The Sun. — London, England, 1845-07-08 00:00:00

AILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. THE CORNWALL RAILWAY. The Committee appointed to consider this Bill sat, for the first time, at eleven o'clock, Lord Ellenboraugh in the chair. A great number of petitions for and against the Bill were read. Mr. AUSTIN said that he understood that the Bill was opposed by certain parties connected with a rival scheme, entitled "The Central Cornwall Railway Company," but it was well-known that the original shareholders in that Company had resolved to effect an arrangement with this one, and certain persons were appointed to arrange preliminaries. It was ultimately arranged that, in consi. deration of 1,700 shares in this Company, the Central one was to withdraw all opposition, and to dissolve itself as a Company. The opposition, therefore, was not and could not be from the late Com pany. Mr. AUSTiN objected to the reception of the petition from what was called the Cornwall Central Railway, and to the Committee at all entertaining their objections. They had no locus standi—there had been no such project before Parliament—nor was there then any such project—therefore, there could be no existing interest. Such a project might have been once in contemplation, but it never went before a Committee of the House of Commons. " " It was contended by Counsel on the other side that the petition should be entertained. Such a project still existed; and though it had not been sanctioned by Parliament, it had been before the Board of Trade. There it had been rejected ; and the Committee would recollect, that before Parliament met, and which was when that rejection took place, it was generally believed that the decision of the Committee of the Board of Trade was final and conclusive, :Ind this was the reason why the project had not been pushed forward with vigour. The projected line extends from Plymouth to Falmouth, passing through Li.keard, Lostwithiel, St. Awstell, and near Truro, on to the terminus at Falmouth. The line is sixty-five miles long. Many of the gradients arein the abstract very bad, but, considering the hilly nature of the country, are as good as could be selected. A long discussion ensued, as to whether or no the petition should be received. Mr. Smith, a solicitor residing at Truro, was examined. He handed in The Morning Sun newspaper of the 19th February of the present year, in which there was an advertisement, convening a meeting of the Cornwall and Devon Central Railway for the 25th of the same month. The witness went on to to say, that the pro. moters of the present Bill suggested a proposal for an arrangement with the Central Cornwall and Devon Railway, by which all opposition to the Bill before the Committee would be abandoned by the Central Cornwall and Devon, in case the former took 1,700 or 1,800 shares in the latter. This arrangement witness under. stood had been agreed upon. Mr. Harvey, Secretary to the Cornwall and Devon Central Rail. way Company, said the advertisement spoken of appeared in the Times and Chronicle, as well as in The Morning Sun. The pur port of the meeting was to receive the report of the Committee in which the engineer's statement was embodied. Felt satisfied the meeting had not been convened for the purpose of entering into any arrangement with the promoters of the present project. The project of which he was secretary was going on very well until the report of the Beard of Trade came out at the end of last December, when their proceedings were paralysed by it. The witness went into a detail of the proceedings at the meeting alluded to, at which there was considerable difference of opinion, and a good deal of angry squabbling. One body of the shareholders was in favour of an arrangement with the promoters of the Cornwall Railway Bill, whilst another witness stated that a most influential and im. portant part was averse to it. It was held by the promoters of the Bill before the Committee that after the meeting of the 25th of February, the Cornwall and Devon Central Railway Company had dissolved, whilst by the op ponents the reverse was contended for. An immense number of shares had been taken in the Central Cornwall and Devon Rail way, for which not one shilling had been paid in. The majority of the Provisional Committee paid nothing in. The South-Western Railway Company took 10,000 shares, but paid nothing. Only 7,000 shareholders had paid in. There were between 30,000 and 40,000 shares allotted to the public, exclusive of 5,000 shares to Mr. Turner, M.P., and 10,000 to the S'Alth-Western Company. Mr. Tilley, a solicitor, was next examined on the part of the op position—The Cornwall and Devon Central Railway Company was provisionally registered. Mr. A usrix denied this assertion. Witness went on to say, that in every principal town in the county meetings were held on the subject of the central line, at which an unanimous feeling prevailed in its favour. The promoters of the present scheme had never held a meeting in the county, because they were afraid to face it. The meetings in favour of the scheme was at tended by the principal men in Cornwall. At the meeting of the 25th of February, a resolution was carried to enter into the ar rangement spoken of with respect to the promoters of the Cornwall Railway; but witness, Mr. Passingham, the engineer, and others, protested against it, as being a sacrifice of the interests of the county. Mr. Austin and Nit*. Cockburn, at the conclusion of this wit ness's testimony, engaged in a most dry and wearisome argument, as to whether the Central Cornwall and Devon Railway had any locus standi before the Committee. Mr. COCKBURN then read the petition of the Cornwall and Devon Central Railway, alleging several gross misrepresentations on the part of the promoters of the Bill before the Committee, and praying for a hearing before their Lordships' Committee. The Committee aajourned at five o'clock. BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY. The Select Committee, appointed by the House of Lords to in. quire into the merits of the projected branches of the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company assembled, for the first time, this morn ing, Lord Gieneig in the chair, and immediately proceeded with the investigation. Mr. TALBOT stated that the object of the Bill the Committee had to consider was, to give the Bristol and Exeter Railway Corn. pany power to effect a junction of their own line at Bristol with that of the Great Western Company, and also to make three branches from their main line to Cleavden, Yeovil, and Tiverton— places of Lome commercial importance, and trading to a large ex. tent with the towns of Exeter and Bristol. The line to Yeovil was the only one opposed. Mr. Charles Brown, a director of the Bristol and Exeter Rail. way, Mr. Christopher Shapland, a merchant at Bristol, Mr. Thos. Pairett, a farmer and grazier, at Middlezny, and Mr. Joseph Board, of Bridgewater, gave some general evidence in favour of the Yeovil line. Mr. Brunel, the engineer cf the Gre - it Western and Bristol and Exeter Company, proved that the length of the Yeovil line would be about twenty miles, and would cost about 220,0001., or 11,000/. per mile. The junction at Bristol would be about a quarter of a mile in length, and cost from 50,0001. 10 60,0001. The branch to Clevcdon was about three miles, and the branch to Tiverton would be four miles and three-quarters, and the cost of the whole of these works he estimated at 375,0001. There were no engineering difficulties on any of the branches. Mr. Board was called to put in the traffic tables which had been taken in the district of the proposed line. This closed the case for the promoters. Mr. Henry Hetherage was then called by the opponents to prove that the traffic tables were considerably overrated, and based upon inaccurate data. Mr. Giles, the civil engineer, proved that a better line might be obtained by way of the valley of the Yco. Mr. MERREWETHER then addressed the Committee on behalf of the opponents of the Yeovil branch, contending that its pro moters brought it forward, not with a view of accommo dating that town, but to gain a preoccupancy of the district through which the branch would run. It was quite evi dent from the evidence that the line would never prove a re munerative one. Mr. TALBOT replied, that although the line would not of itself prove remunerative, yet it would amply compensate the promoters in the way of a feeder to their main line. The CiIAIRMAN then directed the room to be cleared, and the Committee having remained in deliberation for a few minutes, strangers were re-admitted, when The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee had determined upon adjourning till to-morrow. ci.-ziazsDALE JUNCTION RAILWAY. The Committee met to.day at eleven o'clock, Lord Radnor in the chair. Mr. Ilmorsnn, on the part of the Carnkirk Railway Company, made a proposition about referring the matter in dispute between them to the Board of Trade, to which Mr. Sergeant WRINGIiAM objected, and preferred leaving the matter in the hands of the Committee. The examination of witnesses was then resumed. Mr. Pare gave evidei,cc with regard to the traffic that might be calculated on, taking the existing trade of the district as a foundation. The first tables he drew up and submitted to the Committee of the House of Commons contained local traffic alone. He did not then ass.une anything for the Caledonian line, as it had not received the sanction of either House. In those tables the local traffic was set forth in gross at 31,2.56/. 19s. 3d.; deducting 44 per cent for working the line, the amount left was 17,5041. Cs. 3d., or about 51 per cent. on the capital of 330,0001. The Caledonian Railway having now passed the Committees of both Houses he bad drawn up supplemental tables. The through traffic from the Caledonian Railway to Glasgow that would pass along this line be estimated at 10,997/. ss. 6d. In addition to this he put down 3,715/. 12s. 6d. that would come on to the line from the Ayrshire, Barrhead, and Glasgow Railway, which had passed the House of Commons. Deducting the expence of working there would remain a nett a lditional revenue of 8,239/. 12s. 3d. ; that, added to the revenue calculated in the precious tables, gave a return of 8 per cent. on the capital. The witness then put in both sets of tables. Mr. John Williams, mineral engineer, was examined as to the data of Mr. Pare's tables, on which the estimate of mineral traffic was based. He entered into a calculation of the tons of coal, Ironstone, and lime that would pass along the line, the particulars of which have already appeared. Mr. Errington, civil engineer, deposed as to the engineering peculiarities, giving some explanations of the gradients, cuttings, and embankments ; also respecting the proposed connexion with the Barrhead and Glasgow direct, the Greenock and the Ayrshire districts. The particulars were the same as those given in the Re port of the Commons Committee already printed, He was of pinion that 290,000/. would be quite sufficient for all the purposes of the line. The witness was cross.examined by Mr. lIILDTAao as to the superior merits of the Garnkirk Itailway as a means of entrance to Glasgow, but no new point of importance was elicited- Mr. Smith, of Deanston, the celebrated agriculturist, was examined respecting the value of the land to be taken by the rail way, and also respecting the value of the estates of Mr. Graham and Mrs. Hamilton intersected by the line. Ile stated that he had endeavoured to effect an arrangement with Mr. Graham, and on behalf of the Company offered what he considered ample terms, which were refused. He also conducted a negotiation with Mrs. Hamilton's agent, and an agreement come to, which was afterwards broken through on a dispute about paying a sum of money down. In cross-examination it came out that Mr. Smith had concluded an arrangement with Mrs. Hamilton's agents, agreeing to pay 15tle for the expenses then gone into to the Bill, and th a t t h e culverts, bridges, and reservoirs on that portion of the line should be left to the regulation of the witness. This was afterwards repudiated by the Committee acting on behalf of the Company, The witness having stated that a correspondence had taken place en this matter, it was ordered to be read, in which the foregoing statement was clearly set forth. Mr. Hoses was proceedieg to examine this witness further, with the object of showing that there must have been a misunder standing, when the Cha'.rman stated that he considered the Com pany had broken their agreement, and had not acted fairly in the transaction. _ Mr. GLIEGG, on behalf of Mrs. Hamilton, was willing to take the same terms, providing all the expenses of the opposition were paid up till that time. Mr. Hors was not prepared to assent, and on the recommenda tion of the Chairman, the point was po s t poned till the rest of the ease was gone through, by which time perhap s an amicable settle. Inuit would be come to. Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Bain, and Mr. Fisher, were severally ex a , mined respecting the value of Mr. Graham's property, when The Committee rose, having de,:ided, on account of the engage. menu of some of their L3rd,hips, to rdjourn till next Friday, at eleven o'clock. The following Railway BA's, which, zs being unopposed, were referred to the Earl of Shaf esbury as the Chairman, were this day declared to have passed through the Committee:—The Great Southern and Western (Ireland;, the Cork and Bandon, the Great Western (Dublin and Mullingar), and the Cockermouth and Workington. The Waterford and Limerick Railway Bill was postponed to Thursday, as we understood. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP /1. Aintrorta AND HASTX.PTIGS ( SOTITH. EA.S TERN) x, The case on the part nt the proiniters cf the above hue was opened by Mr. Merrewether on Friday last, and the evidence given was published in an Evening Edition of Vic Sun of that day. The CHAIRMAN, on taking his seat this morning at the usual hour, said that he had received a communication from the Admi. rally, referring to the bridge on the river Rother rroposed by the Sonth- Eastern Company, and forming a necessary part of the Ash ford and Hastings line. The letter was dated 4th June, and con tained a statement to the effect that the Admiralty would not allow any such bridge to be made. Mr. ALEXANDER said that he had a letter from the Admiralty, dated sth June, and containing the assent of that Board to the making of the bridge on certain conditions. Mr. Alexander then put the letter in in evidence. Mr. Mark Dorman, a carrier at Ashford, spoke to the advan. tages to trade derivable from the proposed line, and especially to the great improvement in the wool trade of Ashford which would ensue from the formation of such a line. Mr. Barlow, engineer, spoke to the superiority of this line over the proposed Brighton, Ashford, and Hastings line, in an engineer ing point of view. The line was 26 miles 24 chains in length It had but one tunnel, the length of which was 2,129 yards. This was the only important difficulty on the line. The steepest gradient on the line was lin 100, which was continued for 1 miles in one place. The total length of the inclines of lin 100, would be five miles eighteen yards. There would be a swing-bridge over the Rother, and the height of that bridge from high watermark would be twelve feet. The proposed Brighton line would have a bridge across the Rother only four feet above the high water-mark. The proposed swing.bridge might have a span of forty feet. There were several great difficulties on the proposed Brighton line, and there were gradients of 1 in 50. He had estimated the expense of the pro posed line, which would be 420,0001. This included the expense of masonry, &c., for a double line, but of rails only for a single line. The reason he had formed the estimates in this manner was, that it might be necessary at a future time to make a double line of rails, but it was intended to make at present only a single line. The expense of the proposed Brighton line would be 500,0001., being 60,0001. more than the Ashford and Hastings line. This estimate had been formed on the same principle as that of the Ashford and Hastings line, allowing a sufficient sum for masonry, &c., for a double line, but allowing for rails only for a single line. The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. Mellor on the part of the proposed Brighton line, and by Mr. Belasis on the part of the Commissioners of the Rye Harbour. Mr. ALEXANDER then observed, that he had intended to call other witnesses, but there was an arrangement between the South- Eastern and Brighton Companies which he thought would not only save the time of the Committee, but would be productive of great public good. For this reason he wished to postpone the remainder of his evidence for the present, and would suggest that the Committee should go on with the Brighton line in the mean time. The CHAIRMAN assented, and the Committee was about to pro ceed with the Brighton line, wl:en Mr. MELLOR said that he was not prepared to go on, but would be ready in a few minutes. Mr. AUSTIN proposed that the GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER LINE should be taken next, as it would not occupy more than a few minutes. The CHAIRMAN agreed, and Mr. Austin called Mr. Langridge, the engineer of the proposed line, who spoke to the nature of the scheme. The line was already in existence but was a single line, and it was proposed to make another set of rails, as a double line was found to be necessary. The CHAIRMAN declared the preamble of the Bill to be proved, and the clauses of the Bill were then read and agreed to. Mr. TALBOT then addressed the Committee on the part of the proposed ASHFORD AND HASTINGS (ATMOSPHE RIC) BRANCH OF THE BRIGHTON AND LEWES LINE, which was now taken, according to Mr. ALEXANDER'S suggestion. He aileded to the various advantages expected from the proposed line, but said that the Company did not expect any very great re muneration from the proposed line; at the same time, he thought it a very important scheme. He then quoted the opinion given on this subject by the Board of Trade. On the conclusion of Mr. Talbot's address, Mr. MELLOR called Mr. Rastrick, the engineer o f the line, who said he considered it the best that could be selected in the neighbourhood. There was no steeper gradient on the line than I in 50, which only oc curred in one place, at the Ore Ridges, where it continued for only three-quarters of a mile. The whole length of the proposed line would be 29 miles 7 chains. There was no important dif ficulties on the line, and, except at the Ore Ridges, the gradients were remarkably slight. The expense of the line was estimated at 497,3581., which included the expense of purchasing land. The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. Bellasis, but Mr. Alexander omitted to cross-examine him, according to agreement. Mr. Williams, a Government engineer, and a magistrate at Hast. ings, had examined the proposed line, and especially that part of the line where it crosses the Rother, and thought the arrangements the best that could possibly be made in the country through which it passed. Tie only bad gradient on the line was where it crossed the Ore Ridges, and in that place it had the best gradient that could be got there. The Ore Ridges formed a very great natural obstruction, and had been dealt with in the best possible manner. The witness having been cross-examined by kr. HILDVARD on the part of the Commissioners of Rye Harbour, Mr. MELLOR said that the next witness he intended to call was Mr. Pare, who was not now in Court, and that it would be neces• sary to pause for awhile in order to allow him, Mr. Mellor, to call him. Mr. HILDYARD proposed that his case against the line might now be allowed to go on, and asked whether thecase as to the crossing of the harbour at_Rye was yet concluded ? Mr. MELLO3 replied that it was, and that he only wished to examine Mr. Pare as to the traffic tables. Mr. HILDVARD said that he had nothing to do with the tables, and that his case only referred to the crossings of the harbour. The committee then agreed to proceed with Mr. Hildyard'a ca'"e at once. Mr. Henry Stocks, harbour-master, was then called by Mr. HILDYARD, and spoke to the injury which would be done to the navigation of the harbour and the river by any bridge crossing the harbour, as the proposed line would. In cress-examination the witness said that the Board of Commissioners of Navigation of Bye Harbour were 48 members, being 40 too many.—(Laughter.) Mr. Hicks was the clerk of the board. Mr. Holmes, a ship.owner at Rye, spoke to the injury which would be done to the Rye Harbour navigation by the bridge if made there. Any bridge at that place ought to be at least seventy feet above the high -water mark. The reason why the height ought to be seventy feet was, that many vessels passing that place had masts of seventy feet. The injury to the navigation would be the greater on account of the peculiar nature of the tide, which was very rapid, and which set in such a direction that the barges would be driven against the piles, and most likely would sink. Barges often became unmanageable on account of the force and rapidity of the tide. Mr. William Ker, a pilot at Rye Harbour, corroborated the above evidence. As a pilot, it was his duty to go up the Channel with vessels, as it was very difficult to navigate the river, and none but very small vessels would venture to attempt it without a pilot. The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. MELLOR. Mr. HILDYARD was about to call another witness, when The CHAIRMAN said that he thought any further evidence on this subject was not necessary. Mr. HILDYARD said that he had about a dozen withesses to call as to this point, but that he also wished to call Capt. Moorsom, an eminent engineer, to prove that such a bridge was not necessary. The CHAIRMAN thought the examination of further witnesses as to the:injury to the navigation would:be superfluous, and that Mr. Hildyard ought therefore to call Capt . Moorsom at once, Captain Moorsom was then called, and said that, as an engineer, he would not, if he were laying down a line from Ashford to Hastings, make any bridge across the Rye Harbour. It could be avoided by a curve of a quarter of a mile radius, which was, in hi: opinion, no engineering difficulty. This evidence occupying the Committee up to four o'clock, they adjourned till to-morrow, With the understanding that on their meeting Mr. Hildyard Would proceed to address them on the part of the Commissioners of Rye Harbour. GROUP X. DIRECT NORTHERN RAILWAY. The Committee assembled at twelve o'clock, Lord Courtenay in the chair; Mr. Poulet Scrape, Mr. Baring Wall, and Mr. Darby, prevent. Mr. Wensrcit called Sir J. Rennie, under whose superintendence the line is to be formed. It commenced at Burton, three miles north of Liecoln, and presented n 3 engineering difficulties whatever. The only consideration was the crossing of the several drains by which the flats of Lincolnshire are intersected. There were several canals to be crossed : the chief of these were the Witham aid Fosdyke Canal. The Chesterfield Canal was passed at a rise of 18 feet; the Ayre Canal at a rise of 22 feet; and the Leeds and Selby Canal at an elevation of 18 feet. The North Midland Railway would be crossed at a rise of 18 feet ; and the Leeds and Sciby Railway at the same height. On the contrary, the London and York line crossed some of the streets of York on a level. A model of the several lines were placed before the Committee, and Sir J. Rennie explained how the line approached the city of York, the lines perforating the walls in two places. Mr. Gravatt, civil engineer (with Sir J. Rennie), explained the several portions of the model, in order to show the several approaches to the city of York. On this point much discussion arose, which it is impcssible to report without much repetition, which would only interfere with the apprehension of our readers. The conver. cation concluded by Sir J. Rennie stating that the whole length of the line from Burton to the junction with the Great North of Eng land Railway was 53 miles 39 chains, and to the City station 57 miles 5 chains. The deepest cutting was one near Gainsborough, which was 35 feet 6 inches. The highest embankment is near the junction of the Trent with the Humber, shortly to the south of the former river, and that was 28 feet ; the line, in fact, was a level, nothing more. The whole estimate for the works was 978,3121., which was divided as follows :-121,8631. for earthwork ; 206,0591. for bridges, culverts, and masonry ; for fencing there would be 25,7731., those items making a total of 353,695/. Giving 10 per cent, interest on the cost, there would be a total of 353,6951. The permanent way was estimated at 351,450/., being a cost of about 6,000/. a mile. For stations there was an allowance of 110,000/., and the cost for land was 127,7971. The whole estimate deposited, as signed by himself and Mr. Gravatt, was 1,500,000/. In this allowance 360,000/. was allowed for the Farringdomstreet station, the remaining sum of 222,0004 being allowed for plant and contingencies. This was allowing about 3,000/. a mile for a distance of 58 miles, which was most amply sufli. cient. There would then be a margin of 170,000/. left for any thing that might he unforeseen. The gradients were so easy that, notwithstanding the greater length of the line, he thought the distance would be done in the same time; and the works might be completed in two years, that is, in two summers and a winter. To the cross-examination of Mr. Sergeant WRANGLIAM, Sir John Rennie replied, that when the London and York line was an in tegral line, the station at King's.cross had been selected by himself as the most convenient station between the east and west-end of the towns, but that had been set aside in favour of the station at the end of Farringdon.street. The ruling gradient was one in a hundred, but between the distance, which was equal to the distance between London and Cambridge, the gradients were in favour of the London and York line. It was undoubtedly an advantage to have a line as short and direct as possible, but with respect to the combination of the market towns there was a great questi in ; but as his object was not to sacrifice the terminal traffic to the intermediate traffic, embracing all the objects, it certainly was desirable that the line should follow the route of the old scats of business, and that the branches should all run in at those points to the trunk railway. In fact, the local traffic must be affected by those old commercial positions, and if they were to be left out of the question, the people must migrate to other parts. In his mind the route to York by Cambridge was by no means objec tionable, but it was a local traffic which was drawn in the inter mediate districts. A discussion ensued between Mr. Sergeant Wrangham and Mr. Webster as to the right to put in portions of a memorial which had been sect to the Board of Trade in favour of the Direct Northern line. Mr. Sergeant Wrangham at length read a portion of the substance of the memorial. But Mr. Webster interfered; and in consequence of a suggestion by Mr. Darby, the question was asked whether Sir J. Rennie thought that the Eastern Counties Railway offered a fair outlet to the north. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of a portion of the line, he still thought there should be some route to the north, though he did not recollect precisely whether the Farringdon-street station had been spoken of before the withdrawal of the intermediate portion of the line. Between Burton and York there would be eleven stations, eight of them first class stations. Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM then cited the memorial sent in by Sir J. Rennie to the Privy Council. In reply to a question from Mr. Sergeant Wrangham, Sir John replied that lie expected that the rate of charge for travelling would be regulated by Parliament rather than by the force of competition, but the charge on the pub. lic would be ultimately fixed irrespective of the cost of the works, competition being the main rule, as was shown by the experience of the Eastern Counties Railway, though, as was sug. gesttd by Mr. P. Scrcpe, the original cost must of necessity form an element of calculation. He looked upon the whole of the management being in the hands of one company as a great a lvantase, In enabling them to manage their business with greater profit to themselves and benefit to the public. The principles, then, of the unity of management, the circumstance of the line passing by the old road, and the bring ing the intermediate lines into combination with the trunk 1;n; were certainly recommendations. 50,0001. was put down for stations, independent of land and earthwork. It was certainly advisable to have a station apart from the York and North Midland station. The station at York would occupy a space of eight scree, which would have to be raised neatly sixteen feet, but he had made no estimate of the cost. That he would find to-morrow. At this place there was to be a small depot for coals, but that would in no way interfere with the present trade. In case of any express train being required, some delay would necessarily arise on the London and York line. Thera would be some delay in the case of an ex. press train joining the Great North of England, but not equal to that which would be experienced on the other lines. Passengers by the Scarborough line, and also those by the York and North Midland line, would have td take omnibuses to get on to the Direct Northern line. For the transference of goods it would be advisable to have a branch line from the two lines he had just mentioned. He proposed to cross the Stainforth Canal at an elevation of 18 feet, and the river Don at an elevation of 22 feet. The difficulty of the navigation of the Stainforth Canal was considerable, the water at Stainforth Dock not being more than five or six feet at neap tides, and the canal had been formed expressly with a view of avoiding the diffi culty of the river Don. There was a fixed bridge below Stainforth, and the one there was over the unnavigable part of the river, but there was a swing bridge over the navigable portion of the stream below that point. The steamers plied between Thorne and Hull, or rather between Hansman-hill: Ferry and Hull, with a fixed funnel, and as the line would pass over the river about a quarter of a mile below the ferry, the vessels would have to step below the bridge, where a stone quay might be built. The Stain forth Canal would be passed by a fixed bridge with a headway of 18 feet. There was no fixed bridge between the Sainforth Canal at Stainforth and the river Trent, and the promoters, there fore, proposed to establish a fixed bridge for the first time, and it would be impossible, for vessels navigating the canal certainly could not pass under the bridge without lower ing their masts. He was not aware that there was any fixed bridge between Thorne and Stainforth. The culvert at the Idle-drain was to be a twelve foot culvert, with tour foot eight inches headway. The several other culverts were then described, and shown to have been considered in every instance. At the Snow sewer the line would pass over land of which five acres were now under water. They passed across the land at Hatfield Chase and in the neighbourhood, which was waiting for warping on an embankment, but that offered no impediment whatever to the warp ing of the land, for a culvert could be formed at any place that was most convenient. On the River Trent he knew that land had been warped ten miles from the river. There was no objection on the part of Sir W. Milner, the embankment there being a trifle higher than the London and York line. The two lines passed by Bishops thorpe very much under the same circumstances, and he believed that the Archbishop of York was rather favourable than otherwise, though he had in the first instance started great objection to the line. The line passed the Leeds and Selby line, at an elevation of eighteen feet, and an immediate junction could therefore be formed. The culverts were about five feet wider, which was in every in stance a sufficient width. After an allusion to the estimates, the Committee adjourned till ;welve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP W. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. GOOLE AND DONCASTER RAILWAY. It will be remembered that the Committee on this Bill, which was presented for their consideration about three weeks since, de clared that they considered the line it proposed to construct was, to a certain extent, a competing line with part of the London and York line. They, therefore, declared that it would be necessary to hear the decision of the London and York Committee before enter ing into the details of this line, and adjourned until to-day. At the meeting of the Committee this morning the room was cleared. Atter the lapse of three-quarters of an hour, The doors were re-opened, when the CHAIRMAN declared that it was the opinion of the Committee that as the decision on the Lon. don and York line had not been given, and would not be given until so late in the session that there would be no time to enter upon this line, it would be better for all parties that the Bill should be brought forward next session. After some discussion among the parties interested in the Bill, they expressed their satisfaction at the course adopted, and the Committee separated. THE QUARTER'S REVENUE. (FROM TIIE MORNING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.) TIMES.—The return of the quarter's revenue does not present the same prosperous appearance as many that have preceded it. Thus, although there is an increase in the Customs fer the year ending on the sth inst. of 36,8861., there is a decrease on the comparison with the quarter terminating at the same period of 1844, of more than ten times that amount, or 369,6871. In the Excise, in like manner, the falling off in the quarter more than counterbalances the increase for the year—a retrograde movement for which it is not easy to find an explanation from causes which lie under public observation, and will, therefore, be re. garded with some degree of disquietude by the country generally. The working of the mad speculations which have prevailed for the last twelve or eighteen months, is shown in the great increase under the head of Stamps, which have added to the income 328,8201. on the year, and 132,0431. on the quarter; and if the common opinion is a just one, that these speculations have injured commerce by pro ducing an unnatural rise in some prices, and in diverting the at tention of mercantile men from the sober course of trade, it would follow that to this is, in part, to be ascribed the decline in the Customs—an evil by no means to be compensated for by a gain arising out of what may be teimed illegitimate sources. The same results appear, though not to the same extent, in the general re. turn, the increase on the year being 847,1481., while the falling off on the quarter is 739,8471. The Post-office has increased 47,0001. on the year, while the quarter's return is identical with that of 1844, exhibiting neither increase nor decrease. In the account for the Contolidated Fund there appears the satifactory item of an application of 1,585,609/. to the Sinking Fund, against 523,8571. in the corresponding quarter of 1844; and the probable amount of Exchequer bills required to meet the charge on that fund for the quarter just ended is only 2,254,433/. The re-action in the Cus toms and Excise, however, more than outweighs all the favourable features of the present return. HERALD.—The Revenue returns for the year ending on Saturday, present another testimony to that course of rap'dly ad vancing prosperity, which has distinguished the last three or four years from any equal period in the history of this or of any other country. The net increase of revenue upon the last year, as compared with the eminently productive year ending twelve months ago, amounts to no less than eight hundred and forty seven thousand pounds. And this, notwithstanding all tho',,, rge reductions in the sugar duties, the cotton duties, the ;ass duties, the auction duties, and other sources of revenu^ These reduc. tions have nearly all fallen within the last quarter, which, there fore, exhibits a decrease, but not rn. .ch more than h a lf th e de crease that it would exhibit had the reductions been all l oss . A t present we are not in P°F....ession of the means of s h ow i ng t h e several articles upon ':,rich respectively increase and d ecrease h ave arisen ; but we e able to congratulate our f e ll ow - su bj ects, upon indisputable evidence, of a course of general prosperity without example. i;HRONICLE.—The revenue accounts for the quarter, 1, hi appear in another part of our journal, are extremely satisfactory. They present one of the most convincing proofs which has yet been adduced of the prodigious advantages of cheap food and low duties in augmenting the revenue of the State. At the beginning of this session Sir Robert Peel lowered the duty on sugar, abolished the duties on cotton and staves, and on a great variety of small arti cles, which he calculated would reduce the Customs revenue on the year by the sun, of 0,418,0001., or on the quarter 603,0001. The accounts show that the diminution is only 369,3871. ; the Customs revenue for the quarter, therefore, is in reality nearly 240,000/. better than in the corresponding quarter of last year. Similar remarks apply to the Excise. Thereduction in this branch of the revenue for the quarter, as shown by the tables, is 149,908/. ; but Sir Robert Peel calculated in February that the Excise revenue would lose on the year, by the abolition of the duties on auctions and glass, 890,0001, or on the quarter 223,000/., whereas the loss is only 149,908/. The duties which remain, therefore, of the Customs and Excise branches of the revenue have yielded considerably more than in the corresponding quarter of last year, in conjunction with comparative cheapness and the abolition of duties. The other branches of the standing revenue show a corresponding increase on the quarter. The Stamps have increased 13'2,0004 ; the Assessed Taxes 10,0001.; and the Property.tax 157,0001. In these results there is great encourage. anent to allow the utmost possible extension of trade, by the re moval of all duties which are not indispensable for the public service, and all restrictions but those which are necessary to levy the duties. ADVERTISER.—We publish in another column an abstract of the public revenue for the year and quarter ending on Saturday last. It will be seen that on the quarter, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, these is a deficiency in the Cus•oms of 369,6871., and in the Excise, of 149,9081. Under the head Miscellaneous there is a deficiency on the quarter, as compared with the corresponding quarter last year, of 408,5351. The defal cations in the two first departments can be satisfactorily explained. The decrease in the customs is mainly to be ascribed to the cir cumstance of a large sum having been refunded on sugars in bond, when the new Sugar Duties Bill came into opera tion. In conjunction with this cause of diminution, there is another, namely, the entire abolition of duties on many articles of minor importance. The defalca tion under the head of Excise, is to be attributed to the total repeal of the glass and auction duties. The only subject for surprise is that the falling off in this department has been so inconsiderable. For the deficiencies in the Miscellaneous department, we are not able to account, though we feel assured, from the flourishing state of trade and commerce, and the healthy state of our financial affairs generally, the defalcation under that head is susceptible of a satis. factory explanation. It is fully expected that the consumption of sugar this year consequent on the reduction of the sugar duties, will exceed the estimate of the Premier, when making his finan. cial statement, by at least 20,000 tone. What more triumphant proof could be desired of the effect which a reduction of duty has on the consumption of a necessary of life, than is afforded in this fact ? If an approach to free trade is productive of such resulta, what must be the advantages of entire freedom of trade ? MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT IN THE WATERLOO ROAD.—Friday forenoon an inquest was held before Mr. W. Carter, at the Royal George, Carlisle-lane, Lansbeth, on the body of Walter Knight, aged 31 years, late of Royal-street, Upper Marsh, Lambeth. The deceased was returning home with two friends on Tuesday morning last from a party, and when they had reached the Surrey side of Waterloo-bridge they all agreed to run as far as the corner of the Lower Marsh, near the Victoria Theatre. The deceased started and kept up with them until they were opposite Waterloo Church, when he suddenly caught hold of the wheel of a gardener's cart, which W 8.9 going at a very rapid speed down the hill, when his arm became entangled in the spokes of the wheel, which turned him completely over on to his head with great violence. His companions having missed him, turned back, and found him lying in the road bleeding from a severe wound on his forehead. They carried the deceased to the surgery of Mr. Ilandy, and subsequently to his residence, where he expired at two o'clock the same day. The surgeon stated that the deceased had died from the rupture of a blood-vessel in the brain. The jury re turned a verdict of " Accidental death." THE IRISII SOCIETY.—This Society, which was established in the mcnth of July last year, for the purpose of pro. viding a neutral ground whereon Irish noblemen and gentlemen of opposite political and religious sentiments could meet and hold harmonious intercourse, held its first annual general meeting on Saturday last at the Society's rooms, No. 26, Suffolk street, Pall. mall, Lord Viscount Ranelagh in the chair. From the report, which was read by N. A. Conan, Esq , it appeared that there were nearly 400 members already enrolled. The funds were ample. All the current expenses had been duly met, and a large balance remained in the hands of the treasurer. The nucleus of a library had been formed by gifts from several of the members. The re. port was received and adopted with acclamation; thanks were unanimously voted to the committee of management and the secretary, and they were requested to continue in office without addition or alteration. Thanks were also voted to J. Hartley and W. Bevan, Esqrs., for their generosity in having become security in the infancy of the society for its liabilities, and they were re lieved from further responsibility by the appointment of Lord Rossmore, J. Rudall Todd, Esq., and Henry Bruce, Esq., as trustees, in accordance with a fundamental rule, which provided the appointment of trustees as soon as the number of members should have exceeded 300. Lord Ranelagh having left the chair, Sir John Campbell was called thereto, and the usual thanks having been voted to his Lordship, the meeting separated. ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—A fete was given here on Saturday afternoon—that is, a military band was in attendance, which was sufficient to bring together a large assemblage of prome naders. Nothing was exhibited beyond the ordinary attractions of the gardens; indeed, the fineness of the weather and the beauty of the pleasure-grounds would have rendered any extraneous enter. tainments :ous. THE, SUN, LONDOIN, TUESDAY MORNING, JUL Y 8, 1845. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 7. NORWICH AND BRANDON RAILWAY. Three petitions were presented against this line. IMPORTATION OF CORN INTO CANADA. The Duke of RICHMOND moved for a return of the quantity of wheat imported into the United States of America from October, 1843, to October, 1844, which was agreed to. LOTTERIES BILL. On the motion of Lord STANLEY, this Bill was read a first time. DRAINAGE OF ESTATES. The Duke of RICHMOND moved the second reading of this Bill, which is to facilitate the drainage of entiiled estates, the expense to be defrayed by way of mortgage. In many cases, the owners of entailed estates would not effect the drainage which was required, and those who were willing to do so were reluctant from the ex pense. He was of opinion that the law of entail was a good one. One of the principal objects of the Bill was to give employment to the industrious poor, whose services would be called into requisition at improvcd wages The Committee, with whom the Bill originated, were unani mously of opinion that it should be passed this session, that the objects which he had stated might be accomplished. The Noble Lord concluded by moving the second read• ing of the Bill. The Marquis of SALISBURY hoped that a fair op portunity would be given of discussing the various pro visions of the Bill in Committee. Lord BEAUMONT said that the clause relating to buildings had been amply discussed in Committee. The Earl of DERBY thought that the extension of the Bill to Ireland would be productive of great benefit The Earl of WICKLOW concurred with the Noble Earl, and thought it was a very fitting accompaniment to the other Bill on the same subject relating to Ire land. Lor*l CAMPBELL thought it was very proper to extend the Bill to Ireland; not, however, as an accom paniment, but because it presented in every respect a contrast to the other Bill. The Duke of RICHMOND said there was a clause relating to the guardians of minors, but he would intro duce another provision of a similar tendency that would meet the approbation of the Noble Earl (Wicklow). The Bill was then read a second time. WAGERS AND GAMING BILL. The report on the Wagers and Gaming Bill was then brought up. STANDING ORDERS. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved that the standing ova( rof which he had given notice be added t i the standing orders of the House:—" That the direc tors appointed shall continue in office until the first ordinary meeting to be held after the pasting of this Act, and at such meeting the shareholders present, per sonally or by proxy, may either continue in office the directors appointed by this Act, or any member of them, or may elect a new body of directors, or directors to supply the place of those continued in office; the direc tors appointed by this Act being eligible as members of such new body." The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said this was a. question which not only concerned the Members of the Legislature, but every person in the country who had a sovereign in his pocket. The person who had refused to have anything to do with the scheme, afterwards found to his astonishment that he had attended a meet ing in favour of the line, and had not only attended a meeting, but had made a speech, although he had never been near the place; nevertheless, his name had bcen used, as also had the names of other persons in the country, who were also reported to have made speeches, though they had neither given their sanction, nor had they attended or spoken at the meeting in question. This gentleman advised the bankers of the company not to pay the money which had been subscribed since their names had been so surreptitiously used, large sums of money having been subscribed in consequence of the re port to which he had referred.—(Elear, hear.) He would recommend that the practice should be put a stop to by a standing order, requiring proof of the consent of the parties whose names appeared as promoters of the Bill.—(flear, hear.) Parties could have no security unless this were done. Lord BROUGHAM complained that their Lordships were too apt to take the correctness of the proceedings of the House of Commons for granted, instead of in vestigating for themselves. The gentleman whose name was placed in the Bill as one of its promoters did not know of its existence until it had received the royal assent. He deprecated the gambling mania of the pre sent day, and trusted that the public would not fall into the snare of those cheats—he could use no milder term —who were more anxious to propose schemes, that they might take them into the market, than to carry them out. The Earl of FITZHARDINGE said the case applied to his brother, Mr. Grantley Berkeley, who knew no thing of the Bill until he was sued for 530,0001 on behalf of the company, and his solicitor had informed him that his own expenses, whether the matter was settled or no, would be , lON. Lord ASHBURTON could hardly conceive it pos sible that a person could be sued for the debts of a oim pany, and hoped that steps would be taken to prevent its repetition. Lord BROUGHAM assured the Noble Lord that such was the law of the land. Lord ASIIBURTON said that there was no Act of that kind which made a subscriber liable to a greater extent than his subscription. Lord CAMPBELL sa id t h e su b scr ib er was j ust as much liable ds if he signed and sealed the most solemn instr:.inent of law by which consent was obtained. A message from the Commons was here announced, intimating that it was their wish that his Grace the Duke of Grafton should be allowed to attend the Select Committee of the House of Commons now sitting on the operation of the game-laws.—Agreed to. The motion was then . put that the order moved by the Noble Marquis (Clanricarde) should be added to the standing orders of the House.—Agreed to. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a peti tion from a place in Ulster, which, he said, would be fol lowed by others to the same effect, against the Landlord and Tenant Bill. The Earl of FALMOUTH presented 36 petitions against the Wolverhampton Railway Bill, Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from a num ber of ironmasters to the same effect ; also a petition against the Edinburgh and Direct Northern Railway Bill. Lord BROUGHAM presented 58 petitions, which, with 65 on a former occasion, made altogether 123 peti tions, against the Cornwall Railway Bill. ASSESSMENT OF WAGES (SCOTLAND) BILL. Lord KINN .%.IRD moved the third reading of this Bill.—Agreed to. BRAZIL SLAVE TRADE BILL. The Earl of ABERDEEN moved the second reading of this Bill. A treaty was concluded in 1826 between this country and Brazil for the abolition of the 'slave trade. The first clause of that treaty stipulated that three years after the expiration of that treaty the slave trade should be abolished in Brazil, and all parties concerned in it should be treated as pirates. Her Majesty would have the power of seizing and punishing the subjects of Brazil engaged in the slave trafe. The Noble Lord then de tailed the various negotiations which had been entered into for the supp: - ession of the slave trade with Brazil, and referred at great length to documents on the sub ject. The object of the Bill, therefore, was briefly this —to remove from the Board of Admiralty the restric tion which had been imposed upon them by the Act of the 7th and Bth of George IV., for car r yi ng out t h e treaty made at that period with Brazil for the suppres sion of the slave trade. The old treaty had been openly violated—shiploads of human beings had been landed at the capital ; their officers had been unable to carry out that treaty in full force, and had even been ill-treated and slain in the execution of their duties. lie therefore • moved that the Bill be read a second time. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. DOG STEALING BILL. The Duke of BEAUFORT moved the second reading of this Bill, and briefly described its objects. There was a great anomaly in the law in its present form, and that the audacious traffic might be put a stop to, it was ne cessary that the Bill should be passed, that dogs might be placed on a similar footing with other property. Lord CAMPBELL considered that the law wai; quite strong enough at present to protect property in dogs, which were frequently far from valuable, and partially, if not wholly, abandoned by their owners. The Duke of BEA UFORT said the Bill had received great attention in Committee, but he was ready to adopt any suggestions which the Noble and Learned Lord might think proper to make. The Bill was then read a second time. CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL. Lord BROUGHAM moved the second reading of this Bill, and, in doing so, said it would greatly facilitate the trial of prisoners. The present judges were totally in capable of delivering the jails, and nothing could be more ridiculously absurd than the distinction between the practice at the Central Criminal Court, in the circle over which it presides, and the practice in than counties in justice. A England. He consider e d th a t a most crying A suitable expedient was devised to r'saiedy the incon venience, by making a six months' circuit instead of the present circuit of eight months in one part of the year, and four months in the other. He was morally certain that such a grievous injustice would be no longer tole rated. The country, he repeated, would not suffer it ; and if the class to which the prisonfr belonged had either real or virtual representatives in Parliament, it would have been put an end to long ago. The only mode was to in crease the number of judges. This he considered a dif ficult matter, as they would have no employment at any other time than while they were engaged on circuit, as there were no other courts over which they could preside. He wished, however, that two additional judges should be appointed, and that Chamber business should in future be conducted in public, over which they could be. ap pointed to preside. He would conclude by moving the second reading of the Bill. The Duke of RICHMOND thought it highly desir able that the time which prisoners were unfortunately detained in gaol before trial should be greatly shortened. He considered, however, that if that Bill passed, the county rates would be considerably increased. There would be also the inconvenience of bringing witnesses and prisoners to the place of assize. The consequence would be, that instead of paying 701. or 801. for each criminal as at present, the expense would be doubled. He hoped that if there was any extra charge it would be paid out of the Consolidated Fund, and not, as at present, out of the county rate. Lord CAMPBELL was not adverse to the principle of the Bill, but the details he considered would not stand at all. There were no provisions made for the finding of bills before grand juries or petit jurors, where the prisoner was to be confined after sentence, or how the sentence was to be carried into execution. His own in dividual opinion was, that there ought to be a new Com mission issued altogether, whose duty - would be lo'take the whole question into consideration. Since Edward the Sixth there was no change whatever, either as to the distribution of the circuits, or the pumber of the judges. He thought, too, that Ireland and England should be considered jointly in that Commission, and that there should be an interchange of judges between the two countries. He believt d that English judges would be received in Ireland with favour, and their de cisions would be looked up to with respect. There were two Irish judges whose time was not fully occupied, and who might be brought over here, and the Irish circuits might be more consolidated than what they were at pre sent. The Bill was in a crude, he would not say an imperfect, state ; and he should, therefore, recommend that it should be deferred, as, in its present state, i would not efficiently carry out the benevolent intentions of his Learned Friend ; and if it were improved and extended to Ireland as well as England, it would hate a very beneficial effect. The LORD CHANCLLOR said he should feel it his duty to recommend to her Majesty the establishment of another Commission with more extensive powers than the one with which the present Bill emanated. He had always been in favour of judges going to a central spot to try parties, and that the jury and witnesses should come to the place where the judges sat; by this, business was promoted, and expense sated. He would, there fore, suggest that the Bill should stlnd over until it was seen whether the Government would take the subject under their consideration. Lord DENMAN objected to postponing the Bill, and of appointing another Commission, the re sults of which they would not learn for years. The time of imprisonment was too long —four months was too long. What compensation was it to a man to discharge him after confining him in the gaol for several months ; or what punishment was that which took into account the time ho had been in prison before trial, and made allowances for it? He was in favour of a more frequent delivery of gaols. Through three of the judges of the Qiiceo's Bench being required to go on the Winter Circuit, 400 cases of arrears were on account of the judges giving up their leisure time, ultimately reduced to 100. Besides, a more fre quent delivery of gaols would reduce crime, as ignorant men, who plunged heedlessly into crime, would be re strained from doing so by being speedily brought to justice. Lord BROUGHAM spoke in favour of the Bill. If a commission were appointed, he hoped it would be newly constituted, and not composed of judges, as their duties were sufficiently onerous without any addition. After a few worth from the Loll) CHANCELLOR, the Bill was then read a second time. The Earl of DALHOUSIE moved the second reading of the Seamen's Fund Bill.—Agreed to. The Earl of St. GERMANS moved the second read ing of the Ecclesiastical Unions Bill.---Agreed to. The other Bills on the table were advanced a stage, and their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 7. The SPEAKER took the chair shortly before Four. NEW MEMBER. Mr. MOFFATT was introduced by Duncan and Mr. Brotherton, and took the oaths and his seat for Dart mouth. NEW WRIT FOR CAMBRIDGE. On the motion of Mr. YOUNG, a new writ was or dered for Cambridge, in the room of Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, who, since his election, had accepted the office of her Majesty's Solicitor-General. WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS RAILWAY. _ _ _ The Lords' amendments to the Whitehaven and itir ness Junction Railway were agreed to. ➢IANCHESTER, BURY, AND ROSSENDALE RAILWAY. The Lords' amendments to the Manchester, Bury, and Rossendale Railway were agreed to. MANCHESTER IMPROVEMENT BILL. The Lords' amendments to the Manchester Improve ment Bill were agreed to. '1 St. Matthew Bethnal Grcen Rectory Bill was re ported. Lady — Sandy's (Turner's) Estate Bill was reported. The Yoke': Road Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The Bristol Parochial Rate Bill was read a third time and passed. Tr. St. Helen's Railway and Canal Bill was read a third time and passed. RAILWAYS. Lord G. SOMERSET moved the order of the day for the further consideration of the second report of the Railway Committee. Mr. GREEN would not oppose the resolutions though he did not think they went sufficiently far, thinking, as he did, that all parties whose Bills had been read a second time should be placed in the same position with respect to their Bills as if the next session were in fact a continuation of the present one Ile could not see the justice of putting the party to the ex pense of going over the same ground again. Mr. E. B. DENISON said that the result of the resolutions, if carried, would be to hold out a pre mium to parties to delay, and would prevent the London and York Railway, and other measures similarly situated, from being carried. He thought it extremely hard upon those parties that they should be thrown back by Parliament adopting a new course. As the promoter of the London and York line, he would much sooner have been told that they could not carry the Bill than be open to the enormous expense they had been at, for it was his opinion that the money expended had been all thrown away; as they would have next session to begin de noro unless the House put them in the same position next. ses,ion th it they were in now. He should, ata later period of the session, bring forward a specific motion on the sub Vet. Lord G. SOMERSET said he thought the Hon. Mem ber had made out a special case of hardship. He cculd assure him that the subject should be fully considered. He might perhaps now as well state that it was his in tention on F, iday to bring forward a motion with regard to the standing orders on Railway Bills. ABERDARE RAILWAY. The Aberdare Railway Bill wai read a third time and passed. LONDON AND CROYDON RAILWAY. The London and Croydon Railway (Enlargement) Bill was reported. The Morden College Estate Bill was reed a second time, and ordered to be committed. Earl Onslow's (Ellerker's)Esta.e Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Lord Monson's Estate Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. A. CHAPMAN presented a petition against the Charitable Trusts Bill. Sir R. INGLIS presented similar petitions from St. Thomas's Hospital, and St. Margaret's Hospital, West minster. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from the Tower Hamlets, in favour of the Medical Bill. Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petition from the Merchant Adventurers of Bristol against the Charitable Trusts Bill ; also a petition from the trustees of the Bristol Municipal Charities to the same effect. Mr. S. O'BRIEN presented a petition from the Loyal National Repeal Association, in reference to the report of the Landlord and Tenant Commission, and praying that the Legislature might sanction some remedy in order to guarantee to tenants on short leases compensation for improvements on their farms. The SPEAKER inquired if the lion. Member had given notice of his intention to present the petition. Mr. O'BRIEN replied in the negative. The petition was allowed to lie on the table. Mr. MASTERMAN presented numerous petitions from guilds and companies of the City of London against the Charitable Trusts Bill. Mr. BERNAL and Lord J. RUSSELL presented petitions to a similar effect from inhabitants of the City of London. Al so petitions praying for a reduction in the price of land in New South Wales. Lord HOWICK presented a petition from settlers in New Zealand, complaining of the hardships they endured from the misgovernment of that colony. Lord CLEMEN TS said, as there was no public busi ness, he wished to trespass on the attention of the House for a few moments on a matter personal to himself. On Friday night, or rather Saturday morning, he had felt it his duty to make some observations on the Constabularies (Ireland) Bill. He was reported in the public journals to have said that Orange men were the cauie of disturbances in the county of Leitrim, for which peaceable Protestants and Catho- lics had suffered by taxation. He appealed to any Hon. Member who heard him whether he had used such lan guage. He was sorry to be obliged to occupy the time of the House in contradicting that statement, but he had endeavoured to have it explained in a more private man ner in a newspaper which, it was supposed, represented the opinions of Hon. Members on that side of the House, but ineffectually. He denied having said that there were any Orangemen in Leitrim. He again asserted that he did not know of any Orangemen being there. He must say, as a magistrate of the county of Leitrim, there ss ere not more well-disposed people on the face of the earth. He would not allow his flawe to be used in an injurious manner to any party, and thought it but common justice to make this statement. Mr. HUME then moved for a return of the number of troops of all descriptions and ranks in the province of Sinde, under the command ~f General Sir Charles Napier, on the Ist day of January, 1845; stating the number of Queen's and of Company's troops ; distin guishing the regular regiments, cavalry and infantry, from the irregular corps of infantry and cavalry ; the number and description of artillery, engineers, commis sariat, and all other establishments in the pro- vince at that date. Estimate of the expense of these troops for the year 1844-1845, and the average ordinary charges of such corps in the Company's pos sessions in time of peace, and also the amount of extra ordinary expense incurred for these corps in their service in Sinde for the year. Estimate of the receipts of re venue of every kind in Sinde for the year 1844-5, dis tinguishing the several heads, itigl the amount of each head ; also, a return of the number of civil servants. in Sinde, for the same time, and the expense of such establishment, un d er se p ara te heads, so as to exhibit a correct estimate of the finance of the province in that year.—Ordered. Mr. PUSEY moved that an humble address be pre sented to her Majesty, praying for a return . of the pro vision, if any, made by law or otherwise, her Majesty'.: different colonial possessions, for destitute persons of the following classes :-Ist. Widows and fatherless children, or deserted women and children ; 2d. Old an d infirm persons ; 3d. Persons diseased in body or mind. Also, a statement, so far as the same can be given, of the actual coneition of such several classes of persons in each of the said colonial possessions. Mr. WAKLEY, pursuant to notice he had given, pre sented petitions from members of the R o y a l C o ll ege of S u rgeons of England, residing in Afanchester, Leeds, Tewkesbury, Peterborough, Chichester, Croydon, the cou nty of Stafford, Sheffield, T un b r id ge Wells, Lewes, Sidmouth, Birkenhead, the county of Chester, Pen rith, Ilfracombe, Christchurch, Brackley, Conway, Coggeshall, Stratford, Church Stretton, Bleanavon, Copford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Dedham, East Bergholt, Brecon, Great Grimsby, Northleech, Petersfield, Stam ford, Newhaven, Leominster, Whitchurch, Bampton, Hereford, Weobly, Honiton, Dulverton, llockington, St. Marslebone; also from the Chairman and Honorary Se cretaries of the Committee of Surgeons in London, and also from the Medical Association of the county of Shropshire ; all praying for the postponement or re jection of the Physic and Surgery Bill, and opposing the separate incorporation of the general practitioners; also praying for inquiry into the government of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and for the enfran chisement of the members in that institution. BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. _ Sir ROBERT PEEL then rose, and I think, perhaps, it will be the most convenient course to the House generally, if, on moving the order of the day, I fulfil the promise made on a former occasion, and inform the House what course the Government means to pursue with regard to those legislative measures of great importance, which, considering the advanced period of the session, and the great mass of business yet before the House, must be proceeded with. But before I allude to the Bills already under the consi deration of the House, I shall just answer a question put to me a few days ago, in respect to those measures which are connected with railway legislation. On the part of the Government, I may say that they have availed themselves of the experience of the Committees on Railway Bills with respect to that department of the Government by which those Bills are first considered, namely, the Board of Trade, and in the early part of next session we shall ask the House to adopt such proceedings as may be neces sary for the furtherance of the business of the country. In the course of this session, it shall either be my duty, or that of my Noble Friend the President of the Board of Trade, to lay on the table of the House a minute of the Board of Trade, suggesting an alteration in the functions of that Board, the general purport of which will be to change in some degree its constitutional duties. That Board will still require that all Bills connected with the subject of railways be laid before them, and they wili require the report to Parliament whether any peculiar public injuries will necessarily be inflicted by the passing of such Bills, but the'Board of Trade will be relieved from the duty of deciding on them.—(Cheers.) They can offer no opinion or suggestion on the respec tive merits of any line which can in the slightest degree alter the decision of the House. As lam speaking on the subject of railways, I will but just refer to an address presented to the Crown, and it may be convenient to state at once, that in conse quence of that address, three gentlemen have been ap pointed for the purpose of considering and assisting the Judgment of the Board of Trade, care being, however, taken, that in all public projects they shall come to no final decision. Those gentlemen are Sir Frederick Smith, Professor Barlow, and Professor Airy, and their con duct and scientific abilities are such, that I think the House can find no fault with their appointment. The business y et before the House, and the Bills still likely to be brought in from the other House, is yet so great, that it may be a great advantage if a positive announcement is made by Government of those measures which they intend to adopt. With respect to those I will instance the more prominent measures, and confine myself, there fore, to the greater and more important of them. In the first place, with respect to the Irish Colleges Bill, this is one of those which we intend to proceed with. This is a Bill of great importance, from the nature of the subject. We intend to give precedence to the Irish Col leges Bill, and we shall attempt to get through this Bill before we take any steps with regard to other measures. There is no necessity for any further delay in regard to this measure, and we believe it is better to proceed consecutively with one Bill to its conclusion, than to delay its progress for the sake of attempting to forward other measures. That Bill stands for consideration after the question of privi les,re to-night. I believe that the Hon. Member for Ripon has a notice of motion for an amendment to be proposed on the bringing up the report on the Irish Col leges Bill. If it would be inconvenient for him to post pone his motion, or if he would particularly wish to pro pose his amendment on the bringing up of the report, due opportunity will be afforded him for so doing ; but if it would be equally convenient to him, I would suggest that he should postpone his motion until the third reading. If he wishes to propose his amendment on the bringing up of the report, then he would propose that the report should be brought up on Thursday, and that the third reading should be fixed for the following Monday. If he consents to postpone his motion until the third reading, then I would propose that the report should be received to-morrow or Wednesday, and that the third reading should be fixed for Thursday. There is another Bill which it is important should pass, the general principle of which has been admitted by the House, which has undergone considerable discussion, and which has received the sanction of most of the Members connected with Scotland, which I do not anticipate much difficulty in passing—l mean the Poor-law Amend ment (Scotland) Bill. There is another Bill which I have reluctantly hitherto postponed for the purpose of forwarding the Ma.ynootN, Bill and the Irish Colleges Bill, and which I intend to proceed with as speedily as possible--I mean the Bill for relieving the Jews from their civil disabilities.—(Great cheering.) I will fix some day in the following week for the further pro ceeding with that Bill. There are many other most im portant Bills for consideration, but I hope the House will not consider that it is the fault of her ➢lajesty's Government that more progress has not been made in these measures. They must have been aware of what the occupations of the House have been. Ido not say this by way of complaint, but the House must be aware that we have omitted no opportunity of forward kg these important measures. There are many Bills also which must be continued. There is, fur instance, the Bills of Exchange Bill, a measure for continuing the law, making a modification in the usury laws. It is of the utmost importance that this Bill should be continued. There are also several B.lls of which my Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has charge Bill s respect i ng wh i ch there is not likely to arise any discussion, which are merely for the renewal of laws which will expire at the end of the year. One of these Bills is to continue the laws relating to the rating of stock ; another is the Turnpike Trusts Bill. There is also another Bill which it is necessary should be passed for continuing the laws regulating the removal of the Irish and Scotch poor. This measure will be the more necessary, if my Right Honourable Friend would, as he pro poses to do, relinquish for this session his Bill for regulating the law of parochial settlement. In addition to those, there arc several other Bills in respect to which it will make no material difference to the public to postpone the consideration of them; for instance, there is the Valuation of Lands Bill, the Criminal Lunatics Bill, of which latter a good deal has already been heard in this House; then there are, besides, the Public Works Bill, which in some measure applies to Ireland ; the Drainage Bill, which also in some degree affects parts of Ireland; and, lastly, there is the Joint-Stock Company's Bill which also applies to Ireland ; and the Fisheries Bill, 1 believe, all of which, it is agreed, shall be forwarded.—(Hear.) I have, in addition to these, to mention that the re is a matter of business of importance to be dis charged, that is, there are no fewer than eighty exceptions on votes of supply.—(liear, hear.) Now, on no account can these votes of supply be passed over or postponed ; and, therefore, I do hope that Hon. Mem bers who have given notice of these votes, will, in consi deration of the advanced period of the session at which we have now arrived, and the state of public business, waire their objections, when they recollect that some time must necessarily elapse before the House can enter upon the final consideration of the Irish Colleges Bill, which I did hope the House would have been able to dispose of this day week.—(Hear, hear.) In making this statement, her Majesty's Government have also thought it expedient to make this further arrangement— namely, that my Right lion. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department wishes to have time for the reconsideration of the Medicine and Physic Bill, and to have it reprinted.—(Cheers and laughter from the Opposition.) My Right Honourable Friend did flatter himself at one time that this Bill had been so far advanced as to have received the assent of the House to it this session, and if he could have done so it would have been very desirable indeed to have re lieved the House from all further discussion upon the matter next session; but the Bill having met with such very decided opposition, my Right Honourable Friend has consented to postpone it rather than further consume the time of the House upon the question.—(Hear, hear.) The other mea sures which we shall find it necessary to postpone are, the Justices Clerks Bill, the Clerks of P e tt y Sessions Bill, and the Parochial Settlement Bill.—(Hear, hear.) There was . another Bill brought in by the Board of Trade and the Admiralty—the Merchants and Seamen's Bill ; it was in general favour, and they hoped to be able to carry it into a law this session. He was now only speaking of the Bills fo r which her Majesty' s Govern ment were responsible. He would not refer to Bills which were under the charge of other Hon. Members. An Hosr. MEMBER—The Coal Trade Bill. Sir R. PEEL said that they should desire to go into that Bill. An Host. MENDER—The Charitable Trusts Bill. Sir R. PEEL—That certainly sho u ld b e protracted t i ll nex t session. They: did not wish to postpone it from any doubt entertained on the part of her Majesty's Government of the great imp or t ance o f t h e Bi l l , b ut b e cause it would be likely to lead to a very long discus sion. He was not aware that there was any other mea sures of any great importance. An HON. ME3IBER—Th e E ccles i ast i cal C ourts Bill. SrßOßEoßTols:EteEL—That is a Bill of which the Noble i Lord pp (Lord John Russell) had charge. As he supported a Bill of similar provisions on a former occasion, he would be inclined to vote for its second read ing now. He found it necessary, nevertheless, that it should be postponed. If the Noble Lord called upon him to enter into an engagement that her Majesty's Gs s. rernment would give the measureits support next session, he would decline to commit the ,Government to any support of the Bill at any . time. Mr. 11. BERKELEY —What is to be done with the Small Debts Bill ? Sir ROBERT PEEL—With regard to that Bill, we do propose to proceed with it. I regard that Bill of so much importance to the working and middle classes, that I think it highly desirable we should pass it in the pre sent session—(Hear, hear)—and I have no doubt we shall be able to do so—(Hear, hear)—by ass i gn i ng to it the m3rning sittings.—(Hear.) With regard to the consolidation of the Customs Acts, the House is aware that we have lately made important changes in the customs and revenue laws ; hut there has been no consolidation of these Acts since thir teen years ago. But we are now p re p a red to p ro pose that consolidation, and it will be a great advan • tage to the commercial body to have all the important provisions severally set forth in one Act. If, however, it should be proposed to make any important change in the customs and revet•ue laws, I think it would be to get through the Act which I propose before the end the session —(Hear)—but if we be allowed to COns° lida.e the existing Acts into one Bill without sabs tell o ; tially interfering with th e enac t ments as they at pr f es e ,, stand, we shall be a bl e t o g i ve amp l e not ice o 1111 1, charge we mry find necessary, and yet get throug the Bill in sufficient time. An lloN. .11E3mEit asked what was intended to be done with the Irish Lunacy Bill. Sir IL PEEL's answer was not heard in the gahl e l' hut. it was followt d by some laughter in the House. ; • 0 1 Lord J. RUSSELL said that the Ecelesiastlche Courts Bill was prepared by his Honourable Frier% Member for Devon, is ho (from the state of his bee" ; as we understood) would not take part in the fart, discussion this session. But if he thought that he c°,,, secure a sufficient number of days, he would hinise", o however unfit he might be—proceed with the Bill. 1842 a similar Bill was bro ug ht i n by h er M a jesty's G vernment, and the House assented to the principle, io alder passed the second readin g . If, as it appeared, he coak il e i sr carry the Bill this session, he hoped that next Y th e he would receive f r o m her Majesty's Government. same assistance which in a similar situation he had gt jeD to them.—(A laugh.) The Right Hon. Gentleman to spoken of the motions of which notice had been gil eP t o r be brought forward on the order of the del going into Committee of Supply. Now, he (Lord J'Pri, Russell) could mot say what Gentlemen might th i tf proper to withdraw their notices for the sak e ' d allowing the public business to proceed, It, of preventing the session being inconveniently P. tracted ; but he would say, that there was one tnoStorti which he knew his Noble friend near him ( ..mo ri e Palmerston) thought it necessary to bring in is r o s the question of supply—that was a motion 0 the subject of the question which had arisen betlree Spain and the Government with respect to the sal duties.—(Hear.) O n t h a t ques ti on i t was the in te o f tion of his Noble Friend to ask the o pinion lig the House.—(Hear, hear.) With res p ec t t o the 131 0 given up by the Right Hon. Gentleman, so far wa s n t from concurring in th e o pi n i on th a t th e Goverran e wt..re to blame, he thought that so man y i m p o rtant li? e , r sures were brought in at the early p ar t o f the sess ll4 "' that other business could not be further advanced. c r; LANDLORDS AND TENANTS (IRELAND)I3Imd Captain OSBORNE asked what was the interlac e d the Government with respe c t t o t hi s Bill, on a ccount in which several Irish Members were now remaining town ?—(Cheers and laughter.) A tO Sir R. PEEL said that th e Bill h a d b een referre a Select Committee in th e ot h er H ouse, an d h e was 11°' able to say when it would reach this House. IRISH COLLEGES BILL. _ _ In answer to a question from Sir J. GRAIIASit sb Captain OSBORNE said that he thought the Ibis Members would n o t o bj ec t t o t h e secon d rea di n g of t" Bill being fixed for Wednesday. THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS BILL. is Sir R. INGLIS congratulated the House that Bill was withdrawn for this session, and h e hoped k as the Government had formerly brought in a mucil" b io objectionabl e measure , t h ey wou ld not now acce pt Bill from their opponents.—(Hear, bear.) is4s Sir R. PEEL said th a t th e G overnmen t Bill in was very materially altered. Although the House :it sented to the prin c ipl e , th e G overnmen t did no t thi"" o desirable to proceed further at that time, in conseque n ii of the formidable opposition that was presented t° e The principle of the present Bill was so much the 5 0 that he could not refuse his concurrence in it so far. BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL. tie Lord HOWICK said, that although the Bill was ° e i of a comme rc i a l c h aracter an d s h ou ld b e passe d, J te there was o ne c l ause w hi c h was not necessary, alldnolf hoped the m easure wou ld not b e presse d a f ter a n 35.- of Members had left town. Sir It. PEEL said that no advantage would be take°. IRISH REGISTRATION. Mr. REDINGTON wished to ask what was the il' , tention of the G overnmen t w i t h respec t to t h e re gMo tion in Ireland, which was in a most unsatisfaetu' ,f L state ? This and other measures relating to Ireland 1 7, mentioned in her Majesty's speech, but anything jelr o t. tant to Ir e l an d was neg l ecte d b y t h e present f ar liatee. o Sir R. PEEL was supr i se d t h at t h e H on. G en tleer oo should h ave sa id t h at t h e su bj ect of Ir i sh reg i s trat in had been m en ti one d i n t h e speech f rom the Throne. c if was not awar e th a t i t h a d . I t was true t h at shor t o 3 after the commencement of the session statements to. been made o f t h e i ntent i on of the Govef nment to , ,e 1 duce the M a y noot h G rant B i ll and the Irish Cebet, Bill. The former measure had been carried, and the ter was coming on aga i n t h at n i g h t, and woul d probe b o l , occupy a week. He thought, therefore, the Hon. g e m ber had no gr oun d f or complaining of the cours e '- Goverrment had pursued with respect to Ireland. COAL TRADE PORT OF LONDON BILL* Mr. HUME wished to know whether the Govern . would fix to-day or to-morrow—some day on whic h sb th o House might come to some decision with respect to Coal Duties Continuance Bill ? Sir E. PEEL could not fix any day on which the su ject might be brought forward. Lord'CLEMENTS asked in reference to an 01 which had been issued by the Lord-Lieutenant of - 1-r r e, land, what was m ea nt by a su p er i n t en di ng magistrla and what were the inte n ti o n s of G overnmen t w ith reb— to Ireland ? the Sir T. FREMANTLE re pli e d th a t, i n a ddi t i o n ta,,,A number of stipendi ar y mag i strates , ten gent l em en 'i n been appoi n t e d t o th e di stur b e d di str i cts of Ire l a nd' no order that th e y m i g ht concert toget h er to take the effectual means for arrninq- the constabulary and buting the force, and Government had thought i t visabla to a pp o i n t one magistrate to exercise dise.ren, tionary power ov er the others. Whatever sugges ti n . might be made by the w h o l e o f th em , wou ld b e coo ideated to the Government by these gentlemen. P n , might state that the course had been adopted in roof fortuity with a similar plan pursued in the count/ to Tipperary, whsn that county was in a disturbed st. a n , some years ago. With reference t o th e l as t quests what were the intentions of Govern men t, h e could on state that Government were determined to exercise .„ 0 the powers theypossessed under the existin gc onstittit w o of the country, and he hoped that with th e se po we ,,, they should be able to restore the country t o t ra nquilli t y Lord EBRINGTON asked whether any additie ti d stipendiary magistrates had bee n a pp o i n t e d t o Irein l3 . c; and whether those who were removed from one dis til to another had been replaced? te Sir T. FREMANTLE r e pli e d th a t severa l ma gistr-A • had been to the peacef u l di s t r i c t s t o meet t h e exi genel e e : of the disturbed counti es , b u t G overnment h a d 11 ,, thought it necessary to s u pply th e i r p l aces w i t h oche it because it would be remembered that a short time ag o reduction of the numb e r o f s ti pen di ary mag i strate s e" „, :. ployed in Ireland had been contemplated. Mr. BELLEW stated that he believed in that - 4 trict in the county of Cavan where Mr. Booth had be 0 murdered, and from whiah six magistrates had nr, withdrawn, there had been a public meeting at which op resolution had been passed, declaratory of a n opint,, that it was not expedient in the prese n t c ir c umstani;a of the country to support the Govern men t. He wie lt . e to know if any communicatio n h a d b een rece i ve d iii matter, and whether a m ag i strate w h o h a d taken bee active part in getting th a t reso l ut i on passe d had be removed from the commission of the peace ? of Sir I'. FREMANTLE said he was not awar e o any communication h av i ng b een rece i ve d, or a ny st e p being taken, in the matter referred to. THE LAW OF PARTNERSHIP. es' Mr. STUART WORTLEY w i s h e d to as k a cl a f tion E o x f ch th e e qu ß e i r g , h r t es l p l ec on ting Gentleman the Chancellor e t the a law that was passed session on j o i n t- s t oc k compan i es . B y t h at A c t it vie, provided th a t a ll j o i n t- s t oc k compan i es s h ou ld be r quired t o e ff ec t a reg i strat i on . Thi s app li e d to a r ' e parties resid e nt i n th e U n it e d Ki ng d om , b ut t h e re W e . e , serious doubts whether the Act was applicable to W it ty who were m em b ers o f j o i n t- s t oc k compan i es i n the e n , lonies and foreign countries. He wished to learn fr ° o the Right Hon. Gentleman what explanation be ee t . l o , give of this matter ? Al s o, w h e th er th e A c t Wne tended to be applied to chartered companies ? A hot The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER t be the Government was aware of the difficulty to which t Hon. Gentleman had referred, and the subject bad bed brought under the consideration of the highest 'eg g° talent. A case had beets drawn up and submitted et legal consideration, the opini on on w hi c h h a d not iba been received. Under th ese c i rcumstances , w hile t oo matter was before the law officers of the Crown, he not prepared to say anything further on the subject. THE LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Mr.: PAKINGTON said, as the Right 4 Hon. Bar nPe l the Secretary for the Ho me D epartment h a d suspend:, for the present the law of settlement, and as some nri 4: l sure was indispensably requ i re d on th i s su bj ect , he wie'ns to know whether it was t h e i ntent i on o f t h e G ove rntne during the recess to frame another measure ? in Sir J, GRAHAM sa id t h at t h e l aw o f set tl e ment some cases work e d b a dly, an d requ i re d con sidern bio amendment, but, as some interests in the House were I f posed to it, h e did no t see any prospect o f effecting any immediate change in it. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Sir J. Y. BULLER said that he had received a lette r from Mr. O'Brien, who had been summoned be f o r e that House, and be had also received a petition from tP t same Gentleman, with a request that he would presen t in his place in Parliament. He stated in that petitimi that he was partner with Mr. Edwards, solicitor a e t attorney-at-law in Devon, by whom an action brought against Mr. Parrot (late Member for Totne s j The petitioner added that he had never been consul te d in the case, but that the action had been solely' t o without his sanction, brou g ht by Ch ar l es Ed wa rds. "'" prayed that he might be - di sc h arge d a t once f r om furt be . r attendance before that House. The petition was then read by the Clerk at the ta ble ' Mr. DIVETT said th a t th oug h be conceived that tbet prayer of the petition w as an unques ti ona bl e one, i, e d as that was a matter not for present discussion, he ur o° ` nvwe that it should lie on the table. Sir J. Y. BULLER presented a petition from Chur l° Edwards, Bucklersbury, county of Devon, and Thotnae u they Baker, Lime-street, solicitors, stating, that thon g '. is brought the action against Mr. Parrot on account a li ve having given certain evidence before a Select Commit ! ' ;g of the House of Commons, yet they were not awar e was any breach of the privileges of the House, and t b:a the action would not lie without that evidence. It pra), er that the House would take these circumstances u nu o f consideration, stating that they had not been guil t Y,,, i any infraction of the privileges of the House, and i f tm had it was quite unintentional. Mr. DIVETT moved that David Phillips be c alled t° the bar. Mr. Phillips a as then brought to the bar of the 11 011 . 5 ; The SPEAKER—What is your name ? Mr. P hil " —David Phillips. SPEAKER—What is your profession ? Mr. Phi lli p s —A surgeon. SPEAKER—Where do you reside ? Mr. Phillips"' AtSPEA Bucklersbury, in the county ed of Devon. KER—Are ou y engag in the action of lips against Parrot ? Mr. Phillips—Yes, I am.