The Sun. — London, England, 1846-06-26 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES (YESTERDAY•) HOUSE OF LORDS. Room A• - CAMBIUDOM AND OZPORD. Their Lordships met at eleven o'clock, in the above room, Lord Mornington in the chair. All the members were present. The case for the promoters was continued. Captain Moorsom gave evidence corroborative of that given by Mr. Locke and Mr. Denton yesterday. He was well acquainted with the district through which the line passed, having been over the line several times about three years ago. His evidence was highly fa vourable to the line. In cross-examination by Mr. CALVERT, he admitted that he did not see the plans until yesterday; but said that he thought that quite sufficient, when his knowledge of the country was taken into account. Mr. AUsTur was about to call several other engineers ; but the Committee expressed their opinion that it was unnecessary. After some discussion, the room was cleared on this point, and the Com mittee consulted for a few minutes. They then decided that they would hear some further engineering evidence, but limited Mr. Austin to two witnesses. Mr. Bratly, civil engineer, gave evidence similar to that of Captain Moorsom. Mr. Pilch, traffic-table accountant, gave traffic evidence, and put in the traffic tables of the line. The tdtal estimated revenue from traffic was 51,7891., being upwards of five per cent. on the capital. In taking the tables of traffic foot passengers were not included. Mr. Vesey, solicitor of the line, and clerk to the magistrates at Royston, gave evidence in support of that of Mr. Pilch, and gave his opinion that that gentleman's estimates of traffic were rather over than under the real amount. _ _ _ Mr. Wm. Horne, secretary to the Chichester Railway Company, and connected with the South-Western Railway, said that he was very familiar with railway traffic-tables, and that he thought the estimates were very moderate. He was not acquainted with the districts through which the line passed, but he could easily judge from statistical information, &c. It was here stated that there was but one more witness to be called on the part of the promoters, and that he was not present. As it was then but half-past three o'clock, it was agreed that the evi dence on the part of the petitioners should be commenced, but that their case should not be opened at present. Mr. Fletcher, a coachman, formerly keeping a coach between Oxford and Cambridge, was next called, and said that fn c°ns eT . ll, : i da ce of the want of traffic between those places, he ha d been compelled to abandon his business, which had never paid him. He should all think a donkey and a pair of panniers would carry the traffic . between Oxford and Cambridge.—(A laugh) All the traffic ran north and south. There were formerly some roads =mug north and south, crossing the Oxford and Cambridge road, which used to supply him with a few passengers, but since they had been stopped be had none at all. the former a livery-stable keeper, Mr. Beasley and Mr. Newington. the latter a carrier, at oxfor d, gave corroborative evidence. Mr. Swan, carrier, at Cambridge, also gave evidence as to there being no traffic between Oxford and Cambridge. It being now past four o'clock, their Lordships rose, an d a dj ourned till to-morrow at eleven. Room C. SWANNINGTON AND LEICESTER. The Committee assembled this morning, Earl Fortescue in the chair. __ • ______ Mr. Liddell, the engineer, was called to prove the particular cir cumstances of the line, and stated that four turnpike roads would be crossed on a level. Mr. WanntaaToN cross-examined on the part of Mr. Harris, Mr. Miller, and other landowners, through whose property the line is in. tended to pass, and endeavoured to show that it was unnecessary, in consequence of the passing of the Leicester and Bedford line; but the Committee ruled that that question could not thus be opened. In continuation the vtitness stated that he had laid out another line, but it would materially affect the town of Leicester. The country on every side presented beautiful slopes ; and it is necessary, when entering a town, to cross whatever roads may be the commu nications with other places ; and here the evil would be reduced by the abstraction of all the tratlie from the present public roads. Mr. WADDINGTON again attempted to open the opposition of the Leicester and Bedford interests, but as that line was not before the Committee as a competing line, and therefore the evidence upon it, one way or the other, would be of little value; for, if made, it would not serve the purpose of the Leicester and Leamington line, though the latter would supply the object of the former, it was not entertained. Mr. Ellison, deputy chairman of the Midland Railway; and a di rector of the Southampton and Leicester Company, as also a dealer hi coal and a considerable occupier of land in the immediate neigh bourhood of Leicester, testified to the feelings of Mr. Harris and Mr. Miller when this line was first projected. A long dispute ensued respecting the value of the property affected by the line, the object being to show that Mr. Harris's land es pecially was particularly adapted for the building of villas, and was like the rest of the land in the neighbourhood, of an undulating cha racter. Mr. Mellor, the barrister, who had given evidence, chiefly stated, also, that the land taken for the Leicester and Bedford line is marsh land, so low as to be incapable of drainage, and utterly unfit for the erection of residential property. Earl MoRToN here required that a section of the line of the pro moters should be put in. On re-examination, Mr. 31ellor Stated that he was not aware that the Corporation of Leicester were under an engagement to the Lei cester and Bedford Company to make a street parallel to the Brams ton-gate, in order to obviate the inconvenience of crossing that street on a level, although he was not aware that the company had agreed to pay 1011/. a day, to the Corporation so long as the line passed Bramston-gate on the level. The examination then sent on to show the position and nature of the goods and home of Mr. Harris, which are close to the town of Leicester. Dannett's Hall was formerly better situated, but in con sequence of the present neighbourhood of coal-wharfs and factories, Its position is now much worse than Westcoate, the seat of Mr. Har ris. Some property which he had himself bought in the neigh. bourhood of the town, had risen in consequence of his making a new road from 275. to 21. 10s. an acre, and some of it, since the purchase, to 41. an acre. Indeed, he might let the whole at that price if he would consent to cut it up into small portions. . _ The evidence was continued till foul' o'clock, when the Committee adjourned till to-morrow. GROUP D. AND LINCOLNSHIRE JIINC• =ON. The Committee resumed ibis morning, Lord Somers in the chair, when Mr. Dunn, of Sheffield, was called to show that the line would be available for opening the coal-fields to a very considerable extent, and that it would be very convenient in consquence of being more than thirty feet below the level of the line, so that the expense of raising the coal would be altogether obviated. Mr. Wrigley stated that the quantity of coal available would be 208,000,000 tons. Mr. Collier proved the value of the land to be taken in the town ship of Sheffield. Mr. Smith, of Gainsborough, the local solicitor of the line, showed the general feeling if the public in its favour. Mr. Jefcock had valued the land from the neighbourhood of Shef field to Gainsborough, and stated that the quantity required was 511 acres, 1 rood, and 31 perches, worth 54,2715. 17s. lid. Mr. Hutton, a considerable owner and occupier of land in the neighbourhood of Gainsborough, testified to the general accommo dation which the line would afford. Mr. John Fowler, the engineer of the line, as also of the Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction line, which is now in course of con struction, testified to the facts, which have been proved, respecting the peculiar circumstances of the line as to its connexion with the Sheffield and Manchester, and the Great Grimsby Company. The line was intended to start from the Sheffield station of the Manchester and Sheffield line. That line was one of the most difficult that could be formed, and had some of the most stupendous and expensive works upon it of any in the kingdom. After leaving Sheffield the line passed by Darnel, near Handsworth by Orville, and thence by a branch to the North Midland Railway, about five miles from Shef field. They there crossed the North Midland at an elevation of thirty-tree feet. Proceeding east about a mile, there would be a spur which would connect the line with the Midland Railway, and open up a communication w th Rotheram and the places in that district. About five miles the line attained its summit without a tunnel, but on a gradient of 1 in 120, and through a cutting of 54 lest. This was near Worksop, from which place to Retford the works would be light and the gradients easy. Near Worksop a curve was made to keep clear of Mr. Foljambe's house and grounds. Be tween the house of that gentleman and the line there was a rising ground, which prevented the latter being seen from the former. There is also the additional screen of woods, and there is a turnpike-road and a canal between the house and the line. The line runs nearly straight to Retford, at which place it runs near to Mr. Simpson's property, but every care had been taken to avoid Injury to it. At Retford they intersect the main line of the London and York Railway, and after sufficient consideration, it was decided that the company would be competent to form a connexion with that line, without applying for a fresh Act of Parliament. After leaving Retford, the line diverged a little to the north, to avoid injury to the house of Mr. Hutchinson. here Mr. Black, the surveyor, was .called to prove the maps put In to show the several properties on the line. Mr. Fowler's examination was resumed, and he stated that after leaving this property, they encountered a tolerably severe country, and passed by a tonne! of 540 yards. After the end of the tunnel, the Lincoln branch diverged to that city, while another branch proceeded to meet the Sheffield and Grimsby line ; and a third, termed the shipping branch, which went directly into the town of Grainsberough. In leaving Sheffield to . go to Gainsborough, they passed a very valuable coalfield, which could be very conveniently got at. After leaving the coal-tiele,they got upon the magnesian limestone, passing within a mile of the pits whence the stone tor the Houses of Parliament is drawn. The next formation is red sand stone, and then gypsum, which they perforated near to the large works used by its proprietors. This line would not only give a through traffic — Oast and . west, but would also im prove the communication north and south. As compared with the Manchester, Midlands, - and-Great Grimsby line, there would be a savirig of 54, miloshetwcen Sheffield and London. The witness also testified to the advantages of the united management, under which the truck line would be placed. Along examination then ensued upon the respective distances of the competing lines, and the facility with which they could be made. The portion between Woodhouse and Sheffield, including its branches, would cost 170,0001., but was not the most expensive portion of the undertaking. The expense of tun nelling would be 501. a yard, and the other 451. The shortest tunnel is through coal mines, and the other through gypsum marl and gypsum. Mr. PAGET, cross-examined of ;behalf of Mr. Foljambe, and ascer tained that the Company were prepared to erect an ornamental viaduct over the railway, and to provide an access to the farm-build ings and property. There- is a road between the house and the railway, the loop of the grounds abutting upon that road, and the line of railway being about half a mile distant from the road. The junction with the Midland Railway and with the North Midland lines Would be effected hi the usual way, and the former of these lines was passed by a Vikcitict over it. The Committee rose at half-past four o'clock. An error occurred in the report of the proceedings of this Com mittee, which appeared in our Contemporary, the Times, where it is represented that Lord Worsley, M.l'., Mr. John Parker, M.P., and other witnesses, testified in favour of the Manchester, Midlands, and Great Grimsby line ; while, as our readers well know, their evidence was given en. behalf of the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junc tion lbe ; bat it ia•necessary to correct the error to prevent any wilePPrebension. HOUSE OF COMMONS. . GROUP 11. 1r41377 va *ZTEN'SION. (Continued from 0,„? Afternoon The whole of the mern nom Edition of yesterday.) dance in favour of the line.ws :as eectitaed With general traffic evi Mr. William Richard Neale, the under the direction of Mr. Locke, prev e ,i — t Z t ‘sho laid Oct th e li ne tgraite a n:4ns was free from eng i n eering diffi c ulties. The steepest sharpest curve was 30 ch ains radius. There were three no and the no heavy embankments or viaducts. The detail s ot Z2hteis., mate were as follows ;—Land, 34 , 400/. ; road, 161,593/. ; um= aid masonry, 68,4491. ; permane nt road, 93,000/. ; electri'e 44 ' 62111 -1 - 8,2801. ; stations, 15,0001. ; and sidings, 50,0001. ; making a torsi of 497,2121. The length of the line crossing the existing Taw Vale and the Exeter and Crediton, from Barnstaple to Exeter, would be 38 miles. It would afford great accommodation to the districts through which it passed, and prove amply remunerative to the shareholders. After hearing several witnesses who were called on behalf of the opposition to this line, the Committee adjourned. GROUP XIII. This Committee did not meet till one o'clock to-day. Sir William Clay was in the chair. CALEDONIAN EXTENSION. ' The whole of the afternoon was occupied with evidence impugning the accuracy (Klaus traffic return., adduced by the promoters of the Bill. The Committee adjourned at the usual hour. GROUP XVII. MANCHESTER AND SOUTHAMPTON. The Committee met tliis morning, at twelve o'clock, the Hon. E. Yorke in the chair. _ _ The first witness called was Mr. N. Brown, a gentleman possessing property and residing at Chisledon, between Swindon and Marl borough, who stated that the line would run through a great portion of his. property, partially by a tunnel ; that the country was not thlekly populated. In addition to this, the line would Interfere, and possibly dry up, on account of the nature of the soil, several wells supplying the inhabitants of the town with water. He generally disapproved of the line, as not required by the wants of the district, or for through traffic. Eastern and western communication was all that was required. Mr. Locke, the engineer to the South-Western and other lines, was then called, and examined by Mr. Ilitx—The Manchester and Southampton was 88 2 miles in length from Southampton to its Points of junction with the Bristol and Birmingham, at Swindon, in Gloucestershire. The entire distance to Manchester was 212 1 A miles in length. The distance by Birmingham would be 216% miles. The instance to Manchester by the South-Western, rid Basingstoke, Read . ng. the Oxford and Rugby, the Trent Valley, and the Grand Junction. was 231 miles and a quarter ; by the South-Western, the Basingstoke and Reading, and the proposed Oxford and Birmingham, 222 miles antra half; by the Didcot branch proposed by the Board of Trade, 212 miles and a half, which would he as short as the proposed line. Mr. Locke was then examined with respect to a line from Southampton caned Lacey's line, which was thrown out by the Standing Orders' Committee, and which he stated was as direct and would be more fly important than the proposed line. Mr. Jags objected to this course of examination as the line had 11° tangible existence, and was not before Parliament. The CHAIRMAN was of the same opinion, but as the Committee did not agree with him, the examination was continued. Zxamlnation continued—Knew the gradients en the Manchester .1!,_!4 S outhampton and the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton "as+ anal conceived those on the latter line preferable, and that goods cut " b e onrrled by it at a cheaper rate than the other, and that it wag 6111 1C441Q__ tfor the general purposes of the district. The 31slicheStei and SOlthampton would cross 14 turnpike roads, and 87 other roads. A better line might have been adopted between Salisbury and Marlborough, both with regard to:shortness: and local convenience. By Romsey and Luggershall a route four miles shorter could have been obtained. By the Salisbury route 261,0001., and 46,000/. by the Luggershall and Romsey would be saved. Cross-examined by Mr. damns—The first break of gauge was at Basingstoke, and the second at Rugby. Mr. Bethel's line was not in existence ; he was consulting engineer to it. Re never surveyed the line, but yet he put it in contrast with the Manchester and South ampton. He was not engineer to Lacey's, although kis name appeared in the prospectus as filling that office. His name was not put there with his consent. Mr. Rubberty, his assistant, surveyed the line, and he (Mr. Locke) saw the plans, which were not, hew ever, prepared In his office. The Cmatamem stated that it would be advisable to have Mr. Lacey summoned before the Committee. Mr. Dams considered that it would be advantageous to do so. Examination continued—Was not aware that the capital of Lacey's line was proposed to be 1,600,0001. The Committee then adjourned until twelve to-morrow. Mr. Rosursox said he had no desire to weary the Committee, but perhaps they would consent to hear Mr. Spooner, the Member for Birmingham. The Committee having consented, Mr. Spooner, M.P., stepped forward, and said there could be no doubt that the Snow-hill station was the better, although both the stations were good ones, the New-street, in fact, being a better station than the other for passengers arriving from London. He considered that both stations were necessary for the interests of the town, and the majority of the inhabitants were of that opinion. Cross. examined by Mr. RICKARDS—He was a director of this line. He considered the New-street station indispensable, and that it was desirable to have a passenger station unensumbered with goods. Even if the Shrewsbury and Birmingham were parted, he considered that the Snow-hill station would be required for the interests of the t o w, There had been no public meeting, as far as he knew, on the subject of the rival stations. , . . Re-examined by Mr. RoaiNsON—He had purchased shares in this Company principally because it was a continuance of the line from Oxford to Birmingham, and would be an independent line. Re-cross-examined—Looking at the promoters and the prospectus, he believed that the Shrewsbury and Birmingham would be under the control of the London and Birmingham. He was not aware that Mr. Ormsby Gore, M.P., and Mr. Clive, M.P., the chairman and deputy-chairman of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Company, were interested in the London and Birmingham, but he had no doubt, seeing that the latter company had a fourth in the capital of the former, they would have the control of the Shrewsbury and Birming ham. The line at present under the consideration of the Committee would no doubt be under the management of the Great Western Company. Mr. Hill, banker, Wolverhampton, having been called to show the superiority of this company's station there over that of its rival, Mr. RICKARDS objected to his evidence being received, on the ground that that question was not then under the consideration of the Com mittee; but it being eventually settled that the evidence might be tendered, Mr. Hill proceeded to state that he was a magistrate cf Staffordshire, and deputy-chairman of the quarter sessions of that county. He agreed with Mr. Spooner, that a line such as this should be in independent hands. At a county meeting it was resolved that the level of this company's line, at Wolverhampton, would best ac commodate the people of this district, and a petition to Parliament to that effect was adopted and signed at the meeting. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS —The Shrewsbury and Bir mingham line would not afford as much accommodation to the people of Wolverhampton as the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley. The greater portion of the manufactures which were exported from Wolverham?ton were sent to Liverpool, not to London. The meeting to which he had alluded had been called by requisition ; he did not know whether it had been advertised. It was a public meeting, not to take into consideration the Shrewsbury and Birmingham. but solely the Birmingham, Wol verhampton, and Dudley line, and it was naturally attended princi pally by those pecuniarily interested in it. The ascent to this com pany's station at Wolverhampton would sot, he hoped, be quite so bad as that to the room in which he was sitting.—(Laughter.) GROUP XVIII. LONDON, NEV7NITSLY, AND BATH DrIZECT. I (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Further witnesses were examined on behalf of the Loudon, New. bury, and Bath Direct Railway. The Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow. GROUP XXXIII. BIRMINGHAM aria 0X2'017.111 JUNCTION. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) took direction. he M w r as . RofboerrtsomernlyGelandaistrmoneen, exesi mi th n e ed o Tr ae lir iu C n o ct c i a e n n yl i N, lw st a a y te . d that The ham the h i ad a b b e s e e n n an understanding between the Grand Junction and the s w e i e t e h the , L en on d d h o e n w an ith d d ß re i w rmi rr n ein g h aM s algama ce tio in a gauge in addition to the narrow, and to continue the line from the station of the Grand June- Great Western to lay down the broad tion to Oxford, so that there should be a continuous line on the broad ga uge from London to Liverpool. Cross -examined by Mr. LANE—He was s till a l arge owner in the Grand Junction, and he admitted that there had been improvements since the amalgamation. But he thought that competition was de sirable for the public advantage, although it might affect his interests as a shareholder. Mr. Locke, the engineer, had not been consulted as to the project of the br oa d an d narrow gauge lines, to which he (Mr. Gladstone) had referred, aitheugh one of his assistants had been consulted, and from his opinion the Committee were induced to be lieve that It was practicable. Mr. Sanders, secretary to the Great Western Railway Company, examined also by Mr. Cocanunx, expressed a very strong opinion in favour of competing lines. He was convinced that the public ad vantage would be promoted, and he did not think either of the com panies would suffer from the competition if the two series of lines now before the Committee were constructed. The inconvenience of the break of gauge need not be so great as it was rendered by those whose interest it was to exaggerate it. Mr. James Watts, agent for Messrs. Pickford, gave evidence re specting the traffic between Oxford and Birmingham as requiring a direct communication. Dr. Thompson, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Mr. Muntz, M.P., and Mr. Spooner, M.P., were examined by Mr. Wentorr, Q.C., and gave evidence strongly in favour of the Oxford and Birmingham Junc tion, on the ground that they would be competing lines with the London and Birmingham Companies proposed lines (tbe Warwick shire and London), and that competition would be beneficial to the public, producing better accommodation and lower fares, which in their opinion the traffic would warrant. Mr. Brunel will be examined to-morrow on the engineering merits. The Committee adjourned at half-past three o'clock till half-past twelve to-morrow. -- —.......—....---... „. , .„ Cross-examined by iMr. SELFE—I do not understand why one of these companies should have a six mile clause in their Bill, whilst the other is content with a two-mile clause. . Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE—To those who pre ferred it there would be a walk on the level at the Wolverhampton station. Mr. Edward Perry, japanner and tin-worker, of Wolverhampton, said that he sent the principal part of his goods south of Birming ham. He paid 1,0001. for the carriage of his goods at present. He sent them by the canal to Birmingham, and from that town to Lon don they were carried by railway. The present rates of carriage on that railway were far too high, considering his profits. It was the prevailing opinion at Wolverhampton that the low level station of this line would best accommodate the interests of the town. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—HeId no share in this com pany. The proposed line of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham would give him a direct communication with Liverpool, Chester, Ireland, and the south of Wales. The lobbs of the London and Birmingham might be below those of the Great Western, but still :they were too high. If it could be avoided it would be as well not to have a break of gauge, but there would be one on the Birmingham and Oxford line, which he preferred to this companys line, although there would be no break upon it. Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKS —The disadvantage of a break of guage was very slight, when put by the side of the advan tages which this line possessed over its rivals. Mr. Wynne, merchant, Wolverhampton, was next called to prove the disadvantages under which the people of that district at present laboured, in consequence of a want of railway accommodation; they were obliged to avail themselves of the tedious route of the canals in transmitting their goods to Oxford and other large towns. The manufacturers of Wolverhampton generally entertained an opinion In favour of this line. He had no share in this railway. Its station would be decidedly the best. The town was rapidly extending in the direction of Horsely Fields. Cross-examined by Mr.RICKA.RDS—The station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would be nearer to Horsley Fields than that of its rival. He decidedly preferred competition in railway matters. If this company amalgamated with the Great Western, he should join in petitioning Parliament for a third line, when there would be " Three Richmonds in the field." No doubt an amalgamation would take place between this company and the Great Western. The Committee adjourned at four till twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP xxxvlll. HUDDERSFIELD AND MANCHESTER (BRADFORD BRANCH). (Continued from ear Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Evidence of a general nature was given in favour of the Hudders field and Manchester (Bradford Branch). The Committee rose at four o'clock. IMPORTANT DECISION. GROUP XXXIX. OLDILELIVE DISTRICT. After hearing evidence of a general nature In favour of this be, the Committee ordered the room to be cleared. The parties being re-called, The CmiaamAN stated that the Committee had decided that the preamble of the Oldham, Manchester, and Birkenhead Railway Bill was proved, and that the Oldham District Railway Bill was not proved. The Committee adjourned - at four o'clock. GROUP XLII. LIVERPOOL, PRESTON, MANCHESTER, GROUP LLX. LIVERPOOL AND BURY, AND MANCHES TER AND LEEDS AMALGAMATION ; AND MAN CHESTER AND BOLTON AND BURY CANAL NAVIGATION AND RAILWAY, AND MANCHES TER AND LEEDS AMALGAMATION. (43entinued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) All the clauses were gone through, with the exception of two or three in the first Bill, and the Committee adjourned shortly after three o'clock till to-morrow at twelve. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY _EVENING, JUNE 26, 1846. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, June 25. BANKS v. GOODE. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, June 25. This was an action to recover the sum of 5CO'., for which the defendant' was alleged to be liable. The defendant pleaded that he never was indebted, and that he had paid the debt, whereupon issues were joined. Mr. Knowles and Mr. Willis appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr. Crowder and Mr. Rawlinson for the defendant. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. Messengers from the House of Commons brought up severs Bills, which were ordered to lie on the table. THE SEES OF ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR. The plaintiff in this case was an advertising agent, and had inserted general advertisements in the months of Oc tober and Novf tuber last, in several town and country newspapers, and in the railway journals, concerning the Salisbury and Lytnington Railway. The project was one out of the large number which found their origin in the speculative spirit of the last year, and appears to have been got up by the Messrs. Wheel and Berkeley, solicitors, who were assisted by a barrister named Mellor. An office was taken by the solicitors, in the Old Jewry, and a provisional committee, consisting of several gentlemen, was in a short time fbrmed. In this part of the formation of the project, a gentleman named Downs, who resided at Ryde, in the Isle of Wiglit, appears to have taken a considerable share. At the request of the solicitors he became a member of the provisional committee of the company, and was indemnified by them against any liability he might incur in that capacity. Some short time after he had become a party to the concern he saw the defendant at Ryde, and communicated to him the circumstance of his being on the provisional committee of the Salisbury and Lyinington Railway. The defendant thereupon expressed a wish to have his own name inserted in the list, and it was said that he applied by letter to the solicitors for that purpose. That letter was lost, but in compliance with the defendant's wish, he was admitted a member of the provisional committee, and was offered in that capacity an allotment of a certain number of shares in the line, which, however, he appears to have declined. The intention of holding meetings in London was notified to the defendant on each occasion, with a request that he would at tend them. On one of those occasions the defendant stipu lated in writing that his travelling expenses should be de frayed, an act which the Learned Counsel for the plaintiff construed into a consciousness, on the part of the defendant, of the responsibility of his situation. Mr. CROWDER, on behalf of the defendant, represented the case against his client as one which differed from any hitherto brought before the Court, inasmuch as it was at tempted to fix the defendant with liability, simply from his having been willing to allow his name to appear on the list of the provisional committee. The question which arose upon that state of facts, was, whether it was the law, that the mere circumstance of a man having had his name inserted in the list of provisional committee, authorised the attorney, the secretary, or any individual eonnected with the company, to order goods upon the representation of his being a responsible party. That was a question which, as he apprehended, had not as yet been decided, and it was one of such magnie tude and importance, as under the particular circumstances of the case, should exonerate his client from liability. The application of the principle of agency, on which the plea of partnership rested, would determine the question in favour of the defendant, and he, therefore, confidently submitted that he was entitled to the verdict of the jury. The LORD CHIEF BARON having summed up, The jury retired, and, after an absence of half an hour, returned with a verdict for the defendant. The Bishop of HEREFORD presented a petition from the Dean and Chapter of Hereford against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor, and praying for the immediate ap•• pointment of a bishop to Manchester. The Bishop of LICHFIELD presented five petitions to the same effect. SHERIFFS' COURT, SESSIONS HOUSE, I'E WINGTON, June 25. (Before Mr. Under-Sheriff ABBOTT.) DAWSON AND OTHERS V. 2110LONEUX. This was a writ of inquiry to assess damages. Plaintiffs are advertising agents in the City, and sought to recover 1,172/. 6s. 6d. of the defendant, who is a banker at Lewes, and a provisional committeeman of the proposed Brighton, Lewes, and Tunbridge Wells Direct Railway. H. Goodman, clerk to plaintiffs, proved to receiving orders from the secretary and clerks of the company to advertise the prospectus and proceedings of the railway company. G. Phipper, clerk to plaintiffs, produced bills for advertise ments. They claimed Si. 6s. Bd. per cent. as commission. Cross-examined—The Times allowed no discount ; the other papers allowed a discount from 5 per cent. up to 30 per cent. Mr. Collinson, treasurer to the Morning Chronicle, stated that they allowed 5 per cent, discount to agents only. Would not allow a discount to railway companies. John Franks, clerk in the Morning Herald office, deposed that this journal allowed a discount of ten per cent. to agents only. far. BRAMWELL addressed the jury, and contended that the claim set up was an extravagant one, and that plaintiffs had no right to charge their commission upon sums beyond money actually paid by them. The line was twenty-two miles. The plaintiff's charges for advertisements only was at the average of 551. a mile. The UNDER-SHERIFF summed up, and the jury returned a verdict for the amount claimed-1,1721. 6s. Gd. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. THAMES. Benjamin Gibbins, the man who stands charged with the wilful murder of Anne alias Jane Sloman, at No. 6, Labour in-Vain-street, Shadwell, where an illicit still was in opera tion for some weeks previous, was brought before Mr. Ballan tine for final examination. Since the last investigation, Inspector Valentine and polies sergeant Townson, of the K division, have'been actively em ployed in pursuing their inquiries and endeavouring to un ravel the mystery which hangs over the affair, but the only additional facts that came to their knowledge was one of a very singular nature. It appears that on the morning of the 2d of June, after the body of the deceased was discovered, a woman named Petty, the wife of a mechanic, pulled down a window curtain with blood stains upon it, from the window 1 of the front room, but she made no mention of the occur rence till Wednesday, when she was directed by the police to attend as a witness, and readily did so, but she was not called upon to give evidence. The supposition is, that the death-blow was inflicted in the front room, and that the woman was either forced or thrown down the stairs into the passage, where the body was found. The police have also ascertained, that the deceased gave information to an excise officer a week previous to her death, that a private still was at work in the house, and the supposition is, that her revela tion of the secret came to the knowledge of her paramour Gibbins, or some other persons connected with the still, and that she was made away with on that account. William Parramour, a police constable of the K division, who was riot examined before, was called. It will be recol lected that the prisoner, in accounting for the way in which he spent his time on the night of the Ist of June, said he visited a coffee-shop, opposite Shadwell Church, twice. On the first occasion he said he was there from one o'clock till half-past one, and that he went out and returned again at three, and remained till nearly four. It was shown by the witness Parramour that he walked from Mr. Crafford's coffee-shop to the rear of the house, where the alleged mur der was committed, got upon a wall into the yard of the house, and after entering the dwelling itself returned to the coffee-shop again in ten minutes only. He further said that any person could walk from the coffee-shop to the house in Labour-in-Vain-street in three minutes, and that on Wed nesday night, and also on that morning, he got upon the wall and thence into a piece of " blank ground," behind the house, without interference. The easiest way of obtaining access to the house was by the lower window, not the upper one, which the prisoner did enter on the morning of the 2d of June, at seven o'clock. Dr. Letheby, lecturer on chemistry at the London Hos pital, who gave medical evidence on the last examination, again proffered his evidence. He gave his opi n i on l as t wee k that the blood on the prisoner's jacket was living blood, con taining fibrine matter, and that it came from the human head, whilst that on the matting on which the deceased's head rested was from a dead person, and contained no fibrine matter. He now produced samples of each, on glass, and the difference was very striking. He stated that since the last examination a piece of wood, part of the beading of the lower window, had been handed to him. It bore the im pression, apparently, of a blood stain. He had applied the usual tests, and found it to be nothing but colouring matter, made up of ruddell and albumen, or size. He had painted a piece of wood with similar colouring matter, and the ap pearance was precisely the same. -- ,11. 0 produced the two pieces of wood, and said he laboured under the impression that the beading of the lower window had been painted to resemble blood, for the purpose of testing the evidence he gave last week, and to ascertain whether it was speculative or not. The red colour was very similar to stains of blood, hut on the tests being applied,. the difference was soon evi dent. Police-sergeant Townson stated that he saw what appeared to be the impression of a blood-stained hand on the beading of the window, and he thought it was but r i g ht t o remove it and give it to Dr. Letheby. There being no other evidence, Mr. BALLANTINE said he should commit the prisoner to Newgate to take his trial for the wilful murder of Anne Sloman. The prisoner, who exhibited great composure during the reading over the depositions, here betrayed much anxiety, and said he was an innocent man, and that justice had not been done him. He said he was very anxious that the woman who supplied him with refreshments at the coffee shop, on the morning of the alleged murder, should be called, and she could prove what he had, who was in the next box, and how long he remained in the place on each occasion. He also wished the coal-whipper who accompanied him to the coffee-shop on the second occasion to be brought forward. _ _ Mr. BALLANTINE said the female could prove nothing more than Mr. Crafford, the proprietor of the coffee-shop, had done, and he had not thought proper to encumber the cafe with her evidence. As to the coal-whipper, he had been sought after in all directions by the police, but could not be found. The evidence of that man would be the most im portant, because he was seen to leave the coffee-shop with the prisoner on the second occasion. The prisoner said, the man was to be found any morning at the coal-whippers' office. Mr. BALLANTINX—Perhaps you can tell us his name, The prisoner said, he never saw him before of his know ledge, and he made an earnest request that the case should be adjourned for a week, and that the woman belonging to the coffee-shop should be produced, and the coal-whipper apprehended. Mr. BALLANTINE saw no necessity for another adjourn ment, and told the prisoner he could call the woman as a witness on his trial. If the coal-whipper could be found, he should certainly be forthcoming at the Central Criminal Court. The prisoner was then committed. THE MOON IN LORD ROSSE'S TELESCOPE.—With re spect to the moon, every object on its surface of the height of one hundred feet was now distinctly to be seen ; and, he had no doubt, that under very favourable circumstances, it would be so with objects sixty feet in height. On its surface wore craters of extinct volcanoes, rocks, and masses of stones almost innumerable. He lead no doubt whatever that if such a building as he was then in were upon the surface of the moon, it would be rendered distinctly visible by these instruments. But there were no signs of habitations such as ours— no vestiges of architectural remains to show that the moon is or ever was inhabited by a race of mortals similar to ourselves. ;It presented no appearances which could lead to the supposition that it contained anything like the green fields and lovely verdure of this beautiful world of ours. There was no water visible—not a sea, or a river, or even the measure of a reservoir for supplying town or factory—all seemed desolate. Hence would arise the reflection in the mind of the Christian philosopher—Why had this devastation been ? It might be further inquired—Was it a lost world ? Had it suffered for its transgression ? Analogy might suggest the question—Had it met the fate which Scripture told us was reserved for our world ? It was ohvious that all this was mysterious conjecture.—Dr. Scoresby's Lec ture on Astronomy. ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENON. —Between one and two o'clock on Thursday morning last, a ball, about the size of an orange, apparently fire, was noticed at Woodbridge, moving through the air from the west to south-east, with a long train of light after it. IS greatly illuminated tho atmosphere during its transit, but disap peared in a few seconds.—Bury Post. BURNING OF A VESSEL OFF BRIXIIAM.—ShortIy after ten o'clock en Tuesday morning much surprise was created at Brisham, by the approach towards the shore, of a vessel on fire, in tow of two fishing smacks, which, as she neared, proved to be the Unity of Padstow, a London trader. A rumour having got abroad that the vessel had gunpowder on board, and other dangerous com bustibles, it was strongly advised not to bring her into harbour. Such, however, proving not to be the case, she was hauled near the Queen's quays, that some water from a reservoir might be conducted on board, which was quickly accomplished, but ere the flames could be got under, she had burnt to the water's edge. She had left Dart mouth on the previous day, and was discovered on fire about four o'clock in the morning, whe n about ftftgen miles off the land. She had ignited owing to the gross carelessness of one of the seaman, who threw a lighted lucifer down the forecastle, and set Are to some matting. The vessel is a complete wreck, and we have heard that no part of her cargo 1* insured. AND SOUTHPORT. The case for and against the Bill having been concluded, Mr. Sergeant KiNostaxE addressed the Committee at great length in support of the line. which, he contended, was superior to the other lines before the Committee, and afforded a larger amount of public accommodation, at the least possible expense. After Sergeant KINGLAKZ had addressed the Committee, Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS replied In support of the Liverpool, Orms• kirk, and Preston Railway. The Learned Sergeant's address occu• pied the time of the Committee up to four o'clock, when the Cora. mittee adjourned. GROUP XLVI. NEWCASTLE AND DARLINGTON SIINC• TXON, AND TYNE DOCK. The Committee on this Bill met to-day, at twelve o'clock, in Room No. 31. The Committee continued to hear evidence against the Bill, on the part of the Jarrow Chemical Works Company. It was proved that the formation of the proposed canal would be most injurious to the interests of the company, who in the last two years had spent 14,6001., or 50 per cent., on the value of their works in improving them. The amount of wages paid by them last year was 21,5861., and the value of the articles manufactured was 81,1521. The freight of their goods amounted to 4,2311. All this capital would be materially injured by the proposed alterations. The company had also been in negotiation with a gentleman named Eccles, who wished to lay down a•ship of 300 tons in front of their works. A written agree ment had been prepared, and the place selected and cleared; but all operations were suspended by the present project. . . . . . . The Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XLVII. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into this group of Bills met again to-day at twelve o'clock in Room 25 (Grand Corridor). Having settled the clauses of the 811REWS111711.Y AND HEREFORD LINE Bill, the Committee proceeded to hear counsel and evidence in favour of the YALE OP 1111MAIL8 Railway. The case was not concluded when the Committee rose at four o'clock, and acljoursed an= twelve to-morrow. GROUP XLVIII. TBlll zionvirs VALLEY. The Committee met this morning at twelve o'clock; Mr. Aldam chairman. The opposition having closed, Mr. MULLINS replied on behalf of the promoters. GROUT MIL This Committee resumed their labours this morning at the cus tomary hour in Room 26 (Grand Corridor); present, the Hon. E. Lascelles (in the chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Hild yard, Captain Dalrymple, and Mr. R. Clayton. BIRMINGHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON, AND DUDLEY. Before the evidence was resumed in favour of this line, in answer to the Hon. Chairman, who desired to be informed of the nature of the Bills comprised in this group, Mr. RICKARDS stated that the South Staffordskire Junction (Wil lenhall and Bloxenhall Branch) had been withdrawn; the Trent Valley, Midlands, and (rand Junction was under arrangement, and no one intended to appear on behalf of the South Staffordshire Junction. Charles Shaw, Esq., magistrate of Birmingham, stated that for the last forty years he had been extensively engaged as a merchant, factor, and manufacturer, in the towns of Wolverhampton► and Bir mingham, and he had long felt the necessity which existed for some railway communication for that district. In the year 1835 he had devised such a line as the present, and when the prospectus of this company was published he immediately became a shareholder, for the purpose of forwarding the scheme. He preferred this line principally because it would afford accommodation to many important towns which were left entirely unaccommodated by its rival lines. It was decidedly of the utmost importance to the public that the line which should be formed in the district in question should be an entirely in dependent line. This line would possess this advantage; its rivals would not. The witness then gave a history of the origin of the competing schemes. This scheme was unanimously approvel of at a large meeting of the principal ironmasters of Birmingham. Lord Dartmouth and himself were directors of this line. It would be in- dependent of the London and Birmingham, and supposing the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line were opened, :it would afford a direct communication with London. On these grounds, amongst others, he decidedly preferred it to its rivals. lie then gave his reasons for preferring the station at Snow hill to that proposed to be erected at New-street by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Company. Snow•hill (which was in the widest part twenty yards) was the widest thoroughfare in Birmingham, and the outlets to it were much wider than in any other part of the town. Passengers arriving from Wolverhampton also arrived by Snow-hill. Within a quarter of a mile radius of Snow-hill there were 556 buyers of goods arriving from Wolverhampton, whilst within the same distance of the New-street station there were only 76. To the Hon. CUAraMAN—I proposed Newhall-street as a proper site for a station for say project of 1835. I should have proposed Snow-hill, but the capital required for the purchase of sufficient pro perty there was so great, that I dare not ask for It. _ _ Examination resumed—The proposed station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, at Wolverhampton, would be almost useless to the town. A low level would be much preferable there than a high one, because the goods exported were of the heaviest description. The people of Wolverhampton were decidedly in favour cf this line, and a vast majority of the influential inhabitants of Birmingham were in favour of the Snow-hill station. They were in favour of the New street and the Snow-hill stations, but if one only were to be granted [they would decidedly prefer the Snow-hill station. Cross-examined by Mr. RICICARDS.—IIe had some property in the neighbourhood of Snowhill, but it was not of much importance to him. A portion of it would be required by this line for the erection of a station, and he should not have the slightest objection to part with it. When he said he preferred this line because it was an in dependent one, he meant that it would be independent of any exist ing line between Birmingham and London. The Great Western had 150,0001. invested in this company, and the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton (which had a large pecuniary in:erest in this line), would be leased to the Great Western Company. Those two com panies between them possessed shares to theameunt of a quarter of a million in this company. The word " independent " for the district under the consideration of the Committee meant, according to his notions, no connexion with the London and Birming ham Company, with which he had no sympathy,: be cause they had raised their fares. He himself was connected with - the London and Birmingham before their Bill-was obtained. There were some parts of the district that would be better accommodated by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham than the Bir mingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line. The Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would pass shrough Darlaston, but, in his opinion, it was not a town of very great importance. The station of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line would be about a mile distant from Darlaston. The distance between the Snow hill and New-street stations was certainly more than three fttrlongs, it was at least half a mile. To a traveller the dis tance would be undoubtedly more than 200 yards. The station which he proposed ten years agolfor his project, was nearer to the New street station than the Snow-hill, but that was by no means a final 1,`!!!ion. The reason why he fixed on it was, because the site was to uncovered and very central; that was to say, within a mile of a th y ar itrrilf:el?meintgn, whilst the Snowhill-station would be within The station at the Crescent might be larger comparatively '='lL ) , Tc.Portion of five to three, but it would be next to High- r5Ol, The end of New-street, two policemen were, m n t,": l 3 ; , _ost dangerous spot in Birmingham ; Lion of life and property to be kept there, for the protec many pickpockets at thatp.lZ !lung there. There are a good Re-eXamined by Mr. R05ix50u.... , 7 1 , ar to the present road between pa run Parallel with and very ne ton. The London and Birmingham ti ne we. gh tlis am and_ Wolverharep passenger ran plalneycoantsindearreidasttheant w th o e u p ld row,.. dbe thi,matiou.t .z o pu turare d ran i nd j th a e ne ki tt n e all by the other line, prpally Wen as was of f" m y uc a li cc ;r r e l a ni tel ated irap ortwi th"tbY e°uldt h: an be d gadocmem. aDfoeartrmiaaetsdt.on.Great Bridge, which fn and the neighbourhood or dnesbury, from West Bromwich, We wa T y o mMr. the B it hCgLdAeYmT.O NT—hTeheiosailv used ould g ta r g ea h t a e m st came Bilston.i superiorityngha , ee n e - f fir l m l ed r. Samuel e u v el ide T a h e o e rn e h f Thornhill, ' 1. Snow hill was becoming the Snow-hill over the: New-street 'Olio: the town and the bulk of every day the greatest business portion of thechemistpreceding and t Hessgisstloßtirmhe bourhood of Snow-hill, which was decidedly eons' to be the most desi rablethe passengers ariviing from Wolverhampton stdoperpeedd ibnythtehenemigah: jority of the Influential people of Birmingham site for a railway station. Cross-examined by Mr. llicksans—lf the Snow-hill station were granted, this company proposed to purchase his freehold shopt Snow-hill. Mr. George Ileaton, millowner and metal dealer, Birmingham, also gave evidence in favour of the Snow-hill station. The Hon. CHAIRMAN—I suppose all the inhabitants in the neigh bourhood of Snow-hill are in favour of the Snow-hill station ?—Yes. Mr. Samuel Briggs, builder, Bradford-street, Birmingham, said that that street was nearer to New-street than Snow-hill. He did a great deal of business for people living at Wednesbury. He consi, tiered that an independent line such as this would be a great boon to the people in this district. Although his place of business was in the neighbourhood of New-street he preferred the Snew-hill station, and so did the majority of the people of Birmingham. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—I have no connexion with this company. The town is extending much more on the Snow-hill than the New-street side. Mr. William Collins, factor, Birmingham, preferred the Snow-hill station (in which neighbourhood his place of business was), and an in dependent line to an amalgamated Company. Mr. Jas. Baslow, brassfounder, Birmingham, said that the greater part of his customers resided at Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and the mineral districts there. He had no doubt about the superi ority of this Company's station at Birmingham, and that was the general opinion. He had no connexion with this company. The Hon. CHAT/MAN said the Committee had heard quite sufficient evidence on the question of the proposed stations at Birmingham. GROUP LXI. CALEDONIAN (POLLOC AND GOVAN AND CLYDESDALE JUNCTION AMALGA- M ATION). The Committee met this day at twelve o'clock. Sir John Duck worth, chairman. The postponed clauses in the above Bill were proceeded with, and, after amendments, were agreed to. EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW AND SCOT TISH CENTRAL JUNCTION. Mr. Arsym opened the case for the preamble of this Bill, and con cluded an able, though brief, address, by informing the Committee that he would call such evidence as wouldprevo the great necessity for the construction of the line. GROUP LXIII, MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN 01 1 IRE LAND, =rimy EXTENSION, AND LONG- PORD DEVIATION. The Committee appointed to decide on the merits of the Bills com prised in this group met to-day. at one o'clock, in Room No. 27. Present, Mr. T. Egerton (chairman), Sir Philip Egerton, Mr. Wrighton, Mr. Broadwood, and Mr. Furman. The Bills comprised In this group are—The Midland Great Western of Ireland—Liffey Extension and Longford Deviation—Waterford, Wexford, and Thnrlea—Clonmel and Thurles—Great South Western —Cork Extension—Sillarney Junction—Larne, Belfast, and Bally ena—Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor. The Committee were occupied during the day in nearing ■crane ob jections urged by Mr. Alexander (for the promoters) against some petitions presented against the BM. At four o'clock the Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock to morrow. GROUP LXVI. TEMPLEMORE AND NENAGH, LIMERICK, ENNIS, AND ZILLALOE, AND MOUNT.. MELLICZ JU NCTION These Bills were gone through to-day in the usual form before the Chairman of Committees. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEE. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this morning in Room No. 1, House of Lords. Lord Shaftesbury in the Chair. There were fourteen Bills on the list, of which two were on second reference. They were all railway Bills. ST. HELENS CANAL AND RAILWAY. The promoters of the Great St. Helens Canal and Railway Bill wrre declared to have complied with the standing orders. BIRMINGHAM, LICHFIELD, AND MANCHESTER. The Committee declared the standing orders complied with in this case also. WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE (MOTHLEY, ASKERN, AND O.I.KENSHAW BRANCHES.) The standing orders had been complied with. GUILDFORD, CHICHESTER, AND PORTSMOUTH (No. 2). 'The consideration of this Oise was postponed till to-morrow. OALEDONIAN (GLASGOW TERMINI AND BRANCHES.) !This case, it will be remembered, was before the Committee up to thi lir rising yesterday, when its further consideration was adjourned MI to-day. The Committee now decided that the standing orders ought to be dispensed with, and passed the Bill, notwithstanding a noncompliance. It was ordered to be specially reported. GLOUCESTER AND DEAN FOREST RAILWAY. IStanding orders complied with. WISHAW AND COLTNESS (GREENHILL BRANCH). ISlanding orders complied with. lI'LEETWOOD, PRESTON AND WEST RIDING JUNCTION. The Committee declared the standing orders complied with. HUDDERSFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY AND 12,ANAL (HUDDERSFIELD DIVERSION AND COOPER ;BRIDGE BRANCH). A similar decision was made in this case. SHIEFFIELD, ASIITON-UNDER-LYNE AND MANCHESTER (WHALEY-BRIDGE AND HAYFIELD BRANCH). Sli EFFIELD, ASIITON-UNDER-LYNE AND MANCHESTER (I)UKINFIELD, WORSBOROLTGII, AND OTHER BRANCHES). In the cases of both these branches of the Sheffield, Ashton nrider-Lyne and Manchester, the standing orders were declared complied with. DUBLIN, BELFAST, AND COLERAINE JUNCTION. This Bill came before the Committee on second reference. The eli nding orders were declared complied with. EASTERN COUNTIES (MANCHESTER AND LINCOLN EXTENSION). This case also was on second reference. Standing orders complied wit h. AYRSHIRE, BRIDGE OF WEIR, AND PORT GLASGOW JUNCTION. IChis case was several times called, but no appearance being made up. to the time the Committee rose, it stood over for the present. In the Select Committee on Merits, on the list of which there were 15 Bills (4 only being Railway Billm), the following cases were die poSed of:— GREAT WESTERN AND UXBRIDGE. The preamble of this Bill was declared proved. NoDRFOLK (YARMOUTH EXTENSION AND LOWESTOFT RAILWAY LEASE). The preamble was declared proved. EAST FIFE. Postponed till to-morrow. DUNBLANE, DOONE AND CALLANDER. The promoters of this Bill had also proved their preamble. Having disposed of a number of estate Bills, their Lordships rose and adjourned till to-morrow. LOSS of the CANADIAN.—DREAD- FUL SUFFERING OF THE CREW. By the Great Britain steamer advices have been received, detailing the total loss of the brig Canadian, bound to Fal mouth, from Cuba, and the miraculous escape of the crew, after enduring the most painful sufferings. The Canadian, a vessel between 200 and 250 tons burthen, left Cienfuegos (ease of the Cuba Islands) in the early part of the month of March ; and on April 28, while the vessel was running along outside the reef, known as the Jardinallos, near a pliice called the Keys, she struck, and remained on the rock. In, a few hours she obtained assistance from a passing vessel, wlhich brought to and remained with her till the following dsiy. The captain of the Canadian then left, for the pur pose of obtaining a steamer at Kaymar, to tow his disabled vessel off, considering there was a probability of removing heir with but little injury. The mate and rest of the crew remained by her, and in the course of the following day suc ceeded in landing some of the ship's stores on the Keys. On the third day, however, a frightful gale of wind sprang up, and cut off all communication with the shore, the first sea sweeping away the boats. The gale increasing, and the sea running very high, she was quickly thrown on her beam ends, every wave making a complete breach over her. The poor fellows flew up the rigging, the only refuge left, taking towardsthe with them an axe to cut away the rigging should the masts give way and go overboard. In this perilous situation they rTmainetinearly two entire days, the brig partially going to t l e T v e z : f fomun ai d ld er t t h h e em en , o an nn d ou w s it s h u o i u f sustenance.tbtohuendsliingghtoenstit,the l least m aid ine fr d om on th th e i m in vessels, perceiving their awful condition, bore down of „_ reef, m, but in consequence of t b h l e e. dan D g e e a r t o h us b c e h in a g racter cer tainly their fate ehoubl e the im r r e es m o a o in on the reef, they thedeter gaPtPoea dlalt rce s , ,,f the sea, believing it would carry them in the directio n e u d t oe7fff v ess el i f r a a h s sal were h e i a w n c a e , s sbarfoetltyght picke d to. u T p h e b y y o a n b e o b a y t t o h n a e t d w ro as p p p although as may be readily imagined, in a very exhausted condition. In the succeeding night they lost sight of the wreck, which, with the cargo, is said to be insured for 12,0001 inlgnde3elraeyaselasto,ftchreirmecwdeurerinbgatlll4e D ECREAS E OF CHINE IN CAMBRIDGESIIIRE.—We l a a r s e t happy or to co mmitments to the castle , and the majority trs‘e.ceoridnaunifiaosteogiruaittyify. Y of these cases were minor offences, there bei n g but three of felony. Since the lstoi June there have been but nine commitments, and of these but four for felony. In January, 1844, at which time the construction of railways opened so wide a field for labour in this and the adj o i n i ng counties, there were but 15,comin eitMnts, m a number far below any in the corresponding months f or ten years. For the sessions next week, there is not even a single case, nor is there at present a female prisoner in the castle. All this tells of an improvement in the labour market, and in the habits and mora ls of the population.—Cambridge Advertiser. THUNDER STORM.—LUTTERWORTH, JUNE 22, EIGHT, P.M.—This town has been visited by one of the most extraordinary thunder storms known for the last fourteen years, and it is feared that considerable damage will be done to the grass crops that are down. At the time of our writing it is raging with the ar e violeuCe. PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES. The Duke of BUCCLEUCH presented a petition praying for the establishment of public baths and washheuses. VENTILATION OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIA- MENT. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that with their Lordships' permission he would postpone the motion of which he had given notice on this subject, because he had reason to believe, from his Noble Friend and relative at the head of the Woods and Forests, that to-morrow he would be in possession of the report in reference to the question of warming and ven tilating the House. He was sure that it would be quite satis factory to their Lordships ; and before they adopted an address to the Crown on this subject, it would be at least proper to learn what was the decision of the Committee. With their Lordship? permission, therefore, he should postpone the motion of which he had given notice till to-morrow. SUNDAY TRADING. The Earl of GALLOWAY presented a petition from the ministers, elders, deacons, and adherents of the Free High Church of Paisley, in which they begg, d their Lordships to discountenance all Sabbath traffic, and especially the practice of selling spirituous liquors, till the evening on the Lord's day. A NOBLE Loan presented another petition to the same effect. SALE OF WASTE LAND IN AUSTRALIA. In answer to a NOBLE Loan, Lord LYTTELTON said that he intended to lay on their Lordships' table a Bill to regulate the sale of waste land in Australia. This Bill differed in many respects from the Bill which was laid on the table at the close of the last session. The Noble Lord laid the Bill on the table, and moved that it be read a first time. PORTBURY PIER AND RAILWAY COMPANY. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from an indivi dual, to which he wished to call their Lordships' attention. It complained of a great hareship inflicted upon him by the proceedings of this Company. It appeared that last year he consented to forego his opposition to the Bill, in con sequence of some arrangements into which they had entered with him, and on the payment of all costs. They had, however, refused to complete their promise. The railway company had broken faith with the petitioner, and he should therefore move that the Standing Orders' Com. mittee appointed to meet to-morrow to consider the Bill be postponed till Tuesday, and if the railway company did not perform their agreement in the meantime he should move for a Committee to inquire into the allegations of the petition. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY gave notice that on Monday next he should move for a Select Committee to inquire into the allegatious of a petition which he presented a few nights ago against the Lancashire and North Yorkshire Railway. Lord BEAUMONT regretted that the Noble Marquis should have complained of a want of courtesey by him (Lord Beaumont) towards the Noble Marquis. This railway he was connected with, and when the petition was presented by the Noble Marquis, as the complaint of a 11Ir. Moss, who alleged that the shares were allotted to the provisional committee, and he (Mr. Moss) had applied for shares, and failed to get any—he (Lord Beaumont), when the petition was presented, said that it was more favourable than otherwise to the Bill, for it showed that the Committee were responsible men, and had an interest in the prosperity of the line. He had no intention whatever of behaving discour teously towards the Noble Marquis. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said he did not know the Bill was to be read a third time till it was mentioned in their Lordships' House. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY and the Marquis of CLAN RICARDE offered a few remarks on the same subject. Lord KINNAIRD presented a petition from certain opera tives, praying that their Lordships would provide for improvement in the dwellings of the working classes, for better drainage and sewarage, and for the better supply of water to the dwellings of the poor; and asked the Noble Viscount (Canning) at the head of the department of Woods and Forests, what measures had been taken to provide for the objects mentioned iu the petition? METROPOLITAN BUILDINGS BILL. Lord PORTMAN wished to draw the attention of their Lordships to this Act. It would be in the recollection of their Lordships, that this Bill was passed in an extraordinary manner ; that it contained no less than one hun dred and thirty clauses; and that it was passed into a law with the greatest haste. It had become an Act of the greatest possible annoyance to private individuals who come within its influence. Its provisions were monstrous, and large fees were created for the purpose of carrying on the Act. A large book had been published by Mr. Laws, so necessary was it to instruct the peo ple as to its provisions. This book contained 150 cases which had been settled by the official referees. If a person went to the office of the Metropolitan Buildings, and inquired whether he was right or wrong in his proceedings, he was informed that he must bring the matter before the official referees by re quisition, and that they then would give their' award. He must obtain a " circuit' paper, for which he had to pay, and then, when he had got a requisition, they would give their award. In one case a person received nine notices from the office, and he was told that he might be informed of the decision of the referees for 3/. 9s. 11d. ; but he was too poor to pay for it, so that it was evident the fees which they ex acted under the Bill were of a large and arbitrary character. The Noble Lord then detailed some cases of great hardship arising out of the present system, but he spoke in so low a tone as not to be heard in the gallery. Lord CANNING said the Noble Lord's question, if he un derstood it right, was whether Government intended to in. troduce any measure this session for the better drainage and supply of water in the metropolitan districts, but the petition the Noble Lord had presented had reference to water and improvement Bills which did not apply to the metropolis. With regard to the Noble Lord's question, he might state that that Gentleman had no Bill in preparation for improving the drainage and the supply of water in the me tropolis. It was their intention to begin first in the rural, or rather the manufacturing districts.—(Hear, hear.) And with that view the Health of Towns' Bill was intro duced into Parliament towards the close of last session. Various suggestions were made with respect to the Bill, and, when they were consolidated into a Bill, it was sent to the other House of Parliament. With regard to the manner in which they were to deal with private water companies, the Government suggested clauses which should compel those companies to give a sufficient supply to all large towns, and also to the poor districts. These clauses had been all adopted by the private Water Com panies' Bills which passed through the Committees this session. He said the Bill consisted of 120 or 130 clauses, and was found therefore to be very unmanageable. But it was the intention of the Government to introduce amendments, so far as to divide it into certain compartments under particular headings. The Earl of CADOGAN said he was one of those who op posed this Bill at its introduction, but after what had fallen from the Noble Viscount, he was perfectly satisfied with the Bill as it had been now described. BUCKINGHAM RAILWAY (TRING TO BANBURY.) Lord STANLEY reported to the House that the Committee to whom this Bill had been referred were of opinion that it was not expedient to ➢roceed with it. PROTECTION TO MAGISTRATES BILL. . This Bill, on the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, was read a second time and committed. ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR. Lord VIVIAN wished to inquire if the Noble Lord the Comptroller of the Exchequer (Lord Monteagle) intended to introduce a Bill for the union of these sees ; and also a Bill for appropriating their surplus revenues to other purposes connected with the Church ; and whether, if such was his intention, he should introduce them at the same time, as they were of a cognate character? Lord MONTEAGLE replied that it was his intention to in troduce a Bill for the union of those sees to-morrow, similar to the one introduced by him last year, in accordance with the first report of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. It was also his intention to introduce a Bill to appropriate the surplus re venues of the sees, if united, to the endowment of small livings. Earl DALHOUSIE presented several petitions in favour of the Ministerial measures. SEES OF ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR. The Bishop of EXETER presented two petitions against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor. The petitioners prayed not only that a Bill might be brought to prevent the union of the two sees, but also that a bishop might be immediately appointed to Manchester, THE LUNATIC ACT. The Duke of RICHMOND presented two petitions from West Cheltington against the present Lunatic Act. THE CORN-LAWS. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the West Surrey Association for protection to agriculture and British industry. The petitioners stated that they had heard with great surprise that the tenant-farmers were said to be in favour, or indifferent to the repeal of the existing corn-law, and they begged to state to their Lordships that they sincerely be lieved such statements to be utterly untrue. They stated that the proposed measure would have the effect of compelling them to reduce their labourers' wages. They also stated that they believed that the hateful and impious cry of famine had been raised for the purpose of enabling them who raised it to carry out their schemes of plunder, and violation of the rights of the agricultural party.—( Hear, hear, and laughter.) The petition was signed by the Chairman of the Association, and he must say that he agreed with the prayer of the petition.—(Laughter.) THE CORN IMPORTATION BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR having put the question that this Bill be read a third time, _ _ The Earl of WICKLOW said that, on this motion, he begged to trouble their Lordships with a few observations. As their Lordships were now at the last stage of these proceedings, and were about finally to conclude these great and enormous changes in the financial policy of this country, he begged to remind their Lordships, and her Majesty's Government more especially, of two points, upon which it appeared to him no in formation whatsoever had been afforded to their Lordships in the course of these proceedings, and upon which he thought, both to the country, and to that House, information was due from the Government. The first of these points that he would allude to, and which was certainly the least important, was with respect to the promises which were made by the First Minister of the Crown on the introduction of the Corn Bill into the other House, of certain equivalents or compensations, or matters of that nature, which were promised to accompany this measure. Their Lordships had now got to the last stage of the measure, and yet, up to the present time, he had not been able to ascertain that in either House of Parliament anything like a proposal of the nature of any of these matters had been made to, or communicated to the House. Now, although these matters might be of themselves of trifling importance, yet they were not, it appeared, so considered by the Government when they proposed the measure. They were given out and pro posed by Government in some degree as compensation to the landed interest, for the loss they would sustain from the passing of this measure ; but here they had approached this period of the session and ne notice had been taken of either proposition. There was one measure promised, and which ought to have been brought forward irrespective of this Bill, because it was founded in justice, and strongly recommended by the Landlord and Tenant Commissioners of Ireland. It was promised that the expense of the constabulary force of that country should be thrown upon the Consolidated Fund; but here they were approaching the end o f the session, and no notice had been taken of it in either House of Parliament. Before, ntherefore,ponu they read this Bill, they ought to have some explantt a i o .n this point.—( Hear, hear.) He now came toa Eo point, but he must firsts s e t c a o t n e go I n that Sir Robert Peel obtaine d a continuance ment to make hiraself understood.t w o u of b t b e sh e rem embered oh o re e t omet a x to enable him to try a pa rticular financial experiment. The Right Hon. Baronet state d that under the change, the customs the continuance of the ; d u e e s ta x would un s n o e e e increase s.ary, a a n s d t o rend befor e er they passed this they ought com e to have some exp lanation upon this p oint too.— ( Hear, hear.) At that time the revenues were increasing in every de partment, and the country was in a state of prosperity. But, the m ost unfortunately , a t the be g inni ng of the present s ess i on, on account of the happy state of the revenues, and ncrease which he had predicted, th e fi rst Minis ter of Cron*, net Raided with the alterations which be had already • made, introduced thosemeasures which their Lordships had been considering for the past two or three weeks. The!Noble Lord, the President of the Board of Trade, who most ably in troduced the measure—for he (the Earl of Wicklow) would give him credit for being a most able Minister and an accomplished debater—never held out to their Lordships that the customs duties, after these alterations, would gain the point which they reached previous to the reduction. But he Lad swept away these sources of revenue, and all that he offered to your Lordships in their stead, was what might be drawn in the course of years from the buoyancy of trade.—( Hear.) But the Government must have taken these things into con sideration, and they must have seen their position in the pre sent eireuuistances of the country- No direct income-tax would make up the deficiency. The First Minister of the Crown, in his budget during the present session, held out no surplus whatever. The whole surplus, including the r -mit tance from China, which would not continue more than the present year, was only 700,000/. He asked whether the country had not a right, and whether their Lordships had no right, that their Ministers should state, what their expectations were in reference to the future income of the country ? Had tic'. Lordships not a right to know whether they meant to bring in a substitute for this tax, or whether they inter ded to renew the income-tax ? If they did not mean to renew it, then what was to be the substitute ? But if they intended to renew that tax, why, he askeo, did they not announce it fairly. He said a new Parliament would be in existence before the expiry of the present tax ; and did they believe that a new Parliament would sanction that tax. He did not be lieve that a new Parliament would sanction, to any Govern ment, an income-tax as a permanent tax on the country. He certainly did not believe, if such were made permanent, that the country would suffer it to remain permanent, and least of all at the present moment. If the Government should with draw that indirect taxation, to which the country had long been accu;tomed, and if they substitued, instead of that, a direct taxation, it was an impossibility to suppose that the country would suffer it to continue. The Cabinet Ministers must have considered these matters fully, and he asked whether it was fair to the country or to their Lordships not to make known what their intentions were? The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his long experience, and his great ability, and holding an office in which he must acquaint him self on these subjects, arid the Noble Lord the President of the Board of Trade, were both of them capable of giving an an swer, but they declined, axed the country would certainly draw their own inference. He would, therefore, take that opportunity of calling upon his Noble Friend for an expla nation. The Earl of RIPON said that the Noble Lord had a per fect right to ask these questions. He would not, for indeed he had no right to, find fault with the manner in which they were put by his Noble Friend. The first question was, whether the Government had taken into consideration the means of carry ing on the affairs of the country under the reduced revenue which would take place through the reduction in the duties, and more especially those reductions which affected agriculture. The Government felt now as they did in the beginning of the session of Parliament, that they were bound to carry out the measures alluded to by the Noble Lord. His Noble Friend wished to know what was the intention of the Government with respect to the question of the property-tax. This tax was proposed to last for three years, but it would be impru dent of any Government to answer such a question before the proper time. It would be found, perhaps, at the expiration of the period of three years necessary or unnecessary to continue this tax, as the case might be, and therefore to express a de cided opinion upon this question would be very impolitic. The Noble Earl then read statistical documents to prove that the reductions which had taken place since 1842 in the import duties had not been unfavourable. He was happy to state that the demands upon the country were very much less than they were, and it was satisfactory to find that a reduction in the national debt had amounted, within the last year, to upwards of one million. Lord FEVER SHAM said that he could not but agree with the agriculturists of this country that the measures of her Majesty's Government were calculated to be of the greatest injury to the landed interests. The tenant-farmers had held meetings in various parts of the country, where resolutions were passed condemnatory of the measure for a repeal of the corn-laws, as a measure fraught with the greatest evil to the landed interest. They had no statistical information from her Majesty's Government to prove a case for the passing of the Bill. He had met with a very intelligent American gentleman, who said that this question would be of the greatest advantage to America, inasmuch as it would bring much of the waste land of that country into cultivation. This was very true, but how much would not that injure the agriculturists of this country. The increase of the supply from foreign coun tries must, as a matter of course, be the meant of a ruinous competition with this. If he thought the measure wt uld be conducive to the happiness of the people, or tend to promote the morals of the people, he would at once forego his objection to the measure, but he did not believe it would have that effect. On the contrary, he thought it would retard rather than ad vance the happiness of the people, and it was on that ground he opposed it. He would not detain their Lordships further than to remark that he thought that, in respect of this measure, the constitution had been violated, inasmuch as the sense of the people had not been taken upon it.—(Cheers. ) The Duke of CLEVELANDsaid, as this was the last stage of this memorable Bill, upon which he should have an opportu nity of addressing their Lordships, he wished to say a word or two, not with the view of delaying the further progress of the Bill, but simply to protest in the strongest manner against the Bill.—( Hear, hear.) After listening attentively to all the de bates upon the subiect, he must confess he still remained of the same opinion as he did when the Bill was first introduced, and he could not help thinking that many parties had sacrificed their own private opinion in favour of party feeling. He must admit, at the same time, that although the Whig party had hitherto been favourable to a fixed duty, they had pursued a consistent and proper course in supporting this measure, because they were on the threshold of coming into office, and it would have been unwise in them had they hampered themselves with the difficulties of the question —( Hear, hear.) He claimed credit for his own party, for having been actuated in their opposition to the Bill by no other than sincere and purely disinterested mo tives, while with regard to the question of voting by proxy, he was ready to admit that, although it was distasteful to the public mind, yet, nevertheless it was instanced by old and long-established usage, and upon that ground alone he should be prepared to oppose any motion that might hereafter be brought forward for its abolition. He thought, however, if they had any wish to keep up the privilege they ought to take care that it was not ill-used. Now, in the case of the present Bill, he thought it had been abused, for many Noble Lords who had entrusted their proxies to members of the Government were in distant parts of the globe, and must he still quite ignorant of the introduction of the mea sure.—( Hear, hear.) The most lamentable part of this mea sure, he thought, was the effect it would have in breaking off all confidence in the Minister. Up to the passing of the Re form Bill, which he opposed, he had regularly voted with the Whigs, but after that period he had followed Sir Robert Peel, in whom he had always placed his entire confidence, and for whose abilities he entertained the highest respect.—( Hear, hear.) Their Lordships, then, might easily imagine his feel ings upon being now compelled to declare that, hereafter, lie could place no confidence in that Right Hon. Baronet, but the pain attending that conviction was in some respects aleviated, by the knowledge that the protectionist party had still an able, talented, and distinguished - leader, in whom he had the utmost confidence. Hereafter he should consider the Noble Lord (Lord Stanley) not as his friend, but as his polar star.— ( Cheers.) He had always heard that Noble Lord speak with out any reservation or equivocation, and he had never heard any person say that that Noble Lord left the least loophole in his speeches, out of which he might creep, as others were in the habit of doing. He (the Duke of Cleveland) had only to say, that entertaining these sentiments and these views, he must protest against the policy of this measure. He thanked the House for the indulgence which had been accorded to him, and he would only trespass further for the purpose of saying, that he considered the measure totally uncalled for—( Hear, hear)—and reflected great discredit on the Government that had introduced it.—(Cheers.) Several Noeut LORDS here rose simultaneously to address their Lordships, but, Earl DALHOUSIE (who was one of these Noble Lords) having said that he rose merely for the purpose of explaining, was allowed to proceed. He said he should not trouble their Lordships many minutes, nor should he have ventured to trespass on their attention had it not been for some of the ob servations which had fallen from the Noble Duke who had just sat down, with reference to proxies given in that House. Had the comments of the Noble Duke on that subject been restricted to general observations on proxies given there, he (tbe Earl of Dalhousie) would not have troubled their Lord_ ships ; but as the Noble Duke had mentioned the name of his (the Earl of Dalhousie's Noble and Gallant relative, the Mar quis of Tweeddale) and stated that his proxy was given con trary to his opinions and feelings on the subject of this measures he hoped that their Lordships would allow him to say a few words on the subject. He (the Earl of Dalhousie) took a wide view from the Noble Duke on the subject of proxies. As long as these proxies did exist, he must confess that a proxy was given upon the principle of entire delegation into the hands of those who held then.--( Hear, hear.) Such was the principle of proxy, and as long as that system of proxy existed, it mat tered not whether the individual whose proxy was given was a resident in the Indies or dining in Belgrave- square at the time that it was given.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) The Noble Duke had said, that the proxy of his (the Earl of Dalhousie's) Noble and Gallant Relative was given in direct contradiction to his sentiments on this question ; and he had also stated that it was utterly impossible that his Noble and Gallant Friend, living at so great a distance from this country, could have heard of the introduction of this measure. He (the Earl of Dalhousie) thought that the Noble Duke must have forgotten that this question had been now introduced seven months, and that a communication reached him in six weeks.-- Hear, hear.) He (the Earl of Dalhousie) could assure the Noble Duke that he had had a communication with his Noble and Gallant Relative on this subject.—( Hear, hear)—and he could assure the House that his firm convic tion was that if his Noble and Gallant Friend had been in that House he would have voted for the second reading of this Bill. Rut he (the Earl of Dalhousie) would at the same time frankly state that he believed, if his Noble and Gallant Friend had been there he would have voted for the amendment of the Noble Earl on the back bench, with respect to a fixed duty; and had their Lordships assented to that he would, no doubt, have declined voting for the second reading ; and he (the Earl of Dalhousie) would not, under such circumstances, have ten dered his proxy in support of the third reading, although, on the gener a l p r i nc ipl e , h e cons id ere d hi mse lf e ntitled to u se he proxy. He f e lt c er tai n th a t h a d hi s Noble and G a llant Friendofthis been present h e wou ld h ave v oted for the third read in g Bill. Lord G AGE said he must bespeak their Lordships in dulgence for a short space of time, whilst briefly hils to address t o the, with vey great reluctance and hopelessness, ventured them a few observation s ( as he c onsidered ear. hiomnsellofobkoitningdatto this with respect to this measure.—(H question he found that it had been brought forward by men who had, a few short months ago, told them t hat the consent ing to such a measure, on the part of the Legislature, would entail general ruin on the country.—(Hear, hear.) Those men had not given them any distinct reasons for their sudden change of opinion on this question. Instead of now looking upon this measure as one calculated to ruin the country, the promoters declared, on the contrary, that it would increase the prosperity of the country. But they had not given one single reason for their change of conduct. It was plain that it was the pressure from without that had induced the Prime Minister to bring forward this measure. Had the elections that had recently taken place shown that the people were in favour of this measure ? For his own humble part, he conceived that if measures must be passed by their Lordships on the sole ground that it had passed the other House of the Legislature—(Hear)—there was no need of a House of Lords.—( Hear, hear.) He had heard nothing so unworthy as the reiteration of the vulgar imputation that their Lordships were actuated solely by selfish motives in , giving their opposition to this measure.—( Hear, hear.) And must their Lordships be prevented from defending their own interests? But, further than that, their Lordships conceived that this measure would entail ruin en the tenant-farmers of England, and those whom:they employed.—( Hear, hear.) The land would, in his opinion, be thrown out of cultivaticn— four-fifths would be deprived of employment ; and, as a Coercion Bill had been lately introduced for Ireland, he con ceived that a similar Bill must be introduced for England, to keep down the disturbances which this mea-urn would mast probably create.—( Hear, hear.) By whom hail thi r.easure been introduced? By Quakers, Dissenters, and vio lent enemies of the Church.—( Hear, hear.) He firmly be lieved, that in spite of the votes which their Lordships had given, nine-tenths of them at least, in their hearts, abominated it.— (Hear, hear.) He heard with deep regret that expres sion which dropped from the Noble and Gallant Duke, tha that was the last time which he would ever have the honour of addressing the House. He (Lord Gage) joined fervently in the universal admiration with which that best and greatest of heroes was greeted ; but he at the same time deeply re gretted that his last triumph should be over the liberties of his country. Earl STANHOPE said he would not comment on Sir Robert Peel's course of conduct, as in a few hours he would driven from power, never again to be called to the dignities office.—(Hear, hear.) But he would at once proceed to t principles of the measure which they were then discussing, an he would tell their Lordships that the principles of free trad were those of uncommon nonsense. Social questions hun upon the present question which would be as little palatable to the promoters of the measure, as they would he to any Noble Lord of the party to which he had the honour to belong. He would tell them that their authority was gone, and at a future day it might be a question of their existence, and then it would be well if they could have judgment stayed. If they were to have a free trade in corn, they should have one in agriculture also.—( Hear, hear.) He warned their Lordships of the conse quences —consequences which were likely to bring about a re vo'utiGn—and if that revolution took place, the whole respon sibility would rest on her Nlajesty's present Ministers. The Earl of SELKIRK said it was thought by many that this question of the corn-laws once settled, they should hear no more of the question. He was not of that opinion, nor was it the opinion of many of their Lordships.—( Hear, hear.) The Duke of RICHMOND wished to know from the Noble Lords the Members of her Majesty's Government, whether their minds had undergone any change since Sir Robert Peel stated some time ago, that he intended introducing a measure which would give compensation to the tenant-farmers of this country ? He wished something should be said on the subjeet before they separated on this question. For his own part, he would advise the farmers to agitate against the measure about to be passed, and not to cease till protection was again brought about. He would do more—he would advise them to agitate for the repeal of all the bur dens in the shape of taxation. (Hear, hear, from Earl Stanhope.) He believed that if the Bill, which would give to the tenaat.farmers the means of claiming their outlay for improvements, were passed, it would be of great advantage, and it should have his hearty support. —(Hear, hear.) He was glad to hear that the present Go• vernment was about to resign, for it would show to the country that no Ministry could abuse the confidence of the country with im;tunity, notwithstanding the support of their 110 sup porters; and there was one consolation, that these 110 sup porters were not likely to gain anything by their sudden con version. Lord ELLENBOROUGH said he felt bound, so far as he was concerned, to inform the House, that whatever Govern ment succeeded the present, he would be bound by his ex pressed opinions with regard to th e measures in connexion with the Corn Bill. On the question that the Bill be read a third time this day six months, the non-contents were declared to have it. The question that the Bill be now read a third time was put, when the contents were declared to have it. The Bill was then read a third time, and passed. CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. On the question being put for the third reading of this Bill, The Duke of RICHMOND said , on a former occasion he had stated to their Lordships that a deputation of the Spital fields silk weavers had waited upon the Noble Lord, the Presi dent of the Board of Trade, and laid the case before him, but the Noble Lord denied they had done so. No w he had since learned that the deputation was received by the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, in the absence of the Noble Lord, and that Right Hon, Gentleman was asked to exte nd the same pri vilege to the Spitalfields silk weavers that had been granted to the Coventry ribbon makers, but it was refused. Under these circumstances he wished to ask the Noble Lord whether, if a deputation were to wait upon him, and show that the case of the Spitalfields weavers was the same as the Coventry ribbon makers, he would propose or support a Bill putting them la the same situation as the silk ribbon weavers of Coventry? The Earl of DALHOUSIE replied that it was perfectly true that the deputation was received by his Right Hon Friend the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, in his own absence ; but the Noble Duke had incorrectly assumed that the deputation went away unheard. The fact was, however, his Right Hon. Friend took the deputation to the Chancellor of the the Exchequer, the officer of the Government who usually attended to matters connected with revenue, anal their case was fully gone into. Under these circumstances, he could not give the promise the Noble Duke required. Lord STANLEY asked the Noble Earl if the Chancellor of the Exchequer was aware that the request of the Deputa tion had been conceded to the Coventry rinbon weaver? The Earl of DALHOUSIE replied in the affirmative. After a few words from Lord ASHBURTON and Lordi BROUGHAM, The Bill was read a third time, and passed. Several Bills lying on their Lordships' table were advance& a stage, and their Lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COIYMOIVS, June 25. The SPEAKER. took the Chair at Four o'clock. Messengers from the Court of Bankruptcy brought liP cer tain returns. Mr. R. HODGSON moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the allegations contained in the peti tions of the Marquis of Ailse, the magistrates of Newton upon-Ayr, and of the inhabitants of Maybole, with reference to the Glasgow and Belfast Union Railway Bill, and to report to the House, to consist of—Sir George Grey, Mr. Biekhatn Escott, Sir Charles Douglas, Mr. Protheroe, and Mr. Pen darves, with power to send for persons, papers, and records. THE MINT. Mr. MUNTZ presented a petition, very numerously aril re spectably signed, praying that the Royal Mint might be opened for private individuals to coin metal on the same terms as at Calcutta, as shown in an order of the House, printed on the 6th of March last. REPORTS. The following Reports were then farther considered, at id the Bills ordered to be engrossed :—Blackburn, Darwen, at id Bolton Railway—Black Sluice Drainage—Great Leinster a) od illunster Railway (No. I)—Hertford and Hatfield Railway Midland Railway ( Birmingham Extension)—Wexford, _Co low, and Dublin Junction Railway. _ _ EDUCATION IN WALES. Mr. WILLIAAIS presented two petitions from Kilmarno ck, praying that the House would take into its consideration in , fa' sures for the education of the people in Wales. LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The Lords amendments to the following Bills were tb, read and agreed to : —Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshi re Junction Railway—Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Rai 1- way ( Stamford to Wisbeach)—Burnley Improvement ar td Waterworks Direct London and Portsmouth Railway - Eastern Union Railway ( Ardleigh to Colchester) - Great North of England Railway (Boroughbridge Branch )- Great North of England Railway (Bedale Branch)—Live r pool, Manchester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Junction Rai T way—Liverpool Sanatory Regulations —Midland Railway (Ere - - wash Valley Extension)—North Staffordshire Railway (Churnet , Valley Line)—Northumberland Docks—North Western Rail way—Rye and Dement Drainage—York and North Midland Railway ( Leeds Extension), Air. GREENE moved—" That the Select Committee on,' Group No. 59 of Railway Bills have leave to proceed forth with with the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Railway (Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal Purchase) although no notice of the sitting of the Committee on such Bill I,as been given in the Private Bill-office ;—that it be an instruction to the Committee to entertain the petition of Gis-•• borne Babington, although the same was not presented three - ' clear days belore the first day of the sitting of the C o mmittee." —Agreed to. REPORTS. The following reports were then brought up and agreed t 0. and ordered to lie upon the table :—Blackburn anaP res a tc r 3 and East Lancashire Railways Amalgamation—Bristol ',Waiver n Birmingham Railway (Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, and (Gloucester ar al Line)—Bristol and Birmingham Railway na l i ni s l Le i easy Devi Eat.:•.l - al ß ed a o il n a ia a n y_ R E ai a l s w te a r y: . ( s C c a_ o r_ Railway 11r„rnes Junction Railway Branches—Furness ten , ions—Great North of England polerchlei—Kilmarnock t r 0 - Purchase- Hull Lancaster and Prestt ►re works—Lancaster and Carlisle ation—Leicester and Birmingha 22 j th u e net C io a n le it t a o i n l i w an ays Railway) Antalgani Preston and Wyre Railway, Hai r- Junction)—Richmond Railw ay g N e e w str e e ts— SI ig o Ship Canal h ß o a u i r l : va in d ( (Kew branch)— wi Dockth a br t iL ai; .ln h rd ) i -- d Strathtay and IB7rnetaTlbeannbey,Rsaaiulwnadye—rsioSoutr,rey, Iron Railway and South \Val ea Company Disso t vt THIRD READINGS. BillsgCornwallw e r e Railway. r e ad a third time and passed : Askew's Estate Bill, Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway... S c hoolmasters' Widows' Fund. Ra T il h w e aY fo — llOw Ve in s g PAUPER LUNATICS BILL. Mr. ALLIX presented a petition from the ratepayers of the. parish of Chesterton, in the county of Cambridge, against the , Pauper Lunatics Bill.— It was ordered to lie upon the table. Mr. BA NKES presented a petition from a place in Dor setshire. The petitioners stated that they were residents in a. poor-law union, containing 20,000, where great irre gularities prevailed, of which they had complained. to the Poor-law Commissioners, and they prayed that the- House would appoint a special commi3sion to investigate the subject. SUGAR. Lord SANDON presented a petition from the sugar and: molasses merchants of Liverpool, stating that there was a great , deficiency this year in the supply of sugar s there being onlyi three-fourths of the quantity supplied in fr.rmer years, and pray-- ing the House to take into consideration the best means a making up the deficiency. JUVENILE OFFENDERS. The NOBLE Loan also presented two petitions from the Cor• poration of Liverpool, praying for an alteration of the law with a respect to juvenile offenders; a petition from the rope and twine makers of Liverpool. praying to be exempted from the opera ion of the Factory Act ; and several petitions from various places in Yorkshire, praying that those persons engaged in . factories might be protected from forced overwork. The NOBLY LORD then moved for a return of the expen diture of the East India . Company for the last twenty years.— . • Agreed to. PROTECTION OF LIFE (IRELAND) BILL. ADJOURNED DEBATE. Sir JAMES GRAHAM moved the order of the day to r the adjourned debate on the second reading of this Bill, Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN rose to address the K toia sei.. The Right Hon. Baronet stated, and stated fairly, tb it they rk' 1 hi all SW ex be w 2