The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-20 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch o; public business. TYR GIFT OF LIVERY CLOTH TO THE OFFICERS OF STATE, &C. Mr. ANDERTON rose to propose the consideration of the report on the reference relative to the custom of giving livery cloth to the Ministers of State, Judges, and others. The report, he said, was a very extraordi eiary one, and although the sum expended on the pre sents to the officers of State and the Judges annually was inconsiderable, he thought that economy as well as good sense was involved in the motion to get rid of the old practice altogether. He here read extracts from the labrsurs of the City officers amongst the records, to show that the Court of Aldermen had been in the regular 'habit, for upwards of a century, of appointing a com mittee annually to inspect and select the quality of cloth sent to the Great Officers of State, Judges, and others, and that the parties to whom the cloth was delivered were the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the Master of the Rolls, the Chief Baron, the Chamberlain of the House hold, the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, the Trea surer of the Household, the Comptroller of the House hold, the Lord Steward of the Household, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General, the Solicitor- General, the Recorder, the Common Sergeant. The quantity of cloth delivered to each was, as appeared from the report, four yards and a quarter. It appeared also by the books that a number of city officers were iu 1725 granted livery cloth, and that subsequently the presents of the city officers were greatly limited. The report concluded by stating that the cost for prov iding livery cloth amounted upon the average of the last se ven years to 1371. 14s. Id., and that the committee found ,by the documentary evidence that the granting livery cloth to the Ministers of State, and the great officers, and others was a custom of long standing and antiquity, had been that the ordering and management of t he same been in the Court of Aldermen. A MEMBER—Is it the fact that the great Ministers of State put on the livery of the Corporation ?—(Laughter.) Mr. ANDERTON said that no doubt the dignified people of whom they were speaking handed over the cloth to their butlers, so that the affair had lost all the character of being complimentary. It was his intention to move that the report be agreed to, and that it be re commended to the Court of Aldermen to discontinue the practice. The motion having been seconded, The RECORDER suggested that it might be injurious in the Court to interfere with a regulation which essen tially involved an interchange of civilities.—(Hear.) If the Court abandoned the custom, it might be a ques tion to what extent the ancient customs of much greater importance might be violated. He did not of course look to the value of the perquisite. It was to the prin ciple he looked solely, and he thought it would not be wise to cast it off.—(Hear.) Mr. ANDERTON said that if her Majesty's Ministers would not like to part with the four yards and a quarter of cloth of the Corporation livery without compensation he had ne doubt that the Court would willingly listen to any application of the kind. Mr. STEVENS said the officers of the Corporation certainly ought never to have received such a perquisite, but he thought the compliment from the Corporation to the officers of State should be continued without check or diminution. There was an interchange of civilities, which had been very properly observed ; and if the City presented the officers of State with four yards and a half of cloth each, the Lord Mayor received at least the value of the commodity in venison and other articles, upon the merits of which the citizens were very capable of deciding.—(A laugh, and cries of " Hear, hear.") The observance of the custom was calculated to promote a kindly feeling, without having the least resemblance to a bribe ; and he hoped the Court would not hesitate to show that they had a proper respect for a good hospit able old practice. Mr. KING thought that the recommendation to con tinuing expense came very oddly from the lips of so out-and-out a reformer and economist as Mr. Stevens.— (A laugh.) He begged the Court to consider whether it would not be advisable to send the subject at once to the Court of Aldermen, who would know how to deal with it, as they had the power, and to proceed to the long list of business before the Court. The motion was then agreed to. PENSIONS TO THE WIDOWS AND FAMILIES OF ALDER MEN, &C. Mr. ALDERTON next moved that the report on the references relative to the Court of Aldermen drawing on the Chamber for pensions and otherwise be taken into consideration. The report recommended that an act of Common Council should be passed to prevent the appro priation of the funds of the Corporation by the Court of Aldermen to the benefit of the families of deceased Aldermen, who had no well-grounded claims upon their fellow.citizens. Ho instanced the cases of several persons who had attained the station of Aldermen, and had never rendered any service, or con tributed in the slightest degree to the honour of the Corporation, but whose families, notwithstanding their worthlessness, had enjoyed for many years the bounty showered down with a liberal hand by the Court of Al dermen. He condemned the immeasurable expenditure contemplated by the Court of Aldermen in the construc tion of a new prbion, and represented, that although he laid Rot mean to interfere with the privileges of that Court, he believed it to be absolutely necessary to op rose the strong disposition which existed to be extrava gent in outlays which inflicted no tax upon the resources of the members themselves.—(Hear, hear.) The EI.:CORDER said it was quite evident that the Al dertnen bad, by law, as megistrates, the power as to the eenstruction of gaols within their jurisdiction. After come discussion the report was agreed to ; and it was referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance Commit:ee to - prepare a Bill accordingly. A discussion took place uper. the recommendation of the City os London Committee, that an oaken thor should be for Guildhall of the value of 1,6141., but the report was neatived. STATE OF THE CITY FINANCES. PIIIOII (the Chairman of the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee) brought up the report of the state of the finances at the close 4 f the 1 ist y4ar. The following are the observations upon the points deemed mere particularly deserving of notice. `• The 'income of the Corporation during the past, year exhibits a considerable increase, which we tied principally under the head of coal duty, upon which there is a large in crease upon the year as compared with preeedin,ee years. This is to a great ext en t accounte d f or b y the deficient importation of the three years immediately preceding, and more particularly the year 1844, which exhibited a diminution ef 4,000/. We further notice the fact of duty having in this last year been paid for the first time to any extent upon coals brought by railway conveyance. The arrangements respecting the collection and payment of the various duties upon coals brought by railway conveyance, have not at present been settled to the satisfaction of your Committee. Upon this subject a report will shortly be presented to the Court. We merely beg, on the present occasion, to express a hope that matters may speedily be placed upon such a tooting as shall obviate the necessity of an appli cation to the Government, which we shall feel it other wise incumbent upon us to make, as the Government are , now interested in a greater degree than the Corporation in the produce of such duties. On the expenditure side of the account fur the past year there appears likewise a considerable increase, which it is necessary satisfactorily to account for, and the Committee have pleasure in stating that the whole of such additional expenditure has been applied in furthering objects of great public utility. There has been contributed by the Corporation, as usual, towards the funds for effecting the improvements now in 'progress in various parts of the metropolis, the sum of 11,500/. ; in addition to which there has been applied out of the City coal duties, towards effecting improve. meats projected, the sum of 15,250/. ; and to wares the Holborn-bridge New- street Improve ment, the amount of the street tolls, viz.: 4,846/. ss. 9d.; making altogether a sum of 31,5961. ss. 9d. Under the head of magistracy expenses, we find an in crease of about 2,0001. upon the year, occasioned chiefly by extensive alterations at the justice room, Guildhall, and an increase of about 3001. in the expenses of removal of Scotch and Irish paupers. The prison expenses exhibited an increase of about 2,0001. expended in alterations at Giltspur-street Compter, and House of Correction Under the head of Conservancy of the Thames, there. appeared an increased expenditure of no less a sum than 7,0001., which we find can be satisfactorily accounted for, having been applied for the benefit of commerce, and for the . public frequenting that river for pl easure or otherwise ; the excess of expenditure being occasioned by the raising, and clearing away of wrecks and vessels obstructing the navigation of the river, the erection of the pier for the landing and embarking of passengers by steam-boats at Blackfriars-bridge, and in payment made on account of the works now in progress for re moving the dangerous rock called the Whiting Shoal, near Limehouse. In addition to the above items of extra expenditure, there has been paid off in the course of the year, 10,0004 the balance remaining of the moneys borrowed for the purpose of removing Fleet-market and the formation oufrFarringdonestreet, There has also been applied i n the cb ase of the ground and buildings of the late Fleet f . ruen, and in the re demption of land-tax thereon, the sum of 26 882/. 17. lid. This sum, however, unlike th e amounts )aouvet referred to, has not been paid out of the incom e , but has been provided for as nearly as possibl e by the a sale of stock applicable to such a purpose, and by the dis posal of the building materials. The report ends with congratulating the Court upon the satisfactory condition of the Corporate revenues, and upon the fact that increasing income had not induced lavish or unnecessary increase of expenditure, and that the surplus revenue had been, as the Committee trusted it ever would be, applied for the benefit of the City and the public at large. Mr. PRIOR said it was unnecessary for him to at. tempt to add anything to the statement of a report of so highly satisfactory a nature. He should merely move that it be adopted and printed in the minutes of the Court. The motion was unanimously agreed to. MOUTH-EASTERN CONTINENTAL STEAM PACKET COMPANY. The seeond half-yearly meeting of this Company was held yesterday afternoon, at the offices of the South-Eastern Railway Company, London-bridge. James 2.l‘Gregor, Esq., Chairman of the Company, took the chair. The report of the directors stated that the Company was constituted in June, 1845. There were 565 shareholders, bolding 11,081 shares. On these shares a deposit of 4L per share had been paid, and a further call of 21. would be made, payable on the 19th of July next. The Company at present bad five splendid steam-ships, the cost of which was 63,5021. The nett earnings for the last half-year had been 6,695/., out of which the (Erectors had written off 3,3621. 13s. 6d. for wear and tear, leaving a balance of 3,3331., out of which a dividend of 4s. per share would be declared payable on the 6th of April. The directors had given orders for three new ships, which would be ready in the course of the summer. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report. Lord TORRINGTON seconded the motion, which w.s unani mously carried. Lord Torrington, Mr. Harding, Capt. Tynedal3, and Mr. M‘Gregor, were then re••elected directors. The period for signing the deed of settlement w extended to the 30th Jun• next. The mooting then separated. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE 01? LORDS. COMMITTER ON BILLS. TUB XP.XS GREAT Vl7 - iSTX2N (DVIALIN TO GALWAY)• (Continued from stir Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) . _ Mr. Sergeant WZANGISAM then proceeded at considerable length to prove that the agreement in question was binding only during the last session of Parliament, and did not at all apply to the present session ; and concluded by stating that if he were to argue the point for a period equal to that for which it was contended by his Learned Friend that the agreement referred to—namely, for eternity—he could not make the question more plain to their Lordships than he had done, and should, therefore, leave the case in their hands. Mr. TATLos then proceeded to reply, and contended that the agreement in question was a permanent enjoyment to effect a tem porary purpose. At the conclusion of the Learned Counsel's speech, evidence was galled on behalf of the Dublin and Galway Railway, which was being proceeded with when the Committee rem, at four o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP IX. ZDINBURGH AND GLASGOW AMEND.. MENT AND BRANCHES. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Walker, consulting engineer of the Clyde Ittrer Trust, was next called by Mr. Hildyard, and deposed, without reference to the engineering features of the line, and taking the map before the committee as his guide, that the general terminus scheme was pre ferable to the other two. It was the beet scheme for all the pur poses required. The node of laying down the rails was better than in the other two. The cross-examinatien of the witness did not elicit any point of material importance. The substance of it was, that all circum stances considered, the general terminus was decidedly the best scheme. Mr. Cnbitt, ei ill engineer, examined—Had heard Mr. Walker's evidence, and generally agreed with it. The gradients and curves were much heavier on the ether two lines than on the general ter- Minna. He had seen Mr. Robson's estimates, and thought them ample enough. The connexion of the Mineral line with the Pollee land Govan, and with the Ayr and Greenock Joint Railways, was decidedly objectionable. The general terminus possessed the great est engineering practicability, and offered the greatest amount of prespeetive advantages. _ M. Smith, survey - or, deposed that he had yalued it at the sum of 60,3581. This closed the case for the general termini scheme. TEE GLASGOW ZARBOUR MINERAL. Mr. TALBOT opened the case on behalf of this line of railway. He eemmenced by showing the crowded state of the river Clyde at Glasgow, and the necessity of separating, as far as possible, the mineral from the general traffic. The traffic of the harbour was fast extending down the river, and in a short time the point of the harbour mineral would be by far the best fer the accommodation of interested parties. Having argued this point at some length, the Learned Gentleman went into the features of the case he intended to prove by evidence, and concluded by asserting that he would show by commercial and engineering evidence, that the Harbour Mineral scheme was of all those submitted to the Committee the one best suited to the present and prospective state of the Glasgow harbour. The Committee tken adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP MIT. NORTH ZZNT LINZ. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Vignoles was then cross-examined by Mr. CALVERT, on behalf of several landholders, whose property would be injured by the station in Union-street, Southwark, with a view of showing that last year it was proposed to have a station at the Brick layers' Arms, which might be extended to the west, while the Croydon and Greenwich line might be used for passen gers going to the eastward. The Learned Counsel wished to impress upon the Committee that the plan of last year was still quite adequate to meet the wants of the public, and therefore there was no necessity for the lines invading Southwark. The remainder of the day was occupied with similar cross examinations on behalf of numerous other landholders on the line. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till twelve to-morrow. Sub-Committee No. 1: (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) NORFOLK. The object of this Bill was to make a short line to connect the East Dereham and Norwich with the Norfolk Railway. The applicants were the Norfolk Railway Company. The length of railway is two miles ; estimated cost, 100,0011. Agent, James Coppock, Esq. ; en gineer, Mr. Borthwick. The Bill was unopposed. It was declared not to have complied with the standing orders, inasmuch as the declaration substituted in lieu of the subscription contract did not state the nature and amount of the funds at the Company's disposal. PRESTON AND WYRE RAILWAY, HAR BOUR, AND DOCKS (NEW DOCK AND RAILWAY). The projectors sought powers by this Bill to build docks on the river Wyre, and to constract a branch railway of one mile and dye furlongs, to connect the docks with the main line. The estimated cost is 147,0001. . _ Agents, Messrs. Dorrington and Co.; engineers, Mr. Bidder and Mr. Park. Standing orders complied with. The Committee then adjourned. Sub-Committee No. 2. CHELMSFORD AND BURY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) - - The next class of allegations was, that the height of the embank ments at various points on the line wcs not stated in the same plans. Several Instances were sustained. The next allegation was that there was an inaccuracy in the cross sections, carves, &c., which was sustained in the following instances, viz., I furlong, 3 chains, 29 miles ; I furlong, I chain, 9 miles ; 6 fur longs, 6 chains, 4 I miles ; 4 furlongs and 3 chains ; 39 miles, 5 fur longs, and 5 chains, &c. &c. This terminated the case for this petition. Mr. GReasE said he had to appear on behalf of one petition, which was very lengthy, and Included several allegations similar to those which had been disposed of already. However, as they had not checked these allegations, he conceived it would be the better course if the consideration of that petition were postponed. Mr. EmacostnE, who appeared for another petition, said that his petitlen was very short., but ti.at the same objection applied, and he would therefore feel much obliged by his being postponed also After some conversation between the agents, the Chairman said that the Committee would sit to-morrow, at ono o'clock, for the hear ing of this case only. The Committee then adjourned, at three o'clock. Sub-Committee No. b. BIEVIINGIZANI AND oxrona carstivuNG HAlM EXTENSION), AND EIRIVIINGNADI AND OXFORD 3 - UNCTION RAILWAYS. (Continuo(' from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Cavendish having been sent for to attend the Sub-Committee No. 1, Mr. Shirley took his place. The petition of the Earl of Warwick, for which also Mr. Carter ap peared, alleged that the stati,n at Birmingham was described as " adjoluh; the Grand Junction Raiiway Station in the parish of Birminshani," whereas the stations of the Grand Junction Rail way was in the parish of Ashton-junta-Birmingham. Mr. Btaan admitted that there was an inaccuracy in this respect, as the station was not in the parish of Birmingham, but it was in the borough of Birmingham, and the mistake was merely a substitu tion of the word parish f r boron li. The CHAIRMAN observed that this was not an Inaccuracy by which any one could be misled. Mr. CARTE' then called the clerk of the peace for Worcester to prove a discrepancy between the plans and sections, and said that, as the discrepancy did not appear except on the sealed plans, lie must request the Committee to order the witness to open the sealed plans. The Committee gave the order required. Mr. BURKE inquired whether these plans had ever been opened before? The Clerk of the Peace replied that they had not, and proceeded to open the " virgin documents" for the inspection of the Committee. The plans having been opened, the alleged discrepancy was " non est inventus." Mr. Buaas observed, that his friend had found a "mare's nest," and recommended that the plans should be sealed up agate. The next allegation fell to the ground. The next petition taken alleged that there was no oontinous plan of the railway deposited with the clerks of the peace. This allegation was founded upon the fact that certain property was omitted in the plan, and a reference was made to an additional and enlarged plan This point had previously been argued tat great length upon previous petitions. A witness was called to prove the omission of certain property from the plans. Mr. BraaE observed that he thought his friend had iso right, upon an allegation that there was no continuous plan, to g 4 Into a ques tion as to the correctness of any particular part of the Van. A discussion here ensueit, which ended in the point being reserved. It was next alleged that the mileage was not merited from the station of the Grand Junction Railway where the line was said to begin, tut from the station at Charles-street., Birmingheunn. This allegation was admitted by Mr. Burke. The next allegation, which also had reference to :the point as to the additional plans, was withdrawn. It was next alleged that the datum line was not the name through out, the distance between the datum line and the line of rails being four feet greater at the beginning of one sheet than .at the end of the sliCet preceding. Mr. Burke admitted the discrepancy, but submitte d that the alle gation was not proved, as the datum line was in fact the same. The Committee determined to report that the standing orders were not complied with, inasmuch as the distance between thn datum line and the line of rails was incorrectly marked. They con sidered that the datum line was the same throughout, and that the error was in the making of the gradient. Tke neat allegation had reference to an inaccuracy I n the datum line, which in one of the plans was not krill:ht. It was represented on the other side that the crookedness of the line was owing to the shrinking of the transfer paper used in engraving the glans, and that the distance between the rails and the datum line was c orrect. The Committee haying heard evidence on both sides, decided that the allegation war not proved. Upon the allegation that a carriage-road, passing thre ugh the tleld, marked No. 27, on the plans, was not marked, the CV , nimittse de cided that the standing orders were not complied with. The Committee were discussing a question as to whet her a certain road was a public carriage way or not, when Mr. Speal :er was an nounced at prayers, and the Chairman having re-seals 1 the plans which had been opened fer the purpose of ezhibitint :Mr. Carter's " mare's nest," as Mr. Burke had termed it, The Committee adjourned till to-morrow. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEE. HOUSE OF LORDS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of ye et erday.) DONCASTER, WAKEFIELD, AND LEEDS RA ILWAT. This was the next case which occupied the attention of the Com mittee, who, after an extremely lengthened investigation , decided that the Company had complied with the standing orders. HUNTINGDON AND WISBEACH RAILW) After hearing the usual evidence, the Committee decidle d that the Company had not complied with the standing orders. LYNN AND ELY (EXTENSION TO MARC E.) In this case the committee decided that the Ce q , pany had complied with the standing orders. ELY AND HUNTINGDON RAILWAY (BEDFORT) ; EXTEN SION). The Committee declared that the Company had compiled:• with the standing orders in this case. LYNN AND ELY EXTENSION TO SFALTANG. A like decision was also given in this case. The Committee adjourned at Live o'clock. LAW INTELLIGENCE. fIOUSE OF LORDS, March 19. The Rouse eat to -clay to hear Scotch appeals. !Chet Peers present were —Lord Cottenham, Lord Brougham, ,and Lord Campbell, Tins rEoFFEFS OF TRUST AND GOVERNORS OE .IC6RInT'S The arguments uosPITAL V. ROSS. and conclud e d to- In this part-heard appeal well rosumed the right of the a day.pp jhe question in this case: wAsas to tion to be admitted into 1 1 reject the respondent'. s applica tion Hospit a l. Thi Court of Session decided in favour of hs o respond a e p tl p t e , al a e n d d . I rom that judgment the governors of th e h e. Their Lordships, at the conclusion t argum es its, gave judgment, reversinc Court belowthe decision of the ' • on COURT OF CHANCERY, m arc a is i ~ ARCHER. v. HUDSON. ectsi The arguments in this pa rt -heard a pp ea l from th e , d of the Master of the Rolls were resumed and conch ded to. day. The bill was filed by Thomas Archer and Frances, his wife, formerly Miss Kendrew, against G. Hudson an d win. Scawin, the registered officers of the Yor k Union B ea ik, and Christopher Daniel, the uncle of the plaintiff , M rs. A: her, to restrain proceedings at law on the part if the bank, c/a a pro missory note for 5001. in which Mrs. Archer before In .r mar riage had joined as surety with her uncle,Christopher .. Daniel, in giving to the bank as a security for his balance to ith the bank. Miss Kendrew had lost her father at three ;rears of age, and her mother at nine, and being entitled to ce] .7 Lain real and personal estate, which was in the hands of trut (tees, she was put to school, and there continued until the r tit'e of 17 years, passing her holidays with her uncle and aun ,t Danie:. After that period she altogether resided with her u acid until her marriage in 1841, haying attained the age of 2 I year in November, 1837, and her uncle was paid for her maintenance out of the income of her property. Mr. Daniel, some time in December, 1837, had overdrawn his account with the bank, of which one Mr. Hauxwell was the manager, to the amount of 701. Daniel and Hauxwell and their families were on intimate terms, and Daniel applied to Hauxwell to allow him to overdraw his account to the extent of 5001. Haux well required security, and Daniel proposed that his niece, Miss Kendrew, should join with him in giving a promissory note to that amount. Daniel afterwards told Hauxwell that his niece was willing to join in the note, which was drawn up by Hauxwell, and in the first week of January, 1838, taken by him to the house of Daniel, where he and his niece signed it. The bank, sone time in the month of December, 1841, shortly after the marriage of Mrs. Archer, without any communication with her, placed the amount of the note to the credit of Daniel, who in 1843 took the benefit of the Insolvent Act. Upon the evidence which was given in support of these circumstances, the Master of the Rolls, who heard the cause, decided, that as against the plaintiff, Mrs. Archer, the note of 5001. was void, ab initio, having been obtained by the undue influence of a party standing in loco parentis towards her ; and that on another ground the transaction could net be supported as sought by the bank. The note had been given by Daniel and his niece as his surety, by way of a guarantee for any floating balance to be due from time to time by Daniel ; th e bank was not justified, without his niece's consent, in placing the amount of the note to the credit of Daniel, and that such an act was a violation of the original contract; and the Master of the Rolls restrained the bank by perpetual injunction, from suing the plaintiffs on the nets. It was from the whole of this decree that the de fendants, who represented the bank, appealed. The LOAD CHANCELLOR postponed his judgment. DAGGETT V. MKUX. The arguments in this part-heard case, also an appeal from the decision of the Master of the Rolls, were concluded to-day, and The LORD CRAWCILLOR gays judgment, dismissing the appeal with costs. SHERIFFS' COURT, March 19. (Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCHELL.) BEAN V. JOHNSTONE. The plaintiff in this action is the landlord of the Greyhound Inn, at Croydon. The defendant is a lady, who appeared in person to defend the case. The demand was for 121.125. 2d., for board and lodging during the last assizes. On the part of the plaintiff, it was stated that the defen dant went to the Greyhound, represented that she was en gaged by the Duke of Brunswick to make arrangements for witnesses, who were to be examined in a case to be tried at the assizes. She, ii company with a lady, oc cupied a bed-room and sitting-room for eleven days, and was during that time supplied with dinners, teas, and other refreshments. The defendant had admitted her liability, but disputed the amount, contending that the charges were exorbitant. The charge was half a guinea a night for the bed-room. William Herbert Morris, head waiter at the Greyhound, was called, and preyed the occupation of the rooms through the assizes. He considered the charges in the bill ♦ery moderate. The defendant said if the Duke did not pay she would. William Fooley, waiter at the Greyhound, said that the defendant had both a bed-room and sitting-room ; a common charge was a guinea for a bed the first night, but no charge was made for the second night ; half a guinea a night was charged even when the party remained for a fortnight. The witness was cross-examined by the defendant, with a view of showing that she had no sitting-room exclusively appropriated to her use, and that one of the rooms was a mere lumber-room. The witness admitted that it was a large room, generally used as a refreshment-mom when balls were held. He thought tea ;shillings a night very reasonable, particularly as there were two of them; 4s. 6d. was charged for one chop, but defendant might have had more if she had thought proper; 2s. 6d. was charged for tea when meat was had. All the charges were of the usual kind. He had been waiter at the Greyhound for eighteen or twenty years. The defendant then addressed the jury, and said that she wished to correct the statement that she had been engaged to look after the witnesses for the Duke of Brunswick. She was there on her own account, and distinctly told the plaintiff so. There was only one lady at the inn who had anything to do with the Duke of Brunswick's case, and defendant had been asked to lie with her, as her presence would not have been agreeable to other witnesses. The defendant put in letters, showing that she had offered to pay 71., which she considered was a fair charge. That sum was refused by Messrs. Drummond, who issued a writ, but afterwards offered to take the 71., and V. for costs. The defendant complained of being put to an expense, and offered to pay half the costs. This offer, however, was rejected, and the action was carried on. She contended that the charges were very unreasonable, and that it was not usual to charge night after night for the bed when the party lived in th e h ouse . Mrs. Ellen Fludder was called, and proved that she was with the defendant. They had no sitting-room, but were sent from one to the other. The bed-room was very scantily furnished. There were no chairs fit to sit •n, and one had only three legs. She considered the charges very high for the accommodation. Mr. Fowler was called, and said he had been a special ju ryman at Chelmsford, and was only charged three guineas per week for every expense. The UNDER-SHERIFF said it was entirely a question for the jury whether the charges were fair for the first inn in an assize town, at assize time.—Verdict for the full amount. ASSIZE IN TEL LIGENCE. HOME CIRCUIT, Lewes, March 17. CROWN COURT. (Before Lord Chief Justice DENMAN.) Thomas Denyer, gamekeeper, who had been admitted to bail, surrendered to answer an indictment, charging him with the manslaughter of Benjamin Remnant. After hearing the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. CLARKSON submitted that there was no evidence to go to the jury in support of the charge of man slaughter. The evidence appeared to him to make out a case of excusable homicide. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE expressed an opinion that the case ought to go to a jury. The Learned Counsel having, accordingly, addressed them, and the Lord Chief Justice having briefly summed up, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. Sarah Wathen, 23, single woman, was indicted for the wilful murder of her female illegitimate child, by cutting its throat, on the 16th of August last, at the parish of Brighton. It appeared that the prisoner, who is a very good.. limiting c , youn woman, entered the service of a gentle man named ' 'Hammond, who resides in Brunswick ,,quare, Brighton, in April, 1843, as lady's maid, and resided with the family in that capacity until the 10th or August. For some time previous the prisoner had cotnplained of tooto-ache and other illness, but not the slightest suspicion was entertained of her being in th e f am il y way . O n t h at d ay, h owever, she complained ito a fellow -servant, named Boreham, that she was too ill to wait upon her mis tress at her toilet, and requested her to do so for her, and she then returned to her own room, where she was shortly afterwards heard to groan most pite ously, and this fact caused a suspicion of her condition. The prisoner soon afterwards came down into the kit chen, and in consequence of what had transpired, a search was made in her bed-room, where such appear ances presented themselves as left no doubt that she had recently been delivered of a child ; and, on the bed being ( xamined, the dead body of an infant was found between the mattress and tho sacking of the bed. There were several slight cuts upon the body and arms of the infant, but the mortal injury had been in flicted upon the neck of the child, which was nearly severed from the body, and merely hung to the trunk by a few of the integuments, and the injury ap peared to have been inflicted by a pen-knife which was found in tho room, and the blade of which was covered with blood. There was no distinct proof of the unhappy infant being born alive, the testimony of the medical gentlemen who were examined merely going to the ex tout of expressing an opinion, from tests which they ap plied to the lungs of the deceased child, that it had breathed, but they could not take upon themselves to state the necessary facts to show that in law the infant was born alive. The LORD CRIMP JUSTICE, when the evidence bad been gone through, expressed an opinion that the ca pital charge could not be sustained, and the only ques • tion that remained for the jury would be whether there was a concealment of the birth. Mr. CLARKSON said that upon this part of the case he felt he could not expect to obtain a favourable verdict, and he should therefore decline to occupy the time of the Court by addressing the jury. The prisoner was then found guilty of misdemeanour, and was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Baron ALDERSON.) BONINGTON V. WOOD. This was en action of trespass of no interest but to the parties, but the following incident deserves to be re corded : The first witness who was called, a female named Abden, refused to be sworn. Baron ALDERSON asked the witness on what grounds she refused to take the oath ?.---She replied that she had a conscientious scruple to take an oath under any cir cumstances. Baron ALDERSON inquired whether she belonged to the sect of Quakers, Moravians, &c., who are specially exempted by Act of Parliament from taking oaths ? The witness replied that she did not belong to either of the sects specified, but she objected to taking an oath because our Saviour had forbidden it. Baron ALDERSON said she had offered no valid objec tions in law to her being sworn, and she was bound to take the oath. She still refused to do so. Baron ALDERSON told her that by her refusal she not only subjected herself to be committed for contempt of Court, but also rendered herself liable for all damage and loss that the plaintiff might sustain through the loss of her testimony. The witness said she was perfectly well aware of the consequences of her refusal ; but she felt compelled to persist in it. The Learned JUDGE then left the Court for the pur pose, as it was understood, of conferring with the Lord Chief Justice upon the subject, and on his return, he said that Lord Denman agreed with him, that only one course remained open for the Court, which was to commit the witness, upon the application of the counsel, if she refused to be sworn and give her evidence. The counsel engaged in the cause, however, having consulted together, consented, in order to avoid such an unpleasant proceediLg as the one alluded to, that the matter in dispute should be referred to arbitration. Mr. Baron ALDERSON remarked that as the legisla ture had released persons of particular religious pursua sions from !aking an oath, where they objected to do so conscientiously, he thought it would be a great advan tage if the privilege were extended to all persons who conscientiously objected to take au oath, without any reference to their religious belief. NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—York, kfareh IS. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice PATTFAION.) The causes at Nisi Prius are still very much in arrear. " Dawson v. Paver and another " occupied the Court the whole of the day. CROWN COURT. --(Before Mr. Justice ~,,r'"l.Enti)GE.) CHARGES OP FORGR RT -- RAILWAY SPECULATIONS. Four young men, clerks to . Messrs. Brownlow, Pearson, and Co., of Hull, were indicted at these assizes upon several charges of forging and uttering cheques, with intent to de fraud :11 - esrq, Pease and Liddell, lymkers, of the same place. Tile foar prioliers are Edwin Adanz.son, Thoinas .41,14i,uscm, and Hugh Dora n . Be M n e a u m r i i n , Bt lam wp s l o ; And CO. are merchants, ir4 a large way of business, in Hull, wharfingers, and proprietors of steam packets, running from that place to London, Antwerp, Sac. It appears that for some time past a serious amount of fraud has been committed by some of the many clerks in their employ, and from the evidence adduced, it seems that the speculation in railway shares has been a promoting cause of crime. Messrs. Brownlow and Co. have been in the habit of banking with Messrs. Pease and Liddell, to the cashier of which latter firm the forged cheques in question were pre sented, and by him paid. Towards the latter end of last year deficiencies were discovered in the bankers' account. This led to inquiry, when it was found that large sums of money had been obtained from the bankers in the forged name of Messrs. Brownlow and Co. There were nine indict ments against the four prisoners, one against Benjamin Adamson, three - against Edwin, and two against Thomas Adamson, and three against Doran. Edwin Adamson, aged 21, was tried upon one of these in dictments for having forged, and for having uttered with guilty knowledge of forgery, a certain cheque for 301., pur porting to be drawn by Messrs. Brownlow and Co., upon the bankers above named. The filling up in the body of the cheque (" pay Duty or bearer 301.") was spoken to by several witnesses as in the undisguised handwriting of the prisoner. The signature purported to be that of the firm, and to have been written by the partner, Mr. William Hunt Pearson. Pains ap peared to have been taken to imitate that gentleman's signature, which is peculiar, he having a lameness in the right hand, from which he is obliged to hold his pen in the left. The defence submitted was, that although the words in the body of the cheque were of the prisoner's writing, the imitated signature was not sufficiently proved to have been his. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty.—Sentence deferred. Hugh Doran, aged 20, was next tried on the charge of ut tering a similar cheque on the 29th of October last. This cheque was for the sum of 731., also purporting to be drawn by the same firm upon the same bankers. It appeared that the prisoner was clerk to Brownlow and Co. from November, 1842, up to the 29th of October last. At his first coming in he received ss. per week for his services, that was increased the next year to 74., the third year he got 201. a year, and on the 29th of October he was in the receipt of 12s. a week. The cheque now in question was drawn and signed in a manner similar to the one before mentioned, the body of it being filled up in the writing of Edwin Adamson, and the signature being a good imitation of Mr. Pearson's partnership signature. Evidence was ad duced to show that the signature had been written by the prisoner. Mr. Charles Wilcocksen, sharebroker, of Hull, said that he purchased some shares for the prisoner in September last, first en the 22d of September, and then again on the 10th of October. On the latter occasion he (witneas) purchased thirty shares for him in the Gre a t N or th an d South Wales Railway. There was now such a railway " before the House." Prisoner paid. him for the shares on the 30th of September, and on the 16th of November he received 421. more from prisoner for shares. There was great speculation at that period; merchants' clerks as well as their betters speculated, and many could not pay. The market was rising until the 15th of October, when it began to fall. George Christopherßoberts lodged with prisoner in October last. He had sold prisoner tea shares in the Dudley and Madeley Railway. The prisoner was to pay him 365. pre mium for each share, and the whole sum would amount to 451. odd. Prisoner paid him on the 7th of November, by delivering a 501. Bank of England note. Prisoner showed him some scrip in several lines, and told him that " he and Ned went shares in them." He understood him to mean Edwin Adamson, because they had just been before speaking about that Adamson. The defence offered in this case was similar to that for Adamson. The jury retired to deliberate, finding the prisoner Guilty, but recommending him to mercy. NORFOLK ClRCUlT.—Camiridge, March 18. Mr. Baron BARRE took his seat this morning at 9 o'clock, and having disposed of a few prisoners, proceeded to pass sentence on John Freestone, who had been convicted yesterday on a charge of assaulting Mr. Walsh. In so doing his Lord ship commented in suitable terms on the violent conduct of the defendant, and having adverted to the recommendation of the prosecutor himself, sentenced the defendant to ene fortnight's imprisonment. Bury St. Edmunde. The commission for the county of Suffolk was duly spened by Mr. Baron Parka at 6 o'clock. It is said that the cause list will be light, there being only seven venires reported at Cambridge The calendar, however, is heavy, containing upwards of 40 prisoners, the charges against some of whom are very serious indeed. FLANDERS MAIL. Exusski-s, blititcx 16.—The news which we published yesterday produced considerable sensation on the publi c . Many persons came this morning who persisted in not be lieving it. It is certain, however, that M. Rogier, who was sum moned to the palace by a letter which was delivered to him on Saturday during the sitting of the Chamber, was received by his Majesty yesterday (Sunday), at two o'clock. This first audience was short, though we do not know what passed at it; it will doubtless be followed by several others. Every thing incline us to believe it, because, if we are well informed, M. Rogier is authorised to form a homogeneous Cabinet, such as he had been requiring for these five years. We will not speak of our desires nor of ourselves, we look here only to what is going to pass in our political world. It may be supposed that among the men who most earnestly desired the fall of the preceding Cabinet, there will be some who will endeavour to exaggerate, in the eyes of M. Rogier, the difficulties of the circumstances ; they may raise ob stacles; but, on the other hand, M. Rogier, reflecting on the interest of his constituents, who expect the new law on sugars, and th© end of the differences with Holland, must feel himself in some degree obliged boldly to undertake a task honourable to himself, and which, after all, is the reali sation of the object which he has pursued with his friends ever since he quitted the Ministry five years ago. The most general wish is for as speedy an end as possible to this tedious Ministerial crisis. P.S.—lt is believed that M. Rogier does not stake disso lution of the Cha•nbers a condition of the formation of the new Cabinet.— Courier Belge, March 16. The Messager de Grand says, "The Chamber of Com merce of this city met yesterday to deliberate on the treaty of commerce made with France, and it unanimously resolved to ask the Government to do all in its power to obtain of the Chamber the ratification of this treaty." The Court of Assizes of East Flanders has condemned four persons to death for robbery (with the five aggravating cir cumstances provided for in Art. 481 of the penal code), to the prejudice of a farmer; and on the following day the Tribunal of West Flanders condemned six other persons to death, and one to six years' hard labour, to stand in the pil lory, and to be plaed for six years under the surveillance of the police, for similar crimes. These seven persons had robbed a farmer's widow of I,Boof. and various effects. AI STRIA FUNDS.—VIENNA, 3amt ll. 5 per Cent. Metalliques...... • • ....... 112 4 4 per Cent. ditto•..• .................... 1014 BankL3 o p pa e ,t C osi e ,ih n 3l : 4Br . 3e d 9s. t : t 0 .. . 12 71 21.6 The E Go t g a Northern, Y's . Loan r RAILWAYS. • Ferdinand •• •• •• .• • • • 19314 Vienna—MilanLeghorn . .. • • 2 • • •: .." :• 1 1 14 15 2 2 'l l4 Grosetto ~ 96 Oldenburg •• • • • Apennines •••••••• • • • • .• • • ....... gy .• Pe —AligemeinesZtiliilmurnißdgfe .. .• h u 3 R Ia G I ; HAI " •• 1$ c 1,113. knstrian 5 per Cents ...... 113 Haney Bills. A B n a i lt o t h u a s r s c i s . n . • Loan.: ••• • .• .• 107 Russian 5 per Cent., Hamb. Certificate. Ditto Ist series Inscription-- .• •• • • 103 Ditto, Hope and Co., 3d and 4th series.. 98 Ditto, in Certificate ...... ........ 97 New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. ••• • • • 39% Ditto Stieglitz • ••• 88% 8834 Spanish New 5 per Cent.. ...... 1 5 17% Ditto 3 per Cent • • • • Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 2% per Cent • . Dutch Actual Debt, 234 per Cent ..... 33 Ditto 3 per Cent.. •••.• • • ...... Polish New 4 per Cent. Loan, 1844.... gi 80 Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent 57% 87 National Bank Shares • • BELGIAN FUNDS.—llayssus, MAIcR 17. Actual Debt, 234 per Cent ...... Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent • ... Ditto Three per Cent• • . ...... Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto Ditto,ditto,lB4o•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• 1005 Ditto, ditto, 1842 .•.... • • • . ...... 103 Ditto, 1844. ••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • ••• 29% Ditto, 1836.. ••••••••• • • • • • • • • • ...... Ditto, 1838 • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • ....... • • .. Ditto of the City, 1832 . ..• • Ditto, 1843 •• • • Bank ofßelginm • • •• • • •- • ..... • • • • • •• • • 940 -Brussels Papers, March 11. 106% 102 ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY HELL, WEDNESDAT.-Since Monday the greatest excite ment has prevailed in this town, owing to the commission of two of the most extensive burgl a ri es , a t th e prem i ses of the principal jewellers of the town, that have occurred in this district for a number of years. The amount of property plundered, chiefly in jewellery, is several thousands, and from the secret and successful manner the burglaries have been committed, they could only be performed by adroit cracksmen, probably some of the well-known London swell mobsmen that are now following the judges on the northern and other circuits of assize. They were both accomplished on Sunday, and according to the particulars furnished by the police, it appears that the first was discovered at about eleven o'clock at night, at the shop of Mr. Isaac Daniel, jeweller and watch manufacturer, Queen-street. It seems that Mr. Daniel, shortly before the above hour, had occasion to go to the Minerva Rotel, and in the course of a quarter of an hour returned and found the premises apparently in the same secure state as when he left. On entering, however, he noticed a large dog, which he kept in the house, lying on the floor dying, and near the poor beast some pieces of liver lay, which had been cut open, had poison deposited in them, and then sewed together. A large piece of one of these poisoned bits appeared to have been eaten by the dog, which succeeded in quieting the animal and allowed the robbers to pursue their task undisturbed. They must have used the utmost expedition as they could only have been on the premises from five to ten minutes. A costly case of gold watches, which Mr. Daniel kept under his bed, was carried away by the thieves, and the other valuable portion of the stock they selected from the window and the glass-case in the shop. They then decamped, absolutely locking the locks of the shop_ door, by which they entered and left. Mr. Deniers loss is said to amount to between 1,5001. and 2,0001. A list of the stolen property has been sent to all the police autho rities in the country. It comprises 70 or SO gold and silver watches, 30 guards and chains, a large number of wedding rings, diamond and other pins, silver spoons and forks, a double-backed gold watch (maker's name. " Lewis Wolf, Liverpool"), 30 gold pencil-cases, a gold enamelled-dial watch (" Ruas and Shipham, Hull"), a gold-dial skeleton lever watch ("Thomas Larard, Hull"), pearls, diamonds, and every description of jewellery, not the least trace of which has been discovered. The second took place in the same street on the premises of Mr. Gardener, and there is every likelihood of it having been committed by the same parties, and nearly at the same time. The proprietor was in the habit of sleep ing on the premises, but unfortunately he did net do so on Sunday night. The door was fastened with two patent pad locks and a lock in the doer. All these the thieves had most cleverly unlocked, and after pluadering the interior, relocked them as if nothing had occurred. On Mr. Gar• dener opening his shop on Monday morning, his suspicions were aroused on finding that the key would not enter the lock of an iron safe, trebl y l oc k e d, w hi c h h e ld the most I valuable portion of his stock. A locksmith was then sent for, who picked:the lock', and the contents of the safe were discovered to be stolen. The following is a brief list of the property stoTAn:—Golcl watcha-,—No. 7,237. 7,31i1. 73,5. 7,11;), 11,357, :)3,7:3, 4,256, 11,713, 41,545, 2,455, 8,270, 236, 77,221, 16,829, 13,959, 23,312, 4,824 ; silver watches 6,441, 74,962, 2,111, 6,416, 1,118, 400, 6,105, 871, 1,635, 663, 1,807, 1,739, 16,590, 115, 1,074, 3,461, 246, 6,620, 31,905, 8,962, and ten or twelve second-hand ones ; other gold and silver watches, numbers not ascertained, gold chains and guards, diamond pins and ringlets, gold bracelets, gold and silver plate of all descriptions, 100 oz. of old gold and silver, gold and silver snuff-boxes, and numerous other valuable and costly articles, which must amount in value to 3,0001. The police authorities have used the utmost activity in tracing the course of the burglars, but up to tke present date nothing has been heard of them or the property. Both tradesmen are much respected in the town, and it has been suggested that a subscription should be opened with a view of miti gating their misfortunes. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMOIV S, March 19. The SPEAIER took the Chair at Four o'clock. SECOND RE A. DING. The following Bill was read a second time, and or dered to be printed, viz. —London, Salisbury, and Yeovil Junction Railway (Basingstoke to Yeovil). Lord EBRINGTON moved that the Plymouth Great Western Docks Bill, which stood on the paper for to day, be read a second time on this day fortnight, as the Company had some arrangements to make which were not yet completed. DELAYS AT THE BOARD OF TRADE. Mr. GREENE said he was extremely happy to see his Right Hon. Friend the Vice-President of the Board of Trade (Sir G. Clerk) in his place, because he wished to call his attention to the great delay which took place. not only at the Board of Trade, but in all the other de partments of the Government, in inserting clauses which came within their province in the railway Bills now before Parliament. Thus considerable unnecessary ex pense was entailed on the promoters of these Bills, and much valuable time wasted.—(Hear.) Sir GEORGE CLERK said there was no want of diligence in inserting the clauses referred to, and that it was perfectly impossible to proceed faster with the great number of Bills, in which clauses had to be inserted, unless the public interests were neglected. After the complaint of his Hon. Friend, he should take care that no delay took place except such as was necessary. The subject then dropped. OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE RAILWAY. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition in favour of this Bill. LONDON AND OXFORD RAILWAY. Captain OSBORNE, presented a petition in favour of the above named Bill. CHICHESTER AND BOGNOR RAILWAY. Mr. ESTCOURT moved that the standing order No. 110 be suspended, so far as regards the Chichester and Bognor Railway Bill, and that the Bill be read a second time. He moved that the standing order be suspended principally on the ground of the great saving of money to the parties concerned. The motion was then agreed to. The Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed. RAILWAYS.—ADMIRALTY PLANS. Mr. HUME then moved, " that in case of Bills for making, maintaining, varying, extending, or enlarging any aqueduct, archway, bridge, weir, canal, cut, dock, ferry, harbour, navigation, pier, port, railway, reservoir, tunnel, turnpike-road, and water-work, and for all other works and inclosures on tidal lands within the ordinary spring tides, a general plan showing the situation and approaches to the said aqueduct, archway, harbour, &c. should be denoted upon a sheet or sheets of the ordance survey, when published, or else upon maps of an equivalent scale, and extending ten miles on each side; together with enlarged plans and sections of such parts of the works as are on the tidal lands within the ordinary spring tides, on a scale of not less than twenty feet to an inch, with the dimensions figured thereon, shall, on or before the 30th day of November, be deposited in the Board of Admiralty; and that the same resolution be made a standing order." He was not aware of anything further he had say, ex cept to express his opinion that this motion would be the means of enabling the Admiralty to perform with greater facility the important duties assigned to them, and on those grounds he begged leave to move the res lution in the words he had given. Captain BERKELEY said he was very glad that the Hon. Member had brought this subject before the House, because he had a very strong case in point. He would have to call the attention of the House, on Mon day next, to the second reading of the Bill for building a bridge over the river Dee, by the Great Western Com pany. That Bill was thrown out last year, in cons , • quence of the Admiralty refusing to permit any bridge to be erected, as it would interfere with the naviga tion. The Great Western Company now came forward again to endeavour to obtain a Bill to make a bridge very little differing from the former one proposed ; and they now put the House to the expense and trouble of a Committee, although they were aware that their project had been formerly rejected. He should certainly object to the second reading of the Bill on Monday next, as it would put the parties to an enormous and unnecessary expense. Lord R GROSVENOR, after a few observations that did not reach the gallery, said that in consequer ce of four railways being proposed which would cross the river Dee, the Town Council, who are the conservators of the river, had been put to great expense and anxiety. They were not aware to which railway the Admiralty would object ; and until they knew what course the Admiralty would pursue on the subject, they could not tell how to act. The evidence taken before the Tidal Commissioners, in the course of August last, gave the inhabitants of Chester reason to believe that the Admiralty would not consent to the slightest inter ference with the navigation of that river. Since that time it had been decided by an engineer being sent down to examine and report on the nature of the bridges by which these railways proposed to cross the river, and, the question he had to ask of the Right Hon. Baronet, and one which he wished he would answer was, whether the Admiralty, as guardians of the river, would permit any interference whatever with the navigation of the river ? Mr. ORMSBY GORE said, that in corroboration of the statement just made, he begged to say that the Dee Commissioners had been about to deepen the river and improve its navigation; but that project was put a stop to by the speculators of these railways. He sincerely hoped that what had been brought forward by the Hon. Member for Montrose would have the effect of stopping this evil. Sir GEORGE COCKBURN said he was very glad this motion had been made, as it would relieve the Admiralty from a great deal of trouble, and they would know what course they had to pursue with regard to this project. After a few words from Admiral DUNBAR, and Sir G. COCKBURN, Mr. JERVIS said it would give great satisfaction to his constituents to find that the Admiralty were deter mined to keep up the navigation of the river. Captain PECHELL hoped the motion would hare the effect of drawing the attention of the Admiralty to the construction of bridges across rivers, and he was sure they would be actuated by the strictest impartiality. The motion was then agreed to. Mr. HUME then moved that the resolution be a standing order of the House.—Agreed to. Mr. HUME also moved that the promoters of Bills introduced this session be required to deposit plans with the Admiralty, as provided in the resolution just agreed to. Sir R. INGLIS took that opportunity of expressing a hope that a clause would be introduced into the standing orders, providing that when the 30th of November fell on a Sunday the deposit of plans should be made on the Monday following. Sir G. CLERK said that a wrong construction had been put upon the standing orders by the officers of the Board of Trade. It was clear that no deposit should be made on a Sunday. The standing order with respect to the deposit of plans was the same in effect as that relat ing to the service of notices. METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS STATION. Mr. PATTEN, in rising to move for the appointment of a Commission to investigate and report on the various railway projects, the termini of which were proposed to be in the metropolis, said he held in his hand a map of the metropolis, which showed the various stations proposed to be established in the genital ; and he thought he could not do better than call the attention of the House to it. It had be6n estimated that the ground required for them would be 2110 acres, which could only be had by knocking away nine or ten thousand houses at a large expense. It was proposed that one station should be established in Parlia• meat-street, another on Cornhill, two in Holborn, and others in various parts of the metropolis. Under these circumstances, the Committee of Selection had thought it better that the matter should be referred to a practical body who resided on the spot and under stood the question, rather than refer it to a Com mittee of Honourable Members, who were se lected from distant parts of the country, and , who were to arrive at their conclusions from such viva voce evi. dente as might be brought before them. He begged therefore, to move an address to her Majesty for the ap pointment of a Commission, to investigate and report upon the various railway projects of which the termini are proposed to be established within or in the immedi ate vicinity of the metropolis. Sir R. PEEL—I have no doubt that the Hon. Gen tleman has very good reasons for the course that he has attempted to pursue, but I feel, that there is some= thing due to the country as well as to the several companies whose interests he is anxious to advocate. I do not desire to state these reasons at the present mo ment, because there is a necessity for considering this subject in the whole of its bearings. What the reasons are for such a course it is not for me at present to state, nor to say whether such a Commission should be appointed or not. At the present juncture I have only to assert that the interests which he is desirous of furthering have received the best consideration of the Ministry. Per haps I am not stating the precise position of the ques tion ; but my impression is, that the whole of the rea sons ought to have been embodied in the report of the Committee, for then there would have been sufficient grounds for the consideration of the House. At the present moment we have no statement on which we can rely, and taking this objection, and believing that more suffi cient reasons might have been afforded to the House, I feel bound to say that the debate could not well be taken to-day, even according to the statement of the Hon. Member. I shall therefore more, Sir, that this debate be adjourned until Monday, when the Ministry will be in possession of the information which is necessary to enable them to judge of which will be the best places as stations for railways in the metropolis. On the question being again put, Mr. FOX MAULE said, that whatever the stations might be, and that whatever the reasons of her Ma jesty's Government might be for delaying their de cision, there was not the slightest doubt but that the public were grievously in need of the stations to which the Hon. Member had referred, and he only _re gretted that the statement which had been submitted - to the House did not comprehend a definition of their precise oters. He avreed that a Corrnittof. ci this ant waiter the whole requhements of the case, and he thought that the accommodation that was required ought to be provided, subject, perhaps, so the confirms- tion of the City authorities. There was no question but that this was a matter which nearly concerned the people ; but he believed that the time was come for the settlement of the business. Sir G. GE EY thought that the great objection to the appointment of this Commission was the prevailing opinion that it would interfere with the operations of the Board of Trade. Mr. WILSON PATTEN said his sole object in making the motion for the appointment of the Com mission was to obtain the fullest information on the subject. Sir R. H. INGLIS called the attention of the Chair man of the Committee (Mr. Greene) or her Majesty's Government to a point in connexion with the matter under discussion. So far as he understood the subject of a central station for the metropolis, there were two or three schemes not abandoned, that terminated in the City, but did not extend to the river. It struck him that as the river was the greatest highway in the world, that half the benefit of any teranieus Would be lost unless the railway station came close to the river side. He was aware of one plan that propofed to have a station opposite Hungerford-bridee. Now what he wished to call the attention of the House and the promoters of this scheme to was, whether it was not pos-ihle, without great engineering difficulties, to carry the plan further up the bank of the riser, so as to give snore general accommodation Mr. LABOUCHERE considered that the Govern ment should have attended to this matter before now. They ought to have laid their plans, if they had any, at the commencement of the session. This was the proper course, and would have avoided much difficulty. Whatever delay took place would only cause specula tors in land to raise prices, so that the promoters of railway companies would be placed under great disadvan tag. a. Hewes, however, not surprised at the Government not taking the matter up with so much avidity as he should have liked them to have done after what had befallen the reports of the Boar.l of Trade last year. Whatever might be the difficulty of the case, he hoped the ques tion would be taken up at the earliest possible period, and some arrangement come to. He hoped the Govern ment bad given it their serious consideration, and that they were prepared now with some p lan, His mind was entirely made up on the question, and see considered that it would be muck better investigated by a Commission than it would be by a Select Com mittee of the House. He thought, however, that the at tention of the Government ought to have been called to it earlier in the session, for if that had been done a great deal of time would have been saved, and other advantages would have been gained, which, in all probability, could not now be made available. Sir R. PEEL said that his mind was also made up on the subject. Her M tjesty's Government had had it under attentive consideration only during the last few days. As no reasons had been given in the report for the recommendation it conveyed, he considered . that it would be rather a dangerous precedent to establish to acquiesce in it at once without further consideration. He thought, therefore, the best course would be to leave the matter at rest for the present, and he would announce what course the Government intended to pursue with reference to it on Monday next. After a few words from Mr. W. PATTEN, which were inaudible, Mr. HUME said, that before the question was brought to a close, he wisbed.to say a few words relative to the observations made by the Right Honourable Gentleman, which seemed to reflect on the Board of Trade. He paid considerable attention to the proceedings of that Board, and he did not think that they were deserving of any cen sure for the manner in which they had discharged their duties. He had, in consequence of the diecuesione on its proceedings which had taken place in that House, made the most careful istquiries into its manegene nt. and he bad every reason to believe that the Noble Lord at the head of that Board (with whom he had never spoken more than five minutes in his life), and Mr. Porter, with the other gentlemen of whom it was composed, had discharged their duties in the most indefatigable and independent manner. He did consider that these reflections cast upon public men 'were very discouraging to them in the performance of their duty. Mr. LABOUCHERE bogged that he might not be misunderstood, for he by no means meant to cast the slightest personal reflection upon .any of the member, composing that board, but he did assert what he had many times previously said, that it was not con stituted in such a manner as to carry the weight with the House which it ought. He would again disclaim any intention of casting a reflection upon any member of the board. Sir G. CLERK said that he must bear witness to the indefatigable zeal and fidelity of the Right Honourable Gentlemen who were members of that board. The Government could not have interfered after the jealousy which bad been expressed by the House against any inteference upon their part. The debate was then adjourned till Monday next. NIGHTLY ASYLUMS. Mr. HUME preserved a petiti ,, n, signed by 1,000 of the ratepayers of Chelsea, against the establishment of nightly asylums for the poor. Lord EI3RINGTON gave notice that he would, on Tuesday next, more for papers relative to the Honiton Union, where the pauper labourers were sent to labour in the fields. Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that he would, on Tues day next, more for the introduction of a Bill which would give better relief to the poor of Ireland. LOSS OF THE GREAT LIVERPOOL. , Sir G. GREY wished to ask the R ght Hon. the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there had been any inquiry as to the loss of the Great Liverpool steam-ship ? He wished to know if there ought not to be an inquiry similar to that of a court-martial, which was generally instituted when any of her Majesty's vessels were lost? Mr. CORRY said the Admiralty had no right to make such an investigation as that which 'had been suggested. Their duty was simply confined -to the receipt and delivery of the mails, and to see that the terms of the contract were faithfully adhered to. In this case, the whole of the responsibility rested with the officers of the Company, and the Admi ralty, although they had been applied to by the Company to do so, had considered that it would be an ob jectionable precedent to appoint a naval offiaer to act in a court of inquiry upon the acts of any officer not in the service of the country. The directors of the steam-pa•!ket company had, however, insti tuted an inquiry, and they had requested that the Admiralty agent, who was on board the vessel at the time of her loss should be present at that inquiry, and the Admiralty agent had been requested to attend accordingly. Mr. P. M. STEWART, as Chairman of the Penin sular and Oriental Steam Packet Company, wished to make a few observations. He was glad that this subject had been brought before the House. The company were most anxious that every inquiry should be made into every act of theirs. The Company never allowed any act of negligence, or any mis conduct in any of their servants, to go without the strictest investigation. The consequence of this was. that after carrying_ thousands of persons thousands of miles, this was the first serious accident that had occurred in the corepaey'a service. Many months ago when, certain carelessness was observed, the necessary attendant of a long course of uninterrupted success, they dictated a letter to be addressed to all their officers to remind them that in steam-vessels the compass was very liable to be untruthful, and in such instances the officers were required instantly to com municate with the superintendent at Southampton. They were also enjoined, in approaching land under any circumstances, and especially in dark or fogy weather, to use the utmost vigilance, and under such circumstances never to dispense with the use of the lead. That letter was issued, and was not a dead letter by any means whatever. Captain 211‘Lend, of the Great Liverpool, who had re commended himself by his ability and politene , s, was expected home in a few dap, when a committee of three gentlemen would be appointed to inv,:sti gate the matter.—(Dear.) The Board of Admi ralty had been applied to with a view to their nominating a gentleman to act on the committee, but he declined ; but he hoped their application to the Tri nity House would prove more successful. lie might say, in conclusion, that when the tribunal, before which the matter wo ,Id be investigated, should have pr. nouneed its opinion, that decision should be made as public as possible.—( fleas, hear.) IRISH LIFE PROTECTION BILL. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN wished to ask the Right Hon. Secretary for the Home Department if clauses referring to taxation under this Bill, which had been expunged while the Bill was passing through the Lords, would be printed when the Bill came before that House ? Sir J. GRAHAM, in reply, was understood to say that they would. MERIT IN THE ARMY. Captain LAYARD wished to ask the Right Hon. Secretary at War, if it was intend that meritorious sol diers, and officers' servants, sh.mld have extended to them the benefits of the new warrant ? Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT was understood to say that he was not at present prepared to make the alteration. POST-OFVICE RETURNS. Mr. HAWES wished to ask the Right lion. Gentle man the Secretary of the Treasury a question relative to certain returns which he moved for a short time ago, relating to the Post-office. Those returns had not yet been laid upon the table of the House, and he wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman when they might be ex pected? Since he had moved for these returns he had seen a statement, copied from the French prints, which it would appear contained some of the points of infor- mation which he required. The statement was, how ever, erroneous, and he wished to hare it corrected as soon as possible by the production of the papers. Mr. CARDWELL said that the Hon. Member had been good enough to give him notice of his question, and he bad made inquiry into this matter; and he could assure the Hon. Member that the returns were in the course of preparation, and they would be laid upon the table of the House the moment they were completed. IRISH POOR-LAW. Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Depart- ment a question, of which he had not given notice. Some time ago he put a question to the Right Hon. Baronet relating to the conduct of the Poor-law Com missioners, who had taken upon themselves the task of dismissing the guardians of the union of Castleblain, in the county of Roscommon. Since then he had received information from several magistrates and rate-payers, stating that there was not a particle of truth in the alle gations contained in the answer of the Right Hon. Baronet. The statement was entirely destitute of foun dation. He (Mr. F. French) wished to know if the Right Hon. Baronet still adhered to the answer he had given on the former occasion? Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, as he had not notice of the present question, he had not been ab le t o m ake any further inquiry, and therefore he must adhere to the mover he had given on the previous cmension, THE FEVER (IRELAND) BILL. Sir JAD,OS GRAHAM, ou moving the order of the day for bringing pp the report on this Bill, said that he Y , . . had considered the slight alteration proposed b i d od Hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. S. Crawford), al l no objection to its being made. On the motion that the report be received, 0 Sir WILLIAM SOMERVILLE was understoeta complaining that one of the clauses interfered vritt Poor-law Commissioners granting medical assistaau° the workhouse. it poi Sir JAMES GRAHAM said the clause, as - D o or stood, did not interfere with the powerto law Commissioners, or the Board of Guardians, P. admitting parties under certain circumstances. The report was then brought up and received. On tl,e motion that the report be adopted, to Mr. P. SCROPE, after some interruption, wi e ," ec t of introduce an amendment, which would have the eu c bipf remedying the deficiency of medical treatment , th e difficulty he believed in the execution of this law' l ie of the Irish)._ Sir J. GRAHAM said this was at best but s r l 3 a l ltol l alter the po , a...law of Ireland, and therefore 11 0 alteration could he introduced into it. st Mr. P. SCROPE thought they certainly vi er " liberty to introduce an amendment. Wei to Mr. S. CRAWFORD t h oug h t it was no cal the Hous-. "Die lii,ht. Hon. BAronet, conceive' 110 the measure was perfect, but he believed that the e l r e a great heccssity for improvement, and he s hould " e of fore move as an amendment, that after the 22d e lan t ot th- Bill wo, cis should he introduced to , the edi' el tbpst medical treatment should be administered to who had disease in the house. pit Mr. S. O'BRIEN was quite ready to agree to proposition of the Hon. Member for Drogbe c t W. Somerville, and thought that so me re,ulatl that kind should be adopted. He was the tser e re , cloned to this course, because he believed that t o p, presentations of the Right Hon. Baron e t,Sir had not been carried out, or we re lik e ly to be vi e w out, and he thought some amendment ought t o - 00 8 traduced which would enable the guardians to relief under the Irish poor-law. Sir JAMES GRAHAM thought that suffieje nt ri• vision had already been made by the full and dignoi ary power intrusted to the Poor-l aw guar dians in l' - o pt That power entirely obviated, in his opinion, the sity for any commission, without having refereac e ,o 7 jt pa; titular ability of the individuals who had to exeT o o L or d EBRINGTON—Yes, but that power Coal e be exercised through the virtue of a special orderlot a variety of cases might occur in which there el'e e Lapl neither time nor opptztunity for obtaining that ir order. to 11 0 Sir J. GRAHAM—FuII power load been give° Commissioners, and that obviated the Case. The report was then adopted. RAILWAYS. lobo s Mr. MORRISON, in bringing forward the Inn' t iei which he had given notice, respecting railways, set the „ as he found there was to be no opposition offered ' l d proposition, he should probably best consult the a l o e ' of the House by not entering upon the subject at ie length as he might otherwise have been induced toe 4 At the same time he trusted he might be pell nit ," occupy a few moments in stating generally vib e t tel the leading objects of his motion. He consider s e sor the experience of the last year, not only i n t o. land, but the other countries of Europe, bad' most important, as it had shown that the cle - 0 0 , meat of traffic had gone on in a way not to bare no ticipated by the most sanguine ; and he proposed t 0 ,yr by the Committee he was about to move for that the tern of cheap fires had every where been most adean te ! o tei and profitable, and that the companies had not been i 0 to but benefited by that system. He also prnr 0 0 1 inquire to what extent it was practicable, by ;Jd general regulations, to relieve the Committees f it oo l weight of business with which they were at P . . IP oppressed. Lastly, he proposed to bring be f f; e oa Committee the important subject of granting ° 1 The railway system had been :o recently int r :dei and had progressed with such rapidity, that th e ' of been little time to give to the whole subject a ea° be. be d sideration; but in the co u rs e o f th e p ast y ea r it bed Bel' not only in this country but in o thers- -- %ei'' glum, France, and America—that there had be en ea' makable increase of traffic, and to a certain degree, uniform increase. Our experience was yet juggle(' 0 0 to determine what the exact ratio of that incresl o ol likely to be. That it must increase with the n'en 4 eis e opuletion of the country there could be no doubt, eboe that must be added the progression or increase ' 4 . 4 1 0 ness caused by the railways themselves; but, 10 01 %0 tdl the circumstances, the supposition might be b i te that the traffic on the great lines, between towns ° e eet * population, would double itself in ten or fifteen, e drobe Should such be the opinion of the House, it woul d r o e te:, bly think it necessary to reserve to itself the rig ht te/ 0 1 vising the fares at periods considerably under o bie; years apart.—(Hear.) One of the most important s which could engage the attention of the Committe ere tta be the effect of the reduction of fares, as proved O c e i the system has been attempted in increasing traffic, and in some, if not in most ea segt o e improving instead of diminishing the revenue' l obe scale of charges most productive might depend uP e ic elet, more or less varying circumstances of each pe i t t ' o o o case, but It appeared evident to him that the 1 0 4 advantageous to all parties was much lower than Si t \ 11 1 hitherto attempted in this country.—(Hear, A t" believed that the rates charged in Belgium To n ' pa' distant time be thought quite sufficient here' vf o# known that on the liues recently adjudicated i .e n fitO the fares fixed for passengers had been, for ta i g s second, and third class respectively, 10, 7* an. 1 0 ` times per kilometre, with an allowance o f tb1 . 7,04 lograms, 661 b. of luggage to each person, tbr i d e being somewhat proportionate to lice, IV., anu ge pes' eluding the 10 per cent. additional tax to Gove' e oll* .j . Now these lines were known to be highly Pr °9l ; l lo7, and to stand at considerable premiums—a save° O tt be had never been able to account for on to, o olr, ground than the lowness of the fares. Let it Tor forgotten that France presented far fewer ad v : / er pte A than our own country in respect to railway mile The population there was less per square or : ours: the towns were not so numerous, densely peopled ; their manufactures were elo n ei eter compared to ours, and their foreign trade more e" e f el so that to supply the same number of people theried obliged to lay down a longer line of rail than at is ettl Then, with respect to the conduct of railwaY m ee ettr, e he thought that Hon. Members would acknowle:roan the attempt of last year had been a failure . eh cr hear.) Had he gone fully into the subject, have endeavoured to show how strange and ° ji be !1 1 1 to had been the diffetent decisions arrived at d Committees—(Hear, hear)—aud how various h e n , fen the rues fixed for passengers and goods, rang ine be o s a penny to fourpenee per mile. In one instance t ieleL been told that with respect to s o imp or t a nt all o ne coal, the difference of charge for carriage bet line supplying Manchester and another line wa s t lei t f e ; cent. If such disparity as this prevailed it o un eeel ef jurious, and surely muc h a d vantage wou ld be eed7 from such great vari a ti ons b e i ng h erea ft e r eorr ec b ieet some general regulation. With r es p ec t to the s n Rose r, leases, it was a matter which rather con cerned th e and the country than the railway companies. et f er 3 r a , for the House to consider whether the practice 0 *o ing leases for terminable periods, i ns t ea d of in ev e r el e t; might not with great advantage be adopted re tree country. Experience had shown that parties att e willing to undertake the whole cost o f co nstruct s 0;1 ways in France to be held for terminable p perieln'ett o was, in fact, mainly a matter of policy on ttl e e , to e a the state. Of' course a sinking fund would ils'i l evj provided 0116 of the profits, in order to reieabtv original expenditure at the expiration of the he A ye that was no real hardship to companies. T ile peea te transaction resolved itself into the nature of the state. in the shape of an annuity fora eert i t t Wit ber of years. It therefore appeared to him tP i i tee e t o could not be two ()pinions upon the subject, en der i d it e ere practicable to get our new railroads an 00 tiro upon this principle, it was most desirable ihe t eet ellPbe should be lost it( adopting it. No one could P e ,""itit estimate to what extent the railway system P e et carried in tsenty or thirty years, or what nl e st A , the effect of improvements in cheapening th ee ° tol e ;.* locometion during that interval. But it W— n oli ba itr featly desirable that the state should, as ofT • possible consistent with the public advantage, atele the control of those lines of public eno3n3 foie,' tien. And there was this obvious ado e n st e 'Pic/ adopting this system of leases, which : t eto so succ , ssfully introduced into France, tn n e n eer7r . railway Act that was passed would be a mitiesc. of so much of our general taxation into 0 0 0 Ad minable with the expiring of the leases, and vvt e f 10:, s merit - ice of one shilling by the state. Noel i n_ o f g. 7 0; never advise the Reuse to give up the prineiP" e rts! e tl petition, for it was a very valuable one, but CO' 0 05, was not enough. In the case of the Bank o t 90 0 1 9 it had been admitted that competition was ?;/ he iln",e , and he thought the Right Lion. Baronet, l' A tae ltn n i e , devote a little attention to the subject, would o f 10 4 , ledge that in the case of railways, as well as ee es o o ing, something more than competition e' bend Sete, —(Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Morrison) l' a o f inn et ee that the experience of the last year had heen ot e tP„, value as regarded railways. That of the 13 , he e%,rde years would be more so ; and, indeed t e.ii steo rience of each succeeding year would furrjtr"On tional evidence as to the extent to which _ ve in e el Likel to be carried. That there were the nlea_ ece c o :,. notcountry be a o f working niatter o railways t, che n a p p o e n r then noto p i n ar Y i o r i tio t o ll e : 0 0 , 1 sources and relative amount of pelln% t ele each. The Honourable Member illustrateleoti.s4 sition by reading the following statistical_ n d did " Population of France in 1842, 34,213,9 29, a% poi ) eat this sum by the area of 203,736 square miles, abbe tion for each square mile is 167.932. The popu 0 2 97.6 rior, oelLs square mile in England is at present bile eo ot Great Britain, 210 . 476. The trade and !teemsl'o.o tP of France are quite inconsiderable eon:Tar n e ffr n eal of Britain. In 1844, the total customs revenue wher4 amounted to 215,825,704 franca, or 8,633,6281. due` • rrao 9 w the total customs revenue of the United Kille en 04 4, e4 e, the same year, amounted to 24,107,34 g Kin gs ;84 customs revenue of Liverpool amounted to , c e has t e while the customs revenue of Marseilles, ;v e ' d 'h atie ttif v e, largest trade of any town in France, a mount g2 of Saint) year to only 36,688,000 francs, or 1, 40 ree eeli t oe with the exception of Havre, the which in 1844 amounted to 1,085,040 I.E 0 0,0 V A , f custOMS t he O C_L toms revenue of no town in Franee ex c eedsev eue o, to whereas in this country the customs r ni blT, to "vdc' rrn 411 , te, ;:1 1!341 01q,5147, 00_ 0 I • I I_. ia 02,303/., 525,418/. Th proportion of the populftlue"in towns in Britain is i n comparably greater box o Pulatiol L ondon . ''' Liver ueste r Gla, Pool •• h. ;OW ..... it trUllgh, "edS tdj nburgh... zruit o i sboffielv.mouth * I the The disci th u P ri . neiPal c .( p, s in gmg t i o Lottd o i, • e : r P001 8 tinder' castle qiiivowancL )T eet ' c 'elt 011 . ••• Karenetb . •••• ( 1 0 : 1 1 :oti t i shil 4 TOtal Bhll FHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY. EVENING, MARCH 20, 1845.