The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-28 00:00:00

claims of the Irish and Scotch poor were fully as irre sistible as those of the English poor, and he considered the house ought to know what reg ulations the Govern ment intended to p ro p ose res p e cting the Irish and Scotch poor before the bill were passed, and he thought the Government would not be justified in proceeding further with this bill till the whole measure as regarded the Irish and Scotch, as well as the English poor, was fully before the house. Mr. BAINES said he thought Mr. Walpole had dealt very fairly by the bill. Would the house allow him to state what was the principle of this bill ? (Hear.) By the law, as it at present stood, a person was entitled to relief, subject to removal if that was not his owu parish. He must say he could see no reason for postponing the present measure; settlement was a matter confined entirely to England and Wales, and had no reference to Ireland or Scotland, and he thought, as he stated on a previous occasion, that part of the question ought to be kept quite distinct from the subject as regarded Ireland and Scotland. He was quite ready to admit that the subject of settlement as regarded Ireland and Scotland deserved a speedy solution ; but he maintained that the materials for that solution were not yet ready ; but the - materials for its solution, as regarded England and Wales, were ripe for decision, and required at once to be settled. Mr. R PALMER concurred entirely in the view taken of the question by his hon. friend (Mr. Walpole), and he believed the votes of a great number of mem ' hers on both sides of the house depended on the post _ ponement of this measure ; or, at least, the house should be put in possession of the general outlines of the measure intended by the Government as regarded Ireland and Scotland. Mr. H. HERBERT expressed his approbation of the course suggested by the hon. member for Midhurst (Mr. Walpole) for postponing this bill. He contended that in a vast number of cases grievous hardships were inflicted on Irish paupers by removing them arbitrarily from this country, after they had spent the best years of their life in it, honestly earning their bread by the sweat of their brow. He had been assured by more than one good authority that Scotch farmers acknowledged they would find it almost impossible to either cultivate their farms, or get in their harvests, without the aid of Irish labourers. But yet those Scotch farmers took excellent care to prevent those Irish labourers obtaining a settle ment there, for as soon as the time drew near, which would entitle them to a settlement, they discharged them. (A laugh.) Sir J. PAKINGTON expressed his belief that gentle men who were friendly to the measure would vote against it if they were not informed what course the Government intended to take on the Irish subject. Lord PALMERSTON could not see the logical con clusion that because they had not sufficient materials before them for legislating with respect to the Irish part of the question, they ought not to legislate for England He contended that the Irish and Scotch paupers ought to be dealt with equal justice as regarded the English paupers. In every work requiring great phyical strength and endurance, in the metropolis and all other large English towns, the Irishmen were sure to take the largest share, and in case of poverty or sickness overtak ing him, was it right that he or his family should be treated on a footing inferior to that of the English la bourer or his family ? He thought the apprehensions of an undue influx of Irish labourers were founded on most erroneous expectations. He would entreat the house not to postpone now the second reading of this bill, and in the subsequent stages of the bill they might very appropriately consider some safe measure as re garded the Irish and Scotch labourers. (Hear, hear.) Sir J. TROLLOPE said it was perfectly clear to him that they should consider the whole of this subject together as affected the labourers not of England and Wales only, but also of Ireland and Scotland. (Hear, hear.) He did not think the house ought to be called on to pass the second reading without being put in pos session of the whole measure. (Hear, hear.) The Marquis of GRANBY said that the Irish part of the question was certainly the most difficult, and it seemed to have been left entirely out of consideration till it was brought under their notice by some of the Irish members. (Hear, hear.) The right hon. gentle man and the noble lord seemed to differ as to the prin ciple of the measure, and under such circumstances the house ought not to be called on to decide on the second reading till the whole case was before it. (Hear.) Sir G. GREY confessed he saw no reason for a further postponement of the debate. He still adhered to the opinion he uttered on Friday night that it would be in expedient to mix up two measures which were distinct in their nature. (Hear, hear.) If they tried to engraft on a measure relating to the settled poor of England and Wales another measure which dealt with the un settled poor of Ireland, they would alter the scope of the bill and hazard its passing through the house. (Hear.) On Friday night he understood that a distinct pledge had been given by the Government for a provision which would place the Irish pauper in the same position as the English with respect irremovability. But he now un derstood from his noble friend that no such intention was entertained by the Government, and that they were fully aware of the difficulty of framing a measure of that kind. (Hear.) After the house assented—if it should assent—to this measure, he would be prepared to con sider the law with respect to the removal of Irish paupers, which, as it stood, he admitted was unsatisfac tory. (Cheers.) Colonel DUNNE said he came down to the house prepared to vote against further adjournment, but he wished to explain why he should now vote diametrically opposite to that intention. (Laughter.) After the speech of the right hon. gentleman who had just sat down, and who might he taken as an exponent of the intentions of the Government, it seemed that the Government were not going to fulfil the promise they made to the Irish members. (Hear, hear.) The Government said that they considered the claims put forward by the Irish members to be irresistible, and had made up their mind: on the subject, without saying that any further inquiry or consideration was necessary. (Hear, hear.) There was now, it seemed, a breach of their promise ; and as he knew that any delay between the second reading of this bill and the bringing forward of the Irish bill would be employed to get up a feeling in England against the claims of the Irish poor, he would not aid in passing the Government bill till the Irish measure was before the house. (Cheers.) Mr. E. DENISON said he entertained an opinion somewhat different from that expressed by his right hon. friend (Sir G. Grey). He begged to call the attention of the Government to the great evil and danger which seemed now to exist, that this subject would be brought into the category of party questions, in which light it was not considered up to the present time. There was danger, also, that the real merits of the question would not be fairly considered if it was made a party question. (Hear, hear.) The proposition of the noble lord for one year's industrial residence would no doubt remove some of. the difficulty of the sub ject, but he would be glad - to see • the whole question of removal disposed of at once. He would put it to the noble lord whether he would not hazard the bill by in sisting on the second reading now. If the bill could be postponed after the second reading, why could it not be postponed before the second reading? (Hear.) Mr. PHILLIPS said that, as an inhabitant of Milford Haven, he might be supposed to feel some alarm on the subject before the house. lie di-I not think he could be considered guilty of presumption in saying that he knew the nature of the evil and could judge of the remedy pro posed. If it was said that Ireland was now in a better position, and that the difficulty was passing away, his reply was that it was no t unreasona bl e to lo ok for secu rity against possible danger. (Hear.) Mr. MAGUIRE said this bill was as well received by him in the first instance as by any other member of the house ' • but wh en h e f oun d t h at Ireland was to be ex cluded his feelings on the subject changed. The demand made on the Government by the Irish members was that Irish paupers in England should be placed on precisely the same footing as respected irremovability as English paupers in England, and the noble lord the member for Tiverton had declared on behalf of the cabinet that the case was irresistibly established, and that justice re quired that the wishes of Irish members should be com plied with. He should despair of any redress for Ireland unless it were included in .this bill. He believed the Government was attempting to cajole Irish members. (Laughter.) If the bill passed as it stood they would give up the strong position which they occupied at that moment, and would no longer have the power of putting the screw on the Government. (Laughter.) Lord J. RUSSELL—At least the course which the Government is now taking on this question is not anew course. My right hon. friend the President of the Poor Law Board d ec l are d very ear l y what was the object of the bill —th a t it referred only to the poor who were re movable on the ground of settlement. It is notorious that a qu es ti on was asked in the other house of Parlia mera, of my noble friend the head of the Government, and, that th e su b stance of his answer, as circulated taroughout the countr y , was that the Government ad mitted that the law w ith respect Irish . paupers re quired revision andalt' alteration • that revision and altera tion would b e m a d, ; that materials were not quite sufficient ; that further that it was not till that information nn had d s b n required obt a ; i and ne obtained that legislation would be propose d. And ee noble friend further said that the bill wi t h respect to t" and settlement would not be postponed on that removal account on the second reading. That answer was in conformity with what my right ho n• friend, the President o f th e Poor Law Board has !stated tonight. But, sir, I thi n k there is a general agreement in the house, in conformity with what was stated in the letter of noble friend the Secretary of State for the h H orne Department,y that if you declare that it i.s ch a the ara lslhiP resided in England, to remove persons from the' parishes in wh i ch you admit that it is a hard , y ship a . ve a l no to remove Irish paupers who have resided in Engli s h Parishes, and have given them the benefit of their labour and industry. I stated, however, on Friday evening, that I thought pro visions for that purpose could hardly be introduced on the present occasion, and that great caution would b e required in framing them. Now, the hon. member who • spoke last, and the hon. member for Portarlington (Col. Dunne) appear to think it would be a great gain if they could throw a slur on the principle of this bill. To my astonishment, the hon. member for Portarlington ap. pealed to common sense. (Laughter.) I should have thought that common sense was the last thing to which the right hon. gentleman would have thought of appeal ing, because it is clear that if you decide in favour of the principle that in England paupers should no longer be removable, and if Parliament proceeds with a bill founded on that principle, the claim on the part of Ireland in point of justice will be irresistible. You will then be able to say--"you have put an end to these removals, attended with circumstances of great injury to men who have been good labourers in England ; do not let any shred or fragment of the present law remain, but bring in a bill with regard to Ireland." The hon. member for Portarlington seems to think that not to assent to this principle with regard to England will ha a, great benefit to Ireland. Why the benefit to Ireland will be that the same hardships will remain as respects that coun try, but England will also be subject to them. That is the appeal to common sense. (Hear, hear.) I must confess I should have thought that, after the Govern ment had declared in favour of the principle, the best course for Irish members would be to do what we now propose, namely, affirm the principle with regard to the bill which is before the house, and afterwards to con sider in what manner a similar principle can be extended to Ireland. At least it seems to me that to raise difficul ties with regard to England is to say in effect with re gard to Ireland that the law should there remain in the state in which it is. The house then divided— For the adjournment 209 Against it The second reading was then adjourned till the 28th of April. BRIBERY BILL. This bill was read a second time. CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS, &c., BILL. On the order of the day for the second reading of this bill, Mr. WALPOLE said he thought it desirable that this bill should, together with the Bribery Bill, be referred to a select committee. Lord J. RUSSELL thought no benefit whatever would arise from such a step Col. SIBTHORP complained that, in the confusion which followed the division, he had not heard the Speaker put the question of the second reading of the Bribery Bill; otherwise he should have moved an amendment. There were two bribery bills before the house, and it was diffi cult to tell which was which ; but having opposed every bribery bill hitherto, and intending to persist in that course until the Treasury bench had been purified (laughter)—he should move the postponement of the bill till that day six months. The amendment not being seconded, fell to the ground. Mr. LIDDELL said he wished to take that opportunity of giving notice of an amendment which he inteded to move in committee. The bill provided a somewhat com plicated machinery for the trial of controverted elections ; and so much that it contained, he should be happy to give his assent. Not so with regard to the appointment of as• sessors. It was proposed to appoint 10 assessors, barristers of 10 years' standing, at a salary of 1,0001. a year each, to guide the decision of members of the House of Commons, in the trial of controverted elections. He thought there were grave objections to this proposal ; and he now wished to state that when the bill was in committee ho should move a provision, the object of which was to secure a trial of all cases which had been submitted to the " Prelimi nary- Committee" before a court of law. When the house considered how much dissatisfaction had attended the de cisions of election committees, they would, he thought agree with him that it was very desirable that they should get rid of the responsibility. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to bo committed on Monday next. MINISTERS MONEY, &c. (IRELAND) BILL. This bill then went into committee, and clause one was agreed to. On clause 2, which exempts houses under 101. from pay ment of the tax. Mr. FAGAN moved as an amendment that the figure be 201. Sir J. YOUNG resisted the amendment. Mr. HUME advocated the entire abolition of the tax, as it was folly to keep up a religious agitation for the sake of the paltry sums which would annually be realised under the bill. The committee then divided, when there appeared— For the amendment 77 Against it Mr. HADFIELD moved another amendment to the ef fect that the exemption should extend to houses under 151. a-year. The tax was a stigma upon the good sense of the age, and he was surprised that a Government calling itself liberal could support it. Sir J. YOUNG argued that the figure fixed upon by the Government would afford great relief to the Roman Catholics. Mr. HUME admitted that this was a bill of relief, but at the same time it was a compromise that left the principle of the tax untouched. However, if the Government would introduce a clause entirely exempting houses occupied by Roman Catholics from payment of the tax, th a t objection would be got rid of. Mr. MAGUIRE said, unless the tax were entirely abolished, it would be the constant source of agitation in the corporation of those towns in Ireland which had to bear it, and he took that opportunity of again putting it to the Gevernment whether under these circumstances it was wise to persist in this compromise. The tax he insisted fell most heavily upon the Roman Catholics. Mr. WHITESIDE said the last time he paid the tax, which was in the parish of St. George's, Dublin, he was told by the collector that the majority of his fellow parishioners were Protestants. No less than 11,0001. of this tax was collected in Ireland, and three-fourths of that sum was paid by Protestants. Mr. J. O'CONNELL said the parish of St. George's was the richest parish in Dublin, but he did not object to the Protestants paying the tax—what he objected to was that the Roman Catholics should be called upon to contri bute to it. A clause ought to be introduced into the bill entirely exempting Roman Catholics and Protestant Dis senters from payment of the tax, and he therefore hoped Government would re-consider the matter. Mr. A. PELLATT did not view the bill in the light of a question between Roman Catholics and Protestants but as a political question. Now, in a political point of view it was unwise to continue any portion of the tax. Besides that the tax originated in a triumph over the Roman Catholics, and for the sake of getting rid of this historic re collection the tax ought to be wholly abolished. Mr. FAGAN observed that the hon. and learned mem ber was mistaken in the impression which he wished to convey to the committee, as it was proved before the select committee on the subject of this tax that the majority of the house property of Dublin was held and occupied by Roman Catholics. The committee again divided, when there appeared— For the amendment 7l Against 92-21 The amendment was therefore lost. Clause 2 was then agreed to. Upon clause 3, Mr. J. O'CONNELL moved to acid to this clause the following words :—" Provided also that no house, the property of Roman Catholics and Dissenters, be liable to be rated." Sir J. YOUNG objected to the amendment as totally at variance with the principle on which the bill was read a second time. Mr. FIUME considered that the second reading of the bill only affirmed that certain funds were to be raised. He supported the amendment, because he considered that a Church of England Establishment ought to be supported by the members of that church. Mi NAPIER opposed the amendment. Every conces sion in de to certain parties in Ireland only appeared to lead the way to further demands. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Thera would be great difficulty in practically working such a scheme as that proposed by the hon. mem ber for Clonmel (Mr. J. O'Connell.) Mr. FRENCH reminded the hon. member who had just spoken that the scheme involved in the amendment was not a new one. A similar one had long been in existence in Canada. Sir J. YOUNG reminded the house that the matter was a financial one, and that religion ought not to be mixed up with it. He could not but foresee innumerable diffi culties in the working of such a project. Suppose a house belonging to a Roman Catholic were let to a member of the Church of England. Mr. HUME—The tax would then be paid. Sir J. YOUNG said the hon. member was wrong, for the tax was upon the property, not upon the occupiers. The scheme was full of anomalies. Mr. HUME could not see why each congregation should not pay its own minister. (Heat.) Mr. MAGUIRE denied that this was a mere matter of finance. Pounds, shillings, and pence could not be sepa rated from religion. (Laughter.) This tax was imposed for the cure of souls. Whose seals did the Protestant clergy attempt to cure ? Not his soul, nor that of his house , (Laughter.) Why then should he be taxed for their sup. por+ 9 CHURCH BUILDINGS ACTS CONTINUANCE BILL. On the motion that the house go into committee on this bill, Mr. HADFIELD had given notice of an amendment to limit the duration of the commission for one year; he had been informed that that the noble lord was disposed to accede to that amendment, or, at all events, to some limit other than that adopted in the bill, and if the noble lord would give him some assurance to that effect, he would not move his amendment, but otherwise he must press it to a division. Lord PALMERSTON said the bill as it stood continued the commission for 10 years. Many gentlemen had sug gested alterations of the several acts constituting the law on the subject, alterations in the constitution and duration of the board, and various other changes. These suggestions were deserviir , of consideration, but they would reire some time certainly to consider them. For that purpose, he should not object to limit the duration of the commission for two years, but to propose a less period would be trifling with the house, and neither he nor any person in his posi tion could be able to say whether those arrangements should be carried into effect or not. The Marquis of BLANDFORD was inclined to concur in the amendment of the hon. member (Mr. Hadfield) though probably not for the same reason. It was well known that the acts in question were not comlicated, and some years ago it was attempted to consolidat p e them, but the attempt only made matters worse, and altogether failed ; and the bill for the purpose was such an immense size and so complex that it was not proceeded with. There was no reason for any consolidation of these acts, or any continuance of the commission beyond a limited period. There was the act 6 and 7 Victoria, commonly known as Sir Robert Peel's act, which contained only 27 clauses, but it was efficient for its purpose, and under it 23 parishes had been separated. That act was most practical in its character, had been conceived in a master spirit, had con ferred great advantages, and had been the means of con stituting 250 parishes, and might, if necessary, be the means of constituting 2,000. There was no reason, there fore, why a simple extension of the powers of that act should not afford all the facilities necessary for the proper separation of parishes throughout the United Kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Another reason why the commission should not continue for the period proposed by this bill was, that some important evidence had been taken by the commissioners in respect to the subdivision of parishes which had only recently, upon a motion of his own, been presented to the house, and which he believed would afford abundant proof, on the testimony of witnesses well acquainted with the working of the church building acts, that some change in the law as it existed was neces sary. He had given notice of a bill for that purpose, and he hoped shortly a ft er E as t er to b e a b le to bring it before the house; and when he should have an opportunity of explaining its details, he believed it would be found to embrace all that was necessary for the subdivision of parishes, under a commission which was responsible to Parliament, viz., the ecclesiastical commission. (Hear.) Mr. PALK thought Sir R. Peel's act defective, inasmuch as while it provided for the endowment of the church it made no provision for the building of the church. The act, however, was a valuable one in many respects, and with some additions it might be made practicable for its purpose. Mr. R. PHILLIMORE considered ten years too long a period for the continuance of the commission, and pre ferred the period suggested by the noble lord—viz., two years—during which means might be taken to consolidate the existing acts. The house then went into committee. On the Ist clause, which proposed the continuance of the act until 20th July, 1856, Mr. HADFIELD moved as an amendment that the time for the continuance be limited to one year from the expiring of the act s an d t o th e en d o f th e next session of Parliament. ' He urged that this bill intended a continuation of a series of acts, 18 in number, which commenced 36 years ago, and originating in two grants for church building purposes of one million and half a million. He then stated that 2,029 churches had been built in 20 years at a cost of six millions, of which five millions and a half had been contributed by voluntary subscription, and urged that it would be better to leave the matter to the operation of the voluntary prin ciple. The acts in question were in great confusion, and ought to be consolidated. Mr. ALCOCK supported the amendment, on the ground that many of the acts were inconsistent with each other; as, for instance, the act which constituted the ecclesiastical , listricts exempted those districts from the payment of church rates to the mother church, while districts formed under the Chapelry Consolidation act were not so ex empted. Lord PALMERSTON said that it was important that the period of duration of a commission of this sort should be definite, and that the d a y on w hi c h i ts f unctions were to cease should be accurately known. He proposed that it should cease in two years from July 29, the day on which the act expires, which would be on July 20, 1856 ; whereas his honourable friend had proposed that the acts should expire in one year from the passing of the continu ance act, and after the next session of Parliament ; so that as the act would expire in the middl e of ne xtsession, the effect of th e amendment would be that, as it woul would include the period to the end of the session after that, if that ex tended to September or October, his noble friend would continue the commission two or three months longer than he (Lord Palmerston) proposed to do. (Laughter.) He hoped his hon. friend would be content with the precise period of two years, and not insi s t on th e cont i ngent excess which he proposed—(laughter) —and that he would agree to the clause as it stood, and make the concession to him (Lord Palmerston), which would be in accordance with his argument, though not with his motion. Mr. HORSMAN urged that it appeared before a com mission, of which he was a member, and which inquired into this subject in 1846, that this Church-building Com mission had only 12,0001. remaining, to which was added a sum of 17,0001. of debt on the seourity of church rates, and to administer that small sum the expense of the com mission was in round numbers 5,0001. a-year. The mem bers of that board were then the same as the Ecclesiastical Commission and the Queen Anne's Bounty Board, princi pally ex officio members of the episcopal bench, and the three together cost 15,0001. a-year for the expenses of ad ministration. The Ecclesiastical Commission had since been made a practically efficient lay board, and he urged that instead of three separate establishments for the Ecclesiastical Commission, the Church-building Commis sion, and the Queen A nne ' s B oun ty B oar d, th e d u ti es o f all of them might be performed by one efficient lay board at one expense, and a saving of 10,0001. a year.. He thought July,the e h l u B r s c s l: e ß n u d i 1 d i n i n g t hAe meantimet s sh ou d thebe G continued e e t t i l e l h 2 O d h bring in a bill to consolidate the three boards he had men tioned into one. After a few words from Mr. HADFIELD, explaining that he meant only to continue the acts until the end of next session, The committee divided— For the clause 153 For the amendment 49-104 The clause as it stood was thus agreed to, and The house resumed. HIGH TREASON (IRELAND) BILL. This bill passed through committee. BEIBERY PREVENTION BILL. Sir F. KELLY moved the second reading of this bill. Colonel SIBTHORP ventured to designate the bill as low, moan, and dirty. Its object was to set spies to watch about people's houses. He only wished he might catch them about his house. (Laughter.) He viewed the bill as the suggestion of a lawyer, and he feared lawyers as he feared the Devil. (Laughter.) He warned the house against the Emperor of France, the Emperor of Russia, and the Emperor of Austria, and against wolves in sheep's clothing in general. (Loud Laughter.) He thought a mem ber who had had so many anxieties on his mind ever since the sitting of the home might be excused an occasional lapses lingua. (Hear, hear.) Ho was sorry to see such a bill brought in on that side of the house. He really began to suspect that side. (Laughter.) He begged to move that the bill be read a second time that day six months. No one seconding the amendment, The bill was read a second time. THE IRISH CORRUPTION COMMITTEE. Mr. HENLEY moved that the Solicitor-General for Ireland be discharged from further attendance, and that Mr. J. Fitzgerald be added to it. Mr. FRENCH expressed his surpaise that the right hon. gentleman should have made such a motion without stating some reason for it. He (Mr. French) had objected to the appointment of the committee, and he had seen no reason why he should change his opinion. He was precluded by the rules of the house from referring to what had taken place before it; but he would ask them what they would think if they saw one of a number of judges appointed to try a case stepping down from the bench into the witness box, from thence be transferred to the dock and be tried as a criminal, and finally return to the bench to give judg- Lord PALMERSTON reminded the hon. member (Mr. Maguire) that he ought to be cautious how far he pushed the proposition that persons of one religion ought not to p a y for the maintenance of the religion of others. How would that doctrine square with allowances to Roman Catholic chapels, to Roman Catholic priests for soldiers, and with the grant to Maynooth? He (Lord Palmerston) held that this question had nothing to do with religion ; it was a mere question of a tax upon property. It would be perfectly preposterous to make a tax variable according to the religion of the owner or occupier of a house. Mr. HADFIELD said that the noble lord had warned the house against pushing the doctrine of the hon. member opposite (Mr. Maguire) to its full ex t,ent. He (Mr. Had field) wished to carry it as far as it could be carried. Let the iron hand of the Church of England be taken off the whole country. (Laughter, and Hear, hear.) The Church of England was not the national Church, he never wanted to hear it called by that offensive name. (Laughter.) Not one-fourth of the people of this country were members of that Church. Why should Dissenters pay for its sup port ? He reminded the Government that, with the mes sage from the crown which had been read fresh in their memories, it was important to have the support of hon. members on the other side. Religious quarrels had always been the weakness of the country. Mr. LUCAS said that the noble lord had entirely passed by the fact that a scheme similar to that involved in this amendment had been for upwards of 50 years in existence in Canada, With regard to the threat of the noble lord in relation to Maynooth, he (Mr. Lucas) was quite ready to take the noble lord at his word. The committee then divided ; the numbers were— For the amendment - 71 Against it Mr. J. O'CONNELL moved, as an amendment to the clause, to add words exempting religious houses to which schools were attached, and houses tenanted by ministers of any religious denomination, from being rated. The amendment was lost without a division. Mr. FAGAN moved to add the following words to the end of the clause :—" Provided always, that on or before the 25th day of March in every year after the passing of this act, it shall be ascertained by the Ecclesias tical Commissioners for Ireland, and declared by them in the Dublin Gazette, what increase of income the said commissioners have obtained during the year preced ing the 25th day of March, by reason of the avoidance during the year of benefices or of bishopric, or by reason of the increase of the tax payable from benefices and bi. shoprics ; and the said increased amount of income in each year shall be deducted from the whole assessment to be levied as aforesaid off of the said eight cities and towns, and the commissioners shall thereupon notify to the col lector-general, to the town-clerks, and boards of guardians aforesaid respectively, the proportion of the said reduced sum, which is to be collected in each city or town re spectively, to be ascertained according to the proportion which the amount each said city or town has to pay the first year after the passing of this act, bears to the entire sum to be levied the said first year and so on, every succeeding 25th day of March i n every year, until the e n ti re o f said assessment is wholly reduced and extinguished." These Ecclesiastical Commissioners had invested during the last year no less a sum than 40,0001. in the funds. Sir J. YOUNG said that the amendment really was in fact subversive of the whole bill. With regard to the sum invested in the funds, that was only done as a measure of sari? entody, not because the money was not required lita .A.f ar : .mmEAEF : lodr f alln e ih w Getselta Pr ta:tmE or a ; s. Mr. HADFIELD: ::::::::: th The committee divided— moved : : ''''''''' 3. The committee divided— For the clause Against it ...... Clause 4 was carried without a d vialoD as were also el;,uszs to 10 inclusive. Mr, VANCE moved the addition of the following demo 76 THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 28, 1854 —" And whereas the persons now employed in the collec tion of ministers' money in the several parishes and parts of parishes in Ireland will, by the operation of this act, be deprived of their employment, be it enacted, that every person who, previously to the passing of this act, shall have been employed in the collection of ministers' money in the several parishes within the city and suburbs of Dublin and liberties thereunto adjoining, and in the several other cities and boroughs of Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Clonmel, and Kinsale, who, by the operation of this act shall be deprived of such employment, or of any emolument arising therefrom, and who shall not be re appointed under this act, or who shall not be employed or retained by the said collector-general, or by the guardians, or by the councils of each of the said cities or boroughs, or by the town commissioners, in their respective districts, in an office of equal value under this act, shall be entitled to make a claim for compensation to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for Ireland, within six months after this act shall come into operation ; and it shall be lawful for the said Ecclesiastical Commissioners, in such manner as they shall think fit, to inquire what was the nature of the em ployment, and what was the tenure thereof, and what were the lawful fees and emoluments in respect of which such compensation should be allowed, and the said, Ecclesiastical Commissioners in each case shall award such compensa tion, if any, as they shall think just ; and all such compen sations shall be paid out of the funds arising under this act, or out of such other funds as shall be at the disposal and command of the said Ecclesiastical Commissioners for the purposes of this act ; and in case the person preferring such claim shall think himself aggrieved by the determi nation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners thereon, it shall be lawful for him to appeal to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury, who shall thereupon make such order as to them shall seem just, and such order, signed by three or more of such lo r d s commissioners, shall be binding upon all parties." After an observation from Mr. NAPIER. Mr. HUME objected to the granting of compensation to parties who had not been appointed by Government, and who might be continued in their offices. Mr. GROGAN supported the clause. Sir J. YOUNG had ascertained that the collectors were not considered public servants, and he would therefore op pose the clause. After a short conversation the committee divided— For the clause lB Against it 144-126 The clause was consequently lost, and the preamble hav ing been agreed to, the house resumed. Bill to be reported on Friday. VALUATION OF LANDS (SCOTLAND) BILL. The LORD ADVOCATE moved the second reading of this bill. It had been favourably received in Scotland, but certain alterations had been suggested, and he proposed to commit it pro forma, in order that an opportunity might be afforded to consider those alterations. Mr. HUME fully concurred in the course suggested, and confirmed the learned lord's statement that the bill was regarded favourably in Scotland. Col. BL AIR hoped that the committee would not be moved before the 30th of April, in order that full time might be given to consider the bill together with the amendments. Mr. DUNLOP urged that the valuation should be made by some impartial authority. There were other portions of the bill which he thought were susceptible of amend ment. After a few words from Mr. DUNOAN, the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. ment ? (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. French) had happened lately to go into a room in that house where he saw a wit ness with a paper in his hand, which he said contained the substance of a letter. The witness refused to hand it in, to read it, or to assert that he believed it to be true ; and yet that witness was allowed to state the substance of it. (Hear, hear.) Now, supposing that this committee had conducted its proceedings in such a manner, would hon. members consider that it was for the ends of justice, or for the honour and dignity of the house that it should con tinue its sittings ? (Hear.) If a gentleman connected with the press were examined before that committee and, re fusing to betray private confidence, should act according to what was his own opinion of honour and justice; if that gentleman should set the committee at defiance, and the committee should shrink from the conflict with him, such a man would have his (Mr. French's) warm approval, and he trusted the approval of a majority of that house. (Hear.) Feeling convinced that the committee could an swer no useful public purpose, and could add nothing to the character of the house, he (Mr. French) begged to move as an amendment that the committee be relieved from its irksome and invidious duties, and that it be dis charged. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HENLEY said he had consented to act upon the committee very much against his will. Like the hon. gentleman, he was precluded by the very proper rule of the house from referring to its proceedings, and he must express his surprise that the hon. gentleman, while avow ing his knowledge of such a rule, should not have felt him self also precluded from offering the criticisms upon the proceedings of the committee in which he had indulged. (Hear.) He would not follow the hon. gentleman in that discussion, as in so doing he should infringe the rules of the house. The time would come when he should be able to go into the whole matter, and he had no doubt of being able to justify everything he had done. (Hear, hear.) The motion for the discharge of the Solicitor-General for Ireland from the committee had been made by him at the request of the committee. The character of several mem bers of that house and others had been impugned before the committee ; and it was due to them that they should have an opportunity of justifying themselves before the pro ceeding of the committee were brought under discussion. Mr. HUME said he never heard such an extraordinary proposition as that the committee should be discharged. It was most unfair to enter into a discussion of their pro ceedings before these proceedings were brought to a close ; and he hoped the house would not sanction it. From the great experience of the hon. member for Oxfordshire, he was confident he would not fall into any such irregularities as had been imputed. Mr. VERNON, a member of the committee, justified the course they had taken. Mr. BENTINCK complained of the irregularity of the amendment, and said that he had never seen anything more imperfect and incorrect than the reports in all the newspapers of the proceedings before this committee. Mr. FRENCH, in withdrawing his amendment, dis claimed any intention of imputing any irregularity to the two last speakers. The motion was then agreed to. SLIGO ELECTION Mr. K. SEYMER moved " That the . Attorney-General for Ireland be instructed to prosecute Michael Gethin, Henry Simpson, and James Simpson, for their conduct re ported to this house by the select committee appointed to inquire into the allegations of the petition of John Patrick Somers, Esq., complaining of irregular and unconstitu tional proceedings in the matter of a petition complaining of the return of John Sadleir, Esq., for the borough of Sligo." He had brought forward this motion in compli ance with an opinion expressed by the noble lord (Russell), and he hoped that no legal objections would be offered to it. Mr. WHITESIDE thought it would have been better if these offenders had been brought up to the bar of the house; but he should be satisfied if the prosecution were vigorously conducted. These men had been guilty of bribery, perjury, and subornation of perjury, and he hoped they would be punished. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it had appeared to the Government that the offences were of a very serious and grave character. He did not wish to enlarge upon them, seeing that the cases were likely to come before a legal tribunal. Had the offenders been brought to the bar of that house they could only have been imprisoned during the sitting of Parliament; but if they were convicted of the offence with which they were charged, that imprison ment would be thought very inadequate. (Hear.) It had, therefore, appeared more proper that they should be prosecuted by the Attorney-General for Ireland, and in that he had the concurrence of the hon. and learned mem ber for Stamford. (Hear.) The motion was then agreed to. The house adjourned at a quarter after eleven o'clock. gave hint, on account of that bill, and I think, another, which he had previously brought to me, 2501., the sum he requested. The bill was due on the 9th of this month, and was returned to me as unpaid. I have since made enquiries of Messrs. Joule and Co., and I believe, from the information communicated to me by them, that the acceptance is a forgery. If the prisoner is remanded, I have no doubt of being able to prove that it is a foegery. The prisoner who, in answer to the inquiry, whether he wished to ask any question of the witness, said "No," was then remanded till Friday. BOW-STREET.—INSURING THE LIVES Olt THE POOR. —Mr. B. H. Strousberg, the manager and actuary of the Oak Mutual Life Assurance and Loan Company, waited upon Mr. Jardine to make a statement in refe rence to the application of two women, and his worship's observations upon it, as reported in the papers of Satur day last. Mr. Strousberg stated that at least a hundred appli cations bad been made at the office of the company in Moorgate-street, in consequence of what his worship had thought proper to say. and the greatest injury was likely to result to the society. Mr. Jardine—ln the first place, what was said ? Mr. Strousberg--you said it was very wrong. Mr. Jardine—l said nothing of. the kind, to begin with. Mr. Strousberg--According to the report in the papers. Mr. Jardine--The report says nothing of the sort either, so we see what comes of a misquotation. Mr. Strousberg repeated his complaint, that whatever was said was likely to have a very injurious effect upon the society, which was one of great respectability, number. ing among its directors some of the first merchants of the City. A distinct branch of it had been devoted to the insur ance of poor people's lives for 101. and 121., by weekly payments of 2d. and 3d., in lieu of the burial societies, which were so numerous all over the country, and had worked so unsatisfactory. His worship appeared to have expressed some objection to uneducated persons being employed to collect these payments, but it was obvious that only such men would undertake the work, and he begged to say that the agent especially referred to was a respectable working man. Mr. Strousberg continued to explain the operations of the society, with out denying any statement in the report, and declared his opinion that the women who came to the court had done so at the instigation of an enemy. They had no complaint to make, and having since been to the solici tors, they had none to make now. Anybody who was dissatisfied could apply to the office of the company. Mr. Jardine stated that he did not say anything against the respectability of the society, neither was he so re ported. What he did say (when two poor ignorant women came to him, and related the circumstances of the case) was, that he thought it was a dangerous practice to send agents of the class described into the poor districts to canvas for the disposal of poli cies, evidently without being able to give proper explanation to the people who paid him their small sums weekly in the expectation of 101. or 11/. at their death. He (Mr. Jardine) also expressed his opinion that the expense of proving their title to the money would be equal to the premium ; and he saw no reason, from what had been said to-day, to alter his opinion on either of these points. Mr. Strousberg replied that, practically, this would not be the case. At any rate, it was no fault of the society 'that they must comply with the laws of the country, Mr. Jardine—The matter is not before me for acfju dication, but I still adhere to the opinions I have ex pressed. Mr. Strousberg (with warmth)—Then I must say that I think a magistrate is not warranted to express opinions upon ex-parte statements. With every desire to be respectfal, I wish it to go forth that I think it is a magistrate's function to decide upon facts, and no tto give opinions. The manager of the company then left the court. INSTITUTION OF OIVIE ENGINEERS. At the last meeting of this society, Mr. Jas. Simpson, president, in the chair, The first paper read was " A Description of Martin's Improved Jacquard Machine," by Mr. Edward Laforest. After stating the very general application of Jacquard machines to all ornamental weaving, the paper described the old machine, and the manner in which the patterns were produced, by means of bands of punched cards, acting on needles, with loops or eyes, which regulated the figure. It showed, also, the great wear and tear to which these cards were subjected—indeed, so much that for the carpet trade they were often required to be made of sheet iron. In Martin's new Jacquard machine, the object had been to substitute for the heavy cards a sheet of prepared paper, punched with given apertures, like the cards of the old machines ; but, instead of being a series of pieces 21 inches wide, laced together, the punched paper formed a continuous band, only a of an inch wide, thus so diminishing the bulk that the weight of the new band, as compared with that of the old cards, was in proportion of 1 to 11. The method by which this desirable result had been attained' was then explained to be, chiefly by an arrangement which permitted the four hundred rpiral springs on the needles, used in the old machine, to be disp ense d w i t h , w h en as a consequence the force of wear and tear due to their resistance would be done away with, and fine and light wires could be made to do the work of strong and heavy ones. In order to render this clear, one of Martin's machines, with a part of an old machine; with bands of equal numbers of cards, under each system, were exhibited. The next point demon strated was, that like the bulk and weight, the cost of the cards, under the new system, would be greatly re duced. It was shown that, by an improved system of punching machinery, the bands could be cut from a de sign previously perforated, at the rate of 3,000 cards per hour, and any number of duplicates could be pro duced with equal celerity ; it was also stated, that by these means, when a pattern became fashionable, any number of looms might be set to work on it, in about as many days as it had previously required weeks, under the old system. The price of the old cards was 6s. 9d. to Bs. 6d. and upwards, per 100, for new sets, and ss. 6d. for recuts ; whereas the new paper bands would cost ls. per 100, and 6d. per 100 for recuts. The com parison of cost of 3,000 cards (an average band) would, therefore, stand thus :-3,000 cards at 6s. 9d. per 100, cost 101. 2s. 6d., weight 901b5., length 600 ft. ; 3,000 new bands, at ls. per 100, cost 11. 103., weight Blbs, length 63ft. 9in. In reference to durability, it was stated, that a band had been in constant work for two years, although used on a heavy waiscoat piece. The second paper read was "An Account of the Deep Sea Fishing Steamer Enterprise, with Ruthven's Propeller," by Mr. D. K. Clark, Assoc. Inst. C. E. The vessel was described as having been built for the Deep Sea Fishing Association of Scotland, under the direction of the author, the consulting engineer to the company, who had recommended the trial of Ruthven's propeller for fishing uses, in preference to the paddle or the screw, chiefly on account of there being nothing likely to interfere with the fishing nets, and also because the success of the previous trials of this means of pro pulsion, on board of boats 30 feet and 40 feet in length, when a speed of 7 miles per hour was attained, appeared to warrant its being tried on a larger scale The chiefdimen siens of the enterprise were stated to be—length on deck, fly feet ; length at the water line, 87 feet ; breadth of beam 16 feet ; depth, 8 feet ; draft to load water line, 4 feet ; burthen 100 tons. The propelling power was de rived from two pairs of horizontal oscillating cylinders, 12 inches diameter, and 24 inches stroke (with corre sponding air pumps and condenser), working on a verti cal crank shaft. There was one cylindrical boiler, 6 feet in diameter and 5 feet long, with two through fire tubes, 22 inches diameter, and 105 return flue tubes, 5 feet long and 2 inches internal diameter. The propeller con sisted of a fan-wheel or centrifugal pump, 7 feet in dia meter, with curved blades, keyed on the lower end of crank shaft • it revolved hori zon t a ll y i n a wa t er -ti g h t wheel-chamber, into which the water from the sea flowed along a covered passage, or water-chamber, through crescent-shaped openings in the bottom of the hull ; and the water was expelled laterally from the fan-wheel in two continuous streams by curved pipes, with nozzles 10 inches diameter, through the sides of the hull. The noozles worked in collars affixed to the sides. so that they could be pointed astern or ahead as required for forward or backward motion, or vertically downwards when the vessel was to remain at rest. These changes were made rapidly and easily, as the nozzles alone were operated upon, whilst the engine continued to work at full speed. By setting the nozzles in different directions, one point ing ahead and the other astern, the vessel could be turned on the spot, swinging on her be im, without the aid of the rudder; the vessel could thus be steered by the nozzles in case of the rudder being lost or disabled. In fact, the manoeuvring of the vessel was entirely in the hands of the persons on deck. The fan-wheel and water passages were entirely of wrought iron, and all the parts were formed to avoid sudden enlargements or quick turnings, and the consequent absorption of power in the passages by friction and eddies. The motion of the vessel was very smooth, and all tremulousness was avoided by the uniform and continuous action of the propelling streams of water. In a trial trip with the Enterprise on the 16th January 1854, from Granton to Kirkaldy and back, a distance of 101 miles each way, the average speeds obtained were, 9.69 miles per hour going, and 9 miles per hour returning, giving a total average of 9'35 miles per hour, running against the tide for the greater part of the trip, and with a breeze ahead on the return trip. The engine made 50 revolutions per minute, and was calculated to have ex erted 40 indicated H.P., from the observed average pressure of 201bs in the boiler, with the valve gear cutting off at one-sixth of the stroke. The consumption of fuel averaged Sibs of coal per estimated horse-power per hour. On another occasion, in a trial of her speed with one of the Granton and Burntisland ferry boats, the Enterprise kept pace with the ferry-boat, at the re gular speed of twelve miles per hour, the engine making 70 revolutions per minute. In the estimate of the effi ciency of this method of propulsion, with respect to the power applied at the fan-wheel shaft, three sources of loss were admitted ; first, the friction of the water in passing through the fan-wheel and ;passages ; second, the excess of the effluent velocity of the water at the nozzles above the speed of the vessel ; third, the eleva tion of the water-jet above the sea level. The first had been found, by careful experiment, with a small model, to amount to 16 per cent, of the power applied to the wheel-shaft ; the second was estimated, from the known data, at 12 per cent. ; and the third, at 8 per cent.— making a total loss of 36 per cent., and leaving a useful balance of 64 per cent, of the power applied to the wheel shaft. Reference was made, for comparison, to the performances of Appold's pump, and of Barker's mill, as tested by Mr. W. Buchanan, of Glasgow. Afte r suitable allowances were made, corresponding to the loss at the nozzles, and the loss by elevation of water, the following percentages of useful effect were arrived at :—Rutbven, 64 per cent, ; Appold, 57 per cent. ; Barker, 67 . 8 per cent. giving a mean of 63 per cent. of the power applied to the wheel-shaft. The fric tion of the engine was taken at 20 per cent. of the indi cated power on the piston, leaving 80 per cent. delivered at the wheel-shaft. It therefore appeared, finally, that of the whole indicated power of the engine, as applied to work Ruthven's propeller, 50 per cent, was lost by fric tion and other causes, leaving a balance of 50 per cent. for useful work done. It was further argued, that by careful design, and good proportion of parts, so as to reduce the friction of the machine, the excess of velocity of the effluent water, and the elevation of the nozzle, 70 per cent, of the total indicated power of the engine might be utilised by Ruthven's propeller. The draught of the vessel, during the trial, was stated to be 3 feet 2 inches, and the immersed midship section 40.5 square feet. The united area of the nozzles being 1.09 square feet, the ratio of the area of propulsion to the immersed section was Ito 37. To the load water line, the im mersed midship section was 35 square feet, and the ratio Ito 50. Many advantages of Ruthven's propeller, for large vessels, were pointed out and contended for. Several nozzles could be applied to one vessel, one act ing for another in case of accident ; whereas pad dles and screws could not be so multiplied, and a number of engines and nozzle-propellers, of moderate size, worked at high speeds, would, it was contended, be less weighty, more compact, and more manageable, for a large vessel, than the huge engines and appurte nances required on the present system. The discussion was adjourned until the meeting of Tuesday, March 28, and it was announced that the dis cussion on Mr. Yates's paper, "On Deci ma l C o i ns, Weights, and M easures, " would also be resumed, and, if time permitted, "A Description of the Embankments across Morecombe Bay," by Mr. J. Brunleea, M. Inst C.E., would be read. BUCKINGHAM PALACE.—On lately viewing the new wing, on the Pimlico side of Buckingham Palace, it oc curred to me that uniformity would dictate the necessity for a similar erection at the opposite or north end of the palace. Why might not this new part comprise accom modation sufficient for all the purposes of levees, drawing rooms, &c., and so render it unnecessary to continue the present inconvenient migration to St. James's Palace on such occasions ? The grounds of Buokingharn Palace, and the approaches in various directions, would give facilities far greater than are now presented by the blockade of St. James's-street, Pall-mall, &c., with car riages. The site of St. James's Palace and its appurte nances might then be Appropriated to valuable public objects, affording, at the same time, an opportu n ity for making a b et t er entrance into the park in a line with St. James's -street. I recollect the remark being made that we could not consistently abolish the his torical associations of St. James's. Well, then, we can dispense with the term Buckingham, and let it become the future Court of St. James's.—Correspondent of the Builder. REPRESENTATION OP WESTMORELAND.—The election is to be on Tuesday week. The Earl of Bective, who married Mr. Alderman Thompson's only child, is a can didate, and there is no one else in the field at present. He is a Conservative, and states in his address that "the political principles which he shall advocate will be the same as those upheld by his lamented relative." Lord Bective is the eldest son of the Marquis of Head fordt, who sits in the House of Lords as Baron Kenlis. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Pills the greatest wonder of m o d ern ti mes . —Th ey correc t bile, prevent flatulency, c l eanse th e l iver , pur if y t h e sys t em , renovate the the debilitated, s t reng th en th e s t omac h, increase, appetite, invigorate the nerves , p rom ote health, and re instate the weak to an ardour of feeling never before ex perienced. The extraordinary daily sales of these in. valuable pills in all parts of the globe astonish everbody, convincing them that there is no other medicine in ex istence equal to Holloway's pills for removing the com. plaints which are incidental to the human race ; they are, indeed, a blessing to the afflicted, and a boon to those who suffer from any disorder, internal or external. —Sold by all druggist, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, btraad, London, ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—LIVERPOOL, MARCH 2 CROWN COURT.—Before Mr. Justice Cresswell. CHARGE OF MURDER. Charles Plower, a young man, was indicted upon the coroner's inquisition for the wilful murder of Michael M'Dermott, on the 31st of January last. He was also indicted for manslaughter ; and upon that indictment the grand jury found a true bill. Mr. Blair prosecuted, and Mr. Brett defended the prisoner. The facts of the case were exceedingly simple. On the day above named a number of seamen, while in a board ing-house in Denison•street, Liverpool, quarrelled, and then went into the street to finish out the fight. The pri soner came up to the deceased, and after several blows bad been exchanged between the parties, some bystanders se parated them, and the deceased went to his own lodging. Shortly after this the prisoner went down to the street to where the deceased was, and again struck him, after which the prisoner pulled out a large knife and he thrust it into the left groin of the unfortunate man, M'Dermott. The latter immediately fell to the ground, and was conveyed to the hospital, where he died in a few hours. The knife was produced in court. It was about six or seven inches long, with a German silver embossed handle, and is generally carried by sailors in a belt placed round the waist. Emigrants are in the habit of purchasing such knives for the diggings. After the prisoner was taken into custody and charged with the offence of stabbing, lie replied, "Well, he struck me first." The wound was described by Mr. Wall, the surgeon of the Northern Hospital, as an inch in length. It was of a most deadly nature, and was the immediate cause of death, which ensued in about twenty minutes after he had been carried in. Mr. Brett addressed the jury at some length, and urged upon them, as there was no premeditation on the part of the prisoner to commit the offence proved, they would return a verdict of guilty of manslaughter. He called a witness, who stated that the deceased, in Denison-street, first went up to the prisoner, and asked him what he was working at ? Prisoner made no reply, and the deceased struck him several times in the face. They were separated, and a short time after the prisoner came up again, and seeing the deceased said that is the man who struck me, and he ran over and collared him ; the scuffle then ensued, which ended in deceased's being stabbed. Two of the witnesses for the prosecution stated that the prisoner, after the first fight ran into his boarding house, and said, " I have a knife which I will bring out," and it was subsequently to this the crime was committed. His lordship explained the legal distinction between man slaughter and wilful murder. The jury, after a moment's deliberation, returned a verdict of manslaughter. Sentence deferred. ANOTHER CHARGE OF MURDER. John Jordan, steward on board the merchant steam ship Trafalgar, was indicted for the wilful murder of William Hare, a boy on board the same ship. Mr. Blair prosecuted, and Mr. Simons volunteered his services to defend the prisoner. It appeared that on the 14th March, inst., the steam-ship Trafalgar was lying in the Sandon graving dock, Liverpool, undergoing repairs. About half-past 11 o'clock at night of the day in ques tion police constable 59 and Richard Titherington were on duty near the docks, and while there they heard a noise resembling the closing of a door or something very similar to it. They at once proceeded on board, and on going towards the state room they went to the steward's room, which they found fastened inside. The pushed it open, and the prisoner came out, apparently very stupid and drunk, and when he was apprised that there was a boy dead on the deck, he with much difffculty came on deck. The lad was lying by the side of a gun carriage, and under the gun. His head was between the wheels, and he was inclining to the right. His left eye was cut, and blood was running over the right eye. The body was warm, but he was quite dead. The prisoner put his hands on each side of the lad's head, and said, " poor Bill ! poor Bill !" He also put his hand upon his hips for a minute or two and then went into the cabin. The body was conveyed to the Northern Hospital. Some hours previously the boy told one of the firemen that he did notlike to go on board the ship, as he was afraid the steward would kill him. This was regarded at the time as a joke. On the morning after the occurrence a ship's carpenter, who was working in the cabin, stated that when he went on board to resume his work be ob served the prisoner to be much contused aid agitated. He remarked that it was a horrid affair about the boy, and that the ship's company blamed him for the murder. The shavings on the floor were covered with melted tal low, and they were taken to the hospital. The carpen ter left a large screw-driver in the cabin, but on the next morning he could not find it. It had since been found. In the prisoner's portmanteau was found a cotton shirt wet, appearing as if it had undergone an immersion in water. Part of the deck of the saloon was slightly scorched by hot tallow being thrown on it. The surgeon of the, hospital deposed that there was a contused wound on the left eye an inch in length ; a con tusion on the right ham, about two or three inches in diameter. On making a post mortem examination he found an extensive fracture of the skull. A severe blow or a fall might have produced it. It was exactly oppo site the wound on the forehead ; both could not have been produced at the same time. Death was instan taneous. With reference to the hot tallow, it appeared to his lordship that as the dock regulations prohibited lights after nine o'clock, the tallow must have been thrown there some time before the body was found. He showed the improbabilities that existed as to the prisoner having comnited the murder, if a murder was committed ; and The jury, under his lordship's direotion, returned a verdict of not guilty. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE.—CHARGE OF TITTERING A FORGED BILL OF EXCHANGE. Henry Remington Tickell was brought up h the custody of May, the detective officer, charged with having uttered a bill of exchange for 292/, 3s. 4d., drawn by Henry Tickell, upon, and alleged to be accepted by Messrs. John Joule and Sons, of Stone, in Staffordshire, well knowing that the accept ance was a forgery. Mr. James Powell, of Felix terrace, Islington, mer chant, produced a letter, which, he said, he had received in answer to a note which he had written to Messrs. Joule upon the subject of the bill in question, which was not handed in. He proceeded—" Some time in Decem ber I received a bill of exchange for 2921. 3s. 4d. from the prisoner, which was made payable at Glyn'g. , told me, when he gava it to me, that it was the accept. s.nce of 3106.111. Joule and Sons, brewers, of tone. I SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. BIRMINGHAM STEEPLECHASE. 4to 1 agst Needwood (taken). 4to 1 agst Vainhope (taken). Bto 1 agst Spring (taken). NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAEZS. 4to 1 agst Defiance (taken). Bto 1 agst Swiftsure (taken). 10 to 1 agst Mr. Sykes (offered). 10 to 1 agst Lamprocles (taken). 10 to 1 agst Bracken (taken). 10 to 1 agst Red Lion (taken). 13 to 1 agst Veteran (taken). 15 to 1 agst Pancake (taken). 16 to 1 agst Chief Justice (taken). 16 to 1 agst Hungerford (taken). 20 to 1 agst John Bull (taken). 25 to 1 agst Ptolemy (taken). 10 to 1 agst Benita and Pancake coupled (taken). St. Faith, Diomedia, and Nntpecker were struck out at 4.30 yesterday afternoon, and at the same time Oscar was declared not to start for his engagements at Bir mingham and Cheltenham. METROPOLITAN. 6to 1 agst Jonathan Martin (taken). 10 to 1 agst Royalist (12 to 1 taken freely). 10 to 1 agst Muscovite (12 to 1 taken). 20 to 1 agst Larnprocles (taken). 20 to 1 agst Lindrick (taken). CHESTER CUP. 100 to 6 agst Newminster (taken). 100 to 6 agst Brown Brandy (taken). 33 to 1 agst Swiftsure (taken). 40 to 1 agst Ducbese of Lorraine colt (taken). 50 to 1 agst Horatio (taken). 50 to 1 agst Talfourd (taken). 50 to 1 agst The Black Doctor (taken). DERBY. 7to 1 agst Autocrat (taken to 1001.) 9 to 1 agst Dervish (taken). 14 to 1 agst Wild Huntsman (taken). 25 to 1 agst Acrobat (taken). 30 to 1 agst Andover (taken). 33 to 1 agst Bessus (taken). 45 to 1 agst Old Noll (taken). 200 to 400 agst Autocrat and King Tom coupled (taken; BIRMINGHAM STEEPLECHASES—MONDAY. The KNOWLE STEEPLECHASE of 31. each, with 201. added. Optional selling weights. Winners extra. About 3 miles. Mr. Robinson's Ace of Trumps (1000, 12st (S. Darling, jun.) 1 Mr. Clegg's Countess, aged (20/.), lOst 121 b (in cluding 51b extra) (Weavers 2 Mr. Bill's na Louise (201.), lO s t rib (Mr. Walker) 3 Betting—Even on Ace of Trumps, 2 to 1 agst Coun tess. Won easily by three lengths ; a long interval be tween the second and third. The winner was not sold. GRAND MILITARY HANDICAP—a plate of 1001. Three miles. Capt. Hutchinson's (13th Dragoons) Torrent, 12st 91b (wner) Mr. E. R. King's (13th Dragoons) Beckbury Lass, 1 list llb (carried list 41h) (Mr. Severne) 2 Betting-5 to 4 agst Beckbury Lass, 7to 4 agst won Torrent, easi l y 3 to by 1 a agst length. M n a c . d After and smarta M i nabaulked race, Torrent, inb t early part of the race, and were "nowhere" at the finish. The BIRMINGHAM and WARWICKSHIRE HUNT STEEPLE. CHASE, a plate of 1001., for 4-yr olds and upwards. Gentlemen riders. Professionals 101 b extra. Four miles. Mr. Hassall's ch g by California, 5 yrs, 13st 31b (in cluding 101 b extra) (S. Darling, jun.) 1 Mr. Hassall's Front de Bceuf, 5 yrs, 12st 71b Mr. Dobbs Mr. Pemb er t on ' s T e d d i ngton, 5 yrs, 13st ( 31b (includ) 2 ing 10Ib extra) (Tasker) 3 Betting -6 t o 4 agst g b y California, 2to 1 agst Ted dington. Won by a neck. Teddington a bad third. Nothing else up. FREE HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE.—Stevens weighed for Graziella, and Sly, jun., for Stretford Lass, but as the added money according to the conditions was with held, it was no race. The weather was very fine, attendance good, and ar• rangements satisfactory. POST-BOXES IN THE QUEEN'S PRISON AND WHITE CROSS-STREET PRISON.—It will be remembered, that some time back the authorities of the Post-office removed the post-boxes at the Queen's Prison and Whitecross-street Prison, where they had been placed for a number of years. The prisoners complained of their removal, and the keepers of the prisons repre sented the matter to the PosL office. It was however, determined that the boxes should be discontinued. Since their removal a good deal of inconvenience had been experienced, and, after much consideration, it has been resolved that the prisoners shall have the privilege restored, and the boxes are to be forthwith placed as heretof , re. It is expected that their restoration will take p a ce at the beginning of the ensuing month.— Times TATTERSALL'S.—MONDAY. Betting on the Northamptonshire Stakes was carried on with much spirit. Defiance exhibited a marked im provement, and Swiftsure (brother to Little Swift) took a decided lead of his stable companion, Mr. Sykes, not withstanding the preference which was shown for the latter at the recent meeting at Warwick. 10 to 1 was taken to fully 170/. about Lamprocles, and 16 to 1 to various small sums about Chief Justice, backed in the course of the morning in the City for a good deal of money. Red Lion did not, however, appear to be much disturbed by the movement. Veteran was fre quently inquired after, but the investments on him at 12 and 13 to 1 were few and unimportant. At the commencement 20 to 1 was taken to 1251. about Hun gerford ; at the close 16 t• 1 was booked to a posy. 25 and 20 to 1 was taken about John Bull. Very little was done with regard to Bracken. GREAT METROPOLITAN STAKES.--SOllle strong sup port was given to Jonathan Martin at 6 to 1, and a heavy commission was sent in to back Royalist ; most of the money was got on at prices varying from 14 to 12 to 1 ; the last quotation was only 10 to 1. 12 to 1 was taken to a small sum about Muscovite. 20 to Ito upwards of 1001. about Lamproeles. CHESTER CUP.—Notwithstandin g the sinister reports respecting Newminster, he was backed at the rate of 1,000 to 60--odds which were taken about Brown Brandy. The other transactions on this event were com paratively trifling. DERBY.-1,200 to 400 taken about Autocrat and King Tom coupled, and 7 to 1 separately about the for mer to 1001. Dervish was steady at 9 to 1 ; 14 to 1 taken to 501. about Wild Huntsman ; 30 and 25 to 1 Acrobat ; 30 to 1 Andover, 33 to 1 Bessus, and 45 to 1 Old Noll. Closing prices : VIE PRESTON STRIKE. PRESTON, March 27.—The income of the Weavers' Committee yesterday was larger than on any former occasion, with the exception of Christmas week, amount ing to about 2,400/. This was exclusively for the relief of the unemployed, the subscriptions to the " Delegates' Defence Fund" not being yet called in. Among the con tributions were the following : Blackburn, 7051.; Stockport, 300/. ; Over Darwen, 151/. ; Ashton -under Line, 150/. ; Glossop, 1201. ; Preston, about 1201.; Old. ham, 1051. ; Accrington, 801. ; Tintwhistle, 801. ; Church Parish, 601. ; Staleybridge, 471. ; Bolton, 461. ; Great Harwood, 45/. ; Heywood, 44/. ; Droylsden, 351. ; Comp stall-bridge, 33/. ; Littleborough, 30/. ; Burnley, 241. ; Padiham, 241. At the delegate meeting held yesterday at the Tem perance-hall in this town encouraging reports were given of the sympathetic feeling aroused throughout the various districts represented, and a resolution was passed to this effect, that as the Masters' Association had adjourn ed for three months, the delegates pledged themselves, on behalf of their constituents, to continue their subscrip tions to the Preston operatives for four months. Open-air meetings were held outside the town yester day afternoon and to-day. It was announced that the committee delegates had gone to Liverpool to answer the charge preferred against them, if the trial should be pro ceeded with at the present assizes. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM HOUSE, MARCH 27. ENTERED TI•IWARDS.—The Twende Brodre, from Aalborg; Omen, do. ; Emeg Reit, Wismar ; Tvende Brodre, Kra geroe ; Kangaroo , Harlingen ; F r ithi o f, Ski en ; P earl, Se ville ; Rive r d a , Callao ; Ali ce , St. Mi c h ael ' s ; Ydrasil, Christiania; Elizabeth and Catherine, Dram; Felix Christiania ; Sumatra, Demerara ; Norden, Porsgrund ; Familienshaab, Nykiobing ; Manuel, Havannah ; Leon, Gravelines ; Hilding, Marseilles. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Alma Chris tiania, for Dram and Moss ; Christian Huggen, Port Philip ; Demerara, Demers' a ; Flora Kerr, Jamaica ; Helene Sophia, Varel; Robert Matthews , Constantinople ' and Malta ; V es t a , Havannah • Maria Anna, Altona ; Antje Junsje, N a pl es; Elizabeth, Altona. CLEARED D OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.— The Eliza, for unkirk ; Gemini, Hamburgh ; Lisbon, St. John's, New Brunswick ; John Bunyan, Hong Kong and Canton; Commodore, Jamaica ; Moro Castle, Halifax ; Tom Bow line, Port Philip ; Regina, St. Helena ; Paul Anna, Havre ; Eliza Moore, New Zealand; Catherina Liutgarda, Dantzic ; Atalanta, Port Philip. The Ohio, from Callao to Liverpool, which put into Crookhaven March 22, reports having encountered a very heavy gale from S.W. to N., on the 11th and 12th, in lat. 45 N., long. 27 W., in which she lost several sails. On the 15th, in lat. 49 N., long. 19 W., spoke the Ranger (barque), bound to Liverpool, supposed from Callao to Pernam buco, steering for Scilly, with loss of foretopmast, foreyard, &c., and with mainyard sprung. On the 17th, weather more moderate; passed several ships, many dis abled in spars and rigging. On the 19th, experienced a strong gale from NE. to E. Her Majesty's steamer Boscawen, steering to the N.E., and five smaller vessels, apparently sloops of war, also heading to the E., March 26, Texel Island bearing E, by S. 14 leagues, by the Countess of Lonsdale (s.). arrived in the river. A great quantity of wreckage, topgallant, fore castle, and poop-deck, with beams attached, of a vessel of about 600 tons was passed yesterday by the Countess of Lonsdale. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Nepaul, from Calloa, lat. 30 S., long. 32 W. The Candidate, lat. 40 N., long. 34 W. COUNTRY MARKET& CHELMSFORD—MARCH 24. Prices to-day were as follow :—Wheat, white, old 67s to to 80s Od, new 67s to 80s ; red, old 55s to 765, new 56s to 768 ; barley, 27s to 35s ; chevalier, 33s to 385 ; grinding, 21s to 30s ; malt, 61s to 65s ; chevalier, 645 to 685 ; oats, 23s to 30s ; peas, partridge, 395 to 44s ; white, 47s to 49.8 boiling 54s to 60s ; dun, new, 39s to 41s ; beans, tick, 38s to 40s ; Harrow ticks, 365 to 428 ; Mazagan, 36s to 395. COLCHESTER —MARCH 25. A. very languid market for every description of grain. The price of wheat was 3s to 4s, barley is to 2s, and beans and peas is, per qr. lower, and little disposition on the part of buyers to do business at that decline. Prices to-day were as follow :—Wheat, white, 723 to 80s ; red, 68s to 72s ; barley, 345 to 38s ; oats, 26s to 32s ; beans, Mazagan, 36s to 388; middle and small, 38s to 44s ; peas, white, 55s to 60s ; grey, 38s to 425. Official Statement of the Quantities of Corn, &c., received in the port of London, from the following ports, from the 20th to the 25th March, both inclusive. .4 . . A S 4 A. 4 Colchester Harwich Leigh Malden i 99_ 2OO 30 169, 4 KIRKCALDY—MAncn2S Here, to-day, we had extremely limited supplies of all kinds of grain ; and of wheat the quality was the poorest we have had this season, which sold slowly at a reduction of 2s to 4s per qr Barley and oats were taken off quickly at last week's rates. Wheat. Barley. I Oats. I B eans . First Second I Third 505 Od 35 5 Od 2ss Od I Os Od Oatmeal, per bag of 2801bs imperial, 44s Od to 008 Od. :T.--Menu 27. he close of the market : Wallsend, &e. e. d. Bell ....,. .. 18 6 Braddyll l9 9 Hetton 2O 0 Haswell 20 9 Lambton 19 9 Lumley 18 9 Pensher lB 6 Plummer l9 6 Russell's Hetton l9 6 Stewart's 2O 6 Whitwell l9 6 19 6 a e s n s i ° s P o n 18 3 Heugh Hall 19 3 South Kelloe 19 3 Whitworth lB 6 Woodhouse Close 17 9 Cowpen Derwentwater Hartley. 20 0 Grey's West Hartley l9 9 Sidney's Hartley 2O 0 COAL MARK Prices of Coal per ton at t' R. d. Bate's West Hartley 20 0 Burnhope l6 0 Carr's Hartley 2O 0 Cookson's Hartley lB 0 Cragwood's Hartley _lB 6 Davison's West Hartley 19 6 Hasting's Hartley 2O 0 Old Adaim 17 6 Ravens worth Hartley l9 6 Redheugh Main l6 0 Tanfield Moor l6 0 ; Tanfielcl Moor Butes ...... 17 0 ' Walker Primrose . ...16 9 West Hartley .............. ... 20 0 r Wallsend &c. Bell and Bro wn 18 6 Harton lB 6 Hedley 18 6 Lawson lB 6 Bell's Primrose 16 0 Eden Main ...19 6 RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVEPOOL, MARCH 27. STOCK EXOTIANGE.— R The market has been dull all day, and closed heavily at rather lower prices. Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire (Chester and Birkenhead), 15 Caledonian, 25 ; Eastern Counties 11i ; East Lan cas hi re, 141 ; Lanca s hi r e ) and Yorkshire, '6O ; Lancaster and Car lisle (new third shares) 104 p. ; Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 10; London and North-Western, 954 5; Ma n . cheater, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 20; Midland, 56; North British, 7i ; South Eastern and Dover, 171 11-16 8. MANCHESTER, MARCH 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There has been more xi t anety o sell, and pri ces h ave g i ven way considerably, but with an unusually large business. London and North-Western gave way 1/. after the opening, the closing sale being 94i ; Leeds, 602 ; Midland, 568 ; Dover, 17 9-16 ; Great Nor thern, 212 ; Sheffield, 20; Caledonians, 258 ; East Lanca shire, Hi ; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 272 ; Sheffield New Pref., dis. ; Eastern Counties, 118 ; Manchester and Bir mingham (C qrs.), par; London and North-Western. (eighths), 1 dis.; Sheffield (pref.), 9. BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 27. STOCK EICHANGR.—The market opened here this morning with somewhat better feeling ; but on receiving the telegraph prices from London it gave way, and closed fiat. The quotations of business done were :—Lond(?n and North-Western (k shares), i l, 18s. 9d., i f die.; Midland Stock, 56i 564 ; and Ambergates, 4i. LEEDS, AROII 27. There has been a somewha M t better feeling in the share market this morning, though the paucity of bona fide im a i. nese does not indi ca t e muc h conf id ence o n th e part of buyers. The following are some of the closing tremolo. tions :—Midland Sto c k, 564 ( opene d at 56) ; L ancashire and Yorkshire s , 60k ( opene d at 601); North Western s , 7/ , Is. 3d. BIRTHS. OF A SON. O u n ten th an e t- 2 C 4 o t l hmyton, Warwi c k , the wife of Windham, late o f the Coldstream Lieon i e n l st w. ., at Guards. On the 26th ins C. Bickm ore at Berksw ell-hall, near Coventry, the wife of the Rev. , M.A. OF A DAUGHTER. C S., Assstant-Commisioner. On the 31st of January, at Thnballah, the lady of F. at Fanh an f e-hall, the lady of Captain Hamilton. ROCoothpeern2,sEthsclinst., i s MARRIED. On the 27th inst., at St. Mary's Church, Walthamstow, Mr. George Boor, of Stony Stratford, Bucks, to Sarah Ann, youngest daughter of Mi. Thomas Lovewell, Wood cottage, Walthamstow, Essex, On the 23d inst. DIED. giana Lo u i sa at Whiston Pri or y, Sh rops hi re, Geor a ged 36. Mar , y, wif e o f C apta i n F. Mostyn Owen, On tho 24th inst., at 24, North-bank, Lieut.-General Edward Darley, late 61st Regiment, aged 79. On the 25th inst., suddenly, at Camden-row, Camber well, Mr. John Burrowos, late of the Bank of England, aged 64. On the 26th inst., at Norfolk-crescent, Bath, Mary, relict of the late Lieut.-Colonel Marshall, R.M. LONDON: Printed and Published by hiI7RDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of liiddlesez a Linda, Nana ;8,;1854; Feb. 1 gatt b Grazid Conahi 33, No: April, choice place. the ad , shareh entitle( questei Voris b L€ A SI WED ton at instant The trains. Clene Betu and 18: the to rear' worth. And leave AN meet tt LIFE friars, others, Voyagii auce or TB Ever .Assurar One-I to polic , Annuiti endown Polid No cl lione Activ agricult Apply respects rl mender shipping 4th of PHILII pioneer Hope), last, hei worthy about 2' outware by any Screw F ship to I Austral] I n the sl The A thus lit to be eq facts U have do they an tial to I have no The n Screw S notice. The rigged), wind, sl thus aff nity fot East, in ments t Rates per ton No. 1, J EL: The their wc tion, to which, cannot made b, reds, yi price an all come Prosser, Local by lette AI that th their P Brewer, Establit Mean to Privl medical from al: PALE Whet Its hay T' Pharml his bu, Dar . . years' Store-1 N' Ti 0 Japan] Cots o tree 11 fitted and P( for the trated post.— ON T Just riage, origin clima twent Debil. Errina Inge, condi Docti bu