The Sun. — London, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

r it .4 0 •ft, ra4:lTl It 1, ~:,1141 • 4" SUN OFFICE. Seven o'Clock. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) ROUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP VIII. This Committee, consisting of Mr. Hawes (chairman), Mr. En twisle, Mr. Beresford, Colonel Paget, and Captain Vyse, re-assembled this morning in Room No. 13, and proceeded to hear the case of the promoters of the NORTH BRITISH (No. 1.) Mr. John Miller, the engineer of the line, was the first witnees called to prove that the scheme would be advantageous both to the promoters and the public. lie deposed that he had considered the feasibility of a line running to the south instead of the north, and he had come to the conclusion that it would not be advisable to form a soutberly line, because it would have to cross the valley of the Tweed CwhichwasTerylim e, and would be rather unmanageable to an engineer). A southerly line would not give as much accom modation to the public, because it would take the wrong way. The public had more transactions with Edinburgh than the southern parts of Scotland. The people of North Berwick were desirous to have this line formed ; indeed it Ni as owing to their urgent requests that the scheme had been broaght forward so soon. Mr. 'TALBOT here asked whether the Chairman had seen the Speaker of the Use of Commons relative to the petitions which had be , ,fn preser.Led to the Muse against the Bill? The CUAIWAAN replied that he had, and that the Speaker said that the petitior.3 were for the House, and it was not usual to lay them before the Committee. He (the Chairman) told the Speaker that the cane was also an usual one, and hp conceived that the public in- taints would be furthered by allowing the petitions to be laid at once before the Committee ; but the Speaker gave him no mon. ralremmt to hope that the petitions would be referred to the Corn. inittee 31r. Tausar stated that he knew thousands of cases in which the petitions against a scheme were at once referred to the Committee. The Cnanistas stated, that as that was se, he would again wait upon the Speaker (whom he shortly expected), and request him to allow the petitions to be laid before the Committee. Mr. A. M. Davidson, sheriff clerk of tho county of Haddingta stated that he was acquainted with the district through which the romoters proposed to form a branch from the main line to Dunse. The people in that district had experienced considerable incon venience and expense, in consequence of there being inadequate means of transit for building materials. The same would apply to coals, &c. The construction of a branch to Dunes would be of immense bone& to the people In that district. The line through North lier wick would also be a scheme highly beneficial to the public and the promoters. Mr. Boyle, proprietor of land, and farmer of 800 acres, in Box buighshire, deposed that the line proposed by this CompanYl." 'pass tlulittgh the district would afford great accommodation to public. There were 28,000 acres of land cultivated in this district, in the cultivation of which lime was used to a great estent, viz. one ton per acre in a period of nineteen years. There would be a revenue to the Company, in respect of the carriage of lime alone, of 4001. per annum, and the saving to the public in that respect would be the difference between 13s. sd. and 3s. 9d. per ton, ati,t the cumber of tons of lime annually Lo ed was 19,000. This closed the evidence of the pro moters, and strangers were ordered to withdraw. On our re-admission we found that the preamble had been passed, and the Committee proceeded with the clauses of the Bill. On clause 6 being, read, The LORD PRovosT of Edinburgh objected to it, inasmuch as the ooug,ht to remove the Trinity Company thereby College Churc. , , Edinburgh, for e purpose of enlarging their station. Now the owners of tl ollege property objected to the removal of the church un l ess th,„ rovided a church of the same dimensions, &e., isi the neighhcoarhood. He had a clause to propose which would provide for the reconstruction of a church instead of the present one. Mr. Flora, on the par of the Company, objected to the clause proposed; the Company would, however, have no objection to the owners of the church making use of the materials in the construc tion of another church, and they were quite willing to allow them a certain sent of money for the reconstruction. The church was very badly attended, and the Company had, from past experience, deter mined never to reconstruct a church for any party. The LORD PROVOST considered that he had made a very reason- able demand. If the clause which he had proposed were inserted, the presbyters, the congregation, the Antiquaries, and the Town Council,, would be perfectly satisfied. If the parishioners were to receeve tf sum of money for reconstructing it themselves, there would be nothing-but wrangling. The only plan of preserving peace would he by compelling the Company to rebuild the church. The pro prietors wished the present style of architecture (gothic) to be pre served, and Mr. Smith the architect had estimated the expense of rebuilding it at 6,000/. or 8,0001. Mr. HOPE said that the Company, rather than be compelled to re build the church, would abandon the sixth clause altogether. . The LORD YBOVOST ultimately assented to the passing of the clause, and stated that he would take his chance of succeeding with another clause, which he would subsequently propose with respect to the church., Mr. TALBOT said that the promoters could not assent to the Lord Provost Milling forward with another clause if the sixth were allowed to pass. They would rather abandon the clause in question, bees use theselenew. whet it was to be compelled to reconstruct a church as it original," stood. They had no desire whatever to be left to the tender mercies of the corporation of Edinburgh or any other public body 1:1 this matter. If the Lord Provost was willing, on the part of the proprietors of the church to accept such a sum as would be de cided to be reasonable by the sheriff for the reconstruction of the church, the promoters were quite willing to leave the case to the slefrilr'e arbitration. Tha Loan Peoviesr s id that if a sum of money were accepted an .itilliaty of wrangling would ensue between the proprietors of the Aureli and other parties as to the disposal of it. - Eventually the (armee as it originally stood was put and passed, "the stairs" first being struck out of the schedule. . The remelt:Me, clauses being agreed to, The Loan l'aovosT subnatted a clause which would compel the Company to rebuild another church on the model at seine other place, the sheriff to be the arbiter of the sum necessary for that purpose, and called in support thereof Mr. John Sinclair, town-clerk of Edinburgh, who proved that the corporation of that city were desirous to come to an amicable arrangement respecting the removal of Trinity College church. The accesses to the church had been reduced in consequence of the weeks .of the different railways that entered Edinburgh, and the presbytery its wall as the corporation were now desirous to have the church removed and rebuilt. If the town council accepted a sum of money froM the Company, the presbytery mast come into collision ARIA them, and the result would he that the parishioners would be deprived of their church during the litigation that would certainly ensue if the town council accepted a sum of money for the rebuilding of the church. The Loan PROVOST Said that, if it were considered necessary, he could pro. , uce further evidence. Mr. TALBOT then proceeded to speak against the clause, after whirls the room was cleared, and on our re-admission (after the lapse of half an hour), The CLIAIRIIAN said, Lord Provost, my duty is to tell you that we have regatived your clause, out stn n rah to intimate to the promoters of the Bill what is our opinion as to the pro visions necessary in connexion with the rebuilding of this church, and we propose this to you, it being the united opinion, as the basis of some clause to be hereafter introduced to meet the case brought before the Committee by the Lord Provoste. , That it is tee opinion of this Committee that a clause be Mae - ted to prevent the Railway Coinpany from exercising the powers contained la this Bill for purchasing additienal laud for a terminus in Edinburgh until they should have agreed with the Town Council on a plan for the re moving and rebuilding on another site, either within the same parish, or as near thereto as can be a new church that shall afford equal accommodation to that already existing, and that in such ' clause provision shall be made for the adoption of the same style— any difference between the parties to be subject to the arbitration of the sheriff." The Loan PROVOST—I think that will satisfy us. Sir W. RIDDEL then stated that he appeared on behalf of Mr. An drew Dryburgh, brewer, Edinburgh, whose wells would be materially affected by the works of the Company. He had therefore to pro pose, for insertion in the Bill, a clause which should provide compen tion to Mr. Dryburgh. TA.LBOT opposed the insertion of the clause. The Company prcpesed to pass over Mr. Dryburgh's brewery by means of arches, and it was probable that the shades of the arches frightened him. Arer some discussion the clause was negatived. Mr. EDGAR then proposed a clause entitling the trustees of the Berwickshire post road to compensation for the injury which the opening of this Company's line in that district would entail upon them, and those gentlemen were determined to stand up as tenac:cuey for their rights as did the Town Council of Edinburgh. If the 13111 were passed in its present state the large traffic passing between Dunse and the !palatine would be taken from the post road. The trustees were liable by deed to the debt yet unpaid for the making of their road; they were parties too who were not specula tors, and he contended that they were fairly and reasonably entitled to compensation. He concluded by calling upon Mr. T. Bowhill, cashier and clerk to the trustees since 1827, who stated that the debt due by the trustees was 18,8301. The average yearly income from tolls on the road in question was 1,5351. Bs. 1 id., yearly interest on the debt at 41. per cent. 7531. 45., and yearly ex pense of maintaining the road 6231. 12s. ld., leaving a surplus avail able for dividends of 100/. odd. If the proposed line of railway were constructed, he had no doubt that the public would pass along it in preference to travelling along the turnpike-road by coach. The railway Company had not objected to giving the trustees compensa tion, tite only point of difference was the amount of compensation. ross-examined by Mr. TALBOT—The trustees in 1844 proposed to take 14,0001. as a compensation, and eventually accepted 10,0 01. from ;mother railway company. The road was not a parish, but a turnpike-road, although there never had been a turnpike upon it, and the trustees Mal never levied a single sixpence upon the cross roads in the district in question. Mr. TALBOT said that the House of Commons had most rightenus'y refused to insert compensation clauses in English a ailway on behalf of road trustees (although the House of Lords had acted con trarily), acid he trusted that the House of Commons would not sutler railway companies in Sictitland to be fleeced by a set of road trustees. The roads for which the trustees claimed had been hitherto treated as prish roadsappeared front eir own witness, that they had e never received a single sixpeuce iu th the shape of tolls ou those roads. The CHAIRMAN said that the proposed clause could not be enter tained, inasmuch as they sad never received any tolls in respect of the roads alluded to. ell-. PATON appeared for Captain Scott, a petitioner against the 11111, to ask the House to grant warrants to compel the attendance of Mr. Jahn al arvay met Mr. John 31arr, who, it appeared, were con elected with a rival line. Ouptain Scott's agent proved the service of the notices en the above named individuals, who were now in London. Me. PATON then stated that there was an Hon. Member of the House whose attendance was desirable on behalf of his client. The CHAIRMAN said that he had no power to compel his attend ance. Had he declined to attend ? Mr. „PATON said lie had ; and the ground assigned was because an arrangement had been entered into between him and the Company, Tice CHAIRMAN premised that he would intimate to the Hon. Mem ber that hie attendance was desired. NORTH surrisia (3111V7ICE. 33R.ANCH). Mr. TALBOT then proceeded to open the case of :he promoters of this Bill, but he was Interrupted by the Chairmen who stated that the Committee had decided to adjourn until to-morrow at eleven o'clock. GROUP IX. WEST Or SCOTLAND VINCTION. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Ths closed the case on the point raised abotn. the working of the proposed tunnel. Tile Cuktitmast Intimated that If counsel had any observations to make on the point on which evidence was taken, now was the time to make their observations. Mr. HOPE said the evidence had been given so claarly and so re cently, that *h e impressio.. must be vivid enough In the minds of the Committee Without any assistance from him, and therefore he would leave the matter in the hands of the Committee without any remarks. kir, Sergeant ANDaews then addressed the Committee on behalf of the promoters of the Bill, stating that the importance of the scheme would he apparent when. he stated that last evening a petition from Olosegow, signed by 40 , 000 persons, had been presented In favour of the Bill. The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to review the evidence adduced on the working of the tunnel, affirm ing that witk due precaution the use of the electric telegraph, and ger would the appointment of proper oflicers, the prohibiting of dm be done away with. Ile concluded by stating, that so sati s fi e d were ste promoters of the importance of this juction, that rather than lose it, they were wiling to abandon the Queen -street station, and that line to the harbour, so as only to allow one line of railway through the tunnel. A clan e was then put In to the foregoing effect. Mr. lion said he would offer a few observations on the clause put in. lie characterised that as a virtual abandonment of the whop scheme, and an admission of the discrepancies and incompleteness of the plans submitted. It would be better that they abandoned the Bill at once, and introduced a new and comprehensive scheme next ) e.ir. Mr. Sergeant ANDREWS made a few observations in reply, when ghe room was cleared. On our admission Clierumax intimated, that having consulted the Speaker on Ili.: clause that had in!en submitted, the Committee were willing to :alit" the general case to go on, on condition that if the junction ovvr the river were considered to be advisable, the clause would 1:e acz‘pted, in order to meet the ohjection which had been raised re ffipeciing the point they had been censidering. The general case for the Bill was then resumed. )[r. Wilson, who was under examination when the point about the junction in the tunnel was raised by the committee, was now recalled and examined generally as to the benefits the line would confer on Glasgow. Its thou;ht it would be a great accommodation to the inhabitants of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and Galloway, either in coining into Glasgow to do business, or in passing through to FAintairgb. Ile knew of no other plan of junction, where the same advantages could be obtained with so little interference with pro perty. flee Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at half-past eleven o'clock. GROUP XII. GLASGOW AND STRI WESCT T OP SCOTLAND DI. Tire Committee re-assembled this morning at twelve o'clock.3lem i.tts preet. nt, Mr. V. Smith (Chairman), Mr. Langston, Mr. T. .I.M.l‘ncoart, Mr. W. IlamiLon, and lion. W. Fitzuaaurice. The woe:del:at:on of the l ysritsusn,z, Janzpoz Or WEIR, AND POI LT 0:1,11.SGOVI ZUNCTION wasttaamed. manufacturer and shipper, Greenock, and Mr. Mac comptroller or the port, spoke to the trade 01 that town, and the advantages which this line would afford to it. The number of - ..foreign itdsso entered at Greenock in the year ending Jan. 1.1846, was 01, the touuage, 109,483 ; the ships outwardboW4 were 109; Linton_ THE 813147 A nage nearly 100,000. The coals ex , orted in the same year amounted to 23,317% tons. The timber trade was abort equal to that of Port Glasgow. He found that the tonnage of the ships entered at Port Glasgow amounted in the same year to 42,670 tons, and the ton nage of the ships outward bound amounted to 39,000 to v. Joseph Lang, coal master, gave evidence as to the minerals in the county of Renftew. The line would be useful to them, bec,iuse they brought a better deseription of coal from Ayrshire than they could themselves command. The Catamaran, at this stage of the proceeding, intimated that the Committee had made up their minds that a direetline from Johnstone to Port Glasg w was required, and as this was the only one before them, they were prepared to pass it, if the engineering evidence were satisfactory. The Committee, after some discussion amongst themselves, de clared that it was their opinion that a direet line should be made between these points and the counsel fcr the opposition might, if they considered it right so to do, bring forward evidence as to the expenses and estimates, and other engineering difficulties, as affected that portion of the line. It was at last, how ever, agreed upon by the Committee to hear the counsel and evidence in favour of the competing line before they decided upon the pre amble of the Bill. Mr. Miller, engineer, examined—The total length of the line is fifteen miles, two flariongs, and some chains. The distance to Port Glasgow from Ayrshire. as compared with the Glasgow and Greenock, would be shortened by four miles and three quarters. The line would afford a good communication between the bridge of Weir, on the one hand, and Glasgow and Port Glasgow on the other, there would be a saving of some distance from this port also. On the Port Glasgow branch there is a gradient of lin 36, which would be worked by horse power. There would be no engineering difficulties on the main line, the steepest gra dient being 1 in 75, and the sharpest curve three•quarters of a mile. The gradient of lin 36 would extend above a mile. Mr. Miller then went into evidence of a merely formal nature. re specting the length of branches, the crossing of parish roads, ec., on level. The estimaed cost was 300,0001., and the working expenses were estimated at 30 per cent. Mr. HILDYAND cross-examined Mr. Miller. without elicitine any discrepancies with the examination in chief. Mr. Miller then gave in a list of the assents, dissents, and neuters. Mr. Turner, solicitor to the Glasgow, Paisley , and careenock Com pany, stated that in their Act of 1840 a claus e was i n serted, making it compulsory upon the Company to construct branch railwa3s to the mese had not yet been harbours of Greenock and Port Glasgow ; entailed. A branch railway made to Greenock harbour at the expense of the constructed, and their powers had now , was, however, Harbour Trustees. The Committee adjourned a t foul o'clock. GROUP XIV 0017T1I-EASTERTir (continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Mr. CocttahltN, who appeared in support of the proposed line, pro ceeded to examine the Reverend S. Barker, the rector of the „ wis h of Wouldham, which is three miles from Rochester. The m e th Kent line, as proposed, would interfere with his house and with the churchyard. The western ride of the river would be better for a railway, as it is mere populous. The feeling of the farmers and landowners in his parish is almost universally against the North Kent line. By Sir W. RIDDLE—Is positive that the North Kent line would interfere with his house and the chtychyard. Some discussion here ensued as to whether it was competent to a private individual whose property was affected to enter an objection to any part of the line he might think proper. The CHAIRMAN at length decided that private individuals could not be heard against those portions of the line which did not affect their own interests. The demerits of the whole of the South-Eastern line would be entered into by the competing line, and of course that would answer all the wishes of private persons who wished the whole line to be opposed. By Mr. MERIEWETHER—Hai not examined the plan deposited in the parish. Mr. H. Simmonds, examined by Mr. MERREWETHER —IS a wharf- Inger and collier, at Maidstone. Has tureed his attention to the way in which the North Kent and South-Eastern lines approach Maid- . stone. The North Kent goes along the east side of the river. The western side, along which the South Eastern goes, is more populous than the eastern side, and possessed more places of note. Believes that the South-Eastern line will afford more accommodation to Maid stone. By Sir W. RIDDEL —ls aware that the North Kent is only eight miles in length between Rochester and Maidstone, and the South- Eastern is eleven miles. The Right Hon. Mr. Lushing,ton, examined by Mr. AUSTIN- Re , ides at Norton Court, which Is between eittingbourne and Fever. sham. His attention has been front time to time directed to the rail ways proposed to be formed in Kent. Knows the project of the south-Eastern Company, and also of the North Kent Company. His opinion is that the South-Eastern scheme is the one most calculated to benefit the country, Sir W. RIDDEL objected to this course of evidence as the Com mittee had a few days since declared that the opinions of private individuals with regard to the merits of the line was not admissible. The CHAIRMAN was of opinion that such evidence were admissible to a certain extent. It was unnecessary to draw the line with too great severity. Examination continued—lias, until lately, been rather in favour of the North Kent scheme, as it was generally believed that the South- Eastern Company were not sincere in their profession of coming down near the course of the proposed North Kent line. Has found, on reference to the report of the Board of Trade, that they approve of the South-Eastern line, and It is bound, by a clause in its Act, not to pay any dividend until the line and branches, as spec fled in the Act, are formed. By Mr. Theism' —Was in favour of the proposed atmospheric line. Was not aware of the accommodation given to the quays at Faver sham by the South-Eastern. Mr. Norton Knatchbull gave it as his opinion that the South- Eastern scheme was in every respect superior to the North Kent. Mr. Edward J. Hilton—ls a backer at Faversham, and also a navigation commissioner. The accommodation given to the quays by the South. Eastern Company was in every way satisfactory. Examined by Mr. Sergeant 31URPHY —The Mayor of Faversham presided at a metting of the inhabitants last year. Ile is the agent of the South-Eastern C mpany. The meeting agreed to a petition in favour of the North Kent Line. Mr. Henry Cooper, an alderman of Canterbury, stated that the South-Eastern would afford very great accommodation to that city and to the fisheries of Ramsgate and Margate. It would incon venience the city to make a new station. By Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM—There has beer: a public dinner at Canterbury, and 280 persofts present at it. Witness has not paid the bill for that dinner. If nobody else pars it witness must. Believes that the South-Eastern Company will pay it. Is of opinion that dinners change people's opinions, for some of the supporters of the North Kent Company who were present drank " Prosperity to the South-Eastern Company." Mr. Gibbs, of Howley, also gave evidence in support of the South- Eastern line. Mr. Miller, an engineer, was then called in support of the South. Eastern line. He stated that he had surveyed North Kent. with a view to the formation of a railway in 1825, and also in 1832. The gradients of the South-Eastern, between Greenwich and Woolwich, are more favourable than those on the North Kent in the same places. The two tunnels on the North Kent between London and Woolwich are very objectionable. The accommodation it would afford to the dock and arsenal is superior to the South-Eastern Railway. Tha Committee then adjourned at half-past three o'clock. GROUP XX. This Committee re-assemaeciiiiii morning. rremnt, :51r. Scrthcron, Mr. Rose, Lord H. Hendrick, and Sir R, Pipot. LONDON AND BRIGHTON (WANDSWORTH BRANCH.) Mr. WELLER opened the case for the promoters. The Committee were occupied hearing evidence in favour. of the line, which is between seven and eight miles long, and will coin. mence at Croydo• , and terminate in junction with the South-Westeri railway at Wandsworth. A West-end teradnus will theu be gives to the London and Brighton railway. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XXV. Tlin RIVAL HARWICH LINES. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) The remainder of the day was occupied in settling and arrang;nl the clause of the Bill. The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XXIX. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) SOIITZ MIDLAND RAILWAY (MINTING.- DON BRANCH). After some discussion as to the order of precedence of the remain ing lines in this group, It was arranged that the above line should be taken first. Mr. MAcitLAY, in the absence of Mr. Austin, then opened the case on behalf of the promoters. The proposed branch commences on the Bedford line, a little south of Kettering, and terminates by a junction with the Ely and Iluntingdon Railway, at Huntingdon, crossing and forming a junction with the line of the Northampton and Peterborough Railway. By this latter branch the chain of railway between Birmingham and Great Yarmouth will be complete. The length of the branch is twenty-three miles seven furlongs, and it is estimated that at least half a million of persons would be supplied with coal at half the cost which that article at present costs them. The promoters have agreed to subscribe 600,0001. towards its construction. The principal points for the consideration of the Committee in deciding en the merits of the competing lines for completing the railway communication from Birmingham to the Eastern branch will be the amount of capital required, the length of new Railways to be constructed, and the extent of accommodation afforded. The country through which the Rugby and Huntingdon Railway passes from the point where it leaves the Northampton and Peterborough Railway, to Rugby is, with the exception of the towns of Kettering and Market liar borough, most thinly populated ; and this line of country would be fully accommodated by the Rugby and Stamford Railway, for which a Bill was at present before a Committee, promoted by the London and Birmingham Railway Company. The proposed line was well supported by a large and powerful company who had subscribed the amount required. The competing line would be longer, and involved a greater expense. The Learne. Counsel submitted that. if these grounds of supeAority be sustained they would be sufficient to en title the promoters of the South Midland scheme to the passing of their Bill in preference to that of their competitors. Mr. W. Coote, a merchant, residing at St. Ives for thirty years, was then examined—He dealt in corn, coals, Re. The average number of sheep brought to St. Ives weekly was 4,000, and of cattle 800. The quant ty of corn brought to market WAS 100,000 quarters a year. From 9 to 10,000 tons of coal were consumed there yearly, but a larger quantity passed through it. It was very badly accommodated in means of communication, so much so us to be almos excluded from Birmingham. Leicester, and Manchester. The only convey ance was by canal, and the length of time occupied in conveyance by canal to Manchester was three weeks. he price of coals to the co: sumer at St. Ives was 205., a price extremely low, owing t time mild winter. They get a quantity from Yorkshire, through Lynn, but none from Leicestershire, from the want of means 01 c .iivey ance. Tho district about St. Ives was very fertile one. Cross-examined—lt would be an object to get as quickly as pos sible from Birmingham to Huntingdon, but he fancied tnat he could • get to Rugby very well by the South Midland projeot. He admitted that the most direct line would be by the Rugby and Huntingdon line. By, the ellAiltstAN—His general reasons for preferring the pro posed line :to the competing one, was the saving of 29 miles, the saving of capital to the amount of li. 0,0001., and the less expente which would be incurred by passengers. He saw no rea on of pre ference, as far as regards increased accommodation to the east. Mr. John Edward Lacon, a banker, living in Yarmouth, a as next exainined. The staple trade of Yarmouth was the fisheries. The greater part of the salt fish weut to Hull, and the fresh fish to London. This was owing to the want of acinmmodation to the Midland counties. The price of fish at present was r.mised in Yar mouth, owing to the railway communication being opened to London. Formerly a turbot could be got at Yarmouth for 45., now it was 165., and every other kind of fish was raised there in proportion. James Fields stated that he lived at St. Ives. Ile was a master waterman, and owned four gangs of lighters. He was acquainted with the river trade, and took an account of all heavy goods which stopped at and passed St. Des. The total tonnage for four wi eks, the time he calculated the tonnage, was 9,100 tons ; the largest por tion of this tonnage was coals. There were nearly 7,000 tons of coals. He took another account for iourteen days more recently. The amount of tonnage then was 3,377 tons, 2,664 of which were coals. Mr. James Morton examined—Was an ironmonger at Huntingdon. He got his coal and coke at present from Newcastle, by Hull, to Lynn. He would prefer to get coal from Nottinghamshire and South Derbyshire, if it was as good. His iron came from Wales, and there was delay, inconvenience, and expense, particularly in the winter time, in obtaining it. A railway communication with the midland counties would be of great advantage. Mr. George Betts Pomfret, a maltster and brewer, living in Hunt ingdon, corroborated the evidence of the last witness as to the want of railway communication. Mr. James Baize, farmer and maltster at Kettering, examine.l— feeling of the inhabitants of that town was entirely in favour of the projected line. The evidence of this witness was objected to, because the commu nication to that town was at present under consideration before another Committee, to which the General South Midland was referred. Mr. Barwell, an ironfounder, at Northampton, was then examined —He had been three times mayor of that town. Frequent public meetings were held in that town about railway communication passing through it to the Eaetern Counties. In consequence of the repentance now felt by Northampton in consequence of tile opposition they gave to the London and Birmingham Railway, wlich made that Company pass by the town at a d stance of four miles, it made the town noW more desirous of a direct communication, principally to ,fie competing scheme was never brought before th ec Cross-examined— xaanmd lenaesfit_. the town, and they had theretore never expressed an opinion upon it. The Secretary of the South Midland Company having given the formal proofs of the estimates, directors, &c., the further considera tion of the case was adjourned till to-merrow, when Mr. Stephenson will be the first witness examined. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. Sub-Committee, No. 1. NEWC ASTLE-UPON-TYNE, EDINBURGH, AND GlasGow J UNCTION. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) After going through several allegations, which were disallowed, and the standing orders declared complied with, the decision, we un derstood to be, was, that the Bill should go up to the Committee of Standing Orders on two errors pro , ed yesterday. OXFORD, COVENTRY, AND BURTON-UPON -TRENT. The obJ , ct of this Bill is chiefly to c onnect Burton-upon-Trent with the Birmingham Railway lines. The len g th is about 8% miles ; the estinia , ed cost, 260,0001. The engineer, Mr. Radford` the agents, Messrs. Dorrington ; the so licit IT, Messrs. Woodcock, wist, and Co. ; and Messrs. Troughton and Co., of Coventry. A petition from Mr. Jervis against the Bill was presented by Mr. • Pcrkes, complaining of inaccuracies in. plans and sections. Most of timse were unimpoi taut, but two or three were sustained, and so far the standing orders wore not complied with. GLASGOW AND DUNDEE JUNCTION. The formal evidence having been brought In, the Committee ad- Journed it our 'clock. 'gib-Committee No. 2. GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Other allegations having ben sustained, the Committee decided that the standing orders were not complied with. OX ORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERHAMPTON. This isill was not opposed, and the standing orders were complied with. IPSWICH AND BURY ST. EDMUNDS (ELY EXTENSION). The parties to this Bill not being prepared with their witnesses when called on, the case was postponed till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. THE NORTH .AND BOVTII CONNECTING LINE. This isiiiw;;;;Tposiiolcsa for the same reason, as Were some other Rills. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (ST. ALBANS AND LUTON BRANCH). This was a Bill, upon petition, for additional provisions. The Committee, having been informed by their clerk . aft , 2 diligent search, the petition could not be found in the ofac° o"ue for the Clerk of the House, and that, therefore, it would be noce asar Y Chairman to apply to the House upon the suidecti the case was adjourned, to give Sir J. T. Buller the oppor tu nity of doing so. Sub-Committees. 1(0. 3. WEST co"ANALL. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) g The Committee were occuP ted the greater part el the day, in the consideration of two allegations which were not sustained ; after which, in consequence of the absence of witnesses, the case was postpo o ned. FOLK M RAILWAY EXTENSIONS (YARMOUTH EXTENSION.) The N o bject of this Bis to extend the existing line to the coast. The len gth of the line is 7% thriongs. The estimated cost 40,0001, The formal evidence having been given, and a petition presented a gainst the Bill, the Committee adjourned. The object of the line is to connate Penzance, Truro, and Fal mouth. The length of the line is 45 mites, including the branches — the estimated eost 500,0001. The engineer, Mr. C K. Brunel so* Bettors, Messrs. Edwards and Mason. London; and Gryils and Hill, of Helstone ; the Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and Company. Petitions against the sill were presented, complaining chiefly of defective notice. But several allegations to this effect were declared sustained. Sub-Committee, No. 4. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) FURNESS RAILWAY EXTENSIONS. One of the allegations against this Bill, was :that the height and span of the arches over the rivers Clake and Levin, were not marked on the sections. It appeared that the line was represented on the sections to be an embankment at the points where it crossed the rivers in question. Ou the part of the promoters of the Bill, it was represented that it was not intended to cross these rivers by means of arches, as the line would cross on a solid embankment, as represented in the sections, and it was contended that this was not a navigable river in the meaning of the standing order, being, in fact, only an estuary, and only navi gable at high water. Considerable amusement was created by the agent for the line asoerting that it was intended to cross these rivers on a solid embankment; and that if the Committee on the merits of the Bill (by whom he said this point could only be considered) should I be of opinion that some provision should be made to prevent the country from being flooded by the stopping of the water, they could introduce such a clause as they might think necessary. The CHAIRMAN said that the standing order required that the height and span should be marked at every crossiag over a river, and it Wai no answer to the objection that they were not marked, to say that there was no arch proposed. If it could be shown that this was a navigabl, river, then the allegation would be proved. Evidence was then given on the part of the petitioners to show that these were both navigable rivers ; and on the other side to show that they were mere estuaries, navigable only at high water. Mr. PRITT, on the part of the petitioners. said that he was aware of no reason why the standing order should be limited to those rivers which were navigable at low as well as at high water. The Committee cleared the room to consmt, and on our re-admis sion, The CHAIRMAN stated that the Committee had not conks to any decision, and as it was now four o'clock they must adjourn. The decision must stand over. The Committee then rose, and adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. Sub-Committee, No. 5. The Committee met at two o'clock. Present, Mr. Home Drum mond (chairman), Mr. Forbes Mackenzie, and Mr. J. Egerton. BRISTOL AND BIRMINGHAM (BRA.NCIi TO BATLI.) The Committee proceeded to consider the objections on petitions in opposition to the line. It was alleged that plans had not been deposited with the parish clerk of. Swainswick as required by the standing orders. The agents for the company stated that they had abandoned that part of the line. The COMMITTEE said that they nevertheless took powers in their Bill to construct, and they mist. report a non-compliance in this case with the standing orders... BIRMINGHAM AND BRISTOL (ASHCHURCH TEWKESBURY, AND MALYERN BRANCH). Agents, Messrs. Ellicombe ; Engineer, Mr. Stephenson. Estimated expense, 180,0001., the contract deed being executed for 135,030/. (three-fourths of the cost), And the deposit made 13,500/. The formal proofs in compliance with the standing orders were put in. Sir. Gaue took an objection that a small plot of land on the bank of ;he railway, in the comity of Gloucester, was not laid down on the large scale in the county plan. . Another field in the parish of Hanley Castle, in the same county, was not numbered in the book of reference. Both objections were sustained by the CommitteP. . . The case was adjourned till twelve o'clock tomorrow. Stth-Committee No. 6. CALEDONIAN RAILWAY EXTENSION. (Continued front our Afternoon Edition.) Mr. Locx appeared as agent for Mr. Alexander, a petitioner against the Bill, whose petition contained the alleg .tion, an.ongst others, that the plans described two distinct lines of railway, while the Bill took powers to make one only, and did not state which of the two. Mr. Lock stated that two sets of plans, for two distinct lines of railway, had been deposited at the Private Rill-office, under the same title ; and called Mr. Alexander to prove that he had been served with two notices. Mr. GRAHAM admitted that two sets of plans had been deposited, but said that one was for the main line and the ether for a branch, which latter had been abandoned. The Committee disallowed the alegatlon, and declared the stand ing orders complied with in respect of this point.. A number of allegations were withdrawn by Mr. Lock and several fell to the ground. After hearing evidence for and against all the allegations in this petition, and also in another (that of several owners and occupiers of land, &c.), the Committee decided that in respect of tw) roads, the inclination of which was not correctly marked, the standing orders were not complied with. In other respects they were com plied with. CALEDONIAN RAILWAY (GLASGOW,. GARNKIRK, AND COATBUIDGE BRANCH). The object of this Bill is to construct two branches from the Glas gow, Garnkirk, anti Coatbridge Railway to the town of Airdrie, and the Caledonian Railway. The length of each branch is about two miles, anti the cost is estimated at 110,0001. Engineers, Messrs. Locke and Emington; Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Graham and Co. t.-r- - There Nowa but one petition againgt this Bill, and that was said to contain but one allegation, but as the Speaker was announced at prryers, immediately after the formal proofs had been completed, the case for the petitioner could not be heard to-day. At four o'clock the Committee adjourned to to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, when the petition against this Bill will be taken. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this morning at twelve o'cleck ; present, the Earl of Sheftesbury (in the chair), the Earl of Fortescue, Lords llawarden, Courtown, and Redesdale. CORNWALL AND DEVON CENTRAL RAILWAY. Their Lordships entered into the hearing of this case, which occu pied the entire day, so strongly was it opposed. Their Lordships ad journed the farther hearing of the case. Their Lordships rose at five o'clock. COURSE OF EXCHJ Amsterdam C.F. 12 9% I)itte, at sight • • .... 12 6 Rotterdam 2U. 12 10 Antwerp ltamburgh .... • • M.B. 13 15% A1t0na....... Paris, 3 days' sight .. 25 80 Ditto, 3 months Marseilles ••.. • • • ..... 26 5 80urdeaux............ 26 10 Frankfort on Maine.. 122% Petersburgh, 3 U 5.... .. Berlin Vienna, effec. fio. ••• • . 10 10% Trieste, ditto.... • • .... 10 10% Madrid ••.. • • ........ 36 Cadiz .. : .. Bilbao. Barcelona •. • • ........ GE.-( THIS DAY.) Gibra1tar............... — Leghorn .............. 30 75 Genoa ....... •... 26 16 Venice........ Naples ...... • . Palermo, per 0z........ 11914 Lisbon . 52N Oporto Rio Janeiro •• ........ 24 Bahia Buenos Ayres _ ........... New York, 21 days' sight Philadelphia .. :. • • .. • • PRICES OF BULLION. PER OZ. Foreign Gold in bars.. .f.. 3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin 3 17 5 New Doubloons ...... 0 0 0 New Dollars • • .... • . 0 4 9% I Ailver in bars ...... •• 0 4 114 "TIE LONDON GAZETTE, (THIS EVENING.) WHITEHALL, MARCH 30. The Queen has been pleased to direct letters patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain • and Ireland, appointing the Right Honourable Charles John Viscount Canning, the Right Honourable James Andrew Earl of Dalhousie, the Right Honourable the LOrd Mayor ofthe City of London, the Right lion. John Charles Berries, and Sir John Mark Frederic Smith, Lieut.-Colonel of the Royal Corps of Engineers, to be her Majesty's Commissioners for investigating and reporting upon the various railway projects, of which the termini are proposed to be establishedwithin or in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis. DOWNING-STREET, MARCH 28. The Queen has beep pleased to appoint Theophilus Shep stcne, .Ek.q. to be Diplomatic Agent to the Native Tribes re siding within the district of Natal, in South Africa. Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint John Mac lean, Esq., Captain in the Army, to be Diplomatic Agent to the TSlambie, Congo, and Fingo Tribes, on the eastern fron tier of the settlement of Good Hope. FOREIGN-OFFICE, 1t..-CARCH 27. - - . - The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. J. Frederic Peat, itA Consul in the Bahama Islands for the Free Hanseatic city of Bremen. WAR-OFFICE, MARCH 31. _ _ 3d Light Dragoons—Lieut. S. Fisher to be Captain, with eut purchase, vice Brevet Major Berries, killed in action, Dec. 19, 1845. To be Lieutenants, without purchase—Cornet H. W. White, vice Fisher; C ornet J. D. White, vice Newton. killed in action, Dec. 19; Cornet J. Rathwell, vice Codd, killed in action, Dec. 22. To be Cornets, without Purchase—Cornet E.J. Thackwell, from the 16th Light Dragoon. vice H. W. White, promoted, March 31, 1846; Sergeant-Major G. Kountze, vice J. D. White, April 1, 1846; 11. P. Sale, Gent., vice Rathwell, April 2, 1846 ; T. H. Stisted, Gent., vice Worley, killed in a ction, April 3, 1846; G. T. Gough, Gent., vice Ellis, killed in action, April 4, 1846. 16th Light Dragoons. To be Cornets, without purchase—F. L Dashwood, Gent., vice Bruce, killed in action, March 31 ; W. S. Lockhart, Gent.. vice Thackwell, appointed to the 3d Light Dragoons, April 1. 4th Regiment of Foot—Ensign A. V. D. Harris, to be Lieutenant, without purchase. vice Morris, de:easeil, Nov. 18. LONDQN, TITESDKY ETEN'INC3, mAncrr 1448. 9th Foot. To be Lieutenants-Colonels, without purchase—Major G. L. Davis, vice Colonel Sir J. M,Caskill, killed in action ; Dec. 19, 1845. Major C. Barnwell, vice Taylor, killed in action ; Dec. 22. To be Majors, without 'purchase—Brevet-Major C. Dou glas, vice Davis; Dec. 19. Brevet-Major M. Smith, vice Barnwell ; Dec. 22. To be Captains, without purchase—Lieutenant C. M. Creagh, vice Douglas, Dec. 18 ; Lieutenant C. Elmhirst, vice Smith, Dec. 22 ; Lieutenant D. M. Bethune, vice Dunne, killed in action, Dec. 22 ; Lieutenant W. Shelton, vice Feild, killed in action, Dec. 31. To be Lieutenants, without purchase—Ensign H. Thomas, vice Creagh Dec. 19, 1845 ; Ensign R. G. Cumming, vice Elmhirst, Dec. 22, 1845; Ensign W. H. Forster, vice Hook, appointed Adjutant, Dec. 22, 1845; Ensign G. H. Hawes, vice Sievwright, died of his wounds, Jan. 4, 1846; Ensign W. H. Stirling, vice Shelton, March 31. To be Ensigns, without purchase—Sergeant-Major J. Whiteside, vice Thomas, March 31; A. Sievwright, Gent., vice Cumming, April 1 ; W. P. Terre, Gent., vice Forster, April 2; H. R. Browne, Gent., vice Hawes, April 3; C. W. Loinsworth, Gent., vice Hanham, promoted in the 62d Foot, April 4 ; S. B. M. Skinner, Gent., vice Richardson, pro• moted in the 62d Foot, April 5. To be Adjutant—Lieut. L. Hook, vice Bethune, promoted, Dec. 22, 1845. 17th Foot—F. H. D. Marsh, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Johnston, appointed to the 41st Foot, March 31. 21st Foot—The Hon. C. M. H. Forbes to be Second Lieu tenant, without purchase, vice Mikes, promoted to the 31st Foot, March 31. 22d Foot—Ensign T. Stack to be Lieutenant, without pur chase, vice Smith, deceased, Nov. 18, 1845 ; A. J. B. L. Butt, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Stack, March 31, 1846. 28th Foot—Ensign B. J. Lennox, from the 41st Foot, to be Ensign, vice Moore, promoted, March 01. 29th Foot. To be Captains, without purchase—Lieut. H. P. L'Estrange, vice Lines, killed in action ; Lieut. K. Murchison, vice Molle, killed in action, March 20. To be Lieutenants, without purchase—Ensign H. R. White, vice Carey, killed in action, Dec.,l9, 1845; Ensign G. St. J. Henderson, vice Sinnott-, killed in action, Dec. 22., 1845; Ensign E. T. Sculamore. vice L'E ,t range; Ensign A. A. Dick, ' vice Jones, appointed Adjutant, March 20. To he Ensigns, without purchase--SergeAu• major G. Mit chell, vice White. parch 31 ; W. S. Simmons, Gent, vice Henderson, April 1; C H. Levinge, Gent , vice Seutlantore, April 2; J. S. Henderson, Gent., vice Dick, April 3; R. J. b e Adjutant — Lieut . G. IL M. Jones, vice Murchison, Evans, Gent., vice Richards, promoted, April 4 . To promote d, March 20. 31st Foot. To be Lieutenant Colonel, without purchase—Major J. S. Spence, vice Bolton, died of his wounds, Jan. 5. To be Majors, without purchase—Capt. T. Bulkeley, vice Baldwin, died of his wounds, Dec. 31, 1645 ; Capt. G. D. Young, vice Spence, Jan. 5. To be Captains, without purchase—Lieut. J. C. Brooke, vice Willes, killed in action ; Lieut. J. S. Scott, vice Bulke lev ; Lieut. J. Greenwood, vice Young. March 31. - To be Lieutenants without purchase—Ensign R. Mac kenzie, vice Brencley, killed in action ; Ensign J. Paul, vice Hart, killed in action, Dec. 19, 1845; Ensign H. P. Hutton, vice Poltard, killed in action, Dec. '25, 1845; Ensign C. H. G. Tritton, vice Brooke; Second Lieutenant W. C. Dilkes, from the 21st Foot, vice Scott; Ensign W. Du Vernet, from the 50th Foot, vice Greenwood, March 31, 1846. To be Adjutenant and Lieutenant—Lieutenant A.• S. Bolton, from the 21st Foot, vice Bernard, killed in action, Dec. 19, 1845. To be Ensigns, without purchase—Quartermaster Sergeant W. Jones, vice Mackenzie, March 31 • Ensign J. 0. Swaffield, from the 48th Foot, vice Hutton, April 1; H. Brenchley, Gent., vice Paul, April 2 ; F. R. Bernard, Gent., vice Tritton, April 3 G. W. Baldwin. Gent., vice Kingsley, promoted in the 80th Foot, April 4; S. Christian, Gent., vice Smith, pro mosed in the 80th Foot, April 5, 1846. 32d Foot—Lieut. H. Stewart, from the 68th Foot, to be Lieutenant. vice Ituberlv who exchanges, March 31. 39th Foot—Ensign 1. M. W. Ensor to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Harvey, killed in action, Dec. 22; H. M. Havelock, Gent., t be Ensign, vice Ensor, March 31. 41st Foot—Ensign W. Johnston, from the I7th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Lennox, appointed to the 28th Foot, March 31. 4Sth Foot—C. R. Chichester, Gent., to be Ensign without purchase, vice Swaffield, appointed to the 31st Foot, March 31. 50th Foot—Ensign Amos White, to be Lieut., without purchase, vice Young, killed in action, Dec. 20; Sergeant- Major R. Heaton, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice White, March 31, 1846 ; W. A. D. Anderson, Gent to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Du Vernet, prom ,, ted in the 31st Foot, April 1, 1846. 53] Foot—Sergeant Major J. W. Follows, to be Ensign, without purchasa, vice Hardinge, promoted in the 80th Foot, March 31. 61st Foot—Sergeant Major D. Reid, to be Ensign, without purchase, vine Armstrong, promoted, March 81. 62d Foot. To be Captains, without purchase—Lieutenant R. Shear man, vice Clarke, killed in action ; Lieutenant G. Nicholas, vice Wells, killed in action, Dec. 22, 1845. • To be Lieutenants, without purchase—Ensign A. S. Craig, vice Hillier, deceased, 0ct.19 • Ensign C. Roberts, vice Scott , killed in action ; Ensign R. A. Cox, vice M'Nair, killed in action ; Ensign J. M. M. Hewett, vice Gubbins, killed in action, Dec. 22; , Ensign J. Hanham, from the 9th Ft ot, vice Shear man,; Ensign C. R. Richardson, from the 9th Foot, vice Nicholas; Ensign J. S. Richards, from the 29th Foot, vice Lambert, appointed Adjutant, Dec, 23. To be Ensigns, without purchase—Ensign T. Walsh, from the 78th Foot, vice Craig, March 30 ; Sergeant-Major W. Rudman, vide Roberts, March 31 ; R. A. Wood, Gent., vice Cox, April 1; R. J. E. Reed, Gent., vice Hewett, April '2. To be Adjut tnt—Lieut. C. Lambert, vice Sims, killed in action, Dee. 22d, 1845. 68th Foot—Lieut. H. Duberly, from the 32d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Stewart, who exchanges, March 31. 78th Foot—H. Gillmore, Gent. to be Ensign, without pur chase, vice Walsh, appointed to 62d Foot, March 31. 80th Foot. To be Captains, without purchase—Lieut. A. W. Riley, vice Best, killed in action ; Lieut. A. Ormsby, vice Sche berras, killed in action, Dec. 22. To be Lieutenants, without purchase —Ensign A. E. Hardinge, from 53d Font, vice Riley; Ensign S. A. Kershaw, vice Ormsby; Ensign G. C. Robertson, vice Bythesea, killed in action, D: c. 22; Ensign E. W. P. Kingsley, from 31st Foot, vice Warren, killed in action, Dec. 23 ; Ensign H. C. Smith, from 31st Foot, vice Fraser, killed in action. Dec. 24. To be Ensign, without purchase—Colour Sergeant M. Kirkland, vice Robertson, March 31. Commissioned by the Qneen. Renfrewshire Regiment of Militia—Unattached Captain J. J. Bsyly to be Adjutant, Feb. 27, 1846. Commissions by her Majesty's Commissioners of Lieutenancy for the City of London. Regiment of Royal London Militia—W. G...Ropeo, Gent., to be Lieutenant; F. W. Weldon, Gent., to be Ensign, Feb. 18, 1846. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cardigan. • D. S. Davies, E-q., to he Deputy-Lieutenant ;T. D. Lloyd Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant ; J. L. Davies , Esq ., to-be Deputy-Lieutenant, Feb. 16 ; J. B. L. Philipps§ Esq„ to be Deputy-Lieutenant, Feb. 28. Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Glamorganshire. R. Boteler, F,cl., to be Deputy-Lieutenant ; E. H. H. Lee, Esq ,to be Deputy Lieutenant; E. T. Llewellin, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant; H. H. Vivian, Esq., to be Deputy Lieu tenant, March 21. Roi al Glamorgan Light Infantry Battalion of Militia—H. Lucas Esq., to be Captain ; W. W. Lewis, Gent., to be S-c n l Lieutenant, March 21. oninissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. T. A. Boswell, Esq., to be Deputy . Lieutenant; C. Tower, E , q., to be Deputy Lieutenant ; J. T. Senior, Esq., to be 'onty Liontowmt t C. T. Gaskell, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant; R. T. Gilpin, Esq to be Deputy Lieutenant ; G. Carroti;ton the younger, Esq., to he Deputy Lieutenant, eb. 14 ( - 2( mmissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire. St ittiog and L -ore Regiment of Militia—T. M. M. Weller, Est .§ to be Captain; D. Shaw, Gent., to be Lieu tenant; J. Campildt, to uc Ensign; W. M'Allester Douglas, Gent., to be Ensign. Commissions signed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumberland. Cumberland Militia—W. G. C. Monins, Esq., to be Cap tab', Sept. 21, 1842;_ H. G. Humphries, Gent., to be Ensign. Feb. 26, 1841; C. Hutton, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Harra den, resigne, Dec. 10, 1841; F. NV. Brook, Gent., to be Ensign, May 15, 1843. Commission signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County Palatine of Lancae er. _ _ Sir T. G. Hesketh, Batt., to be Deputy Lieutenan March 25. Errata in the Gazette os the 24th inat.:— Third Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia— For J. Worthington, Gent., tube Ensign,•read J., Worthing • ngton, Gent., to be Lieutenant ; for J. E. Orrell, Gent, to be Lieutenant ; read J. E. Orrell, Gent., to be Ensign. BANKRUPTS. John Charles Barratt, carver and gilder, Strand. Thomas John Moysey Bartlett, bill broker, 9, Pall-mall East. William Howe, bricklayer, Botsford, Suffolk. Charles Couchman, brick maker, Hammersmith. Lancelot Newton, warehouseman, Gutter-lane, Cheapside. Edward Dorling, Berlin wool dealer, Ipswich. James Robert Ellis, brassfounder, Houndsditch. John Spaul, wine merchant, Beer-lane, Lower Thames-st. Valentine Elk in s, coachmaker, Southampton-place, Euston square. Michael Kelly, provision-dealer, Liverpool. William Edmond and Thomas Edmond, merchants, Liver pool. Henry Dunington, glove manufacturer, Nottingham. John Hirst and Joseph Graham, cloth dressers, Dewsbury, Yorkshire. Thomas Kenworthy Rowbotham, bookeeper, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. James Roger Havard, commission agent, Rhymney, Bre con sh ire. John Scott, fruiterer, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the Landon New Price Current of March 31.) SUGAR.—To-day there was less firmness in the home consumption Sugar market. In West India purchases to a fair extent were made. but merchants were compelled to tAke rather lower rates, the supply at market being large and the avortment better. The private sales amounted to 450 hhds and trcs. --- REFINED.—To-day Refined goods were purchased with caution by the home trade-63s to 63s 6d were the rates taken for brown lumps according to quality, and 64s to 64s 6d for standard lumps. Bonded crushed Sugar is dull of sale at 34s 6d to 35s for first quality. MAunrrius —This afternoon there were three public sales of Mauritius, comprising 8,499 bags, but the trade evinced less desire to operate, and prices declined Is per cwt; nearly the whole how Aver sold. There was no low brown in the sales. FOREIGN.—To-day 4,202 bags of Pernambuco Sugar were offered at public sale, and all taken in above the value, that is to say, middling dry yellow at 23s to 245, low ditto 21s to 225, fine brown 20s, middling 19s, low damp ditto 17s mid dling 18s. fine 19s 6d, low yellow 203 to 215, and middling at 21s 6d to 22 per cwt. EAST INnlA.—This afternoon Bengal Sugar met with less attention, and 1,735 bags 58 chests at public sale were sold at barely former rates. _ _ CoFFF.E.—This afternoon there was little inclination shown to purchase Native Ceylon, and 815 bags at public sale were only in part sold upon rather lower terms. In Mocha little business was transacted privately. The market for all kinds of Foreign has a dull aspect. TEA.—Although there are sellers of Congou rather under former rates, still the trade have purchased with caution. For Pouchong prices kept pretty steady, but there has been little business done. Hyson has been sparingly dealt in. In Twatikay several put chases have been made, and at rates diffe-- ing ; little from those of last Tuesday. in Young Hyson des to a fair extent have been made at 100 to Is 6d for Canton, and at is 8d to 2s 10d :for low to fine Hyson kind. Alih 'ugh Gunpowder can be procured at is 3d to sg 5d for Canton, 2s 6d to 4s for good to fine llyson kind, still little has been doing. Snores.-=l'o-day of Nu'megs 31 cases 9 casks 3 bags, at auction, were all sold, in consequence of merchants sub mitting to a reduction on former rates of ld per lb ; of Mace 5 casks sold at very full rates. Pimento is in request, and 99 bags at auction fetched 3%d to 3 3 / 4 d for middling rather mixed and stalky, being the full worth. STMTS.—There has been little desire evinced to purchase Jamaica Rum, but the stock not being large, holders are re luctant to lumber redaie their prices. For Demerara rather lower rates have talietr, still the quantity sold has been only 200 puns. Leeward Island is not offered upon lower terms; but little business done. For Calcutta previous rates are required, but there hasbeen little passing. Holders of Brandy are unwilling to take lower rates, but there has been little desire evinced to operate. For tine Geneva for home consumption the demand has been brisk, but common has been sparingly dealt in. British Corn Spirits are selling at 10s 6d per gallon nett cash, Gin 22 per cent. underproof at 8s lOd, and 17 under Proof 9s 4d per gallon. tsts public sale 1,500 bags of Madras Rice were taken in at rfttsi .. roderate rates of 12s to 12s 6d per cwt for low pinkey white rather dusty and broken, mixed with a few red grains. f ICocitisman—Prices are E lower, but there has been little business transacted privately in blackor silver, and at public sale 70 bags of Mexican were only in part sold. the value of Russian on the spot. little varia tion baS taken place since last Tuesday, but the purchases made have teen limited. For delivery in the last three months of the year there are sellers of Petersburg yellow Caudle of first qattlitilithond at 41s 6d to 42s per cwt, but :there has been butjittle passing. Ott.s.—Tlrere has been a good business transacted in Olive Oil, and holders display firmness. For Rape Seed Oil re duced rates are taken. Palm has been purchased with cau tion privately, and a decline in value has ensued. Cocoa Nut has been in good request privately, but prices do not improve, although the supply is small. There was little de sire shown to purchase Linseed Oil, and a decline.in the value took place. Sperm has met with attention, and previous improved rates are fully maintained. FANCY FAIR UNDER THE THAMES.—The fanny fair In the Thames-turmel proved highly attractive last week, having lasted from Monday, and was attended en the average by 9,000 per sons daily. The amount received at the usual charge of Id. only, was 155 L up to Friday evening. PERI l'A cll,l 3i EINT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUz.4E t.)F COMMONS. There being only thirty-one - Me:111)0n: present at Four o'clock, the House adjourned till to morrow. HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the wool sack at Five o'clock. THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. The Marquis of 'CLANRICARDE said he had given notice that he would move an address to be pressnted to her Majesty on the subject of the report made yesterday from the Select Committee on the building of the Houses of Parliament. He thought they might move the address nlw and discuss it and they could vgree to the wording at a future time. The Duke of WELLINGTON thought it would be better to wait till they saw what the other House of Parliament would do. It was his opinion that both Houses should agree in the mode of proceeding. IRISH RAILWAYS. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, after a few prelimi nary observations, which did not reach the gall,ry, stilted that the grand jury of the county of Kerry had c )mmissioned him to present a petition praying that House to give as moth consideration as was in their power to the various plans of iallwaye which were be fore Parliament, and begging that their Lordships would, as far as they could consistently with their public duty, expedite those Bills in such a manner as to give the earliest employment to the people of Ireland. He wished to c .t 1 the attention of the house to a matter of some importance with reference to this petition, and he would take this opportunity of asking his Noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, a question with reference to this subject. At various times, by the direction of the Government, surveys had been made of the south western coast of In land, with a view of establishing a v packet or military station, or both, and to secure a go :d means of communication across the Atlantic. He, therefore, wi,hed that the Govern ment should make up their minds as to the place in which such station should be pla..!ed while these various lines of railway were under consideration. In the embarking of capital iii railways, it was impor taut that some plan should be adopted respeeting a packet and military station at the mouth of the Shannon, at Valencia, at Pier Head, or at 13antry Msy, or some other place that might be deemed more eligible. There ought to be some understanding with the Government with regard to such a measure, so that those railway s should be male to 'answer in the.best way for public purposes. He would give no opinion as to the best point for a station ; he merely submitted the matter to the consideration of the Government. And if a cheico of a point was made, it should be known as soon as pos sible, in order that no difficulty might be thrown in the way of those schemes which were proposed for railway accommodation in Ireland. He would now present the petition, which was in favour of the construction of railways in Ireland generally. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH was obliged to the Noble Marquis for his suggestions, but he would beg leave to inform him that the selection of a station eu the west coast of Ireland rested with the Treasury and not with toe Admiralty. With regard tie the ports named for a packet station, he thought that Valencia would not be selected—Bantry Bay was better, but Cork was better than them both. THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. - The Marquis of CLANRICARDE rose to move the address of which he had given notice, relative to the new Houses of Parliament. If they were about in any way to adsise the Crown, upon any matter that would touch the buildings erected for the service of the House of Commons, thereby interfering, it not with the pri vilege, at least with the business of that He -use', then indeed it would be nee cessary for them to con fer with the House of Commons, before they could take any step in the matter. • They, however, did no such thing. The address referred only to the buildings for the sole use and service of the House of Lords. It was a matter of fact, that the Board of Werks had been incorporated with the office of the Woods and Forests. There could be no doubt. that all palaces and buildings of the Crown or great works id a public nature ereeeed in the metreplis came under the superintendence of that department. There was, therefore, nothing said in the aedress which he was about to read. Within the last, nine months the work, as regarded their Lordships' house, had been at a stand still. The delay originated out of the differences that arose between the gentlemen employed in the execution eif the work. The architect intrusted with the work and a .scientific gentle man who had been called in to superin tend the ventilation and heetmg of the House differed, and the consequence wets a total sus pension of the work, as regarded the c:,mple tion of the House. What, then, did the Committee do? They did not presume tee uneertake - to settle th.• difference; and he held that it would not be eompetent fur their Lordships or the Commons, or fur both, to in terfere, as it was the Quo- n's privilege, and there ore the Executive Gem reauent alone could het rfere. The Comenivee therefore refer eel to the Executive Govern Lent for the mterpesitien of their au thority, with a view that they would direct both gentlemen to do their duty, and speedily and imme diately complete the work with which they had been ~,tru,tod. The emperearendence of the work having fallen on the Woods and Forests dep: rtm nt, nee other Commission or Board was established for ;hat purpose. Now he considered that that was unfortunate, a, the department of Woods and Forests had already so much business thrown on them that they could not give the weeks that serious attention which; they daserved. It w: - All.l appear, no•withst.eidh g, that the culculte ions m :,de by the architect, both as to time and < xpense, we re erroneous ; and with that view he moved f.)r the committee. The Committee telt bound tee make 50111 e suggestions, which he was happy to say had been adopted by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. But, notwith standing this report, the Committee were powerless upon one point, and that a point for which theN had been appointed, namely, to accelerate ithe build ing of the House. They had not the powt r to make the building go on as they wished for they had not the power, and they were therefore obliged to call upon supreme authori y to make them go on. They had called upon the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. He did not think that any public building, erected by public money had ever been erected ex cept under thu snperitetendence of the Board of Public Works, and he thought it was a great pity that in the present case they had not acted in the same prieciple. He maintained that the agreement which had been entered into, had not been carried out. He did no; wish to impute blame to any one ; it was no doubt a work of a difficult nature. The Noble Lord concluded by moving that an address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her M-jesty may be pleased to direct Mr, parry to proceed with the New Houses without delay, and that 1)r. Reed be directed not to interfere with the works by his plans of ventilation ; and that directions be given for the com pletion of the Howe of Lords by - the commencement of the next session. The LORD CHANCELLOR having put the motion Lord CANNING opposed the a repert on which the address was only been laid before their L rd h LORDS' SUMMARY. Their Lordships met at Fire o'clock. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented a petition from Kerry, in favour of railways in Ireland. The Noble Mar quis suggested that it would be desirable that the Admiralty should fix upon stale station on the Irish coast for a packet station. The Earl of EULENBOROUGH said that the matter lay with the Treasury and not with the Admiralty. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE then moved, pursuant to notice, the address to her Majesty on the sub . ,Ect of the report with respect to the New Houses of Parliament. Viscount CANNING opposed the motion. The Eat'. of REDEsDALE supported the motion of the Mar quis of CLANRICARDE fin. the address. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE thought the subject ought to be adjourned till the report had been printed. The Duke of WELLINGTON agreed with the Noble Mar quis that the subject ought to be adjourned fsr the present. After some further discussisn the subject was adjourned till after Easter. The House then adjourned ASSIZE IN'i ELLIGENCE. HO VIE C (HT —King,ton. .1 , lurch 30. CIVIL SlDE—(Befure Lord Chief Justice DENMAN and a Special Jury.) PEMBERTON V. COLLS This was an action for slander, brought by the Rev. Mr. Pember ton, the vicar of Wandsworth, against the Rev. Mr. Coils, curate of St. Anne's, Waibilsworth, for slander. The declaration alleged special damage by means of the plaintiff having had his name erased from a certain ecclesiastical communication. In consequence of the slander ous language imputed to the .defe,dant, and a!so that George Cock rell, curate to t:te plaintiff, had been unable to act cordially with this plaintiff in the spiritual affairs 01 the parish, for the same reaso The defendan.t pleaded, generally, not guilty, and also that no spe cial damage ha d been sustained by the plaintiff, as he alleged. _ _ „ Mr. CHAMULAS said the plaintiff was formerly minister •f the Chapel Royal, at Brighton, and in the year 1844 be was installed in the vicarage of Wandsworth. The defendant was also a doctor of divinity, and in the course of the same year he was appointed by the plaintiff to the curacy of St. Anne's Chapel, which was one of ease to the parish church of Wandsworth. The de fendant canto to the parish in the month of November, 1144. The plaintiff discovered that his parishioners began to treat him very coolly. In the course of the month of October, 1845, he was enabled to discover what he (Mr. Chambers) must call the gross misconduct of the defendant. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to state that a gentleman named Cockrell officiated as citrate to the plaintiff, at his own church, and it appeared that to this gentleman the slander in question had, been spoken by the defendant. It ajpearod that the defendant had to this gentleman charged the plaintiff with having upon his first arrival at Wandsworth to undertake the curacy, sent for him to his house. to dinner, and that be gave him two glasies of wine which must have been drugged, for immediately after he had taken them he felt completely stupifled, and while in that state the plaintiff induced him to sign a promissory note fur the sum of 2,500/. This was the slander of which the plaintiff c , mplained. The plaintiff How, therefore, was compelled, for the purpose of vindicqting his cha racter in the eyes of his neighbours and parishioners, to appeal to a iury, and to ask th..ir onlnion„whether there Waft any foundation for the charges made against him; and if he satisfied them that there was not, ho looked for such an amount of damages as would make it manifest to the world that the defend:int was, in point of tact, guilty of the slander which was imputed to Limn. The Leanmed Counsel then called several witnesses. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE summed up, and The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, 2001. MIDLAND ClRCUlT.—Warwick, March 30. (Ilefere Mr. JUStiCii COLTMAN.) BURGLARY WITH VIOLENCE.—George Hart, Edward Watsgrove, James Carr, aid William Over/on, were charged with breaking into the house of 11. E. Lander, Esq., on the 28th of February, at Tatch brook, near Warwick, and Etealing therefrom two gold watches, some money, and a considerable quantity of plate. For the defence an alibi was attempted, but failed, the alibi being that they were out poaching, They were all found Guilty.—Sentence deferred. STATUE OF SorHoct,ES The Con,titutionnel an nounces that a statue of Sophocles is on its way to Paris, from Athens, whtnce it has been sent by the French Ambassador, M. Piseatory. It is said to be one of the most remarkable antique works of art which have yet been deposited in the Sculpture Gallery of the Louvre, for which it is destined, VARLEAAIENTAKX DIVISIONS (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Common , .) 140NDA Y. MARCH 30. . , ORDERS OF THE DAY. Motion made, Ind Quesilon propose t, " That the Orders of the Day be now read, Per the purpose ~ f their being postponed'until otter the Motion for reading the Protection of Lite (Ireland) Bill a first time, of which notice has been given :" - Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word " read" to the end of the Question :—Ques tiou put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." The House divided:— MAJORITY—AYES, 147. Acland, T. D. Douglas, Sir H. Mahon, Lord A'Court, Captain Douglas, Sir C. E. Maxwell, Hon. J. P. Adderley, C. B. Douro, Marquis of Meynell, Captain Arbuthmott, Hugh Drummond, 11. Mit:es, H Mouckton Bane, Colonel Duncannon, Lord Morgan, 0. Balite, William Egerton, .W. 'P. Mundy, E. M. Baird, William Filmer, Sir E. _Neville, Ralph Baldwin, Barry Fitzroy, Henry l'ewdegate, Ic. Bankes, George Flower, Sir J. Owen, Sir John Barkly, Henry Floyer, John Parke, C. W. Baring, W. B. Fox, S. L. Piihner, Robert Beaker. ills, T. B. Frewen, C. 11. Patten, J. W. Beckett, William Fuller, A. E. Peel, sir Robert Benbow, John Gaskell, J. M. Peel, Jonathan Bennett, Philip Gordon, lion. Capt. Polhill, Frederick Bentinek, Lord G. Gore, Montague Rashleigh, W. Bentiuck, Lord H. Goulburn, Henry Reid, Colonel Beresiord, Major Graham, Sir J. Repton, G. W. I ilackburne, J. I. Greene, Thomas Round, C. G. Blackstone, W. S. Grogan, E. Round, John Bodkin, W. H. Hamilton, W. J. Russell, J. D. Bolder°, 11. G. Harcourt ,G. G. Seyhiter, 11. K. Itorthwick, Peter Islaye-, Sir E. Bart. Shaw, F. Bottield, Beriah licathcote, Sir W. Sheppard, T. Bowl s, Admiral Henley, J. W. Shirley, E. J. Braruston, T. W. Herbert, Sidney !-layttic,George Broadley, Henry Hervey, Lord A. Somerset, Lord G. Bruce, Lord E. Hodgson, It. . Sotheron, T. U. S. Buckley, Edmund Hogg, J. W. Spooner, Richard Buler, Sir T. Hope, Al..xituder Stanton, W. H. Cardwell, Edward Hope, G. W. Stuart, J. Carew, W. IL Pole Hudson, G. Taylor, E. Carnegie, Captain Ingestre, Viscount Thesiger, ,ir F. Chelsea, Vise. Inglis, Sir R. Thompson, Ald. i hate, W. L. WI. Jam,s, Sir W. Tomlinc, G. Clerk Sir George Jermyn, Earl Trela.% try, J. S. Clive, Vice. Jocelyn, Viscount Trench, sir F. Cochrane, A. Jokiistone, Hope Trotter, John Cockburn, Sir G. Jolidie, sir W. H. Vyse, R. 11. H. H. Collett, W. R. Jones, Captain Wall, C. B. • Colquhoun, John Kelly, Sir Fitzroy Walpole, S. 11. Conte, Sir C. 14. Kumble, H. Walsh, sir J. 11. Copeland, Alderman Kirk, l'eter Wood, Colonel T. Corry, 11. Lascelles, W. S. Worcester, Marquis Cripps, William Legh, G. C. Wortle., , J. S. Davies, D. A. S. Lygon, General Yorke, E. T. beetles, W. Mackenzie, T. Yorke, It. It. Dmison, E. B. Maclean, Donald TELLERS. Dick, Q. 31'Oeztelly, F. A. Young, John Dickinson, F. H. INPNeill, Duncan Baring, Henry parm.m.t - ry—N OHS. 108. Acheson, Viscount Ferguson, Colonel O'Conor, Don ANam, W. • Fitzg raid, It. A. Osborne, Ralph Archbold, Robert Forster, Matthew Paget, Colonel Bailie, Walter Gibson, T. M. Philips, G. R. Bannerman, A Gore, Robert Pluniridge, Captain Barclay, David Grattan, Henry Powell, Caleb Barnard, E. G. they, Sir George Pow, r, James Bernal, Ralph Hall, Sir Benjamin Protheroe, Edward 'Hewitt, Reginald Hatton, Captain Rawdon, Colonel Bouverie, E. P. Hawes, lie,,jainin Ross, D. R. Bridgeman, Hewitt Hill, Lord Marcus Russell. L.,rd John Bright, John Hoblionse, Sir J. Rutherfurd, A. Brotherton. J. Horsnmn, Edward berope, U. P. Browne, R. D. Howard, C. W. G. Smith, Vet non Browne, AV.. Humphery, Ald. Somers, J. P. Buller, Charles . Hutt, William Staunton, Sir G. Busluild, W. , Kelly, Jaines . Stewart, P. M. Butler, P. S. , Lahouchere; Henry Strickland, Sir G. Carew, It. S. - • ' Langston, J. H. Strut t, Edward Chapman, B. ,•- ,- Layaiit Captain Tancrvd, 11. W. Chi istie, W. D. Macaulay, T. B. Thornely, T. Cobden, Richard Macuamara, Major Troubridge, Sir E. Colebrooke, Sir T. M'Carthy, Alex. Tanen, Henry Collett, John , Mllutniell, J. M. Vane, Lord 11. Cowper, W. F. Marsland, Henry Wakley, Thomas Craig, W. G. Id itealte, Henry Warburton, Henry Curteis, H. B. Mitchell, T. A. IVa , d, H. G. Dawson, T. V. Morpeth, Vi-comet Wawn, J. T. D'Eyncourt, C. T. • - Morris,'David Wilde, Sir Thomas Duncan, Lord .: Mostyn, E. M. Williams, W. Duncan, oeorge . Muntz, G. F. Winnington, Sir T. Dunaas,Admiral Napier, Sir C. Wood, Charles Ebrington," Viscount .I , Toi rays, Sir D. J. Wersley, Lord Elphinsto,e, H. , O'Brien, J. Wyse, Thomas Eseott, Bickham O'Brien, Timothy TELLY4ia. , Esmunde, Sir T. _ O'Connell, Daniel O'Brien, W. S. ..• - • Etwall, Ralph O'Connell, John Stanaville, Silt' W. ATTEMPT TO PROCURE ABOETIQNZS.ThiePINorWieII MS sizes on Friday Sarah Whisker was indioted r hitving administered to Frances Bailey a quantity if white_ hellebore, op. the 5111 March, with intent to procure abortion. It app• ared that the prisoner, - who is a beldame or between thirty and forty, is esteemed as a " cunning woman" in tke city of Norwich, and that she was visited by the prosecuirix on a day previous to that named in the indictment, for the purpose of having her fortune told. The wretch soon elicited from the girl that , Ire Was in the family way, and directed tier to crane on the sth of March, when sh- would give, her something which would "do her go,id and not interfere with her work." The appointment was kept, and the prosecutrix received from the pri soner a powder and a liquid, which she took according to the direc tions which accompanied them. The res,ilt, however, was far from satisfactory, for she fell sick, and being obliged to quit her service. resorted very wisely to medical aid for relief. The surgeon was th„-n cal ed in, arid a chemist, who proved that he had frequently supplied the prisoner with small quantities of "w bite hellebore," were now examine,l, but from lack of experience in " poisons" were not enabled to speak decieedly as to the fact whether that ingredient was or was not a poison, and the prisoner was, therefore, on the point of escaping "scot tree." The Learned Judge, however, hearing that Mr. Scott, a celebrated practitioner in this city, and surgeon to the gaol, was present, caused him to be examined, and from ;hat gentleman's evi dence, founded on his more extended experience, the whole case was fully made out, and the prisoner was duly convicted and sentenced to transp , rtatiou for life. CAN THIS BE IsituE?—JamesJarvis, a man 75 years old, an inmate of the Bar:ow-upon-Soar Union-house, was charred with refusing to work at pumping water, &c., for which the medical °Meer hadcertilied that lie ti US Ith,C. lie had been ?mon "refractory diet" for r-fusin,r to pump, but still refused, and the board hod, there fore, instructed the pre.ent p. omits to be taken. The old man sa , d the work had done mini harm. Committed to the House of Correetion to tiara labour for twenty-one days !—Lerceeer Mercury. IMPERIAL i'A KLIA ‘IENT. 0-11)I7vV: (1T• March EVICI'I!►N (IF TENANTRY IN IREL \NI d 0(1. Lord iIONTEAGLE said that undoubtedly they would be obliged to comply, for with respect to that class of offieers, al though they (the clerks of the peace) and the other county officers were not nominated by the Crown, that made no earthly difference. The House was accustomed to make those orders on the clerks of the peace in all parts of the country, and they were beund to give the information required. He Munteagle) had sat on a Committee to inquire into the duties of clerks of the peace in Ireland, and it was ascertained that many of them were in the receipt of three and four thou sand per annum, arising from a vast accumulation of fees. Parliament, in consequence, passed a bill regulating their emo luments, that regulation being on the supposition that they per formed the duties which that House might devolve upon them ; 'Lod no later than last year one of the clerks of ttie peace in a county in England had been called to the bar of that Howe be cause he hat , refused to give the information required of him. There was one question which he would allude to, and that was the existence of famine in Ireland. It was quite certain that there were parts of Ireland in which distress existed of the most alarming character, and that no individual whatever could doubt the existence at the present moment of distress of the most unparalleled and alarming nature, occurring at a period of the year earlier than any distress of the kind had ever before been known, sod existing over a wider district of Ireland than was ever subjected to its pressure, even at a later period— that any person could doubt or hesitate to admit that alarming fact, was one of the greatest mirayles that had ever existed since the rapidity of communication was what it was. In the county of Clare, he had information of the inhabitants in one agricultural village, who made their daily meals of food which was so noxious and fcatid that they had to keep open their windows and doors. It was therefore no wonder that such a state of things as disease and pestilence prevailed. This was not a party question, for be was persuaded there was not a mem ber of their Lordship's House who did not sympathise with this suffering, and was anxious to afford relief. l'o neglect mea sures to meet the distress would only be to keep alive the agi tation and excitement tor the repeal of the union. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that there was no cl"ubt that the clerks of the peace in Ireland were public officers, and could give the information sought for by the Noble Marquis. With respect to the distress that prevailed in Ireland, he was satisfied it was very great. In November last he thought it was not so, but since tier, he hail been convinced he was wrong, and that those who then considered the evil great were in the right. . . — The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said there was no doubt respecting the facts as represented by the Noble Marquis, and if there was any case which should weigh with their Lordships more than another, to show the state of the law, and the laxity of managing estates, this was that one. The land had been gradually let to a number of tenants, of which one held a much larger proportion than the others, and, he having left, the pro prietors came upon the remainder for the rents of the whole. This led to litigation and expense, which ended in the eviction of all these .parties. He was satisfied that extreme distress existed in particular districts of the country, and that something should be done to meet it. That distress prevailed in Ireland to an extent ameunting almost to famine there could be no dotibt, and he was wad to perceive the measures that were taken to alleviate it., for he believed them to be the best that the Gore. nment could pessibly adopt. But the Government should not relax in their endeavours, lest that distress should spread to an extent of which they could form no idea; and he ventured to say, that by July next, it would be stil worse, if the most active mea sures should not be kept up. Lord MALAIESBUR Y said, he regretted the manner in which this question of the distress in Ireland had been con nected with an important measure now before Parliament. Hut he did not think that distress could have been deemed a sufficient reason for the changes that had taken place in the opinions of Hon. Member. of her Alaje:ty's Government. The Marquis of LO? DON DERRY said, that after the satisfactory manner in which the Noble Lord had answered his question, and the promise he had given to procure the requisite information, he would withdraw his motion. It was the absolute duty of landlords in Ireland 'to look. themselves into the condition of the tenants uvois. their ; esta.tes; they would thug avoid being dependent on the ,generosity of Eng land. He trusted these things would turn, out better than most Noble Lords anticipated. The Noble Marquis then wilh. drew his motion. THE ARMY IN INDIA. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that he had that night given notice that hi. Noble Friend the President of the Bimini of Control would move the thanks of the House to the gal lant officers and army in India, for the victories they had achieved on the banks of the Sutlej, and he would now lay on the table of the House a copy of the resolution which would then be moved. CHARITABLE FUNDS' BILL, The Marquis of LANSDOWNE rose to present a petition from a society well known to many of the Lordships. It was from the Literary Fund Society, instituted for the relief of authors and other literary persons, and was principally sup ported by them. assisted by private individuals, who were in terested in the society's well-being They prayed to be ex empted from the operations of the Charitable Trusts' Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR said he had been requested by a Noble Lord to postpone the second reading of the Bill, in order to give him an opportunity of communi cating with him (the Lord Chancellor) upon the subject of one or two clauses in the Bill. would, therefore, move the second reading iremesliately after the holidays. He might state that the Bill would not apply to charities supported by volun tary contributions. • The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented a petition from the society called the Refuge for the Destitute, praying that that charity might be exempted from the operation of the Bill. Lord COTTEN HAM was glad to hear that the Bill was not to apply to charities•supported by voluntary contributions. There was, however, another class of charities to which he would call the attention of the Noble and Learned Lord, and that was the charities that bad trust funds, but which were supported by voluntary contributions. Lord CAMPBELL was of opinion that the postponing of the further consideration of the Bill till after the holidays would end practically in a different Bill being brought forward, to meet the objections that had been stated to the present measure. After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR the subject dropped. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Lord KINNAIRD brought forward the motion of which he had given notice—That a Select Committee be appointed:— To take into consid,ration the beet rneans of enfo - , or.e uniform s)stem of management on railroads in operations, or to be constructed, and to secure the due fulfilment of the pre vi•ious of the Arts of Parliament under which the compa nies have obtained their powers, when-by greater aecenoneda tine and safety may be insured to the public. 9d. To take into consideration what means may rest be adopted for diminishing the extravagant expenses a tendant en obtaining Acts of Par liament fur legitimate and necessary undertakings, and at the same time for discouraging the formation cf schemes got up for the mere purpose of speculation. 3d, to consider what legislative measures could be framed to protect individuals from the injury they may sustain by laying down lines of railway through their property, without subjecting them to th • ruinous expense of opposing Bills in Parliament. These resolu tions contained the objects which he sought to carry out by the present motion. He bad no hostile feeling against railways, but he wished to place them on a good and wholesome footing. There was now found a great diffi culty in the other House of Parliament, in legislating on this subject, from the strong railway interest that was growing up there, end unless the matter was taken up in good time, this -power would so increase that it would be very difficult to des with it. No time therefore was to be lost. Some steps were absolutely necessary to be taken, in order to control this grow ing power to a certain extent. He knew it would be said that it was now too la eto urge on this question. That was the ob jection by which it was met before ; and he was glad that no step had been taken upon the subject befure, because when this preject was urged on a former occasion, they had no idea of the extent to which this railway spirit would spread; but now they had the advantage a the experience the delay afforded them; and he di-A tru-t the House would take advantage of it, and frame some measure by which the publin, as well as individuals would be protected. He might be met with the answer that the Board of Trade had certain powers over railways, but he did not think those powers sufficient. The Board of Trade was net to be blamed for that; he bad no doubt they did their best ; but it was not because they had failed that another trial should not he made, with a view to a more successful result. The Board, he suggested, should have a power of superintend ence over rail ways in actual operation, and appoint superintend ents in the same way as they had superintendents now over parishes, and over rivers, and other matters. Now he thought there were certain means which might be adopted by the Com mittee, and wheh would, in his opinion, exercise a control over them. This was one of them. He found it in a letter addressed some years back to a Member of the other House by an eminent engineer. Atter come paring roads and canals with railroads, and cow' plaining that there was no adequate safety to the public, he said that by reducing the capitals of all railways into one stock, he would venture to say that the evils now complained of would be done away with. He ( Lord Kinnaird) thought the thing prac•icab e ; at all events, it was worth the consideration of the Committee. His own idea was that the public would be efficiently protected lay encouraging competition. There were er ee „ey several lines in existence, all proceeding from this g reat metropolis, and all Arming what he ralght term rile great arteries of the country His proposal was, that these lines should be considered great arteries, and therecore should not be allowed to amalgamate. Now let them look at the lases is Operation. They had the Great Western, which proposed, by way of Oxford, to reach Liverpool, then Lancaster, and so along the coast to Glasgow; then the Landon and Birtninghsnas which partly taking the same route, joined the Caledonian, and so round by the north to Edinburgh and Glasgow. They had also the London and York, which, by way of Hexham, reached Edinburgh ; end the Eastern Counties, which, proceeding by Newcaerie, reached Berwick. If they turned to the welt, they found the Great Western throwing out lines to Exeter, and the South-Western doing the mine thing They had lines to Dover, to Brighton, and to East Kent, and these all formed great and distinct lines. He thought that competition should be encouraged between these companies ; and he put it to their Lordships' consideration whether such a system would not be likely to coneuce to the public interest, if adopted. Suppose they wish to accommo date the country between these lines, say perhaps Nottingham' then a reference would be made to the Government Boards which would apportion it in reference to the existing railways. There were several other points bearing upon the question, but; as the motion was nut to be opposed, he would content hirnseir with moving for the Committee. The Earl of DALHOUSIE confessed that he did not entere taro such sanguine expectations with respect to the Noble, Lord's plan as the Noble Lord had expressed for himself With regard to the amalgamation schemes referred to, he won't; ray, that it was a matter which should be looked upon with h jealous eye, whether the amalgamations referred to railway td railway, or railway to canal. The attention of Parliamen t had more than once been called to this question. It had beet! treated by a Committee of the other House in 1844, and 10' year by the Beard, in connexion with the Executivi; Government. 'The subject in the present sessi .n was referre to another Committee, just appointed, with the view of layioit down additional rules and conditions respecting amalgarnatio°' Regarding the other fea,ure of the plan proposed by the Nobl! Lord, that of a Board in connexion with the Executive Govern: meet, he would pass by the consideration of the Board 0, last year, in comparison with it, as the powers now sore: by the Noble lord were more extensive than had been t bf fuuction of the Board of Trade. It was quite clear that th! present system was open to strong objection, but he did M think that much advantage would result from taking the pow er of dealing with them out of the hands of those who now had 11, No doubt, when a company was formed for the purpose getting the power of taking possession of the property of other's it. would not be well to leave so large an amount of power eel their hands. As to what had been said about the expenset incurred in going before Standing Orders' C om mittees' it would be desirable that the amount of those expenses sho al( ' be lessened, still he did not think that that was a matter which the Legislature ought to interfere. Lord KINNAIRD did not intend that the powers ssbift Parliament had should be taken from them ; but what he v._ suggest was, that certain parties, on behalf of the Governteteq should be taken down to make inquiries upon the spot into Sr i m erits of each case. He had been on a Commit et in this plan was adopted. and the results were most satisfactel3 and such plans would also have the effect of preventing a "' "s mass of litigation. The Marquis of BREDALBANE said he agreed with b :f Noble Friend. Nothing could be more desirable than th'' there should be somecontrolling power over those I anew e oss? petition anti private enterprise; but, with respect to the de' o for amalgamation, no doubt it would be very tie irable that ' 4 l great lines should be under the control of one great d i rector : and that frequent ownership along a line should be preventet ° l hut be could not say that he entirely concurred in his NOu . Frienp's view of the principle o amalgamation. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said he was in fay sl/ t of amalgamation; but care should he taken that it was It extended too far, lest too great encouragement should ' given to monopoly, which would be ve y dangerous to t t y public interest. He was of opinion that those matters sh° s „" ; he left untouched until the present Committees had sen t their reports. Lord WHARNCLIFFE said, that although he di 3 wish to express any opinion upon this question, yet he f not with it to be understood that by giving his vote in fat' s :, of the Committee he was giving his sanction to the li ,* pointmen: of a Board of Commission. Railways had S e ri become matters of national importance, and it would be ' te e desirable that the Government should have a power of coutroloSe the companies to a certain extent. He was not very saog sl , as to the results of this inquiry, but it might, to some est e k r be useful ; and it was not too late , as had been supposed. to t oa d; it, because, in every railway Bill that had been receMeti passed, a clause hail been inserted to the effect that all t b t o companies should be subjected to any general rule which i Legislature might deem it necessary to adopt. Lord moNT EA GLE said that great misconception eli s d i j; out of doors upon one point connected with railways. as„ . 4 was this. In many cases the parties to a deed for a W." 01 felt indisposed to curry it out, and would prefer not doing o g but they were under the impression that they could not e° lo before Parliament with a petition praying that they raig ht de r relieved from this work, which they themselves had e ll oit taken to complete ; but he believed they were rniosken , he thought it would be well that the public should be lei aware that parties to a deed of this sort had the power to in such a petition, and the Legideshliarnttohguwirrleeiikrkteootfhga the hst a ue n tffi t hla i co t wi s seen p bt r ce a ofeoo l .o. * :t i The Duke of WELLINGTON said it was the Prim" t est submitogvoet rtheir th e r railway companiesytbeurtwar theredd. wHa t se o n t do h it should be amenable to the common law after they bad their railways, as well as before. tri sg Lord HATHERTON did not think that the fact of P, l d petitioning to be released from the making of a line, slo s ' etr lieve them from certain responsibilities which they bsda !self dertaken. He was also of opinion th a t th e ex pense s Rag , of time consequent upon parties being obliged to go two Committees on Standing Orders should be avoideelt s could easily be done by means of a commission. ,oger Lord CAMPBELL, said he agreed wi'h the Noble v o ft that the public safety should be more carefully guarded led than it had been upon the railways. The inflictio n g-0Y deodand had no effect whatever, and he agreed with I and Learned Lord, that that was nothing more than 6 460 culous remnant of ancient super s tition. C are s h o uld be i„, also that in case when a man, the father o f a f a mily sae r fee should have been killed, that the wid ow a n d f am ily ' s houl d l ot ceive compensation. A Bill to that effect was introdo ce a llei session, but ass thrown out. In Scoland the law e‘t r e l pecuniary compensation in such cases ; and he had P` - ii bIS ore instance in that country, where a man been killed an, widow was awarded 2,0001. d Lord REDEFeDALE hoped the Noble and Learne e re opposite would introduce that Bill again, for, under doled sent cirennistances, parties had no redress whatever• of tbs might apply to the superintendent or to th e ehairrom t ed b 'ard, but all these were parties interested; they e ve civil answers, but no redress was to be had. The motion was then agreed to ; and to' Lord KINNAIRD said he would name the Calle ° morrow. RAILWAYS. Dife° L , ,rd BEAUMONT presented a pirition against the bat Northern Railway, and in favour of seve ra l other railft" his Lordship did not name them. The House then adjourned. Sir,(l) H .ici, ( E ) lc ( AT S 1 10AN O m F or C i a ( d ) L .lf nF :f te oa(tcj present crs, M eAri a tN r i c e) h o) : decision as to the course which he intended t.,,, () P,. ( 1 bad with regard to the Bills to which the Noble d to a th s e fa Tm as se p 7 ,:s s i , , t ie h . .t ß t u he t s t e he ß N ill o s b s l h e o L u o ld ri b i e w b o r u o ld ught tae" alluded ; but the course which he would recnoT,. ll ,o l 7 l un del o ce that the orders of motion should take re with of the n.,tices of the day, and it was in acco‘l'de ee n e n urx e. the strict rules of the House to abide by thix the He could not, therefore, with ou t the sanction o f the House, make such a motion. The strict rule° ° K ier. House were, that on Mondays and Fridays till . .", t hox 6 , of the day should have precedence of motions. "" fe fo' the sanction, then, of the House, he could not ree'eite postponement of the motion ; but he was ne ei „ t iese e ready to move that the House should give the p reeL to the notice of motion over the order of the day ro ost Sir W. SOMERVILLE said he rose for the Pe'ttteo of moving that the words "be postponed" be °II' that teem the m otion of the Right Hon. B aron et, tto" the orders of the day be proceeded with. t he would not be necessary for him to trouble sioo, tense at any length On the present oc e 4 ol o o but he wish-d to call the attention o f the t oe to the gre.t inconvenience th at wool I arise freitee' postponement of a measure which had occupied the g h t he tion of the House for so long a time, and on w hie- icl tt/ attention of the people of this empire might be ° ld b 0 he centred ; ar,d scarcely less inconvenience vfoeo.ocl felt from the fact of the Government bringing f° r d ex' at this early st ag e of the session an exciting a n 5 11, asperating deb a te on a measure which, stft er r od it was the intention of Government to lea futu re a first time, and then postponed until some 13the day. It was necessary for him to enlarge post' inconvenience which would arise from the law s. poriement of the debate with respeet to the core, her and no persona wi re more aware of that fact tna net at Majesty's Govern near, rod the Right Hon...l3o:edetire their head, ho hirns( if presented eating in the strangest language the delay wh a ir, re taken place on this measure. He had " petite n' itasa lyrol i Gave In g f ceide Ulent there /lon, ti