The Sun. — London, England, 1850-07-30 00:00:00

tlri . 6 h re :dY not than sixteen. He would move that the kr tlill ; tePort progress, and ask leave to sit a 40114 LRELAWNY thought it would better gai i n f . h . he ifeler' ' H ewed to move for the returns to which h Th aded relative to the duchy of Cornwall. hi The eIIAIRMAN asked Mr. Hume, would he persist ifs !notion; and the Hon. Member having replied rflativel Stria 31 ' itiiO4Pr's were then ordered to withdraw, but a di lef glenottake place 0 our return to the gallery at found • a kr. gu fitphi i ., SIE objecting to their then creating separate a t would NI bluesent for the Prince of Wales. kille.2 eamuraging extravagance. and establishing lha a iti e ' e nt for a a set o f id le individuals. They would then Na NkLaase similar to the oc cu p a ti on o f Kensington he by per ons ad who had no more right to be there le kr ' BRIGH T rd for the }IT said, the reason assigned by . th . e Noble Ohl , for should proposal was, that it was desirable the i'lrap„ be made aware that the building was not to p , rroanently devoted to the purposes of the . V _ t _ ihtt,kizallery. But it appeared to him (Mr. Bright) 444' 1 fact ; Ity al.g.ht easily be made known without their h eel: nl 4 ) the motion then under their consideration. estibIithSIBTIIORP objected to their then creating eliit, e 1 Mont for which there existed no necessity Th e 4, it ;q OmiEL XC LOR of th e EXCHEQUER sanisde. b is to ( a stake to suppose that any great exptede.. tale , ' Incurred by that proposal. IC was ti eelh bh4 t the eof buildings forming Carmltoons-ter tiveth°4l,4be completed, and that the public should_ !Ito Lb! benefit of the new rents, which would be paid ietteet° edoption of that arrangement. But in ord re. 'lttat,._tl?At end they should remove the stables at . p of 11tiek'qlecl to liarlborough House; and the object 41,6114 Rag e Pro osal was to erect other stables in their b 10414 be e not proposed that any establishmentwhat . °ll t l e Pt up at Marlborough House beyond h lltspOrldr ordinary circumstances, be necessary for t : 141 11e r t 1)418 of preserving the premises from injury.. __ -t it tts , o l le p e b til ie teclubelin that the proposal was in any way an h ill itititl, lE said, it appeared from the statement , they Aliio"eard that the object of the motion was the adopted N 4h ' ef Carlton -terrace But before they a rill ,geta t Z °B 4l they ought . to know exactly how the effect. Besides, ~_ Ine i i i '',_ Was to be carried into P li leetip 1)4elle, that there could be no reason tal itter g t he hatne of the Prince of Wales with such kkr ji b 1'r7.4;07?L Crowaid he heard no reason why that ... 0 10 04 1 , 7 4 tn should hamper themselves by a kV. ltenee'''" r espect to what was to happen nine pt:lt .C-Mer, hear.) Before the end of that k to h ti ge ke tu t t , be fouud desirable to adopt some other kle terlietiti a , Tltl they would then find their discretion I under their con • p 7 lettered by the proposa- - o f the vto w -11. If the "stables were the property lett 11, tha t ~- kg te e was nothing to ~. pr e t t'4l ol? --4 1 4 1, t k i l v in as the Y - might tehviennk r t o p p ir o tos s p a e l orffi. w c a e s rs quite froni INV 4;:n ttr e - thought the p t e o , Ntentt pre.spit s deth I ) With said that ascircumsltanceo hr,. , o for f n_r res pect to th e inconmgte as . there tderivedere wa froms any t the 4741.,u a wait he felt it his du y . to . resist any pro ' i llit .3.1 Rtkit to the Prince, who enjoyenjoyed the revenues Lik b''blehy. 11etk. u4eAN • • k him that i t , h h h -gir t u , said it struck 1 1 44 th ey 14luerhand in that matter. eerestmahulsets be Ihjerl ed, a,,d heard might surely be built at some opir,the Public Noble Lord, in unnecessarily .. voting to his '"s '''"e moue was doing vast injury k top t i It‘rareene Y' tiyl 4 4 l J o ' . IttiFSSELL acid he was not asking for any (ti ci tfle i 4 tile Prince of Wales. But if they were to tesi r l 44 lee °,narehy, and to have a Prince of a W h a o l u e s s e , t o ' i I°l l that Prince should not have kr p 1 ., 11. t k t ti -4u Nit . . oppose an ade- Preyi i _ said he did not wish to t..t. eotauu for the Royal Family.' But the Noble Itial 0tt,4,,, not expect that the House ofitChooomtmhoanys. kie 4t itt,"''ney for the Prince of Wales w pt;htelht ertained how the property which belonged to 1144,14.t0rme1l alunaged. They could not,. however, at H e did htt.' l4 lt ir-.4nY judgment upon that subject. i t r tile ifis il e e r tir . a ble - that they should unnecessarily re .44. etion of future Parliaments.. $. to ift,taat! SIDNEY said that if the Noble Lord Jtet, -° , 4 With -l p the Committee to a division, those who t"%id b -141 (Mr. Alderman Sidney) upol.l. the sub ki,no ; a Plated i n rscious position. He imeiep',atention ot a r a ef v u e si r n y g a to g make every necessary et Ito th a t i i u t r the p z .i iice of Wales. Bat it . a V 6 6 44 4)140 48 then most premature to discuss the fu qr. 4.-rta?tt of a child who was only ni h n i e ch ye o a u r t s it i ° ors h ter !laving recently made a grant, w_ (Hear, to h)to :1 beon thought so extravagant —(Hear, 114 th ' L e lliber of the Royal Family, it appeared to l 'ete ll :t by their adoption of the present proposal hp: eithw %I:101d be led to infer that they had nothing '1' ,414 ae t ,i ll ' i r surilus revenue but to _found additional "; f,-,hloaPi.a.laces for the Royal Family. q r re "te then divided, and the number 4 s 6 were— A tC P ting r t at it p opress 68 N „,................. pg • ... 144te e teb• 41 Joni„ Jrity ...... --22 W4 B then agreed to, and the House re- %It; e &St n '% t UN; s-'l' BARON ROTHSCIII iv L e D ft etait t :4 that the Houso should reso 5,, 1 ,; ) W il - ° f Supply having been put, . self into i ten 40tlb said, in reply to a question from Mr. Itetii fastt 4 that he was informed that it was the n kl,ll elf oti• MPmber for the city of London to pre 44r°40tv t at . the table of the House at t7 h el r v e e s 44;telratt,,118 day),.._.(Hear, hoar.) peet o'clock t e 4, geed i„ _s a t hscussion, e. ti What he bad said IP 14454 the 1 h reared he had been maiisd tiit tlitoitgpreaent tell/earned was only one question n rv b a e tions tt))/::gh;l'la4titi that ho should reserve any stage obse in the fittrtlitikt',!lcte make until nome future r ' 1 41 4 ' klis l ; h ` suy such stage should occur. zt.olthe „,1. Wished to know whether t ( Ho r n . . N G e e w n : ; 4 41 ) ret"'eraber for North Warwickshire M Gen et. ,h) renew the discussion? question for Iketoresttr,, -ciGATE said he had muc i h n Q:eoiett4l,of several Members pwhouhte hi s had proceedings t„qttttt, t ri 93 , the i rregularity of t tis, Mil, hr,urtog the last few days. been 81j °I th, t , ,, SSE the 'd he had fixed the considera- I t ii t -(letcla, am e n dm ents ts on the Irish Franchise ef mt %Pr'tn-rterf (thisnd°4 but he should not, the 9 q ess that • -.-, ' n Memberfor 4 11 , er e to iii, Motion if the Ho • a , s. ta N44 4' WOR e -p Be r ti t himself to take the o li ta w that be- Ne etron I t ''''''EY said it did not ttbceo othsehip upon the ptesented himsel f f o at ° the table to "tts 4'3) any discussion should take place h lli t , `.51 tioalt°selB/;),OSED EXHIBITION OF 1851.. —O - the er,„`tIORP rose to submit the followin be g p w re- NC r , t ° tli b - n ' S e ""-." That an humble address Slit.'lly DO:teen, praying that her Majesty will be infor- NV 4 ltt ",`'ed to direct the Attorney-General to Polii,3".° for -e ‘ i °ll to the of the filing, proposed . _ any 444444)6,N itians injunction to restrain the erection of i t , s ti Ily , Member he ef.lB,,P„rt of to for the intended ex '* 't• Th e 4 4 h oal Gentle- t 0 d put it to the lion, and Learned Hon. and Gallant mode '4 ttt).4t4lteriley-General himseli whether the teittty, th e had adopted was fair, straigh f t b to eving. 4.4441)4, old k w as a great shame that a set tracting 'N I 4 10 .I,ee carried round by persons of of highest 4 stehlkor p 4 Sovereign, for the purpose of ex rrying on the Ors ie;t80118 the money necessary for c a rrying d that day %St -ereatt4t would necessarily be most prejudicial to ll)a ll otl et of this country. He had 0 step, no ilt hil ret ioe: tall4a 1,500 foreigners had disembarked on K.' to tl;'•'"Y on our shores, as a for the `he ed eZ!'!it.trveying the ground .destined preparatory 0 4 % ,e, ATT(I)°,4IOO.--(Laughter.) bet 41,,etestli ,41\1Y -GENERAL said, that ° grounds ," 4 ,41, -, a ent? occasion stated very fully the s he had h did not think % II ilo m 7,41 aeted in that matter, -0 t i me of tlitt'„(4lse then trespass at any length on the Al ti 'se it' n. The UOD. and Gallant Member proposed be h e er . Pe d NY, D-I,4ae should then present an address 4 11 Z4 41) . /t ho liill her Majesty to directthe vie A la t t t e or w n h y st kit s td wag,r own law officer, to th ered 1 4 a t ths tar t° b° his duty to the Crown.. He was to so 1)048pr 4-1•011 e would not give its sanction at %.itiireel °Nit], and that lion. Members mu s t r 4 1 . ° I . " e lj! ivi need of its unreasonable characte . 44 t : S. w,tvide") dtr Nil sat u u li TLEY Hon. expressed a hope that the Ho 11:::,(41. --kekber would not press his motion to a 4 04' ), °,41 sth, ) (Vb."' 4 4;' 4 40RP said, that he had at all events N l ,' rvA • v v ' „It bringing the subject before the 410 4 Nets tt," ehjected to the withdrawal of the i m o otio v n .: d•oait Place. ere then ordered to withdraw, but no di i ot t , ~' t ,atid the motion was at once negatived. Z i t% .tik). 0p.,"1, MARRIAGE BILL. ;4 (l '' st ,--114EY said he wished to correct an er -0 ` ll an it "eat which was reported to have been ltrtill'et ef --irher place by a Right Rev. Prelate on the astet:Por„ie Marriage Bill. The Right Rev. Prelate h _ '4l liitohmt,nave said that although the Bill had ka t , j t jts, v.,;;E the House of Commons after several " 40 1 4 3' or he had been informed that an aggregate hi' ;the w hole of the Members who had voted on Ill or lkl tilltr, 4 ' 0 11 2 w:erc? opposed to the measure. Now that he (Mr. S. ;0.0 d,•7)lt„"a 'laving been the case, that• • n of 4%111004T !ac.ertained from a careful examination 22a "'Ts wis 4 In that House, that the total number of of tir o ' %NT had at any time ' voted against the Billld wasin % riialoweas 294; ehowino• ti otil ik of it , Ue total numbe r of those who had voted Thedivi it,p,ltY of 7 on the whole of the . 1. ,. lin ita f P avour.—(Hear, hear.) 131 lie '-'-',.---THE NAVY ESTIMATES. „ 14 Ilply; 4,pee then rea lved itself into a Committee of rets,"'Ori tEntiat. ii(i)the chair. kasy , of 731,206/. having been proposed for the "'Llael, eer* of the Navy and of the RoP" lio g L l. ‘ Iltrk t Nil l ' 4 1 4 to caraid that before they adopted that vot . e n , toitt 4 llll Y of OW ha? far the Government had gonei ee o .ryi n. n 6 out the recommendation of the ori t ' t i t i ht)rliri 1849, that the number of our admirals 'ttlic t he lgtijeed from 150 to 100. Ho believed that h i ., ,rte cii ,_ admirals there were not more than twelve 'Z', Oe ttef, by service. He should move that the lii i l 4 r F. ii`l e , cl .,.hY a Sum of 3,000/. ir, :1111 did t7,'.ING said he was sure that his Hon. lltl ti 'ipt of si wish that the officers who wore at present tibi'' that , 0 4 F-PY should not continue to receive it. he ti to carr,,,tB° were not adopted, it would be impos tideribtkoveebylat present the reduction which had 4 414 .46 tillpsti 14 Fl9O. Frind. They could not con tilt,: 4104% 4,t1 with f e ence to the numher of ad of ~w.asstot;`,:eY Must look a little further, and see that it,plencireet Prornotion to keep the service in a state L v dter t Y t e he fereettiOuLgh„t his lion. Friend would act un (etph,, geyht,a.,, the uouse to a vote upon his motion o vra -mt leed it "Z s steely had time to see how the alteration thltabtltt the hors time since would work. For his 4 4 . r i t , al _ not think to tt possible with the present th itt ' hap th," service do with fewer promotions. fr0,..0f as from the rank of captain to ‘I egtlargt We re 14 in number, or about one in 38; nuers to - %Mains, 12; from lieutenants to commanders, 33. It was not by the pay that officers were kept in the service, but by the hopes of obtaining those rewards and distinctions to which they looked for ward throughout the whole of their lives.—(Cheers.) A comparison had been made between the British and the American service; but the half-pay in the latter was higher than in the former. He would not venture any crude suggestions on the subject. He did not mean to say, as the lower class officers had been reduced, that it might not be right to reduce the higher class also; but it was not advisable at the present moment to press such an arrangement, and the more he considered the subject the more he felt convinced that it would be a most un wise economy to adopt the recommendation of the Com mittee in this respect. Ho apprehended his Hon. Friend would not divide on the question in its present shape; but he thought it nevertheless right to state that he was not prepared to make any alteration at present. - Captain PELHAM thought an acquiescence in the motion of the Hon. Member for Montrose would be equivalent to a breach of faith. The best remedy would be to practise economy in the saval expenditure. Great reductions had already been made in the establishments of our dockyards, and he believed they might be carried much farther, especially by adopting the system of build ing the smaller vessels by contract. Great reductions might also be made in the number of seamen employed in the fleet. He would disfranchise ovary; man employed in the dockyards, and would not have so many of the Admiralty sitting in Parliament. Mr. COBDEN observed that it was said out of doors that whenever retrenchment was the order of the day they always began with the weaker parties, but it would now be known whether the House was influenced by aristocratic prejudices, or not. The report of the Com mittee recommended that the number of admirals should be gradually reduced from 150 to 100, not by dismissing any of them, or depriving any existing admiral of his flag, or his rank, or his pay. They would miaow see if equal justice was to be done. But they were told that even under existing circumstances there was little chance enough of promotion. Now, it ap peared to him that the navy was kept up for the pur poses of war, and officers who entered the service in times of peace must not look to promotion to the same extent as in time of war. The service ought not to be made the means of providing offices to serve the interests of individuals, but should be regulated with reference to the public requirements, otherwise they would be sub stituting principles of charity and benevolence in the place of justice to the interests of the community at large. For these reasons he would support the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Montrose. Admiral DUNDAS said the number of admirals had been diminished. In 1816 there were 220, and now only 150, which was not too large a number for the re quirements of the service. Mr. HUME maintained that the naval service, in its present condition, was more like a pension list than anything designed to carry out the legitimate objects of the public service. Captain BERKELEY said there could not be a greater mistake than to suppose that the navy was main tained for the sake of providing places for the aria• tocracy, for most of those who had attained the highest rank had entered the service perfectly friendless. Ho knew instances in which men had served twenty-seven years, and had ultimately arrived at the rank of rear admiral, with the pay of 4501. a year. Now, he should like to see any man after the same period of service in any public office ashore who would not be in a better position. Let them make a just bargain with the ser vice if they pleased, but he protested against the breach of faith which was involved in the motion of the Hoe. Member for Montrose. Mr. BRIGHT denied the existence of any bargain that a man on entering the service should be made an admiral at some period of his life.—(Hear, hear.) It was the strangest idea of the public service he had ever heard. The only contract with a man on entering the service was, that upon certain principles laid down, either according to seniority or merit, they should have promotion to reach such a stage as their services and length of life would permit. Colonel THOMPSON could not help saying that he was obliged to agree with the Hon. Member for Man chester that there could not by possibility be any such principle as officers claiming promotion beyond that which waa necessary for the service. He never heard such a principle spoken of in the service to which he had the honour to belong. He was sure that a cornet did not expect to be a lieutenant till a lieutenant was wanted, or a lieutenant expect to be a captain till there was a troop for him. He, therefore, felt under the necessity of voting with the Hon. Member for Manchester. Admiral BO WLES supported the vote. Mr. HUME remarked that it was the Admiralty itself that proposed in 1830 that only one should be promoted to the rank of admiral. for every three vacancies, till the number was reduced to 100; but the Admiralty did not act up to that. Sir F. T. BARING said it was his firm conviction, that if they carried out the recommendation of the Com mittee, it would at first be attended with an increase of expense. He did not mean to say but that by a well considered scheme they could reduce the number of ad• mirals, and effect a saving thereby. Mr. CORRY supported the vote on the ground that not to make the promotion would be to commit a breach of faith. - Captain PECHELL complained that Captain Sir Henry Hart, the bydrographer of the navy, and another officer who held another appointment, bad been com pelled to agree to their names being placed on the re tired list, being informed that they must either do this or give up their appointments, while a junior officer had bee❑ permitted to bold the situation of Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital, and was nut required to place him self on the retired li st. Sir T. ACLANI) said it was true there was a majo rity of the Committee in favour of the recommendation, but the Chairman, who did not vote, was against it, and that made it equal. The saving by carrying out the recommendation would only be 10,0001. a year, and in a great maritime country like this he did not think that was an object to put in comparison with the just expec - tations of the gallant men who were waiting for their promotion. Sir J. GRAHAM said he was not injlae House when the discussion commenced, and there fire he was not aware what was the precise form of the motion, but he imagined that in point of form it was not a reduction in the number of admirals that was proposed by the Hon. Member for Montrose, but that he had raised that ques tion by proposing some small diminution in the vote. In point of substance, the Hon. Member wished to raise in this Committee the question that was discussed in the Naval Committee, w'nere the proposition was carried for which he (Sir J. Gra deem) held himself responsible, that there should be a re, luction in the number of admirals from 150 to 100. The Hon. Gentleman the ►Member for Devon said that reduction would not be of any great use, but still they ought to consider that it was a saving; and the right point to which the House of Commons ought to come was, that in the state service there ought to be no unnecessary expense. Now he was bound to say that his Hon. Friend the Member for Tyrone was equally right in the assertion that the gradual re duction of the number of officers on half•pay in the navy, so far as admirals were concerned, had not yet been carried into effect by only permitting one promo tion in three vaca.cancies.. The real question was whether the time had arrived fo r making the rule which pervaded all other ranks apply to admirals. Now, it appeared in evidence that at no time during the war was there a greater number of admirals employed by this country than 32, and the it the number employed at the present time did not ex Seed. 12. Now, he was decidedly of opi nion that altho ugb the admirals' list must be considered more or less as, a reward for past services, yet it was a question of de gre 9, and they must bear in mind what were the real wants of the service. It would not do to main- taro either in the army or navy a very large number of admirals or generals merely with a view to the reward for past services, without any regard to the wants of the public. He hoped that his Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not been misled by a pamphlet recently published by a banker, in which it was stated. that the people of this country were amongst the most lightly taxed of any people—that di rect taxation might be carried out much further, and in direct taxation also extended. He hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman had not been misled by any of these arguments. He (Sir J. Graham) questioned whether the people of this country were lightly taxed. At all events he was sure that taxation in time of peace had arrived at its maximum, and the Right Hon. Gentleman twist be aware feat either with direct or indirect taxation there was considerable difficulty in maintaining the bur dens that now existed. He was satisfied the time had arrived when every practicable economy must be carried out in every branch of the public service. —(Hear, hear.) With respect to the army and navy, there were points where that economy must commence; and it must com mence, not with the lower, but with the higher ranks of the professions.—(Hear.) He would be the last man to desire that that principle should be carried into effect rashly, suddenly, or to the injury of those who had a just claim for immediate promotion, but gradually some better system might be introduced into the higher ranks of both services. In time of peace 150 admirals and 270 generals were a larger number than were required.— (Hear.) The proposition before the Select Committee was that the number of admirals should be gradually reduced from 150 to 100, that, as upon the death of three captains they only promoted one, and as on the death of three commanders, they only promoted one lieutenant, so, on the death of three admirals, only one should be promoted, till the number was reduced to 100.—(Hear, hear.) It might be said that, considering the age of the post-captains, the probability was, if that rule were adopted, that in a short time there would be no admirals sufficiently young and activ a to undertake the important duties of naval commande'ts. But the Committee had also proposed, in order to give vigour and activity to the higher branches of the service, that one out of every three promotions should not go by seniority, but that, on the responsibility of the Admiralty, ufilcers of distinguished merit, without reference to seniority, should be raised to the rank of admiral ; whereby the list would derive the benefit of both vigour and seniority. Having propounded that view in the Committee, and having since reflected on it attentively and maintained it, he did not hesitate to support it now, both by his speech and his vote.—(Hear, hear.) He was decidedly of opinion that this measure should be adopted, both with reference to the efficiency of the service, and to the just claims of the public, for the commencement of some economy in this branch of the service; and that it ought also to be extended to the army, as a feasible and safe proposition. The army stood on better grounds than the navy; for though the numb©r of generals was 270, a very large reduction ha 3 been effected within a short period, the non-effective charge having been reduced nearly 90,0001. a year tines 1846; while in the navy the charge for the non-efloctive service was 88,0001. a year more than it was in 1846. Since the termination of the war, the reduction of the dead weight in the army held been progressive and great, while in the navy it bad been almost stationary and comparatively nothing. It was absolutely necessary that a beginning should be made in reducing the non-effective portion of this service, and that beginning ought to be with the higher ranks. The that the Chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit First Lord of the Admiralty would probably say that again.—(Why? why?) It was necessary for him to call when a vacancy occurred the command was instantly the attention of the House to the course pursued by taken ; but ho was told that when a vacancy occurred in , II m. Gentlemen opposite in a matter personal to him the East India and China station there was great di/ii- ' self. Abott throe o'clock in the day he had crossed over culty in filling it up; that three or four refused it; that to the Ministerial benches and asked the Right Hon. the officer who had gone out there was nearly seventy Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade (Mr. years of age; and that there had been some arrangement Labouchere) when be would take the third reading of whereby he took the command.—[Sir F. T. BARING the Mercantile Marine Bill? The Right Honourable was understood to deny this.] If this were the ease in Gentleman informed him at twelve o'clock to-morrow, time of peace, what would be the condition of the ser- when the Right Honourable Baronet the Secretary of vice if unhappily we were involved in war? It was in- State, who was sitting beside him, said, " You must dispensable to have youth and vigour on the admirals' mistake—the amendments on the Irish Franchise list; and that could only be attained by promoting by Bill are to come on at twelve o'clock to-morrow, to merit, as well as by seniority, to the extent of one in which their consideration is adjourned; you mean twelve three. He considered this point the most important o'clock to-night." To which the President of the which had been brought before the Select Committee, Board of Trade replied, " Yes, I mean twelve and ho could not hesitate now to support the view ho o'clock to-night, and I nope you (Lord J. Manners) will had there advocated. have no objection to the third scaling of the Mercantile Sir F. BARING wished that his Right Hon. Friend Marine Bill being moved after all the other orders." He would show, rather by figures than by general phraset, replied, " Certahtly not; and that having an amendment what he meant by enforcing economy. He did not re- to move, he would offer no obstruction to the third read gard this as a question of economy at all. The entire ing, whenever it came on." Both the Right Hon. Gen saving, even if you could reduce the number of admirals tlemen seemed perfectly satisfied with that arrangement, from 150 to 100, would scarcely exceed 10,0001; and it and expressed themselves morn or less pleased at the co was nu question with him whether this would be a real operation ho gave to them in prcceeding with the Bill. saving to the country, while it would be a great injustice With that understanding he left the House; and on his to a noble service. Even if the Government were to return, fund the third reading of the Mercantile Marine adopt the principle of appointing admirals on the ground Bill had actually been moved—whether by either of the of merit alone, those officers would grow old a and they Right Hon. Gentlemen he did not know, at half-past did not require merit only in their admirals, bat also seven o'clock that evening, and had been carried.—(Bear, youth and activity. If, however, the Government were hear.) All he knew was, the engagement entered into to pass over the senior officers and select as admirals by those Right Honoureble Gentlemen, as members of officers low in the list and young in the service, Government, had not been kept.—(Si r G E ORGE GREY — they might disregard merit to obtain the services of "There was not the smallest approach to an engage youth, and he feared such a course would occasion 1 ment.")—(Bear, hear.") The Right lion. Baronet great dissatisfaction and discontent. That was not a I might say so, but if that sort of quibbling was al new suggestion, for on one occasion the power of the I lowed no engagement would be entered upon between Crown had been exercised, and with great impar- 1 Hon. Members and the Government. He would ask the tiality, in favour of a young officer, but that step, President of the Board of Trade whether, in all the created great dissatisfaction, and if his recollection 1 transactions relating to the Bill, h e h a d no t s h own the was correct, the House interfered so harshly that the I greatest nr xiety to consult hi s conven i ence, and whether practice was abandoned. He begged to say, in reply to Ihe had exhibited the least wi s h t o offer to it a factious the Right Hon. Baronet opposite, that no arrangement opposition? He had then a right to complain, and ho of the nature ho had alluded to had been made with the i did complain, of that sort of conduct, and all those ar gallant admiral in command on the East India station. rangements which tended so much to the mutual conve- The Right Hon. Baronet bad also asked w h e ther it w as nience of the members of the Government must in fu true that that command had been offered to two officers ture be disregarded; and it would be the duty of Hon. before it was accepted by the gallant admiral by whom t Gentlemen on this side of the House to exert every sort it was now held. It was perfectly true that the appoint- of opposition to Government, and to disregard all state ment had been declined by two admirals, on the ground went sof Ministers except those made publicly in their that their health would not enable them to undertake places. Had it not been for the declaration of the Right the duties, and he (Sir F. Baring) thought those gallant 1 Hon. Gentleman, he (Lord J. M anners ) w ould have officers had acted most conscientiously in declining the I been in his place ready to propose the amendment which offer on that ground. He was far from saying that if stood in his name on the paper, and he appealed to the the present arrangement did not work well, the whole House whether the Right Hon. Gentleman bad acted on subject ought not to be considered, but he did not think this occasion in the way in which he bad acted hitherto, it would be advisable to consider the case of the admirals or if his conduct had been what he (Lord J. Manners) apart from that of the service generally. had a right to expect —(Heer, bear.) Sir J. GRAHAM observed, ;that the Right Hon. Ba- Mr. LABOUCHERE said be should be very sorry ronet called upon him to state the precise amount of indeed if any conduct on his part could have rendered saving he proposed to effect by reducing the list of him justly liable to the imputation of having acted in admirals from 150 to 100. He could only say that if any way but with the most scrupulous fidelity in any the reduction of one-third in the number of admirals engagements he might have made with any Honour would effect no material saving in the half-pay of admi- able Member. He felt very deeply the important cha rats it was a case of despair.—(Hear, hear.) The Right rector of those engagements, and how much the conve- Hon. Baronet appeared to think that it would not be uience of the House a n d th e dispatch of business de possible to add any fresh youth, vigour, and activity to pended on their being adhered to with the most iavio the list by means of selection. If then they could table fidelity. But he hoped, before he sat down, to neither reduce the expense, nor render this class of remove from the mind of the Noble Lord the false im officers more efficient by infusing health and vigour into pression under which he seemed to labour. It was it, he (Sir J. Graham) thought the case of the admirals quite true, both as to the Noble Lord rind as to other was desperate.—(Hear, hear.) Members, that he (Mr. Labouchere) had stated, if the Mr. HENLEY said this was a very important ques- discussion which had occupied the greater part of the day tion, for it appeared that while the amount expended in should be brought to a close at any time before twelve pay and wages for the effective force cf the navy was o'clock at night, that he should move the third reading 1,322,0001., the cost of the non-effective service was of the Mercantile Marine Bill, for he felt it to be of great 1,221,0001. —(Hear, hear.) He was satisfied this was a importance that that measure should be sent up to the state of things the country would not allow to be coati- , other House of Parliament with as little delay as pos nued. For thirty-five years since the peace the system Bible, but he never for a single moment contemplated any had gone on without alteration, and they were now pay- thing so very extraordinary as letting the most conve img the same number of officers for doing nothing that nient opportunities pass by and keeping back that or they were maintaining when they had a large naval force any other measure till 12 o'clock. Every one knew afloat. He was glad this question had been raised, for that the discussion respecting the Baron do Rothschild he considered the non-affective force cf the navy ought had ended much sooner than was expected, and if the to be kept within more reasonable bounds, and he would Noble Lord had been taken by surprise, so also was he cordially support the amendment. (Mr. Laboucbere), for he was himself not in the House The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER wished when the Bill was read a third time, his Noble Friend to say a few words on this subject, as it was one with at the head of the Government being the Member who regard to which he had had some Admiralty experience. then took charge of it, and by whom it was successfully Ile must say he deprecated more than anything the in- pasted through its last stage, at which time the amend terference of the Howe of Commons in these matters.— ment that the Noble Lord bad intended to propose was (Oh, oh, and a laugh.) He did not mean as to what moved by another Member. Having made this short was to be done, but as to how it was to be done.— statement, he trusted the House would do him the justice (Laughter.) When he became Secretary to the Ad- to believe that he never intended to take the Noble Lord miralty a system of reduction was in active operation. by surprise. He hoped during the ten years he had had It was going on rapidly, and what stopped it? a seat in that House he never pursued any course which What was the cause of that increase of deadweight in could justify an imputation of any unfairness. He was the navy, of which Hen. Gentlemen now complained ? sorry that any misapprehension should have occurred, It was the interference of the House of Commons.— but he begged the House to observe that not only the (A cry of "No," and a laugh.) Yes, it was the inter- Nettle Lord, but the lion. Member for Liverpool, was Terence of the House with the reductions then in pro- also absent when the Bill was read a third time. There gress. Several motions, as the Hon. Member for Mon- could not be a greater mistake than to suppose that he trose might remember, were made and carried with a had ever made any such arrangement as the Noble Lord view to accelerate the promotions, which the House had supposed him to make, for it would be so mani thought were not rapid enough, and the consequence featly against the course of order in that House that was a great addition to the retired list. It mustnot be said, the Speaker would have interfered to prevent its being then, that the Government had been anxious to continue carried into effect. He should conclude by repeating the present system. He conscientiously believed that the an expression of regret that any misapprehension had Government was far better able than the House of Com- arisen, and by hoping that the House would acquit him mons to form a judgment as to the mode in which re- of intending to take any one by surprise. ductions might be effected. Lord J. MANNERS said that no doubt the Right Captain HARRIS observed that officers, whether Hon. Gentleman did not mean to take him by surprise, admirals, captains, or lieutenants, were not made in a but he must be permitted to say that the Right Hon. day, and it was necessary to keep up the half-pay system Gentleman had distinctly told him that be intended to that they might have efficient men upon the list who take the Mercantile Marine Bill at twelve o'clock, after would be available in case of emergency. He did not the other orders of the day were disposed cf, and he dis concur in the opinion of the Chancellor of the Exche- finally remembered the Home Secretary observing that quer that the Executive Government could conduct they could not proceed with the Bill at twelve o'clock changes in these matters most advantageously without tomorrow. The Right HOD. Gentleman the President the interference of that House, for the House of Coin- of the Board of Trade might have meant that he would mons was bound to take care that there was no extrava- proceed with the measure before twelve, but he said that „ant outlay of the public money. he should not do so till twelve—he certainly fell into The Committee then divided, when there appeared— some mistake, and deceived not only himself but him For the amendment ... ... ... 72 (Lord J. Manners). Against it ... ... ... ... 128 Sir G. GREY observed, that as ho had been appealed Majority .•• ... ...-56 to he felt it due to himself to say, that he entered into Sir G. PECHELL made some remarks:upon the mode no engagement whatever, but contented himself with ob in which the allowance for bringing specie from abroad serving that twelve o'clock to-morrow was a time already was appropriated. occupied. Beyond that he had not opened his lips, but Sir F. BARING said a few words in justification of he was bound now to state that be certainly understood the system. his Right lien. Friend to say that after the debate which Captain BOLDERO reminded the Right Hon. Gen- then occupied the attention of the House was concluded tleman that this vote included surgeons and assistant- he should move the third reading of the Mercantile Mat surgeons with respect to whom there was a recent vote rine B ill ; but certainl y no one expected that that d ebate of the House ; he believed some regulation was to be would have been so soon over. made for their benefit. Admiral BOWLES stated, that the Right Hon. Gene Sir F. BARING had already explained to the Hon. tleman the President of the Board of Trade told him, and Gallant Member the course intended to be pursued; not that he would wait till 12 o'clock, but that he would a memorandum had been drawn up, and ,he arrangement proceed with the Mercantile Marine Bill, even if no op would be carried into effect. portunity of moving it occurred before 12 o'clock; that, The vote was agreed to. if necessary, ho should go on with it as late as The following votes were also agreed to:— 12 o'clock. 490,345/. for military pensions and allowances. Lord J. MANNERS said, that if the Right Hon.. 167,086/. for civil pensions and allowances. Gentleman hadtoprise told that et h to 135,700/. for freight of ships fo r conve y ance of t b h e e en se t r a t k . en by ser troops, &c. . he h e irn eve h r e sa sh id oll a l n d y n th ot e h g av e iti 21,1311. for extra pay, &c. , of sea men and marines, Mr. ANDERSON rose to sa y that he had spoken tin in lieu of spirits, and for extra pay, &c., for the Arctic th e Ri g ht Hon. President of the Board of Trade in the Searching Expedition. lobby on the subject, when his reply to an inquiry was, 8,4801. fur extra provisions for the ships employed that it would probably be late that night, and, as he in in the Arctic Searching Expedition. tended to second the clause of the Noble Lord, he took The next vote was 764,236/. for the Post-office packet the liberty of moving it in his absence. The vote was then agreed to. service. Mr. SCOTT moved to reduce the vote by 50,000/., On the question that a su m o f 211,139 1 . b e gra nted for charged for the conveyance of the India mails by the excess of naval expenditure, East India Company's vessels. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY rose to call attention to a Sir F. BARING reminded the Hon. Member that the sum of 29,5341. expended upon iron steamers. They did payment must be made as long as the contract with the not derive that sum from any surplus, nor had they ex company subsisted. pended it with the consent of the Treasury. Further, Lord NAAS thought that after the contradictory it was in clear violation of the Appropriation Act. At statements they had heard from the Chancellor of the the same time he was bound to admit that the Board of Exchequer and the Hon. Member for Honiton (Sir J. Audit had exercised all fitting vigilance upon the occa idm propose stances that ender the e r W. Hogg), it was understood the vote for the Indian siosn.rhFt the e payment p ß on ayn th m leNesneGt ngoerxoupacinaedionsuenat of e he the should circumstances mail service would be postponed till the House bad had proposed grant be r e d uce d b y the sum of 29,5341. ny was the an opportunity of judging what was the real stat e of the case by the production of the correspondence between which iron taken steamerstepeywfears the Government and the East India Company. made. The year befor e last money The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, these iron steamers. The estimates of the expenditure that the production of the correspo:adence could have no for the next year were framed in the month of October, effect year, ehawn de presentedre therefore expected in lB4 t e ht . effect on a contract which had been already completed.the payments terminatepß t u t m h e n found ts hre afen r t h e eat actually the teu a l contracts, ly a terminationf() w o ,e t e h k e s financialheyoad tyheeatri,adaaidei financial lyoyt year. He within that financial Whatever opinion the House might have as to any future gehetcotounktn, know w ou h g o h w n it ot had arrangement, it was evident that what had been entered into by Government must be carried out. Mr. HUME suggested, that in future an account s u e t n e ated the excess, on the principle that Parliament should be laid before Parliament o t the aeheral contracts, D ense the number of ships of the distances, and of the ex pense on one side; and of the profi ts, by passengers and Fo o m us m u itted h t e hef legally compellable;occurred. ma d e a a n dp payment e m h e a n d t Mr. HENLEY thought the matter was not yet clearly before he the i md from other sources, on the other. No vote required a closer scrutiny, and the opinion of competent persons out of doors was, that many of our mail contracts were ex- Rightaelt of H o h n e . v r e a g r Baronet t excess, seemed hot to tremely extravagant. The House ought to have some say intimation when new contracts were to be made. had shown it to Parliament, and that he might havecar tied it to another Mr. SCOTT agreed with the Hon. Member that the f . year, without their knowing anything votes for the mail service recpaired very close observe- 9 it. There was a third alternative—that of notspend mg in excess at all. The statement was not satisfactory tion. It was rumoured that a certain company, who were disappointed in getting the contract for the mails as to how the excess arose. to the Brazils, t w ere likely to obtain the contract for the Sir F. BARING h a d stated, in opening the estimates, Cape mails, by way of making up for their disappoint- the ground of that excess, which occurred before he came into office. A good deal of it arose from the number of ment. The vote ought not to be passed without some men being carried beyond the vote, and from the pay of explanation, though no Hon. Member connected with the men being taken on a wrong calculation. Government had yet condescended to give any. Sir F. BARING observed th in the statements to Mr. HOME did not belie ve they would get rid of these which the Hon. Memb er referred v ' ere, like many others excesses until they ca me to a resolution that the Lords brought against the Admi ralt y , qui to without foundation. of the Admiralty should pay the excess themselves.—(A There was no truth in them; and it could not be ex- laugh.) He was quite ready to make the Right Hon. petted that the time of the House wasto be taken up in Baronet pay it himself. noticing every story that might be rumoured abroad. Sir J. GRAHAM observed that the excess was not The Hon. Member (Mr. Hume) Quaid have every infor- incurred under the administration of the First Lord of reation he desired as to the mail co ntracts. the Admiralty, and no one more agreed with the position Sir J. GRAHAM inquired whist arrangements had laid down by the Hon. Member for Montrose than the been made for the conveyance: of the mails between First Lord himself, that these excesses were to be care- Holyhead and Dublin ? It had been strongly recom- fully avoided. It might he confidently anticipated that mended by the Committee that I he same company who though it was difficult under his administration, . to know I Li v erpoo l an d Dubl in h o w coulda lways be avoided Parliament would had carried the mails between should become the lessees of the establishment, which to the utmost see an end pu n t to these grants. There had cost the country a very coun'derable sum; and h e was one principle to which the t Hon. Baronet had observed that the expenses had increased since 1849. not adverted, that when any such unexpected ex p eu di- Sir F. BARING was understood to reply that ar- ture was incurred, it was most desirable to ha ve it rangements had been made for car r y in g the mail s by brought under the c ognizance of the Treasury. t contract, which would be carried i nto effect as soon as Mr. REYNOLDS complained the,w lhle 700,000 possible. There were charges against the Admiralty gallons of rum were co usuvmeretid in thelised to be uya tak avy, home on this point also, but they referred not to the Admiralty made spirits were not ad en avy, under the resolution having done badly to the public, but to their haring contracts, though there was no Parliamentary taken the lowest contract, which was said to bo so low giving a preference to rum. t Mr.. FRENCH observed , that at the Admiralty the that it could n o t be worked. In r interests of Ireland were not represented. There was Sir F. re l to a q uestion from Lord NAAS , . BARING stated that the teodqrs for lhp.raail .no Irish Lord of the . Admiralty. Such was not the case which in the late Administration,supposed to be contracts to the Cape welt's: be returnable onalie ledili `of . t of Irel was ncl more adverse to the interests a The Member August ; and in reply to Mr. Scott, said that the ser for Tyrone (Mr. Corry) was then Secretary fur the Ad- In vice would be taken by screw-s ;tempers. reply to Mr. T. EGERTiON, miralty. The CHANCELLOR of th e EXCHEQUER stated Colonel would vote with SIBTHORP . in the two Hon. that the Go vernment i ntende d to make the inner gar- G en t lemen who had j ust spoken favour of consuming boor at Holyhead at the public expense. It would be, Irish whisky in the Royal Navy . rather than ruin; but he could not understand how, with their views, they he considered, rather hard, under all the circumstances sup to call on the railway compete rto contribute 200,0001., ported her Majesty's Minister!, of whom no man enter as originally agreed upon, but they would be deprived of tamed a worse opinion in their public capacity than be any exclusive advantages whiem lie advised t Hon Gentleman were contingent on that contribution., leave the bad company in which he was placed. He Lord J. MANNERS said h s hould remember that evil communications corrupted e regretted to be obliged 8 by the conduct of her Majtors Government to more good manners; • ed an e t if he remain longer amongst his ore sent associates, he would become inoculated with their it rug. . _ Mr. REYNOLDS said, that although he disapproved of many of the acts of the Government, he did not be lieve that another Administration would pursue a dif ferent policy. Only a choice of evils was before him, and he took the least. If, however, the Hon. and Gal lant Colonel would form an Administration which would take Ireland under its protection, it should receive his support.—(Hear, and laughter.) Colonel Summar crossed ever the House and held some conversation with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, amidst much cheering and laughter. Sir. F. BARING said, in reference to what had fallen from the Right Hon. Member for Ripon, that communi cations should be made to the Treasury with respect to every case of excess. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY said, that in consequence of the Right Hon. Baronet's explanation, he would with draw his amendment. _ _ . The vote was then agreed to, as were the following:- 453,891/, for the commissariat department; 45,791/. for the half-pay, pension, and allowances of the commis sariat department. A vote of 5,2501. was then proposed to defray the ex pense of erecting a monument to the memory of the late Sir. R. Peel. . Lord J. MANNERS thought nothing could be more becoming a great nation than to place memorials of individuals who bad distinguished themselves by the good done to their country in a suitable building. An opinion, however, prevailed, and was extending itself, that Westminster Abbey was not a proper place for containing such memorials. No one would for a moment think of objecting to the monument to the memory of Sir R. Peel being erected in the Abbey, but he gave notice that, if a similar proposition should bo made hereafter, he should oppose it. Lord J. RUSSELL was understood to say that there was no building more suitable than Westminster Abbey for containing public monuments. The vote was agreed to, as was one of 50,000/. for civil contingencies. The House resumed. Mr. BERNAL reported progress, and the Committee of Supply was ordered to sit again on Thursday. The Duke of Cambridge's Annuity Biil was read a second time. The Navy pay Bill was read a third time and passed. CUSTOMS ACTS. The House went into Committee on the Customs Acts. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the repeal of the last remains of the duties upon coal, which, he said, only brought in a revenue of 2,5001. If the House should agree to these resolutions they would get rid of the last shred of the export duties. Certain resolutions were then agreed to, and the House resumed. AUSTRALIAN COLONIES GOVERNMENT BILL. In answer to Lord J. MANNERS, Lord J. RUSSELL said that on Thursday next at 12 o'clock he should move that the Hume ogres to the Lords' amendments to this Bill. FEES (COURT OF CHANCERY) BILL In answer to the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Sir J. GRAHAM said he should certainly not advise the passing of this Bill during the present session. The Bill did nothing to remedy the great abuses of the Court of Chancery arising from the excessive amount of emoluments, and the number of officers. The Bill only changed the mode of collecting the fees, although the Committee which lately sat upon this subject was of opinion that the fees ought to be reduced, and that officers of the court should be paid by salary, and not by fees. The public would not lose anything by the withdrawal of the Bill for the present session, in order to the introduction of a more comprehensive and effi cient measure next year. Mr. HENLEY concurred. The Bill would rather impede than assist the wholesome changes required in the Court of Chancery. The ATTORNEY• GENERAL, under these circum stances, would not press the Bill. The Bill was then ordered to be committed that day six months. Mr. BROTHERTON moved the third reading of the public Libraries and Museum Bill. Colonel SIBTHORP was surprised that such a motion should have come from the Hon. Member for Salford, who was always ready to prevent business after twelve o'clock, when it came from a different side of the House from his own. He objected altogether to the present Bill, and would therefore move that it be read a third time that day three months. Lord J., MANNERS wished the House to understand that this Bill would repeal all the statutes of mortmain. Sir G. GREY observed that the Bill would only repeal the statutes of mortmain in so far as libraries and mu seums were concerned. _ _ The House divided, when thero appeared— For the third reading ... ... 64 Against it ... ... .., - Majority ... _ _. ... -49 The Bill was accordingly read a third time. Colonel CHATTERTON moved that the Bill do not extend to Ireland. Colonel SIBTIIORP supported the motion. Mr. G. A. HAMILTON hoped the lion. and Gallant Colonel would not press his motion. They had taken care that the people of Ireland should be taught to read; but, hating done so, no libraries were established from which proper books could be got; and he believed that was the reason why they were driven to read inflamma tory publications.—(Hear, hear.) Colonel RAWDON hoped his Hon. and Gallant Friend would not press his motion, seeing what was the sense of the House in respect to the Bill extending to Ireland. Colonel CHATTERTON said, that as he conceived great injury would be done to Ireland by this Bill, ho could not withdraw his motion. The House divided, when there appeared— For Col. Chetterton's motion ... 13 Against it ... ... 56 Majority ... ... —43 The Bill was then pasted. The other business on the paper was then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter to Two o'clock. RAIL WAY INTELLIGENCE. NEWMARKET RAILWAY COMPANY. On Saturday the half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the London Tavern; Lord George Manners in the chair. The meeting was also made special, to consider the propriety of the decision come to by the directors for closing the railway. The usual preliminaries having been gone through, Mr. BROWN, the secretary, read the following report:— " The proprietors have been called together for the double purpose of transacting the ordinary business of the half-year, and considering, as desired by the requi sition of a certain number of their co-shareholders, the ;propriety of the company ceasing to carry traffic over their line of railway. The only business for the half yearly general meeting is that of taking the accounts into consideration, and of receiving any information from the directors which they can furnish, or of dis cussing any suggestions which the proprietors may wish to make. The accounts of revenue not having been completed by the clearing-house, have not yet been fur nished by the Eastern Counties Railway Company, but they cannot present any new features materially vary ing from former returns, or likely to suggest any new observation. 4, Wi • th reference to the topics to be discussed at the special meeting, as it is next to impossible to deal with each in a separate report, the directors think it best briefly to communicate such information as they pns seas. The proprietors are aware that the line between Chesterford and Newmarket was clos e d f or traffic (so far as this company as carriers are concerned) on the 30th of June; and after what passed at the last meeting of the company, the proprietors will neither be surprised at that result, nor altogether in the dark as to the cir cumstances which have induced it. At that meeting the directors, after adverting to the failure of their attempts, either to conclude a fair and equitable arrangement with the Eastern Counties Railway Company, or of the not less important negotiation with Mr. Jackson for the working of the line, and which at that period had occu pied so much of their attention, intimated that if on the one hand the Eastern Counties Railway Company could not be induced to see their own interest in dealing more liberally with the Newmarket Company, end on the other such terms for working the traffic by the agency of an individual could not be carried out, they saw no alternative other than that of ceasing to bear the useless and un profitable burden of working the line; for it must be ob vious that, with the traffic in the hands of the Eastern Counties Railway Company, the receipts must inevit ably be reduced, it not being to their interest to de velop the traffic to the fullest extent; while at the same time the more extravagant the charges the greater would be their profit. Even the same balance left has not been handed over to this company, being retained to meet a certain alleged claim of the Eastern Counties Railway Company; whilst the expense of maintaining the permanent way and stations has been left for this company to defray out of capital. The directors therefore felt, and still feel, that it is expedient that the line should be closed; they stated, however, their reluc tance to adopt this final measure, and that they would attempt one more appeal to the Eastern Counties Rail way Company. That appeal was made without loss of time by the chairman of this company to the chairman of the Eastern Counties Railway Company—resulting in propositions holding out not even a remote prospect of benefit to the Newmarket shareholders ; and which could not consequently ha ve been accepted, even if their mortgagees (whose concurrence was required and refused) had put it in the power of your directors so to do. " Subsequently an overture was made from another quarter, for a working arrangement, on precisely the same basis as that which the directors had failed at the last moment to complete with Mr. Jackson ; but as again, the consent of the bondholders to a modification of their rate of interest was a necessary preliminary, and the principal mortgagee, Mr. Jackson, refused to agree to such reduction, that negotiation failed. The directors also desire to draw attention to the large and unfair assessments made upon them for poor and other parish rates, and the heavy law charges imposed upon them in resisting these unjust claims, and also to vexatious actions brought against the company by certain parties locally interested. Under all these circumstances, finding it impossible to effect a satis factory arrangement with individuals, and finding that the Eastern Counties Railway Company, although deriving a large revenue through the medium of the Newmarket Railway, were not disposed to make such terms as would develop tho traffic, and thus serve the Newmarket Company, there oven share holders, and the public; seeing also, that heavy charges were being incurred for upholding the works, and that the mortgage interest being retained at 5 per cent. could not be mot, even if the balance arising from the work ing by the Eastern Counties Railway Company were paid over to this company, the directors hare thought it inadvisable to call up the remaining 21. (reserved for the completion of the line into Cambridge) until they could show to the proprietors some prospect of a return, and have reluctantly resorted to the alternative, of which they had give a preliminary intimation—viz., of ceasing to carry traffic. " The directors avow that, in taking this step, they had a confident belief that consequences so far benefi cial would arise as that the Eastern Counties Railway Company, who must derive a large income from the passage of the Newmarket Company's traffic over their line, would at last have acquieiced in some arrange ment by which, without any sacrifice on their part, justice might have been done to this company's line, and the proprietors have seen, immediately or remotely, some prospect of return for their capital expended. It is, however, obvious that any such conse quence can alone result from union among the New market shareholders, and perfect accordance in the measures adopted by their directors, for so long roi the Eastern Counties Railway Company can entertain a hope that the policy adopted by this board would be re versed by the proprietors, or that that policy would not be steadily persevered in, no offers of a more liberal cha racter are likely to be made by them. The directors, therefore, earnestly recommend the proprietors now to determine definitively on their future course of action, and it they see reason to differ from the views of the present board of directors, or have altered the opiiiien expressed by them at the last half-yearly meeting, re commend that the services of others, more in unison with their own, be obtainel—your directors desiring only the general welfare of the company. " The directors have to add that since the intimation of ceasing to carry traffic was given by this company the Eastern Counties Railway Company have made an equitable proposal to relieve this company from their stock of plant, and consequently from :he debt claimed to be due to the Eastern Counties Railway Company; to this extent, therefore, the position of this company has been improved by the course pursued; and as very shortly the Great Northern and Royston and Itclien lines will be opened, and a new (though imperfect) route from London to Newmarket, and the east of England, be thereby obtained, your directors are not without hope that, with union among those interested in the Newmarket Company's property, means may yet be found to obtain for the districts proposed to be served the benefits for which the Newmarket Railway was intended, and is cal cnlated to confer." The balance-sheet showed that there had been re ceived on capital account (including 136,3201. 7s. 9d. on loan), 431,298/.115., and the expenditure 427,582/.75. Bd. leaving a balance in hand of 3,716/. 3s. 4d. There was also a balance on revenue account. The above two ba lances, together with outstanding accounts, amount to 6,5811. 7s. 3d., as assets against similar liabilities. The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Fane having informed the directors that it was his intention to propose a reso lution relative to the management of the line, it had been considered better that the motion should come on as an amendment on the adoption of the report. lie should, therefore, propose formally the adoption of the report. Mr. C. PANE begged to propose that the shareholders disapproved of the conduct of the directors in closing the line without a meeting of the shareholders being called on the subject. In proposing that resolution, he wished by it to express the opinion of the shareholders on the subject, and pass a direct rote of want of confi dence in the direction. He bad great pain in bringing forward ►hat resolution, having been on terms of inti- macy with many of the directors. They were all aware that the line had been closed since the 30th of June, and what they had now to consider was, the position of the . - company while the line was closed as compared to what it would .be if the line was continued to be worked. In order to arrive at a conclusion upon the subject, he had entered upon some calculations which he would lay before the proprietors. He contended that whilst the lane was closed there would be an accumulating loss chargeable against the shareholders of 5,3811.. whilst, if worked, there would probably be a net profit to the shareholders of 2211., per annum, and valuable prospects Por the future. With . the line closed there would Ce no revenue, but there would be regular outgoings of 5,3811. per annum.—(Hear, hear.) With the line worked it was estimated that the revenue would amount to 9,3251., and the outgoings (based on the working contract offered in March last by Mr. Jackson, and on the offer of the two largest debenture holders to take 3f per cent. on their debentures, instead of 5 per cent., until after the shareholders had received f per cent.) to 7,107/., leaving a balance of profit of 2211. He bad based his calculations on what had been done on their own line in 1848, when the railway was worked by themselves. He had calcu lated that during seven weeks of races, and six weeks influenced thereby, there would be 3,361/., and that the remaining thirty-nine weeks would produce Si. 10s. per mile per week, or 5,9671. —making a total of 9,328/. He founded that calculation on the fact that ,he average revenue on all the lines opened in England for the las — t six months was 471. per mile. As their line was situated in the eastern counties, perhaps they ought :o see what was done in that diSt a riet. - The Eastern Counties line produced 511. por mile per week; the Eastern Union line, 26/. per mile; and the East An. glian, which had to contend throughout with a navig able river, 121. per mile per week. The Hon. Gentle man then went on to show that according to the offrr of Mr. Jackson to work the line for 4,6501., with 45 per cent. on all traffic above 8,3001. to 11,0001., and adding the fixed charges to the amount to be received from Mr. Jackson, supposing the revenue to be what he had etated, 9,3281. it would give them a profit of 2211., Mr. Jackson and Mr. Wright offering, if it was accepted, to reduce the interest on their debentures 5 to 3 per cent. He be lieved that, properly worked, the line would produce 11,0001, per annum. He contended that the directors made a most grievous and ridiculous mistake in making the line from Newmarket to Chesterford, on the line to Thetford, instead of making the line from Newmarket to Cambridge, which would have brought them into friendly communication with a much larger 'population; sad tho Eastern Counties Railway, being a feeder to the latter company, that line would have placed them in connexion with Cambridge, and by an extension from the further end they would have teen ultimately placed in connexion with Bury St. Edmund's, Ipswich, Norwicb, &c., containing to gether a population of 235,000. He had no doubt that those lines would ultimately be made by some one, and what he wanted was, that they should not throw away the certainty of making even 221/. in the meantime. He considered that the directors had from the commence ment made a series of mistakes, by which they had ruined the property.—(Hear.) In 1846 the Eastern Counties offered them 5 per cent. on their outlay, and contingent advantages; but they split upon a difference as to whether the Eastern Counties shares, in taking their proportion of the dividend, should be calculated at 161. or 201.—(Hear.) He might be told that the share holders had sanctioned the proceedings of the directors; but he contended that the directors ought to act on their own responsibility in completing such affairs.—(Cheers.) He also complained of the directors having ordered too much stock; of having, after the:mania had com menced, surveyed a new line to Royston, at a time when only one party could be obtained to sign the subscription deed ; and also of the directors hav ing allowed a number of lawsuits to go on, which he no sooner took in hand than he was enabled to see the plaintiffs and obtain a settlement.—(Hear.) Then there had been two other occasions when there was a chance of coming to a favourable conclusion with the Eastern Counties Company, viz., on the Norfolk Amal gamation Bill being before Parliament, but the directors asked so much that the practical result was, that they got nothing—(Hear, hear)—and in the spring of this year, when the Eastern Counties Company were fright ened lest the Shepreth Extension, projected by Mr. Jackson, should be carried, the directors of this company had refused to originate any negotiations with the Eas tern Counties Company.—(Hear, hear.) He complained that Mr. Jackson had been most unfairly used. The substance of terms having been agreed to, the directors had endeavoured to introduce further terms into the deed, of a most extraordinary nature, which he could not ac cept, as Mr. Jackson and Mr. Wright would be thereby called upon to pay all manner of expenses, and lose all advantage to bo obtained from the contract.—(Hear.) It was in consequence of the treatment of Mr. Jackson that he (Mr. Fane) had resigned the direction, and he called upon the shar e h o ld ers to support hi s resolution as a distinct vote of want of confidence in the beard. At the suggestion of Mr. MOXHAY Mr. PANE asked M r . Jackson whether ho bed not in March last, offered to work the line on the terms stated by him; and if offered, whether Le was prepared still to enter into that contract with a new board ? Mr. JACKSON replied in the affirmative with regard to the first question, but declined to answer the second. In reply to Mr. SHEPHERD, Mr. JACKSON stated that there had been no difference of opinion as to the terms of contract, but there had been a difference on the deed for'carrying it out. Mr. ALEXANDER seconded the amendment. The CHAIRMAN said that, as the motion was brought forward as a direct vote of want of confidence in the oi rection, be would beg to call the attention of the pro prietors to what was the constitution of the board. There were only himself and two other members of the board who could be inculpated by the greater por tion of what had been said by Mr. Fane, the remainder of the directors having been recently appointed by the shareholders themselves. Some conversation here took place, which resulted in its being understood that the only subjects to be entered into were the closing of the line and the declining of Mr. Jackson's contract. The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors were still willing to sign >L contract with Mr. Jackson, but he did not think it would be advantageous to the shareholders that he should enter into minute details to show why they had not done so—the conditions complained of having been added to the contract to ensure its being fairly earried out, under legal advice. At the same time, he might state that there was a contractor ready to take the working of the line on the terms proposed, with all the conditions, if Mr. Jackson would not have consented to reduce his debenture interest from 5 to 3i per cent. After considerable irregular conversation as to the way in which the contract was drawn up, Mr. MonnmErt (a director) stated that Mr. Fano bad said that the directors bad asked too much for their line from the Eastern Counties Company at the time of the Norfolk amalgamation. Now, having been the r arty who had made h provisional agreement with the Eastern Counties Company, he begged to state that the terms were to be for the shareholders 1 per cent., and the in terest reduced on the debentures from 5 to 3 per cent. The debenture holders declined to do so, and the result was that the negotiation feel to the ground, Mr. Fane himself saying that, as an individual, he would not con sent to it. With regard to the conditions complained of, as put into the contract, they were only for the purpose of protecting the shareholders from a contingency which might arise at the close of four years, by which, without express conditions to the contrary, Mr. Jackson, as a debenture holder, might become the sole possessor of the line. At the same time another contractor would have leased the line if Mr. Jackson would have re duced the interest on his debenture debt from 5 to Si per orat e but that gentleman would not do so. The contrac'or might, without that condition, have had his plant seized by the debenture holders. Therefore they saw that if they closed the line they would be subjected to a charge of about 5,0001. per annum—while, if they continued it open, there was only 7,3001. earned upon it. Of that sum the Eastern Counties Company charged 6,000/. for working, and declined to hand them the balance, on the ground that they had a further claim against them, so ilea the debenture debt and other expenses still remained against the company, without any profit to meet it. Some other conversation baring ensued, in which it was stated that the line had been closed in accordance with a promise given to the proprietors at the last half yearly meeting, and that the whole of the directors were willing to retire if it was the wish of the proprietors, Mr. GRAHAM, as a large creditor, suggested that all the cre 'isors should consent to a reduction of the inte rest on the debts to 3i per ceut., and then leave the directors to do the best they could with the line. Mr. JACZSON contended that under proper management the line would produce much more than any estimates that had been laid before them, :Is, there ',Avg no traffic either by land or by water which could oppose them, • they could take better tolls than any other line. Had he had the working of the line, he should have gone to the chairman of the Eastern Counties Company, and called upon him to assist in developing the traffic by al eriug the running of the trains, so that parties wishing to travel on the line might be fairly accommodated at rea sonable hours. By the contract he had offered he could have only made a profit by a co-operction with the Eastern Counties Company, or some other petty com'ng into the district, which he hoped mould be shortly the e3Se. On the question b,ing put to a vote, the amend ment was carried by a majority of about three to one. Mr. MonTimErt, having been requested to join the new direction, that gentleman said most distinctly he would never join any board to carry out the policy of Mr. Face, or enter into further negotiations with Mr. Jackson. The CHAIRMAN said, that though only a few of the shareholders were present, the directors would decline going to a poll; and they now only held office until they had an opportunity of electing successors, to be nominated by the proprietors. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman for the im partial discharge of his duties in the chair, the meeting separated. CAMERON'S STEAM COAL AND SWANSEA. AND LOUGHOR RAILWAY. The annual meeting of this company was held yester day at the office, Moorgate-street ; Mr. Winthrop in the chair. The report stated that the directors had carried out the resolutions of the proprietors, which were passed at former meetings. The directors had succeeded in satis fying the pressing claims upon the company, and had made arrangements for the construction of the railway ' from the colliery to a place of shipment, by which they would obtain a cheap and expeditious transit for their coals. The line was to cost about 5,000/., to meet which they had called up the remaining 4/. per share in two in stalments. Arrangements have also been made with several landowners and tenants on the line for the use of the land required for the railway; and acontract had been entered into on advantageous terms for the completion of the works with a highly respectable contractor, who has engaged to complete the railway early in October next. The operations at the colliery are progressing also si multaneously with the works on the line ; so that the directors may be fully prepared to meet the demand for coal when the line shall have been opened. These ar rangements will enable the company to deliver 60,000 tons of coals per annum for a period of three or four years, and by means of further operations, the coal held being very extensive, will enable them to supply 1,000 tons per day if required. On the completion of tie present .works the directors will take immediate steps to ship the coals, which are said to be eNcellent for steam purposes. A large return from the mines must entirely depend upon the hearty co-operation of the shareholders in supplying the requisite funds. The directors have incurred heavy responsibilities on the faith of the shareholders paying up the calls and arrears, and they hope that all strife and contention amongst the proprietors will shortly cease. The directors regret that the solicitor has again disappointed them by not pre senting his bill of costs. Tne report with regard to the Swansea and Loughor Railway states that the powers of the Act will expire in 1851, and that it may be neces sary next session to apply to Parliament for an extension of time in consequence of the improvements at Swansea harbour, and the advantages likely to result from a connexion with the South Wales Railway and the port of Swansea. The balance-sheet for the year ending the 30th of June last showed that 152,57.5/. had been received on shares; that 13,3271. was due to sundry creditors; that 42,5824 was claimed by Mr. W. B. J. P. Cameron on purchase account, several items of which were disputed, making 208,485/. On the other side of the account appeared cost of mining property 148,0001., works 16,8801., and cash 3801. leaving a balance of debit of profit and loss 43,6351. Mr. ELDATON, the solicitor, begged to apologise for the delay which had occurred in preparing and deliver ing his bills of costs. He could assure them that it was unavoidable. The period over which they extended was five years, and they bad taken a long time to make them out; the bill% were now nearly ready, and would be delivered in the course of the day. The CHAIRMAN said, he believed the balance-sheet contained everything, with the exception of toe solidi ter's account, which they were all so anxious to receive. It was particularly necessary that the shareholders shculd give the directors their unanimous support to get the company out of its di ffi culties and enable them to make the un dertaking - productive. The coat existed in very large quantities, and they had only to provide a cheap and rapid mode of transit and shipment to obtain an immediate return. They bad already orders fur a large quantity when they were in a position to supply the demand. Mr. GREEN did not consider the balance-sheet perfect without the solicitor's bills of costs being included. Mr. STRELLEY, one of the auditors, said, be had en deavoured as much as possible to induce the solicitor to send in his bill, so that it may be included in the present balance-sheet, but although he had promised to send in his bill he had not done so. Mr. ELDERTON said, it was his intention at the time he promised to send in the bill, but circemstaaces had rendered it impossible. With regard to the balance sheet, he did not think it included all the liabilieies. Messrs. Cooper and Strelley (the auditors) and the Secretary were perfectly satisfied that everything was included, with the exception of the solicitor's bills of costs, which they could not obtain. The thaeraatate said, he had no doubt the meeting would come to the conclusion that the balance-sheet was so far correct, and concluded by moving, that the report and accounts be received and adopted. Mr. GREEN, in seconding the motion, said, that the shareholders had every reason to be pleased with the report. The resolution was they put and carried unanimously, when, Mr. W. B. J. P. CAMERON said he dissented from the resolution, and would required the votes to be taken. The CHAIRMAN said he was extremely sorry that Mr. Cameron should have expressed his dissent, particularly when it was considered how hard the directors worked every day to get the company out of its difficulties, and to make the undertaking productive. It was very clear that Colonel Cameron and his family would participate in the benefit of these exertions, and he was surprised that Mr. Cameron should have expressed his dissent.— (Shame.) If they were to permit him to vote in respect of the shares he came to represent he would swamp the votes of the meeting; but they bad a protest against that gentleman's vote, which would show he had no right to represent a single share of the company. The SECRETARY read the protest, which stated that the shares in question bad been illegally transferred, and the party who transferred them had no potter to do so; that no money had been paid on them; that Mr. W. B. J. P. Cameron bad no right to claim tem, and that his interests were totally adverse to the interests of the company. The meeting having received the protest, Mr. fMALLBONE said, there could be no doubt that Mr. Cameron had no right to vote at the meeting, and that the resolution was carried unanimously. The retiring directors. Captain Norcott, RN., Cap tain Erle, and Mr. Barham are re-elected, as were toe retiring auditors, Messrs. Cooper and Strelly. On the motion of Captain NORCOTT, Mr. Green was elected an auditor. A conversation ensued, in the course of which it was stated that the directors were not only anxious to place the company in a good position, but to enable the Came ron family to get out of their difficulties, end there could be no doubt that it was the interest of the vendor and the shareholders to pull together and assist the di rectors to render the undertaking profitable. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors for their indefatigable exer tions in promoting the interests of the company. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBORNE, MONDAY. The Queen and Prince, accompanied by their illustrious relatives, walked early this morning in Os borne Park and grounds. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and younger branches of the Royal Family, took their accustomed walks and drives. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge and her Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, yesterday, at Cambridge House. The Prince of Oldenburgh paid a visit to their Royal Highnesses on Sunday. The Bishop of Montreal had an interview. with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial•office. Mr. B. Bond Cahbell had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home-office. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the North American Provit c s. IRELAND. MAYO ELECTION. DUBLIN, JULY 29.—At the close of the poll on Ea turday pveniug the numbers stood as follows: Higgeos .•• ... ... 140 Butt ... ••• ••• • • ••• 94 Majority for Biggers 46 Thus the contest was virtually over, although the polling booths would be kept open for this day (Monday). A few days since a scorpion was found in a saw pit in Chatham Dockyard. It was taken out of a piece of Italian oak, alive, and is of the species of a blackish colour, described by naturalists as one whose sting causes edd mo tiona of the limbs, and a laughter like that of fools. , THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 30, 1850.