir that right was rec'gnised by the Courts of Law in Ireland„ he should say he believed it was not.— (Hear„ hoar.) With regard to the law of ejectment err habare, in such cases the sheriff had no right whatever to exercise any judgment of his own, but to proceed to execute the writ ; and it was the duty of all authori ties, civil and military, on the requisition of the sheriff, to attend him and assist him in the execution of tbat writ. Therefore, if a writ of injunction, or habore,, were issued, it would be the duty of the sheriff, and or the civil and military authorities, to act as he had des— cribed. Again, he had only to say that the question, of' the Hon. Member was one of law and not of policy. THE INFERNAL MACHINE. Mr. CALEB POWELL wished to draw the attention of the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department to a statement which had appeared in a local journal, stating that a machine, which had been aptly called an "infernal machine," had been found in a warehouse in Sheffield. The mischief that had resulted was comparatively trivial, but this was nothing when compared to the fear which was engen dered in the public mind by such a state of things, and which those by whom these machines were invented, were desirous to uphold. Now if such a statement had been furnished, he wished to know whether it was in the contemplation of the Go vernment to found a Bill upon it, for the better protection of the lives of that portion of her Majesty's subjects, on whose premises such attempts had been made ?—( Laughter. ) Sir JAMES GRAHAM said he had heard by accident of the machine to which the Hon. Gentleman had adverted. He was understood to say that the Government did not intend at the present moment to introduce a Bill on the subject., prefer ring to leave the punishment of the offen,lers to the law. PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY (IRELAND). Mr. C. BULLER said he wished to call the attention of the Government to a subject in which the promotion of the busi ness of the House was involved. On the 20th of March he moved for certain returns, with respect to the outrages re ported by the constabulary of Ireland since 1941, which he had hoped would have been laid on the table of the House before this. Similar returns up to 1841 had been furnished and were now in the library of the House. He did not wish to make any disturbance about the matter—(A laugh) —but he was anxious to know when the returns moved for would be laid on the table of the House ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM, who spoke in a low tone, was un derstood to say, that the returns would be laid on the table of the House with the least possible delay. Mr. C. BULLER said, looking at the way in which the public business of that House was conducted by the Right Hon. Baronet—(Hear, hear)—he was sure no unnecessary delay would take place. Mr. J. O'CONNELL also inquired when certain returns he bad moved for with rest ect to the number of agrarian out rages in England, would be laid on the table ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM also said no unnecessary delay would take place in supplying them. The dropped orders of yesterday were then disposed of. THE CORN IMPORTATION BILL—CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. The Committee on thee two Bills was postponed till Friday neat. PROTECTION OF LIFE (IRELAND) BILL. The adjourned debate on the first reading of this Bill was postponed till Friday next:____ SUPPLY. On the motion of Mr. GREENE, the report of this Com mittee was brought up, and the resolutions agreed to. POOR-LAW COMMISSIONERS. Mr. CHRISTIE rose to move for copies of all correspond ence between William Day, Esq., late Assistant Commissioner of Poor-laws and the Poor-1..w Commissioners, and the Secre tary for the Home Departs ent, relative to his involuntary re signation of his Assistant Poor-law Commissionership; and of all Minutes relative to lklr. Day's resignation, and to the ap pointment of Colonel Wade as his successor. Also, that it be be an instruction to the Committee on the Andover Union to inquire into all the circumstances under yvhich Mr. Day was called upon to resign. In asking for these papers, he thought that he was only asking for, that which was requisite, from a reason that under the circumstances it was justand necessary for the public service, and which seems on every ground to require exelenation. He trusted that there would be HO objection made by the Government on this occasion, although he was aware that the Poor-law Commissioners had, under the Act,. the power of removing an Assistant-Commissioner; but at the, same time, he was aware that the Act of Parliament which gave the discretion also required that it should be exercised only upon due cause being shown; and he wished to know whether, in the case to which he had referred, any communication had been made to the Secretary of the Home Department? By that Act it was also required that at every meeting of the Com missioners the secretary should be present, and without him the board was not considered complete. At each of these meetings also it was required that the secretary should take a full note of the proceedings, the minutes of which should be forwarded according to the regulations of the Poor-law Amend ment Act. (The Hon. Gentleman here read the 7th section of the Act, which regulates this proceeding.) He wished tee know whether these minutes had been made, and whether they bad been submitted to the Right Hon. Baronet opposite? Mr. Day applied to the Poor-law Commissioners, and to the Right Hon. Baronet, for all the minutes relative to the call upon him fur his resignation. Reasons had been given to him —reasons which he should show presently did not at all tally with one another. He thought he might safely say that the facts and circumstances of the case fully and clearly disproved every one of the reasons which had been advanced. These reasons being totally unsatisfactory to Mr. Day, he applied to the Poor-law Commissioners to ascertain the real cause of his dismissal, but the only answer he could get from them was an evasion of the question, and from the Right Honourable Baronet an acknowledgment of his letter. He now proceed to d eta il t h e circumstances r would. Day of M's case. At the ti me w h en h e was unexpectedl re quested to send in his res i gna ti on, h e had been an As sistant Commissioner for a period of eight years. Mr. Day, long before the passing of the Poor-law Commission Act, had paid special attention to the working of the poor-law, having been for some years in the commission of the peace for the county of Sussex, and had watched its operations with great interest. At the time of the passing of the Act, Mr. Day gave to the:Commissioners the benefit of his experience, and sent them a report, the value of which they at once admitted, and which they printed and placed as a preface to their own report. Mr. Day continued to give them the benefit of his observations after the formation of the beard at Somerset House, and the sense which the Commissioners had of his assistance was proved by the fact, that when, towards the close of the year 1835, it was determined to appoint six additional commissioners, it was proposed to Mr. Day, without any soli citation on his part, that he should undertake one of those appointments thus placed at their disposal. He believed that he might say the applications for cemrnissionerships were ex tremely numerous, and out of a large number of candidates many were persons of di s ti nct i on and for the appointment, ability. Mr. Day, however, was the person selected to fill one of the six commissionerships. He did not accept the appointment without some solicitation, as he had embarked largely in farming, in Sussex, and it occurred t o hi m t h at his acceptance of the appointment would withdraw him from the pursuits in which he was engaged, and there would be nothing in the appointment to recompense him for the withdrawal. Mr. Day accepted the appointment, and from that time con tinued in the situation for eight years, during which he zea lously and faithfully discharged his duty, and received the ap probation of his superiors. During the whole of that pe r i o d h e was only absent eight weeks, and he was never subject to the slightest expression of disapprobation. The only fault—if fault it could be called—that was found with him, was Mr. Lewis requesting him in his communications to write his cha racters larger. The eight weeks absence arose from an acci dent which M r. Daymeek. on the Bth of September tswithinAugust,le43,bywhhieehhe was laid up fo r five we re sumed his duty, and be continued improving in health an d strength, and had almost forgotten the accident, when he was reminded of it about five months after it took place by receiving a communication from the Poor-law Commissio ners. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman here read the letter which Mr. Day received, which was to the effect that the condition of the dlaiwstrcicotinhamdisbseioennebrs7augndhtthuenydewretrheescaotinssfiieddertahtiaotnanof active the o A o s r . - sistant Commissioner was necessary and inslivensable. On this account, from the accident that had occured un the 19(h August, and as they were precluded from appointing any supernumerary, tt oiotnhe necessary conclusion t otheyttbh t he due tdwubeeer fulfilment fiirl under De n t a h tyo e )f p tc a ho i eu n dl f d u u necessityl tnieost o f maketh e of fi ce,o t he f co e m ae i coming g d. suggested his resignation. This was signed by Mr. Nicholls. Mr Day did not resume his duties till the 25th September, but he had reason to suppose that the Poor-law Commis sioners believed that he had recovered from the effects of his accid en t b e f ore that time, for he had a letter from a Mr. Lewis of a previous date, stating that he was glad that he was able to resume his duties, although he would still, no doubt, feel the effects of the accident for some time to come. Mr. Day replied to the communication from Mr. Nicholls, and stated, that as far as his bodily health was concerned, he was as well as ever, but he was convinced that had lie asked leave for a quarter be should have been well much sooner; but he added, that, under the circumstances, he could not think of asking leave for such a period. Mr. Day got no answer to the letters which he forwarded to the Poor -law Commissioners, further than expressions of sin cere regret that they were compelled, from a s nse of duty, to abstain from giving the reasons of his dismissal. Sentiments of such regret were certainly lavishly used, and they disclaimed all intention to injure him, and all absence of personal feeling in the matter. . '1 he Commissioners had received evidence against Mr. Day with closed doors, and that gentleman had no opportunity of ascertaining the grounds of his dismissal. He had from time to time written to there, praying and beseech ing them to reveal to him those reasons, but he had not, up to the present moment received any such information. Now ho (Mr. Christie) considered it a painful injustice that an old and long-tried officer, Mr. Day, should be treated as he had. Mr. Day wrote to Mr. Lewis, asking him to give him the rea sons of his dismissal, to which Mr. Day received an answer, but the writ er scrupulously abstained from giving any reasons for his dismissal. The writer of the letter wrote another to the Chairman of the South Wales Union, and received an an • Inver, in which the writer declared that he had never heard his name mentioned before Sir James Graham, sq that tpig point that Mr. Day's dismissal had not been owing to any re. presentation that had been made to the South Wales Com missioners. When Mr. Day could get no satisfactory explan ation from the Poor-law Commissioners, he applied to the Right Hon. Gentleman, from whom he received a letter, which the Hon. Member read, and which was to the effect that the Poor-law Commissioners alone had the exercise of the authority of dismissal, and that dismissals had taken piece ► in consequence of a reduction of the establishment having be-