The Sun. — London, England, 1865-02-28 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at the usual hour. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a second time :—Henle3r Gas ; Brean Down Harbour Railway ; Edinburgh Mer chants Company; Hyde-park-gate Estate ; Bude Canal and Launceston Junction Railway ; Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway ; Lakes Inagh, Derry, Clare, &c., Fishe ries, United General Gas. ROACH RIVER FISHERY BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, The Marquis of CLANRICARDE asked whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a fishery bill regulating the usages and creations of oysters fisheries during this session ; and whether the private bills now he bef Boardr liament have been examined and approved by tof Trade and other Government authority ? In asking the question the noble lord presented a petition from the Roach fishermen against the bill. Earl GRANVILLE said that it was not the intention of the Government to legislate specially upon the subject. After some further remarks, the bill was read a second time ; and the following bills were also read a second time ;—Rochester Oyster Fishery, Whitstable Fishery Ex tension, and Ham Oyster Fishery. UTILISATION OF SEWAGE. The Earl of ESSEX said that as some of his observations of Friday night had been somewhat misunderstood, he would repeat that his decided conviction was that for sewage to be applied for agricultural purposes to advantage it should be applied in large quantities. His experience had shown that an endeavour to apply small quantities to large areas was unprofitable, while, on the contrary, large quan tities applied to small areas would be very productive. PATENTS. The question as to the second reading of Shepard's pa tent, Wright's Patent, and Spencer's Patent Bills gave rise to some discussion. It appeared that the promoters of the bills had omitted to stamp certain patents granted to them -within the time limited. and now applied for permission to stamp them after date. Lord REDESDALE said he would not move the second reading of the bills unless it were the wish of the house , that he should do so. Lord CHELMSFORD and Earl GRANVILLE each expressed an opinion th a t th e bills shOuld not be read a second time, and as no noble lord moved the second reading the bills were thrown out. TRANSPORTATION TO AUSTRALIA. Lord TAUNTON presented petitions from the city of Melbourne and other places in the colony of Victoria, pray ing for the immediate and permanent abolition of transpor tation of convicts to Australia. The petition was signed by 5,000 of the people of Melbourne, by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and by the judges on the bench. Having spoken on the subject he asked if he were correctly informed that in three years transportation to Victoria would cease. Earl GRANVILLE said her Majesty's Government had lint the slightest hesitation in putting an end to the system of transportation to Australia altogether. In three years from the present time all the arrangements that were necessary would be made. The providing of additional prison room in this country had to be seen to, and the cash had to be provided. Lord CRANWORTH defended the recommendation of the Commission as to sending convicts to Western Australia. Every witness from that colony represented the advan tages a further supply of convict labour would be to it. The colony asked fox a continuance of the system, and as it would have been an advantage to England and a benefit to the convict himself, the Commission would come to no other conclusion. The petitions were laid on the table. In answer to a question from Lord Clanricarde, Lord GRANVILLE said the Government intended to act on the report of Mr. Hardy, Deputy-Beeper of the Re cords, and Professor Brewer, respecting the Carew and Corte manuscripts, in the Lambeth and Bodlean libraries. Those papers would be calendared, and copies of the docu ments relating to Irish affairs would be sent to Ireland. Their Lordships then adjourned at 20 minutes past 6. lIOUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING. The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. Mull..Pnv took the oaths and his seat on his election for the city of Cork, rendered vacant by the resignation o Dr. Lyons. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a second time :—Aboyne and Braemar Railway; Blane Valley Railway; Burnham Tidal Harbour ; Caledonian Railway (branch to Dumfries and Lockerby Railway); Cheshire Lines; Crieff and Connie Railway ; Croesor and Portmadoc Railway ; Dorking Water ; Dumfries, Lochmaben, and Lockerby Junction, and Caledonian Railway Companies ; East London Railway ; Evesham and Redditch Railway ; For cett Railway; Galway Water; General Terminus and Glas gow Harbour and Caledonian Railway Companies ; Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway ; Haddon and Bentley Road ; Helston Roads ; Huddersfield and Halifax Railway ; Kent Gas ; Limerick Embankment and Reclamation; Mans field and Worksop Road ; Metropolitan Sewage and Essex Reclamation ; Monmouth, Fore 4 of Dean, and Standish Junction Railway; Monmouthshire Railway and Canal ; Mowddwy Railway ; Northampton and Banbury Junction Railway (Deviation, &c.); Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway; Fort Talbot Company;. Redhill Gas and Water; Seven oaks, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Railway; South Eastern Railway; Stapenhill and Burton-upon-Trent Bridge; Tees Valley Railway; Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway (Deviation, &c.) ; Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway (New Lines) ; and Vale of Crickhowell Railway (Western Extension). GREAT YARMOUTH BOROUGH, HAVEN, AND PORT BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. WARREN moved as an amendment that it be read a second time that day six months. He said that in the reign of Charles the First a commission had been appointed to regulate the conservancy of the river and general mercan tile interests of the borough of Great Yarmouth. Various modifications had been introduced to meet the local cir cumstances from time to time, and the bill now before the house was not introduced in confor mity with the requirements of the district or the wishes of the inhabitants. The fact was this, that this bill originated with the Corporation of Yarmouth, who wanted to acquire an undue preponderance in the commission by the proposed increase in the number of the commissioners to 18. The city of Norwich, which he had the honour to represent, wasmuch interested in the bill, and had petitioned against it. Other petitions also had been presented com plaining of the provisions of the measure, and under the circumstances he trusted the house would not consent to its adoption. Sir H. S TRACEY defended the bill, and contended that the Corporation of Great Yarmouth was the body most deeply interested in this bill. Several petitions had been presented from shipowners in favour of the bill, and he con tended that the opinions of those persons who were best acquainted with the subject, and the more interested in it, should have weight with hon. members. He said that he had not been properly treated by the hon. member who moved the amendment. Mr. WARNER denied that there was any ground for the charge brought against him by the hon. baronet, which he attributed to his (Sir IL Stracey's) defective memory, or active imagination. (Laughter.) After a few words from Mr. How's, Mr. M. GIBSON said that the house would be charging its duty best by allowing the bill to g') into co mmittee, when its merits would be fully di scussed The house divided, and the numbers were—. For the second reading 129 Against. _ Majority l 7 112 The bill was accordingly read a second time THE GRIEVANCES OF INDIAN OFFICERS. Col SYKES and other members presented petitions on this subject, DUTY ON FIRE INSURANCE. Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from the Corpora tion of Sheffield in favour of the total abolition of the duty on fire insurances. Some other petitions to the same effect were also pre tented. THE ARMY. Colonel GILPIN asked whether the number of the army on the first day of the present month was not below the proper establishment by the number of 4,000 men ? The Marquis of HARTINGTON said that the military e:tablishinent had been reduced to the extent de scribed, that reduction was in conformity with the estimates for the year. Mr. THE LATE CONVICT TOWNLEY. R ARDCASTLE asked the Home Secretary under what Prison regulation George Victor Townley, sent from Bedlam to P entonville as an ordinary prisoner under sen tence of pen a l to books of servitudeentertaining for life, was there allowed access and " Gil Bias?" literature such as " Silvio Pellico" Sir G. GREY said that the regulations of the gaol were that the prisoners should be permitted to peruse the books in the library of the establishment,wbhuot had departure had been ad . allowed the late made by a previous Governor, prisoner to read books supplied him by his friends against the regulations of the prison. tnhyo titlesllrish REGISTRY OF TITLES TO LANDS IN IRELAND. Mr. SCULLY asked whether, in the absen e , o f a law officer, it was intended that a bill to register in Ireland should be introduced during the sion, either by the Attorney-General in this h ouse, or by the Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords ? Sir G. GREY said it was the intention of the Lord Chancellor to introduce such a bill at an early period. STEAMERS ON THE RIVER NIGER. matter last session, but the subject was not at present under the consideration of the Treasury, and it was not intended byGovernment to introduce any bill on the subject. SEA FISHERIES (IRELAND). Mr. M'MAHON asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he expected the report of the special commis sion on sea fisheries to be presented in time to enable him to carry, in this session, a bill founded on their recommen dations ? Mr. M. GIBSON said that the report would be ready for presentation to the house early in May. IRISH HISTORICAL RECORD. Mr. M'MAHON asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Brehon Laws would be published, and whether he was about to take any steps for transmitting to the Dublin Record Office copies of those parts of the English rolls relating to Ireland ? Mr. F. PEEL, in the absence of Sir R. Peel, said that the gentleman to whom these interesting records were en trusted, and the principle that was being proceeded upon, was to compile those records which referred to epochs in history most interesting and most important to the people of Ireland. NAVY ESTIMATES. Sir J. PABINGTON gave notice that, on going into committee of supply, he would ask the noble lord (Lord C. Paget) certain questions, but it was not his intention to put him to any inconvenience, and would defer those ques- tions if it would not be convenient for the noble lord to answer them immediately. Lord C. PAGET thanked the hon. baronet for his courteous notice, and suggested that it would be more desirable if he were allowed to make his statement in regard to the Navy Estimates before he was called on to enter into explanations such as those to which the right hon. baronet referred. THE CONDITION OF IRELAND. On the motion for going into committee of supply, The adjourned debate was resumed by Mr. ROE BUCK on the following amendment of Mr. Hennessy : " That this house observes with regret the decline of the population of Ireland, and will readily support her Ma jesty's Government in any well-devised measure to stimu late the profitable employment of the people of Ireland." The hon. and learned member contended that the mendi cant tone which had been adopted by the inhabitants of Ireland when they came to Parliament was most censurable. He denied that Ireland had any substantive ground of complaint as regarded the government of its affairs by this country, and he defended the conduct of the Chief Secre tary for Ireland, who, he said, brought a good head and a kind heart to the discharge of his duties in Ire land. He denounced in strong terms the sentiments of the Fenian party in Ireland, whose object was to dissolve the connection with this country, and which he was pre- pared to resist, if necessary, by force of arms. (Hear, hear.) He attacked the Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland, as being deficient in those qualifications which were calculated to elevate the condition of their flocks. Lord DIINKELLIN differed from the hon. and learned member, and asserted that many of the evils wifich afflicted Ireland were attributable to neglect and misgovernment on the part of this country. Sir H. CAIRNS concurred in the expression of regret contained in the motion that circumstances should have existed which had led to a decline in the population of Ire- land ; but if, taking Ireland as she now was, he were asked to regret that there were not three or four millions more inhabitants in the country, he could not do so. Turning then to the observations of Mr. Roebuck, the hon. and learned gentleman disavowed the leadership of the Protestants of Ireland exclusively. He represented a town which comprised both Protestants and Roman Catho lics, and one as much as the other. He repudiated the idea that the north of Ireland ever came to the house with a mendicant whine for the grant of a single shilling of public money; and denied that public men in that part of the country ever advocated anything else than a free, just, and impartial administration of the law, or failed to exhort all .classes to live together as friends and co-workers in the great work of regenerating the country. Mr. LOWE regarded the emigration from Ireland as a great good, inasmuch as it lifted those who emigrated out of a position of abject misery and despondency into one of confidence and hope, whilst it relieved the labour market for those who remained. He could not, therefore, give his assent to the first proposition contained in the motion. file admitted that free trade had inflicted a heavy blow; but the evil originated with protection, which had fostered the vicious system of relying upon the crops. The result was that Ireland was ceasing to be a corn-growing country, and becoming more and more of a pastoral country. This was, no doubt, a melancholy change, because its effect was to displace an immense amount of labour. So far as taxa tion was concerned, he did not believe that Ireland was overburdened ; but the great evils which aggravated her condition were the Irish Church establishment, the Church of a minority, the manner in which government had been administered in Ireland, and the identification of the Lord Lieutenant with the political party that happened to be in power at the time. At this moment the question of Ire land was the question of questions to the empire, and it was the duty of all parties to combine to raise her to the position of Scotland. Ireland was that single drop of bit terness in the cup of our otherwise overflowing prosperity, and it was for Parliament and the Government to see if there were not means, not perhaps to arrest the present miserable exodus, but, avoiding all topics that were calcu lated to cause irritation, to promise the welfare and heal the wounds of centuries. Mr. O'REILLY descanted on the Established Church of Ireland as a national grievance, and complained that the system of taxation acted oppressively on the people by augmenting the cost of the necessaries of life. The LORD ADVOCATE compared the relative posi tions of Ireland and Scotland, and pointed out that the former country, with a considerably less population, con- tributed a million and a quarter sterling more of taxation, whilst its valuation on a less area was two millions more, and it drew from the Imperial Treasury £400,000, as against £1,500,000 received by Ireland. The moral he drew from these facts was that Scotland, though the pooror country, had been more self-reliant in endeavour ing to develop her resources, though he admitted that she had not experienced the same measure of injustice and misrule as Ireland. Mr. IFMAHON supported, and Mr. DUNLOP opposed the the motion. Mr. WHITE asked whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to- propose the grant of a subsidy to the Company of African Merchants (Limited), to enable them to put trading steamers on the River Niger. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he was unable to offer much information on the subject. Papers had been laid on the table in reference to the HIE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 28, 186 a. PILOTAGE ORDER CONFIRMATION BILL. The order for going into committee on this bill was dis charged, and the bill ordered to be referred to a select committee. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS BILL. This bill was read a second time. BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. BANS OF IRELAND BILL. This bill was also read a third time and passed. COMMON LAW COURTS (FEES) BILL. This bill was read a second time. ELECTION PETITIONS ACT (1848) AMENDMENT BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. INNS OF COURT. Sir G. BOWYER moved for leave to bring in a bill to enable the benchers of the Inns of Court to appoint judicial committees in certain cases, and to give the necessary powers to such committees. The bill was, with two excep tions, similar to the one he introduced last session. In the first place he made the biltpermissive, the effect of which would be that the benchers would form a sort of grand jury to decide whether a particular case should go before the judicial committee ; and the second difference was to meet the objection to the last clause, that a person charged with any offence would be enabled in the first instance to go before the judges, which was considered an encroach ment upon the power of the Inns of Court. Leave was given. The house adjourned at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION, HOUSE OF COMMONS-FEB. 27. GREAT YARMOUTH BOROUGH, HAVEN, AND PORT BILL. Order for second reading read. Motion made and ques- tion proposed, " That the bill be now read a second time." Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the question to add the words " upon this day six months." Question put, " That the word 'now' stand part of the question." The house divided—Ayes, 129 ; Noes, 17. AYES —129. A.dderley, C. B. Gilpin, Colonel Moor, H. Ayrton, A., S. Gilpin, C. Morgan, 0. Baring, H. B. Glyn, G. C. Morrison, W. Bathurst, A. A. Gosohen, G. J. Mundy, W. Baxter, W. E. Greenall, G. Murray, W. Berkeley, C. P. F. Greene, J. Naas, Lord Bernard, T. T. Gray, Capt. Northcote. Sir S. H. Black, A. Hadfield, G. Paxtou, Sir J. Blackburn, P. Hanbury, R. Peel, F. 13..)y1e, G. F. Hankey, T. reel, J. Bruce, Sir H. Hartington,Marquis Peto, Sir M. Butler, C. S. nerve), Lord A. Potter, E. Childers, H. C. E. Hassard, M. Powell, F. S. Churchill, Lord A. Headlam, T. E. Pugh, D. Clay, J. Henderson, J. Roebuck, J. A. Clifford, Col. Henley, J. Rose, W. A. Clifton, Sir R. Henley, Lord Russell, A. Copeland, Ald. Hennessy, J. P. Schneider, H. W. Cox, W. Hodgson, R. Scully, V. Crawford, R. W. Holford, R. S. Sidney, T. Davey, it. Holland, E. Smith. Sir F. Dering, Sir E. Jackson, W. Somes, J. Disraeli, B. Kekewich S. T. Stanhope, J. B. J Dodson, J. U. King, P. .J 1.4. Stanley, Lord Douglas, Sir C. Knatchbull-Hugess Steel, J. Doulton, F. Knox, Major W. S. Surtees. H. E. Duff, hi. E. Lawn, Sir E. Sykes, Col. W. H. Duke, Sir J. Laird, J. Tollemache, J. Duncombe, A. Lawson, W. Tottenham,Lt.-Col. DunkEllin, Lord Leader, N. P. Tracy, C. R. D. Dunlop, A. M. Leatham, E. A. Treherne, M. Dunne, Col. Lewis, H. Trelawny, Sir J. S. Enfield, Viscount Locke, J. Turner, J. A. Ewart, J. C. Lowe, it,, Turner, C. Pane, Col. Lyall, G. Walcott, Admiral Fenwick, H. M'Cormick, W. Waldegrave-Leslie Fergusson. Sir J. Macdonogh, F. White, J. Fitzgerald, W. S. Mackinnon, W.(Ly.) Whitmore, H. Forde, Col. Malcolm, J. W. Winnington, Sir T. Forster, C. Manners, Lord J. Wrightson, W. B, Gallwey, Sir W. P. Marjoribanks, D. C. Yorke, J. It. Gard, R. S. Marsh, M. H. TELLERS. Getty, S. G. Miller, T. J. Stracey, Sir H. Gibson, T. M. Montagu, Lord R. Jervis, Captain Mr. LEFROY defended the Irish Church against the attacks of its opponents, and said that the eviis of absen teeism would be greatly aggravated if the Protestant epis copal clergy were deprived of their livings. As to the distress that prevailed, he believed it was chiefly attribu table to the humidity of the climate ; and instead of re gretting he thought the house ought rather to rejoice that so many persons who were unable to support themselves at home had emigrated to America and other lands where their circumstances were so greatly improved that they not \ only maintained themselves and families in comfort, but were in a position to assist their relatives whom they had left behind them. He could not blame the landlords of Ireland for the diminution in the population from this cause, for the people were leaving the best, as well as the worst, managed estates in the country. The debate was continued by Mr. Pollard-Urquhart and Sir H. Bruce. Sir G. GREY considered that the state of Ireland was deserving of the deepest sympathy, because England her self could not be said to be prosperous or powerful so long as the sister country was weak or discontented ; and it behoved Parliament,therefore, to see whether some remedial measures could not be adopted in her behalf. He did not think that the land question was at the root of the evil, and he knew pihho law in England which enabled a tenant to expend any money he pleased upon his farm, and after wards come down upon his landlord for compensation. But if the Irish people, forgetting their religious and political differences, would combine for the improvement of their country, and then come to Parliament with any well digested and reasonable claim for assistance, he was per suaded that Parliament would not ignore the claim. Sir S. NORTHCOTE urged that the state *of Ireland such as toanasd h trerGoveraeu ireserorioust; and in noticing consideration noting theonthep art of Ira the s house ques tionson might to whi c h attenti ght most usefully be directed n referred to th e su bj ect of taxation. There was no doubt, he said, that th e t axat i on of Irelandhere had greatly increased of late years, and that in a much larger England. In consid er i ng the meansofrelieving her, proportion than in however, he should be d ec id e dl y opposed to any measure g s e that might have the effe c t o f establishing a ys s tem of dis criminating duties between the two coun tri also of opinion that it would be unw i se and improperliewas incur a national expenditure in any particular partof to the U n ited Kingdom merely for the purp ose o f creating ° em ployment for labour unless such an expenditure werein cured for reproductive purposes. At the same time there was no reason why the system of making advances to proprietors and others for the improvement of their land might not admit of extension. The right hon. gentleman recommended Mr. Hennessy to be satisfied with the dis cussion and withdraw his motion. Mr. LAIRD regarded the enormous emigration from Ire land more in the light of a national than an Irish loss, and the present moment as a ffordin g a good opportunity for doing something at all events. He recommended the ex tension to Ireland of a system o f reproductive loans, not for the cultivation of waste lands, because there was plenty of other land already under culture. and susceptible of im provement, and upon that land he thought loans, properly applied and upon the same terms as were accepted in Eng land, would prove of great benefit to the country. Mr. PEACOCKE said if Ireland was to be regenerated it was not by means of Government grants or loans, but by the industry, energy, and self-reliance of her population. After some observations from Mr. BLAKE, Viscount PALMERS T ON said—Sir, whatever differences of opinion may have been expressed with regard to the par ticular details adverted to in the course of this debate, everybody must a gree th a t th e su bj ec t i s o ne of the deepest possible interest, and also I am happy to say I think that the debate has been conducted throughout in the most tem perate and creditabl King s ' e manner. Th e h on . member for the County, who moved the amendment, set an example which has been followed though it oft en h a yby those who succeeded him; and Irish matters are aPPens that debates cond u cted perhaps with efferves cence than might be considered fitting, more an example to the contrary ; and trust that henceforward discussions upon Irish affairs will be characterised by the same temper and moderation which have marked the pre- sent occasion. (Hear, hear.) Sir, the object of the amend ment is twofold—first, it asks the house to lament the diminution of the population of Ireland ; and then it exhorts the government to take steps to remedy the pre- sent distress. The foundation of the motion is the pression that there is great distress prevailing in Ireland. Undoubtedly there is great distress in many parts of that Country; but at the same time I would beg the house to recollect that four years ago everybody was congratulating himself upon the progressive improve- ment of - Ireland, and it is only for these three years of bad and unfavourable seasons that Ireland had been thrown back. Although that unfortunately happened, yet it must be admitted that last year was a year of a different charac ter, during which Ireland in a great measure recovered from the distresses she had experienced. I don't wish, in any degree, to overstate that gleam of prosperity in Ireland. We all will admit, if you please, that which cannot be de nied—that there is much to be deplored in Ireland, and much to which we should wish to apply a remedy. With regard to the lamentable decline in the numbers of the population, unquestionably, in the , abstract, it is a source of regret to see numbers of people of any country flying from their native shores, and endeavouring to seek elsewhere those advantages which they are unable to find at home. But some years ago the great evil of Ireland was represented to be the redundant population, and the great remedy re commended by everybody for the then existing evil was extensive emigration. Well, sir, it is painful, no doubt, to contemplate the causes which lead to emigration. Emi gration in itself is no evil, if those who are flying to another country, find in that country a better position than they have in their own—if they become happier—if their welfare is increased ; and no doubt the condition of those who are left behind is improved, inasmuch as a smaller number of persons remains to enjoy whatever advantages their native country may possess. What we lament with regard to emigration is this—that the unfortunate state of Ireland is such that the people of Ireland are able to find elsewhere a better condition of things than exists at home, for which many honourable gentlemen have assigned different rea sons ; and I believe one paramount reason to be the pecu- liarity of the climate of Ireland. Ireland is said tc) be a fertile country. There are no doubt great tracts of very fertile land in Ireland—more fertile than any parts of Eng- land or Scotland. I have known land in which the seed has been thrown and crops grown sixteen times running. But at the same time there is a great quantity of moun- thin and bog, and this must be taken into consideration when we are estimating the superficial area of Ireland, and the population which it is capable of maintain ing. Do you expect that any artificial remedies which the Legislature can invent can counteract the law of nature, and keep in the country people who find it more for their advantage to leave it than to remain in it ? It is impos sible. Things will find their level; and till there be in Ireland the same remuneration for labour, the same induce- ment to remain in it which is afforded by other countries, you will not, by any laws you can devise, prevent the peo ple of Ireland from leaving their own homes and proceed ing to other countries. People say that tenant-right, and a number of other things, will do it. But none of these things will do it. As to tenant-right, it is equivalent to landlord wrong. (Laughter.) As I understand it, tenant right is little short of confiscation. You may expel the landlords, but you will not keep the tenants at home. The real question is, How can you create that demand for labour and that reward for labour which will keep the peo ple at home and prevent them from going to England, Scotland, or to the North American States? Nothing can do that but the influx of capital. Ireland presents many advantages for the employment of capital. Ireland has coal—not in great abundance it is true, but enough to sup ply manufacturers to a certain extent ; and she possessed water power to a very great extent. What is it, then, that has hitherto prevented the influx of capital into Ireland ? It is the double notion—first, that Ireland has not the same available means for the employment of capital as England and Scotland ; secondly, that Ireland does not give the same security for its employment. The concluding exhor- tation of the hon. and learned member for Sheffield is one that ought to sink deeply into the mind of every Irishman. The religious and political feuds of Ireland have led to an exaggerated notion in this country of the insecurity of em- ploying capital in that country. If the people of England and Scotland were well persuaded not only that they would find cheap labour and the means of working machinery, but the same security for capital which existed in this country, there was no reason why capital, which sought the most distant regions of the earth for profitable investment would not go to Ireland. (Hear.) There cannot be a greater mistake, in my opinion, than the idea that com mercial capital cannot profitably and securely be employed in Ireland. When that idea is removed one great source of the poverty of Ireland will be also removed. With regard to the prevention of emigration from Ireland, agriculture is not capable of any very great improvement, because one source of the poverty of Ireland arises from the minute sub division of land; and what improvement can you expect to be made in holdings of four or five acres, which are culti vated by the labour of the family. No great improvement can be expected in the agriculture of Ireland except by the displacement of part of the population, so that agricultural improvement would in point of fact only lead to increased emigration. Yet no doubt there may be considerable addi- tional employment in many parts of the country by the em ployment of additional capital. And if by means of private enterprise, if by means of advances, to be repaid in a certain number of years, landlords were enabled to make improve ment; which by their existing means they were unable to accomplish, such application of capital might have a very beneficial effect on the condition of Ireland. At the same time I would humbly submit to landowners that the power of borrowing is a very tempting one, that the time for re payment will come, and that they will do well to consider carefully what prospect there is of a remunerative return, if Government or private 'companies were disposed to lend. With regard to the first part of the resolution, it is impos sible to adopt the naked assertion that we lament the decline of population. That is a complicated question. We lament that the population find it more to their advantage to emi grate than to remain at home, but if the result of their leaving home is that they are in a better position, that is a result which I think we cannot lament. With regard to the second part of the resolution, I think the feeling of the house is against any free grant of public money. (Hear.) With regard to advances of money to be repaid, there are companies established for the purpose of encouraging agri cultural improvements, and I apprehend that if good secu rity is offered to them, and if it is shown that there is a fair prospect of a remunerative employment of capital, from those private companies much assistance may be obtained. (Hear.) It had been suggested that the committee of last year might be reappointed for the purpose of considering how far advances from the public fund might be extended in Ireland for the purpose of local improvement. I can give no decided opinion on that proposition till I see the t l e a l r! I h understand ) t entitled ( to considera tpthharteamticisuexlaaraperttloeypor7ssaintoidofnstehweehotihredheeirrisobeffareairrfilneyrge.ennet(eiH tion. (Hear, hear.) I can only say that her Majesty's Government fully share in that feeling of deep sympathy which has been expressed by all who have spoken in this debate for the people of Ireland. (Hear, hear.) It is im possible to know anything of the Irish people without wishing them every happiness. They are light-hearted and warm-hearted, and most industrious, too, whenever they see that by industry they can reap the rewards of industry. It is a mistake to suppose that the Irish people are lazy, and not willing to labour, and make great exertions for some legitimate object. Therefore there was a strong de sire felt that they should enjoy every advantage that can be conferred upon them by the legislature or by any official ar rangements that it is in the power of Parliament or the Go vernment to make. Therefore it is unnecessary for me to say that the Government are most anxious to find that there is any reasonable prospect of an improvement in the condition of Ireland. Though no doubt much that has passed in the debate must inspire pain as far as relates to the present unfortunate condition of many parts of Ireland, we cannot but look with feelings of hope to the general prospect of the country, because it is demonstrable that if we compare the present state of Ireland with what it was thirty or forty years ago, there has been a great and general improvement. That is calculated to inspire a reasonable hope that in the course of time Ireland will move with accelerated speed in a course of prosperity, and will become more happy. (Hear, hear.) I should imagine that the hon. gentleman will not think it necessary to divide the house upon his resolution, and that the debate which has taken place will satisfy him of the good feeling and intention of the house and of the Govern ment. He will, therefore, probably rest satisfied with eliciting opinions which coincide with those temperate views which he himself expressed. And if any hon. gentleman moves for the reappointment of the committee of last year, with a more extensive range of inquiry, her Majesty's Go vernment rfo o e Lst r nih d ott eii Lord rathernoN dvkngi kind in o l n. dfoh3 MANNERS the ei Nsc r eiah e Ns ntm f iieEtenre earnest r nsh n slo c reference. said will be r e a dy t o cons id er th e p ro p os iti on , but their ac cep t ance of it will, of course, depend upon the atokafdl l nperhd c a pesemi ritl n ioyeleee o dttax n ooyrt l oicifi y r tntge a ndtet y ehiences t ohh h eaneev a nrc t ilysli use t s hlpainfoerofnfowrgp proposition Irelandtt iGovern ,hone * words of the noble lord with the greatest possible pleasure. He understood the noble lord to assent to the proposition thrown out in an earlier part of the evening by the right hon. gentleman the member for Stamford, and with that understanding he hoped his hon. friend would not divide the house. (Hear.) Mr. HENN ESSY said that if he understood the noble lord to accept the proposition of the right hon. gentleman he should not divide. Lord PALMERSTON said that ho assented to the proposition only so far as he considered the wording of the order of reference to be worthy of acceptance. Mr. HENNESSY said in that case he should divide the house. The house divided — For Mr. Hennessy's motion Against lO7-76 • The house then went into committee pro forma, and immediately resumed. COURTS This Iwas O considered JUSTICE third reading. a s a ß n y e l a L d D e d Na and BelrLd order d for NOES -17. Baillie, A. J. Ray, Sir J. Parker, Major W. Baring, A. li, Henniker, Lord Peacocke, G. M. W. Bentinck, G. W. P. Hoy stab, T. B. Wynn, C. W. W. Cobbold, J. C. Howes. E Egerton, E. C. Kelly, S i r F. TEctxus, Elphinstone, Sir J. Lennox, Lord G. G. Warner, E. Forester, Gen. Packe, C. W. Gurdon, B. Railway and other Companies. GREAT WESTERN. The following contains the principal portion of the direc tors' report to be submitted for approval at the general meeting on Thursday:-- " The usual half-yearly statement of the receipts and ex penditure of the company is submitted with this report. The receipts and expenses on account of revenue for the half-year ending the 31st of January last, as comparedwith the corresponding period of the previous year, have been as follows : REVENUE. 1864. 1865. Increase. From passengers, mails, &c. £770,321 £837,100 £66,779 From merchandise, coal, &c. 773,028 838,674 65,646 From parcels warehouse rent. 2c 56,214 59,566 3,352 Total £1,599,563 £1,735,340 £135,777 EXPENDITURE. Maintenance of way (a £165,201 £166,001 £BOO Locomotive expenditure (b 186,650 194,859 8,206 Traffic expenditure (e 319,217 371,904 52,687 All other expenses (d) 72,958 79,000 6,042 Total £744,029 £811,761 £67,735 (a) Less £3,102 for working joint lines. (b) Less 3,863 ditto. e) Add £7,617 ditto. d) Less 652 ditto. Total £7,617 £7;617 It will be seen that the locomotive charges are £8,206 in excess of those for the corresponding period, while the ex penses incurred under the heads of carriage and waggon account, carrying account, and general charges are increased by £7,826, £18,936, and £12,175 respectively. Of those sums about £10,500 is included in the charge of £22,901 for working joint lines and stations. These expenses, together with the increase in the rent charges and in the interest account, form the principal items of the additional charges against the revenue during the half-year. It may also be stated that revenue has borne the whole of the charges for interest on capital outlay, together with the proportion due to the half-year in respect of reconstruction of viaducts and renewal of permanent 'Way. After providing for all fixed and preference charges the available balance will admit of the payment of the following dividends :—On Great Western Consolidated Stock at the rate of 31 per cent. ; West Mid land (Oxford) Stock, 2 per cent.; West Midland (Newport) Stock, 11 per cent.; West Midland (Hereford) Stock, 5 per cent. ; South Wales Consolidated Stock, 3+, per cent. per annum. The balance to be carried forward will amount to £6,087 9s. bd. It was intimated by the chairman at the last half-yearly meeting that a proprietor of West Midland Newport stock had taken exception to the mode in which the expenditure in resp4ct of the Aberdare Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Railway, and the in terest upon that outlay, had been dealt with in the accounts they submitted. The question thus raised being one of some difficulty and doubt, the directors thought it right to take the opinion of counsel in regard to the provisions of the acts of Parliament bearing upon it. That opinion is, in effect, thatthe expenditure in respect of the Aberdare Extension is chargeable to joint capital, and the interest upon it to the joint revenue account. The directors have adopted the view expressed in this opinion, and the accounts now submitted have been prepared in accordance with it. While the ques tion which has been thus settled does not very materially affect the interests of the Great Western and South Wales sections of proprietors, it has an important bearing on the Newport and Oxford sections, the former of which is bene fited by the course which has been adopted. The amount of the ordinary capital of that section being comparatively small, the dividend upon it is appreciably increased. The outlay on joint capital account during the half-year has amounted to £241,206. The expenditure has been incurred chiefly in respect of stations and works, rolling stock, and workshops and machinery. The narrow gauge cOmmuni , cation with the Vale of Neath Railway at Aberdare, the extension of the Wycombe Railway from Thane to Oxford (forming a second route to that city through Bucking hamshire), and the Coalbrookdale branch have been opened ,for traffic during the half-year. Measures are being taken for doubling and laying down the narrow gauge upon the portion of the line between the Barr's Court station at Hereford and the point of junction with the loop line in course of construction by the London and North Wes tern Company, by means of which the two companies will be able to work their trains to and from one station instead of two as at present. On the completion of these works much of the inconvenience at present felt and complained of by the public travelling through Hereford will be avoided. The directors, impressed with the necessity of making some alteration in the arrangements for the conduct of the legal and Parliamentary business of the company, have, after much consideration, appointed Messrs. Young, Maples, Teesdale, and Young to be the solicitors of the company, upon the condition that Mr. Young's services are to be fully and specially devoted to the company, with such assistance as may be required from the other members of the firm. During the past half-year the Board has specially directed its attention to the stations, sidings, and other accommoda tion throughout the line, which:the separate companies be fore the period of amalgamation were unable to the extent desirable for the convenient and economical working of the traffic. The increased facilities which the amalgamated company has been able to afford to the public have tended to develope considerably the resources of some of the dis tricts through which the lines pass, and the directors con sider that they are best consulting the permanent interests of the company by improving the accommodation and en larging the stock of locomotives and waggons, and by the supply of such modern improvements as will tend to increased safety and economy in the conduct of the traffic of the line. To meet the expenditure which is thus being incurred, it is necessary that the capital sanctioned by the Act of 1861 should now be created, and a resolution will be submitted to the meeting for authority to raise the sum of £2,000,000 under the provisions of that Act. It will be in the recollec tion of the proprietors that the by-law which was passed in Feb. 1863, required that the consent of the shareholders should be obtained before the introduction into Parliament of a bill ' authorising any new railway, or for an extension, lease, amalgamation, subscription, or guarantee by the Great Western Railway Company in respect of any undertaking. The directors, anxious to give effect to the spirit in which that by-law was framed, have given one month's notice of their intention to submit to the meeting the bill introduced into Parliament for ' conferring further powers on the Great Western Railway Company for the construction of works and the acquisition of lands, and otherwise in relation to their own undertaking, and the undertakings of other companies and persons, and for other purposes,' and a resolution will be proposed to the proprietors for their sanction to that measure. The authority to con struct the new lines at Stroud, Bristol, Hereford, Acton, and ,Ruabon will become obligations on the company as soon as the bill is passed, and it will be in accord with the spirit of the by-law that the opinion of the proprietors should be now expressed in reference to these works. The new lines are in length collectively 7i miles. The estimated cost of their construction is £140,000, and the board is of opinion that they ought be proceeded with. The arrangement with the Vale of Neath Company provides for an amalgamation of that company with the Great Western Railway Company on terms similar in principle to those which formed the basis of the amalga mation of the Great Western and South Wales Companies. The Vale of Neath proprietors will receive 5.0625 per cent of the united net receipts, but wit the condition that such pro portion shall not be less than £85,000 a year. The Vale of Neath Railway having been recently relaid throughout its system with the mixed gauge, the proposed amalgamation will be the means of completing the Great Western narrow gauge system between Birkenhead and Swansea, and it will at the same time connect both the broad and narrow gauge lines of the company with the important collieries and iron works in the neighbourhood of Merthyr and Aberdare. The directors are led to hope for a large traffic from these dis tricts which could not have been advantageously secured to this company while the Vale of Neath remained indepen dent. The agreement with the Hammersmith and City Rail way Company, which will be in substitution of the working arrangement under which the traffic of that line has hitherto been conducted, makes provision for a transfer or lease in perpetuity of the Hammersmith line upon terms which will secure to the holders of ordinary stock of that company a dividend commencing at 5 per cent. in 1865, and increasing annually by per cent. per annum until 1869, when it will amount to the maximum of si. per cent. The ordinary capi tal of the company amounted on 31st Dec. last to £179,884, and the preference and loan capital to £114,754. The agreement with the Metropolitan Company provides for the running of 24 great Western trains daily, in each direc tion, between Paddington and Farringdon-street or Fins bury, for which a minimum payment of £25,000 a year is to be made to the Metropolitan Company. The number of trains may be increased to 30, in consideration of a propor tionate increased payment. The Metropolitan Company are to join this company in the lease of the Hammersmith and City Railway, and for the purposes of the joint working of the traffic of that line, certain powers of using the Great Western Railway between Bishop's-road station and the Hammersmith Junction are conceded to the Metropolitan Company, reciprocal powers being granted to the Great 'Western Railway Company in respect of their Hammer smith traffic over the Metropolitan Railway." KENT COAST. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes terday at the Victoria Station, Westminster; Sir C. Roney in the chair. The report stated that the receipts from traffic for the six months ending Dec.3l last enabled the directors, after pay ment of debenture interest and general charges, to apply a balance of £20,468 in payment of a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the B stock, amounting to £8,990; at the rate of per cent. per annum on the A stock, £7,563; and at the rate of 5 per tent. on the new ordinary shares, £1,347, making together £17,900, and leaving £2,568 for the next account. The contractors' accounts were closed, with the exception of some few charges arising from the requirements of the Board of Trade at Ramsgate. The traffic had been worked by the London, Chatham, and Dover Company in a perfectly satisfactory manner. The capital account showed that £904,122 had been expended, leaving a balance of £1,220. The revenue account showed that £54,044 had been received during the half year ending Dec. 81, and £27,022 or 50 per cent. had been paid to the London, Chatham, and Dover Company for working it, leaving a balance of £27,022. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the shireholders on its being so favourable. After paying all the general charges, and the whole of the interest on the debenture debt, they had a balance of £20,468, which enabled them to pay at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on £299,680 B stock, at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the £302,500 A stock, and also the same rate on £66,000 new ordinary shares, leaving £2,568 to be carried forward. The directors were much gratified at the way in which the lessees had worked the traffic. When ad ditional trains were wanted they were immediately put on and every facility was given "to develope the traffic to and from Ramsgate, Margate, and Broadstairs. The connection with the Metropolitan and Great Northern Railways, which would be completed in June next, would afford great faci lities for persons and their families in the northern districts of London passing over the line to the watering-places on it. Mr. HOLROYD seconded the motion for the adoption of the report. _ In reply to a question, it was stated that the line was leased for 999 years, on terms that had been agreed upon. The interest on the B shares was fully secured on the cur rent half-year, and there could be no doubt of it afterwards. The report was then unanimously adopted, and the divi dends recommended therein were declared payable, less income tax. Sir M. Prro explained that the dividend on the £60,000 new shares ranked equally with that on the A stock. Ho thought it right to tell his brother shareholders that the agreement between them and theChatham and Dover Com pany had worked most advantageously for both parties. Tho Kent Coast Railway brought a large amount of traffic over the Dover Company's main line, and the working of it had given great satisfaction. With regard to the B shares, there was a balance of £2,568 less towards the dividend for the current half-year, in addition to which the dividend for the first three months of it was guaranteed, and as the traffic was increasing there could be no doubt that it would be well covered, leaving a balance over. There was a perfect mutuality in the working arrangements, and so far it had proved that a branch line could be constructed so as to be a great source of profit to the parent line. (Hear, hear.) The retiring directors and auditors were then re-elected, and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. COCKERMOUTH, KESWICK, AND PENRITET.. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Keswick on Wednesday ; Mr. T. A. Hoskins in the chair. The report congratulated the shareholders on the open ing of the line for passenger traffic, on the 2d January last. The bridges and other works had been well tested, and the whole railway greatly consolidated by the running of heavy mineral trains over it for several weeks prior to the open ing for passenger traffic. The expenditure on capital ac count, including the cost of the hotel, at the end of last year, was £297,420. The directors believed that the cost of the line would be about £lO,OOO a mile, which was largely in excess of the engineer's original estimate. An additional sum of £45,000 would be required to complete the expenditure, which would then be much less per mile than other lines in the district. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said the traffic was now approaching .£2OO a week, and would be considerable in the summer. The report was adopted, the directors were authorised to furnish the hotel, and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE. The half-yearly meeting was held on Friday at the Euston station ; Mr. R. Moon in the chair. The total expenditure during the half-year had been £39,661, making the total expenditure on capital account £1,641,064. Dividends at the rate of 41 per cent. per annum on the ordinary shares, and at the rate of 5 per cent, on the B shares, were declared ; and the retiring director and au ditor were re-elected. MORET ONHAMPS TEAD AND SOUTH DEVON. The half-yearly meeting was held at Newton Abbot on Wednesday ; Mr. J. Divett presided. The report stated that possession had now been obtained of the necessary land throughout the entire length of the line, and the contractors had made arrangements to pro ceed with the works with all possible expedition as soon as a more favourable state of the weather would enable them to do so. Of the special share capital of £25,000, about £B,OOO remained unappropriated, for which the directors were open to applications. The receipts and expenditure to the 31st Dec. last amounted to £60,771. The report and statement of accounts were unanimously adopted, and Mr. T. Woollcombe, the retiring director, and Mr. Bowring, the retiring auditor, were re-elected. BRISTOL PORT AND PIER. The fifth half-yearly meeting Williscompany was held on Saturday at Bristol. Mr. P. W. S. Miles presided. The report stated that the railway was completed, and ; subject to the sanction of the Government inspector, Capt. Rich, would be opened early in March. The works of the pier were approaching completion. An agreement had been concluded with Messrs. Waring Brothers, whereby they undertook to work the traffic of the railway and pier for six Eears, and an agreement had also been concluded with the Avonmouth Hotel Company, which would, it was hoped, prove mutually advantageous. The accounts showed that £123,702 had been received, and £123,619 expended, leaving a balance of .CB3. On the motion of the Chairman the report and accounts were agreed to. The meeting was made special, and an agreement was approved by which the Volunteer Rifle Corps of Bristol would be conveyed at a low rate to and from their practice ground at Avonmouth. The agreement with Messrs. Waring, the contractors, was then adopted, the terms being that the contractors were to defray all expenses and pay the following dividend to the shareholders :—For the first year, 2/ per cent. ; second and third years, 3 per cent. ; fourth year, 4 per cent. ; fifth year, 4+ per cent. ; and sixth year, 5 per cent. It was believed the line would be opened for traffic on the 6th of March. CRYSTAL PALACE AND SOUTH LONDON JUNCTION. The directors' report states that the works on the line and at the station were in so forward a state that there was every reason to believe the railway would be opened for traffic on the Ist of July next to the new high level station at the Crystal Palace. The London, Brighton, and South Coast Company would complete by the same date their por tion of the South London Railway, which would give access from the Victoria and Ludgate stations to the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. The London, Chat ham, and Dover Company had secured in their arrange ments with the Metropolitan Inner Circle Railway, now in course of construction, exchange stations at Victoria and at Ludgate, by which passengers on this company's line would have the opportunity of booking to every part of the inner circle line of 121 miles in length, by trains at three minutes' interval at both those stations. The capital account showed that £750,591 had been expended. SEVENOAKS, MAIDSTONE, AND TONBRIDGE. The directors' report states that the traffic on the railway continued steadily to increase, the receipts for the last half year being 27 per cent. in excess of those of the correspond ing half of 1863, and 81 per cent. in excess of those of the corresponding half of 1862. Business would shortly be com menced at the goods station of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company on the river at Blackfriars, which it was believed would bring a considerable increase of traffic to the line. The agreement with the London, Chatham, and Dover Company in respect to the construction of the line between Sevenoaks and Maidstone had not yet been finally settled, but was on the point of completion. The capital account showed that £299,417 had been expended, leaving a balance against the company of £4,495. The traffic for the half-year ending December 31 amounted to £5,046, and the working expenses to 50 per cent., or £2,533, leav ing £2,523. SALISBURY AND YEOVIL. The directors of this company in their report state that the gross earnings for the half-year ending the 31st of De cember last amounted to £35,664, or £34 ss. 10d. per mile per week, against £31,825, or £3O 12s. per mile per week, for the corresponding half of 1863, showing an increase of £3,841. The traffic for the year 1864 amounted to £63,130, or £3O 7s. per mile per week, against £56,031, or £26 18s. 9d. per mile per week, for the year 1863, showing an increase of £7,098. The balance available for dividend, including X 1,746 from the preceding half-year, was £16,579, out of which was deducted £3,750 for dividend, at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, on the preference shares, and £8,957 for dividend on the ordinary shares, at the rate of 51 per cent. per annum, leaving a balance of £3,871 for the next account. The capi tal account showed that £684,956 had been expended. NORTH AND SOUTH WESTERN JUNCTION. The report of the directors states that for the last half year there had been an increase in the receipts, chiefly from minerals, of £1,174, as compared with the corresponding half of 1863 ; and the expenses were increased by £125. The total receipts amounted to £6,534, against £5,412 in the corresponding half year of 1863. The general result was a disposable balance of £4,061, and the directors re commended that £1,500 be appropriated in part liquidation of the renewal account, and that from the remainder a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum be paid, leaving a balance of £5O. The capital account showed that £88,977 had been expended on the main line, and £23,650 on the Hammersmith branch ; together, £112,627. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday the standing orders were declared not to have been complied with in the following cases : WEXFORD JUNCTION.—For a railway from the Bag nalstown and Wexford at Ballywilliam to the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway. Capital, £99,000 ; loan, £33,000. CARNARVON 7 BEDDOELERT, PORT MADoc.—For the con struction of railways between these points. Capital, £450,000; loan, £150,000. In the case of the Inverness and Perth Junction and In verness and Aberdeen Junction Railway Company's Bill and the East and West India Dock Company's Bill the standing orders were declared to have been complied with. FALMOUTH DOCKS. The report of the directors states that arrangements were now in progress for disposing of a large portion of the £130,000 5 per cent. preference shares, which would pro vide for the completion of the outer basin and entrance channel, the laying out of the eastern ground for shipbuild ing, foundries, and other purposes, the introduction of hy draulic power to the wharves, for the rapid discharge and loading of cargoes, the erection of additional warehouses for goods, and enable the company to offer every facility for general traffic, and to accommodate steamboat companies. Notwithstanding the want of funds during the past half year the directors had carried out important portions of the works. The dredging of the entrance channel and outer basin had been carried on with vigour, 54,000 cubic yards had been removed during the past half-year. Several thou sand tons of china clay had been shipped in the half-year. The two graving docks had been extensively used, three vessels in each having been undergoing repairs at th 3 same time. The balance of profits to the 30th of June, 1864, amounted to £3,394. The profit for the half-year ending the 31st of December last amounted to £1,822 against £1,161 for the same half of 1863, showing an increase of £661. The profit for the same half of 1862 amounted to £712, and for the same half of 1861 to £528. The capital account showed that £162,500 had been expended. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—Feb. 27. - The February session of the Central Criminal Court commenced this morning, at ten o'clock, before the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor (Alderman Hale), the Recorder, Russell Gurney, Esq., Q.C., Alderman Rose, M.P., Alder man Lawrence, Alderman Mechi, Alderman Allen, and Alderman Gibbons, Alderman and Sheriff Dakin, Alderman and Sheriff Besley, the Under-sheriffs, Messrs. Nicholson and Do Jersey, &c. The first edition of the calendar contains the names of 109 prisoners, 81 males, and 22 females, and six prisoners who are out on bail. The Recorder, in his charge to the grand jury, remarked upon the leading cases which were to be submitted to their consideration. The first was a remarkable charge of mur der, which had been preferred against an Italian named Gregorio Mogul, who was said to have stabbed Michael Harrington, on the 26th Decomber last, in a brawl at a public-house on. Saffron-hill—a crime of which another man had already been convicted, and for which he had been sentenced. The other cases referred to by the Re corder were : that of the woman Anne Smith, who would be tried on a charge of having thrown a man out of the window of a brothel, by which his death was caused ; a charge of manslaughter against a man for the wilful neglect of his child, whereby its death was caused ; the charge of manslaughter against Jonas and Lancaster, the signalman and guard who-were implicated in the Blackheath Tunnel accident, and several minor cases. The grand jury then retired, and the court proceeded to dispose of the business of the session. CHARGE OF PERJURY. James Edwards surrendered to take his trial for wilful and corrupt perjury. Mr. Sleigh, Mr. Bland, Mr. Besley, and Mr. Nicholson, conducted the prosecution ; Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Collins appeared for the defendant. This case stood over from the last session. The prose cutor was the Rev. Henry Hooper, who resides at Oaklands House, Kingsdown, Kent, and the offence imputed to the defendant was that he had sworn falsely that he had per sonally served the copy of a writ upon the prosecutor, and had afterwards deliberately reiterated the false testimony. Mr. Metcalfe, at the close of the case for the prosecution, took a technical objection, contending that there had been no legal proof that a judgment had been obtained against the prosecutor, and that this was a material averment, and that the defendant was consequently entitled to an acquittal. The point was argued at some length, and Mr. Sleigh eventually asked that the enquiry might be adjourned to afford an opportunity to supply the necessary evidence. The Recorder, having made some inquiries, said he was at all times unwilling to allow a case to go off upon a tech nical point, and he would readily have adjourned this trial for a short time if he thought it likely that the necessary evidence could be obtained. As he did not think that this could be done, it was his duty to direct the jury to acquit the defendant on the ground that the prosecution had failed to establish a mutual averment contained in their indictment. The jury consequently returned a verdict of not guilty, THE CHARGE OF LIBEL AGAINST CAPTAIN COLEBORNE. In the early part of the day an application was made by Captain Coleborne to postpone the trial of the charge of libel preferred against him by Mr. James Phineas Davis to the next session. The ground of the application was that he had changed his solicitor, and that he had not.had sufficient time to procure the attendance of the necessary witnesses to establish his plea of justification Mr. Giffard, Q.C., who was retained for the prosecution, opposed the application, and urged that an affidavit ought, at all events, to be made, stating what evidence it was intended to bring forward, before the trial was postponed. The matter stood over, and shortly before the rising of the Court tho application was renewed, and an affidavit was put in. The Recorder, after reading the contents, said he thought the grounds set forth in it were sufficient to justify the postponement of the trial. Mr. Giffard suggested that if that course were taken the defendant should be called upon to plead. Mr. Wontner, jun., the defendant's attorney, said there could be no objection to that. ROBBERY WITII VIOLENCE. Samuel Coster, Wm. Hurley, Jane Tyler, and Mary Anne Smith were tried upon an indictment charging them with a robbery with violence. The prosecutor, an aged man upwards of 80 years, named Mark Reynolds, was employed by Messrs. Rickett and Co., the coal merchants, at one of their wharves, and it was the custom to take the money received at that wharf dur ing the day to the principal establishment, and the-prose cutor was employed to take it. On the evening of the 21st December the money was made up as usual, to the amount •••••N of £63 Bs. 6d., which was placed in a bag and fastened to an umbrella, and slung over the prosecutor's One of the lads saw him part of the way, and, it appe ered ' had no sooner left him than the old man was set upon by two men, one of whom put a cloth spread with treacle over his face, put his knee in his back, and threw l'l re down, and the two then proceeded to unburden him of we teler bag of cash which he was carrying, and which was ably heavy, £3 of the money being in copper, The le en got away at the time, but it appeared that the p h had had some time back worked at the wharf, and the pre; shoulder. secutor, as he got up, saw him running away. T he clar which was attached to the bag got round Coster s leg' c uter and while he was disengaging it the Pr °se It sr caught his side face and recognised him. peared that all the prisoners were seen together, and there was some evidence that the bag was Paseedf: one of the female prisoners. Mary Anne Smith We e first who was apprehended, and when told the charge she said she had £3105., Hurley had £3 lOs , and Coster se" Jane Tyler had the remainder, and that she would tars Queen's evidence and tell the whole truth. When was apprehended he said he was there, but he bad nothill to do with the affair, nor did he believe the other ras e ha for The jury returned a verdict of guilty against Gee te r r • stealing the money, and the two female prisoners fo ceiving. The prisoner Hurley was acquitted. pen ll 4 sl The prisoner Coster was sentenced to five yew' , •,„ servitude, and the prisoners Tyler and Smit h Were "in. tented to twelve months' imprisonment with hard lebe—. THE SAFFRON-HILL MURDER. be The prosecution against the prisoner Gregorio re, conducted by Sergeant Ballantine, who is sPecisllL tained, Mr. Ribton, and Mr. F. H. Lewis. The Pr is _ th em-- 11 is understood, will be defended by Mr. Montague It should be stated that Gregorio is the Christian 115 '' e ci t the prisoner, and that his surname is Mogni• nesses for the prosecution went before the grand ju y ar ds afternoon, and they came into court shortly after with a true bill for manslaughter, ignoring the bill wilful murder. It is not yet known positively what s course will be taken, but it is understood that the case wig come on for trial on Thursday morning befor Dir• u Byles. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD CIRCUIT.—READING, Feb. 27. . (Before Mr. Baron Pigott.) THE ROBBERY AT WINDSOR CASTLE. mil' r William Wilson, 38, upholsterer, was indicted _for:p-, oA ing four quilts, the property of her , Majesty the ctut, the 2d of January last. whic h There was a second count in the indictragul w , 100 alleged that he stole on the Ist of January two clurvro, yards of quilting, and 1001bs. weight of silk, also perty of the Queen. 11 sot d George Hammond was charged with stealing °-,,e ,n clo crimson silk bed furniture, one pair of embroidered 'lO curtains, and three pieces of valiance, the propertY Queen, at Windsor, on Jan. 18. Mr. Powell, Q.C., and Mr. Harrington appear ed t° prose cut T e, and Mr. Sawyer appeared for Hammond. P rir cipai he prisoner Wilson pleaded guilty, and gave tiis god evidence adduced against Hammond. It °Pr e r o d• that Hammond had been in her Majesty's service a t 18 ; of sor Castle for the past eight years, and held the r at foreman of the porters. Wilson was the head oPli caste :ths , the Castle, where he had been employed for three 10-01.. but was under notice to quit when the robberY 9 s c s he mitted. Towards the close of last year Wilson -011°'c'astle stated, instructed to overhaul the stores at Wiald s ft °l. eet/ by Mr. Seabrook, of the Lord Chamberlain's der-ffe so° and n he was to have four porters to assist hire. siiimea Hammond, who, on the 24th Dec., suggested u t ° that the stores contained some articles which to ''"'" OP ledge had been there for years, and that they 010 ! tad it dispose of them. Wilson said he would thin k of itY - l ot was afterwards agreed that, as Wilson knew Londe° The he should send the things there to be di s posed cif,' - pri' a i rticles named in the charge were packed up , and the soners contrived to remove them from the Castle. a to o wrote the direction for the parcel, which Ilarara°ll„pt to to the Great Western Railway station, an d it W au ctasion() ers, London. Wilson wrote to Messrs. Oxenhavi at 00 of Oxford-street, requesting them to sell the thing s t hing of their earliest sales ; but that firm, suspecting ies at was wrong, communicated with the police autl icl `li p as Scotland-yard, and the result of the inquiries e the apprehension of the prisoners. e%cePt'' Mr. Sawyer contended, in an able speech, th a ,i e coS e ing Wilson's statement, there was nothing i n the P-d. to show a guilty knowledge on the part of Ham The jury acquitted Hammond. Sentence was deferred in Wilson's case. RECENT Ebenezer TßE Hicken, ton. and John Tyler, alias Bos Tyler, the keePe r .,° t e t to aj o ur ne PRIZE ym a FlGHTnsinter A T nAfscvirliveriojnither Founders' , Arms, Brick-lane, Spitalfields, each adneseet tbhaeillfewrmereerinbaly indicted d hti f n o g r Ricken and Robert Furze to fight a prize fight at P Heath, on the 24th of January last. ,caomndmtihtteinlagttaerbbreyacalitdoinf gtuz;,;:icoert Mr. Seeker appeared for the prosecution. a id The prisoners pleaded guilty, and were disc ; c i of their own recognisances to keep the peace for rel two 'ears. COUNTRY MARKETS --- NORTHAMPTON.—FEB. 25. w gs fait At our corn market to-day the show of a(l le'' ,,• o r for the season. The finest dry qualities Inet .. !: ( l ; ha e io,. mand, and the rates of last week were suPP°"aqiore sorts met a slow sale at a shade less monsP h as b 3 , 5 0f tolerable show of barley, the quality a butW'ltVile rft ' -- lar. The demand was by no means active, of oa ts the by last week were for the most past obtaill ed _%, s ofa k es w it of was a moderate supply, and the demand The she character at the extreme rates of lastprice,Bo4 beans was limited, and the demand was at Ink' turn in favour of the seller. Bess were 011 01 show and met a slow sale at recent rates. t o 36, 4 5; jet 36s New white wheat, 39s to 42s ; new Iva , t7, a r 3v white, 43s to 44s ; old red, 38s to 39s per 3 6 ''"'" 3os r for malting, 31s to 33s per qr. ; grinding? 268 8 0 0, stone. Oats, old, 25s to 26s • new, 185 for 401 0 00 ' f Beans, old, 36s to 40s ; new, '3ss to 38s pe 3B St 33s to 38s per 36 stone. COLCHESTER--FEB. 25. i c es s!' e g, The supply of wheat was fair, and last wee kit Pi tt ll lob' generally obtained. Fine barley in demand yeas ivs other sort a slow sale. Beans the turn dearer. "- 5 40 out alteration. 5 0 4 0° Wheat, white .3o° 40s 40s Beans, Dilazagall•;ji:...,o red Vs 42s Middle and 0 0 .D‘' Barley Se s s 25 35 5 8 Peas ' gwrheyit.e:::::::::. Oats ...205# 4 GRANTHAM.—FEB. 40; Old white wheat, 42s to 455; old red, 3Ss t t ° o o. , 6 1 " pet white, 42s to 44s ; new red, 37s to 38s per 36 04 s to r ley for malting, 29s to 33s per qr. ; grinding , " oe' 30 stone. Oats, old, 25s to 27s ; new, 220 t° r 3 6, stone. Beans, old, 39s to 41s ; new, 36s to 3 8 ° P e Peas, 34s to Ns per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD--FEB. 24• f b o th _ at At this market there was a good supplY•°o iv wed,' Pr and barley, and last week's prices were wain .7 li q j Wheat, old white....4os 45s Peas, Partridg e * . :::• 3 3Bo 560 new . .40s 44s wh ite. •• " ....0 / I old red 3•Js 40s B _ 'l in g • • '.. .....„0 ,/ new. 37s 40s Pun•• • ''''h•'''' • • 310 , 0 Barley.... 2ss 32s d it,o. old "' ••' 0 ' l Chevalier 26.1 .13s Beans, Tick, ..vr. •••30 A Grind.ng •Os 86 n... 001 0..... 0 50 Malt 6ls ars rf ar row e5 ,,..... 33 0 Chevalier 64s 68s a ..... Oats ••• 2os 26s Mazaga n . ihe ABERDEEN—FEB. 25. A 81, "Cliiii There has been • fine thaw the last tWe I t ati s fiC e o heavy fall of snow has nearly disappeare d ' chi ts 6c4,lPe market there was a fair show of samples. -- li - g ol" 6d per qr. early in the week, and that ad y ` 7 o , e t e l 3 e d• well maintained to-day. Other articles rem D oll White wheat 34s Od to 37s OA. 621' ' de l• Red wheat Potato oats Common oats 325 16 s 0 0 d d to o 34 165 s 6 0 d d) 40 ~, bitO e l. Bere 1 1 0 5 8 s 6 0 d d too 20815 0 9 d d 53, t a ii , b s e sli o e t th : Barley 19s Od to 20s Od ~, bo il of 00 1 '' Oatmeal 13s Od to 14s Od ," gt elf. (/' Flour, fine 31s Od to 32s Od v . - .1/ 0 KIRKCALDY—FEB. 2 5 : A good supply of all kinds of grain, vr /licjj prices in favour of sellers. 0 0 , A Wheat. Barley. 160 ..A ar , 30s Cd 21$ 6d l7O o n ' d tf.esond.... 32s Od 22s Od 180 Taird..... 310 Od Cd London : 0 0' Printed and Published by SOL 0 of No. 112, Strand, Pi inter, at VIE ' Strand, in the Precinct of the S T bliddlesex.--Tuesday, February 2: losy:ilt it,Diesolt 112 i A'. a; ba 1 § _ 0, Births. Cr# AzEMAR.—On the 27th inst., at The Vi r a l te °ll°l 0 6 the wife of J. C. Azemar, Esq of a dalleOr.oil6e' , BABINGTON.—On the 21st inst., " at Gibliston iA' the wife of Lieut.-Col. Babington, of a Of t :, ifif e O , 4 ' WEx.—On the 26th m' sL, at Hornsey-rise, ' , "iar We; Esq., of a daughter. g e 0 , WARNER.—On the 25th inst ,at Dover, the I V E. C. Warner, 20th Hussars, net of a daughter. Pft Marriages. ..,ot Y o ir o BROWN—COOPER.—On the 25th inst., at St. 07 to3,iov 3Y.3l organ Brown, Esq., of Cleraent's-14, Elizabeth, only daughter of John Cooper , 11 01 ; road, St. John's-wood, acoreof ° C WEST—WARD.—On the 25th inst., at S t ' -1, It° u Ate over-square, re Temple 'West, Lieut.-Colo!le,rth U nadier Guards, to Frances Caroline, t°l4 ofthe Hon. John Petty Ward. Deaths. o rl4 ,nsburrr 0 CUTHBERTSON.—On the 25th inst., at 133•- . g ,llO Cuthbeitson, Esq., aged 60. 1 + 111 (00 2°j ' '' -,, DODWELL.—On the 4th inst., at Ilan' Dodwell, E o A9u.' 11AwnE sq" aged 76. 1 -lane,hale' N. On the 25th inst ,at 15, Bug° Isaac Hawden, Esq., aged . 73. DerEs , C f r e LOVELL.—On the 24th inst., at Efagbourne, / -11 ° a fa r° Wells Lovell, Esq., of Gray's-inn, til l 0 1 1° ' • tonville, aged 78. II9A PococK.—On the 25th inst., at Plick r " 0 1° bury, John Innes Pocock, a g ed 79 1;00 5, °f 00 POTTS —On the 26th inst., 11r. Thelea s d 61. _./.• Cotiages, Leipsie-road, Camberwea, age ;li f ' _ .413 44 . 1' Illi