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

thele-----•-----e,,,__ --- ebiatirr.my;oirtel,ess:rtthan sixteen. He " ° ' lll n " 've th'''t th'' lereeeess tied eel; leave t , set ne e si t ri f .. it oeir , ,_ll t'.II,AWNY th ' euetr, it wou;sl b e;er . _. ' - si ha ecve allowed to mov e for the r.eurns to w teen 1 .Ib.llunedreletiie te the duchy of Co:ow:di' i e hi ; ORAIRM AN ask, d :Jr. flume, would he replied rear "'°tion; and the Hon. Member having replied leativsly Sir e 11 4 ' /ie;^- _S" 3 were then ordered to withdraw, but a di d not take place. Oa our return to the gallery ` h roued eq. Rt e . ettehl ise inE objecting to their then creating a separate_ ebiy b unaent for the Prince of Wale,. That would tett! a eneeUraeing extravagance, and establishing a 'lnset f ' Nhrty e 4 or a set of idle individuals. They would then oe by similar to the occupation cf Kensington than h "Y Persons who had no more right to be there If . e hid, said, the reason assigned by the Noble P4'hrldief;erhltheßPrePosal was, that it was desirable the one she the be merle aware that the building was n Pereattneatly devoted to the purposes i , if the V .„ Fr r G 11 4 tk i_t ery. But it appeared to him Cdr. Brio e 'r) r tisa l 4t fact Might `aptly be made known without th i Col e to the then under their consideration. , QA ilei SIBTHORP objected to their then creatin e ll ettabli h itatti,er Meet foie which there existed no necessity Th e c' e ititas 4NCELLOII of the EXCHEQUER. said. W as to g b llite i a na_stake to suppnee that any great expen ,e s . iii 4 b i. . e incurred by that proposal. It w a s most L r. hoe Zeit the line of buildings forming Carltun-te hit:ll,_ ll , l4 be *Cmpleted, and that the public should tfte,7benefit of the new rents, which would . be paid te affeetf;e 44 °Piion of that arrangement. But in order , I N u t ' a t - elld they should remove the stables at pie - f th e 00 i tched to Alariborough House; and the object o iteeilt Proposal was to erect other stables in their fileehik It ,Was not proposed that any establishment hliki " ON Up at Marlborough House beyond what th, hut..tlnder ordinary circumstances, be necessary for,. did ' b ' et r Po ss _aes of preserving the premises from injury.. a l: Notab l e "eta to him that the proposal was in any way one. . had lIIIIE said, it appeared from the statement they ettftiiittitt heard that the object of the motion di_ ted tech it ' of Carlton -terrace. But before they how a 'P t he was the Irrao prop they ought to know exactly he ihg,,euteat was to be card, d into effect. Besides,. er e5eb.."11.41 he that there could be n o reason I aie"" tte tt r ag the name of the Prince of Wales wi th such kr, a ' ) 30 e ,', 07,LEY said he heard no reason why that t aeol ef i tne Crown should hamper themselves by a hig h . °ll with respect to what was to happen nine 114 4 ii' Lre ',..: -(near, hear.) Before the end of that r llits,-, might be• found desirable to adopt some other lakhoetnent, and they would then find their disc i r r e b t e io n, IlidereYtallieatlY If by the proposal under the f the Cros th i m If the stebles were the property 1 14 ' tnere was nothing to prevent its officers from Vie. g,,swith them as they might think proper. p reen thought the proposal was quite ke With under present circumstances. t aYst e W said that as long as there was any e duchiP7oiorespect to the income derivedfrom of fe rnwall he felt it his duty . to resist any pro ed the revenues tf t r 4 graat t the P • who "Joy d o nonce, gatb"ehY l oteeih ; ee`OAN said it struck him that there must be Whi ch ;hug Underhand in that matter. The stables l'ter Peri o d , h ad heard 'ght sure be built at some . 4 reri od. ay the The Noble al l i ;ord, in unnecessarily . voting arie G Public Lord,c,ainentE4l)neY, was doing vast injury to his tate ~ etITSSELL said he was not asking for any Ittliet,i'' et Prin.. of Wales.. But if they were . to di d sal it , 4110 --- „ er . nce of " Tales, he e narchy, and to have ar 1 "si de ' e 13 whY that Prince should net have a house to tir,4.,„.,. an ade illloe 'ALE said he did not wish to oppose 1 44 Prciviaion fur the Royal Family. But the Noble ottle e°44l not expect that the House o I° 4 6 I ' l4 ° money for the Prince of Wales without tesy hla hrasa. as money how the property which belonged to theiht4ren raanaeed. They could not, however, at 44 tat L artn aoY judgment upon that subject. 11) 1 4 114 it detirable that they ehould unnece li ss e ar d il i y d k r. t he , discretion of future Parliaments. // era iltki'lluatt SIDNEY said that if tee Noble Lord Nreed, ° „ ; furee the Committee to a division. those su n . Mee t e, with hina (Mr. Alderman Sidney) upon the Heb lei _tlld be placed in a very ungracious position._ sary Pre vis '.° iatEini,ll ot refusing to melee every nece ed to Lir e ti , ° a for the Princ e of Wales. But it appear _ u. ttl t re elmltbli't was then most premature to discuss the I k a k . II 28htneot of a child who was only lain!. years Of Co- After haying recently made a grant, which o ut b ear ors had been thou ;ht so extravagant—(H e ar, la h e ' ) a member of the Royal Family, it appeared the ''' that hy their adoption of the present proposal tedoottetry would be led to infer that they had nothing keetewith their surplus revenue but to found additional h:rettod palaces for the Royal Family. /,`:°alnaittee then divided, and the number4s6were 4;irut'setta•fing propress 68 I,E_ .............................. —22 tia T ea li ed e .resolut al ieb aj, vra i : Y tlien . .i;g ..... .tO .. and the House re- The e & SE OF BARON ROT . 'I. Coquestion that the House should re • question ' HSCl se H ly L e D itself u k r p e „" of Supply having been put, into qati o ,.. iv ODD said reply to a question from Mr. he inten tlee of gh e e, that he washnformed that it way t roe yeti hi mself t"" on. Membe r for the city of London to p keel,. at the table of the House at twelve o'clock to err e - . 44tier,,,ewal of kre t "' (this day).—(Hear, hear.) With respect mis. the discussion, he feared he had been said ieti, t ',‘'°4 in what he had stated. What he . t had n before ths ti . 4t at Present there was only one question . 0 s 1 , 1 , e i t i g " b u t ee k , arid that he should reserve any observa u te th n e 0 0ee ed • have to make until uome future stage i teem kr Agese,if any such stage should occur. e e l.ll- th " e ' 3E Y wished to kow whether the Hon. Gen- . M e \ in Member e North w • k s hir a (Mr. New ~ for s arwic k r. li eato renew the discussion? tile iv to renew said ho had put his ee question u for iteettvorroatiou of several Members who had h Nit :lieced tar atte r a by the irregularity of the proceedings in d e - urtng the last few days. onsielera tio4 f . RUSSELL said he bad fi xe d the Bill for the Lords' amendments on the Irish et ei , B "r to. (this day) ; but he should eity Were Pre as lbat motion if the Hon. member for the c Franchise bet, t)f ear' ere to 8 ~,,, Present himself to take the oaths. t lae le " °R,TLEY said it did not follow thtaahtlebete take thear"" Rothschild pteseuted himself at the tibjeet: eltils, ally discussion should take place upon the I'llt b, „ eoi ~,, Q-,..,„CIPOSED EXHIBITION OF 1851.. mu. nit: t-1,-- Trb/TRORP rose to submit the following re 'tilted to the :ea" That an humble address be „ e t l .ki " c ' tn e %leen, Praying that her Majesty wi ll b "'IY pl tlve hi eased to direct the Attorney-General to hl3ll3obtatile,B4"tion to the filing of the proposed n 'er, an injunction to restrain the erection of any.infer 'illitie-egB '2,a an) , part of II de- ark for the intended e b x er veld 01 1851." The Y Hon p . and Gallant 14aa 11: 111 4 put it to the Hon. and LearnedMGeemntuldee tf pro, Attorney -General himselt whether the mode taa -a v adi nl4 he had adopted was fsir, straightforward, ie l 'a tli g . It Was a great shame that a set of beg - t e 4 tilt h a ', e'uld thee carried round by persons of the highest-g , re re :10W Soverei n for the purpose of extracting on 4 tserl' persons the t g mo t ney necessary for carrying on th . 44 114 prejudicial to that le t . that would necessarily be most th e ea t of this country, He had heard that day do Dr''' L ' ll than i 50ilfo eners had disembarked on "%lir a : 4)l2 clay on ourshores, re as a preparatory step The"( 3 their -surveying the ground destined for- step, no e Ag eXirlibition.—(Laughter.) " 4 e ;4TORNEY-GENERAL said, rounds 04 i‘teLeetling occasion stated very fullthe as he had' that that he t he be had acted in that matter, hedid no g tthink f the //` need then trespass at any length on the time 0 utli4a the R 0 The.HOn. and Gallant Member proposed . ,is q use should then present an address to her 17' 1 };' Pl 'aYlog her Majesty to direct the Attorney "' e e Z„' i no was -- her own law officer, to viola H te e w v‘ h .a a s t late Tea to be his duty to the Crown.. 1411 14; 4 t he use would not give its sanction must so a %le e f a i pr op ° sal, and that Hon. Members ro cter t .— t (eri e , e:1 coavinced of its unreasonable chara kr ;•• " blvide") e; "d G 11.WORTLEY expressed a hope that the Hon. vjeloah.at limber would not press his motion to a eel° done 119e` SIBTHORP said, that he had at all events 14 1! duty i n . w A • motion. the bringing the subject before the House. , Strk,,,.'3VN objected to the withdrawal of 4411 1 torZ erB were then ordered to withdraw, but no diVi.. '''' the!, Und the motion was at once negatived. ~ kr. g , TH E MARRIAGE BILL. .04011.. wORTLEY said he wished to correct an er ade i: atetement which was reported to have been the atlbje,t4 Mother place by a Right Rev, Prelate Wail re of the bilarriame Bill. The Right Rev. Prelate liss e e ° ,,r,ed to have said that although the Bill had a _ diel,io inrongh the House of Commons after rever te l unkin,,, 4 , Set he had been informed that an agerega those .0, ..., 4 et the whole of the Members who had voted on ly tt , 8 occasions were opposed to the measure. Now that , I V„ ortj e f e a e r f ro rte having been the case, that he (Mr. S. , de divi sion had ascertained from a careful examination of . 4441151810 n Ii in that House, that the total number of ' 4 2e , 'le who had at any time voted against the Bill was . itt;lo,,Waile the total number of those who had voted in 1 110 11 ; 4 ' of it was 294; showing on the whole of the divi " 4Aaiority of 71 in its favour.—(Hear, hear.) , Th,",u SUPPLY NAVY ESTIMATES. Qappi - House then resolved itself into a Committee of ek _Y; Mr. BEnerea. in the chair. t e p . T ete of 731,206/. having been proposed for the Jet 'kV of officers of the Navy and of the Royal %tin es k r Ti - h o wi . ,:s• . hit said that before they adopted that vote, the way to know how far the Government had gone in to nitil °7 of carrying out the recommendation of the ahoi l i d it t t , ee of 1849, that the number of our admirals Ot t ne ~e tedueed from 150 to 100 He believe that no 150 admirals . • twelve thine there were not more than 'vot e b e _ e n, on active service. He should move that the sir ~I.educed by a sum of 3,000/, l'ei,rter„BAßlNG said he was sure that his Hon, i ii reeu.unl not wish that the officers who were at present But •c ei Pt of half -pay should not continue to receive it. sibiaL, that course were not adopted, it would . be impos bet; L i z cl o e v a e l :l3: . QUA at present the reduction which had alder th, '°Y nis Hon. Friend. They could not con -1414418 , question with reference to the number of ad ther,,,4l°4o. they must look a little further, and sea that of tia::!11 sufficient promotion to keep the service in a state leteet;Tfn,?Y. Fie thought his Hon. Friend would act un iillatreea.)theyn hadeforeed the House to a vote upon his motion scarcely had time to see how the alteration 0 eueee a _t d. ivn, rv , ,_ did tune since would work. For his killitir,,_ 1.40 did not think it possible with the present L an ',i' in the service to do with fewer promotions. that y ea r the PrOMOtiOIIS from the rank of' captain to fr.,,_ aurniral were 14 'ma 00eatueee in number, or about one in 38; "' 401 78 to captitins, 12; from lieutenants to eovar_landere, 33. It was net by the aey that oilitsete ; were kept in the sereiete, tiot by the eopee of Oil eil - dna ranee rewerae and distinctions to wlease they toelsed lea ward throuatheut 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 aieher than in the former. He would not veettue any crude suggestions on the suajeet. He did net 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 snore he felt convinced that it would he a most un wise economy to adopt the recommendation of the Com mittee in this respect. He 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 tc a breach.of faith. The best remedy would be to practise economy in the naval expenditure. Groat reductions had already been made in the establishments of our dockyaede, aria he believed they might be carried much farther, espseially by adopting the system of build ing the smaller vessels by coutract. Great reductions might also be made in the number of seamen employed in the fleet. He would disfranchise every., wan employed in the doeleyards, 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 ,now 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 far 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 Hen. 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 aris tocracy, for most of those who had attained the highest rank had entered the service perfectly friendless. He 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 Lion. 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 mJrit, they sheuld 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 possibitity be any such principle as officers claiming promotion beyond that which was 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 captair. till there was a troop for him. He, therefore, f•lt under the necessity of voting with the Hon. Member for Manchester. Admiral BOW LES 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. 'l'. 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 rsduce the number of ad mirals, and effect a saving thereby. air. CORRY aupperted the vete 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 hydrographer of the navy, and another officer who held another appointment, had been com pelled to agree to their names being placed on the re tired list, being inf.irmed that they must either do this or g i ve u p t h e ir a pp,,lntments, while a junior officer had been permitted to bold the situation of Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital, and was not required to place him self on the retired list. Sir T. ACLANI) said it was true there was a mejo 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 10,0301. 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 in the House when the discussion commenced, and therefore he was not aware wrist was the precise farm 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, where the proposition was carried for which he (Sir J. Graham) held himself responsible, that there should be a reduction in the number of admirals from 150 to 100. The Hon. Gentleman the Member fer 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 aisertion 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 le three vacacancies. The real question was whether the time had arrived for making the rule which p: reacted 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 that the number employed at the present time did not exceed 12. Now, he was decidedly of opi nion that although the admiral: list must be considered more or less as a reward for past services, yet it was a question of degree, and they must bear in mind what were the real wants of the service. It would not do to main tain 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. Ile 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 must be aware that either with direct or indirect taxation there was considerable difficulty in maintaining the bur dens that now existed. Ile was satisfied the time bad 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.--(Heir.) 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 active to undertake the important duties of naval commanders. 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, officers of distinguished merit, without reference to seniority, should be raised to the tank 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 teethe army, as a feasible and safe proposition. The army stood on better grounds than the navy; for though the number cf•generals was 270, a very large reduction had been effected within a short period, the non-effective charge having been reduced nearly 90,0001. a year since 18-16; while in tt , e navy the charge for the non-effective service was 88,000/. a year more than it was in 1846. Since the termination of the war, the reduction of the dead weight in the arm) had been progressive and great, while in the navy it hart 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 First Lent of the Admireity w,.uld probably say that when e, vacancy occurred the commend W s instantly taken ; but he aas told that heti a vacancy occurred in the Best India and China station there vise great da'fi culty in filling it up; that three or four refused it; that the officer who had gone out there was nearly seventy years of age; and that there had been some arrangement whereby he took the command.—[Sir F. T. BARING was understood to deny this.] If tl,is were the case in time of peace, what would be the condition of the ser vice it unhappily we were involved in war? It was in dispensable to have youth and vigour on the admirals' litt; and that could only be attained by promoting by merit, as well as by seniority, to the extent of one in three. He considered this point the most important which had been brought before the Select Committee, and he could not hesitate now to support the view ho had there advocated. Sir F. BARING wished that his Right Hon. Friend would show, rather by figures than by general phrases, what he meant by enforcing economy. He did not re gard this as a question of economy at all. The entire saving, even if you could reduce the number of admirals from 150 to 100, would scarcely exceed 10,000/ ; and it was no question with him whether this would be a real saving to the country, while it would be a great injustice to a noble service. Even if the Government were to adopt the principle of appointing admirals on the ground of merit alone, those officers would grow old, and they did not require merit only in their admirals, but also youth and activity. If, however, the Government were to pass over the senior officers and select as admirals officers low in the list and young in the service, they might disregard merit to obtain the services of youth, and he feared such a course would occasion great dissatisfaction and eti:2eitat e e That was not a'; new suggestion, for eselataseloaceariata the power of the Crown had bese e p, with great impar tiality, in favour Oilt%. young officer, but ,that step created great dissatisfaction, and if his recollection was correct, the House interfered so harshly that the practice was abandoned. He begged to say, in reply to the Right Hon. Baronet opposite, that no arrangement of the nature he had alluded to had been made with the gallant admiral in command on the East India station. The Right Hon. Baronet bad also asked whether it was true that that command had been offered to two officers before it was accepted by the gallant admiral by whom it was now held. It was perfectly true that the appoint ment had been declined by two admirals, on the ground 'that their health would not enable them to undertake the duties, and he (Sir F. Baring) thought those gallant officers had acted most conscientiously in declining the offer on that ground. He was far from saying that if the present arrangement did not work well, the whole subject ought not to be considered, but he did not think it would be advisaole to consider the case of the admirals apart from that of the service generally. Sir J. GRAHAM observed, Ithat the Right lion. Ba ronet called upon him to state the precise amount of saving he proposed to effect by reducing the list of admirals from 150 to 100. He could only say that if the reduction of one-third in the number of admirals would effect no material saving in the half-pay of admi rals it was a case of despair.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Baronet appeared to think that it would not be possible to add any fresh youth, vigour, and activity to the list by means of selection. If then they could neither reduce the expense, nor render this class of officers more Efficient by infusing health and vigour into it, he (Sir J. Graham) thought the case of the admirals was desperate.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. HENLEY said this was a very important ques tion, for it appeared that while the amount expended in pay and wages for the effective force of the navy was 1,322,0001., the cost of the non-effective service was 1,221,000/. —(Hear, hear.) He was satisfied this was a state of things the country would not allow to be conti nued. For thirty-five years since the peace the system had gone on without alteration, and they were now pay ing the same number of officers for doing nothing that they were maintaining when they bad a large naval force afloat. He was glad this question had been raised, for he considered the non-effective force of the navy ought to be kept within more reasonable bounds, and ho would cordially support the amendment.. The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER wished to say a few words on this subject, as it was ono with regard to which he had had some Admiralty experience. He must say he deprecated more than anything the in terference of the House of Commons in these matters. — (Oh, oh, and a laugh.) He did not mean as to what was to be done, but as to how it was to be done. — (Laughter.) When he became Secretary to the Ad miralty a system of reduction was in active operation. It was going on rapidly, and what stopped it? What was the cause of that increase of deadweight in the navy, of which Hon. Gentlemen now complained ? It was the interference of the House of Commons. — (A cry of " No," and a laugh.) Yes, it was the inter ference of the House with the reductions then in pro gress. Several motions, as the Hon. Member for Mon trose might remember, were made and carried with a view to accelerate the promotions, which the House thought were not rapid enough, and the consequence eas a great addition to the retired list. It must not be said, then, that the Government had been anxious to continue the present system. He conscientiously believed that the Government was far better able than the House of Com mons to form a judgment as to the mode in which re ductions might be effected. Captain HARRIS observed that officers, whether admiralsacaptains, or lieutenants, were net made in a day, and it was necessary to keep up the half-pay system that they might have efficient men upon the list who would be available in case of emergency. He did not concur in the opinion of the Chancellor of the Exche quer that the Executive Government could conduet changes in these matters most advantageously without the interference of that House, for the House of Com mons was bound to take care that there was no extrava gant outlay of the public money. The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the amendment ... ... 72 Against it 128 Majority 56 Sir G. PECHELL made some remarks:upon the mode in which the allowance for bringing specie from abroad was appropriated. Sir F. BARING said a few words in justification of the system. Captain BOLDER() reminded the Right Hon. Gen tleman that this vote included surgeons and assistant surgeons, with respect to whom there was a recent vote of the House ; he believed some regulation was to be made for their benefit. Sir F. BARING had already explained to the Hon. and Gallant Member the course intended to be pursued; a memorandum had been drawn up, and the arrangement would be carried into effect. The vote was agreed to. The following votes were also agreed to: 490,3451. for military pensions and allowance!. 167,086/. for civil pensions and allowances. 135,7001. for freight of ships for conveyance of troops, Sec. 21,1311. for extra pay, &c., of seamen and marines, in lieu of spirits, and for extra pay, &c., for the Arctic Searching Expedition. 8,480/ for extra provisions for the ships employed in the Arctic Searching Expedition. The next vote was 764,236/. for the Post-office packet service. Mr. SCOTT moved to reduce the vote by 50,0001., charged for the conveyance of the In dia mails b y the East India Corn eany's vessels. Sir F. BARING reminded the Hon. Member that the pay meat must be made as long as the contract with the company subsisted. Lord NAAS thought that after the contradictory statements they had heard from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Hon. Member for Honiton (Sir J. W. Hogg), it was understood the vote for the Indian mail service would be postponed till the House had had an opportunity of judging what was the real state of the case by the production of the correspondence between the Government and the East India Company. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that the production of the correspondence could have no effect on a contract which had been already completed. Whatever opinion the House might have as to any tuture arrangement, it was evident that what had been entered into by Government must be carried out. Mr. HUME suggested, that in future an account should be laid before Parliament of the several contracts, of the number of ships, of the distances, and of the ex pense on one side; and of the profits, by passengers and 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 tremely extravagant. The House ought to have some intimation when new contracts were to be made. Mr. SCOTT agreed with the Hon. Member that the votes far the mail service required very close observa tion. It was rumoured that a certain company, who were disappointed in getting the contract for the mails to the Brazils, were likely to obtain the contract for the Cape mails, by way of making up for their disappoint ment. The vote ought not to be passed without some explanation, though no Hon. Member connected With Government had yet condescended to give any. Sir F. BARING observed that the statements to which the Hon. Member referred were, like many others brought against the Admiralty, quite without foundation. There was no truth in them; and it could not be ex pected that the time of the House was to be taken up in noticing every story that might be rumoured abroad. The Hon. Member (Mr. Hume) could have every infor mation he desired as to the mail contracts. Sir J. GRAHAM inquired what arrangements had been made for the conveyance of the mails between Holyhead and Dublin ? It had been strongly recom mended by the Committee that the same company who had carried the mails between Liverpool and Dublin should become the lessees of the establishment, which had cost the country a very considerable sum; and ho Observed that the expenses had increased since 1849. Sir F. BARING was understood to reply that ar rangements bad been made for carrying the mails by contract, which would be carried into effect as soon as .possible. There were charges against the Admiralty on this point also, but they referred not to the Admiralty having done badly to the public, but to their having taken the lowest contract, which was said to be so low that it could not be worked. In reply to a question from Lord NAAS, Sir F. BARING stated that the tenders for the mail contracts to the Cape would be returnable on the 13th of August; and in reply to Mr. Scott, said that the ser vice would be taken by screw-steamers. In reply to Mr. T. EGERTON, The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER stated that the Government intended to make the inner har bour at Helybead at the public expenee It %Nebula be,. he considered, rather hard, under all the circumstances, i n ri ix g b , u, u n s l i v y e advantages to call on the railway company to conitibute 200,0001., a agreed upon, w b h u i t e h they Pero w ( c m o i n d ti b n e ge d n e t pr o i n ve i d ha o t c t of any r j i Lord MANNERS said he regretted to be obliged by the conduct of her Majesty's Government to move the the Cheirreen reeort p:ogeoss, rindesk leave to sit agein.—(Why ? why?) It was necessary for him to call the attention of th s House to the c eats! pursued by H m. Gentlemen opposite in a natter personal to him self. About three o'clock in the daY he had crossed over - toeth - e Ministerial benches and asked- the Right Hen. Gentlemen the President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Labouchere) when he would take the third reading of the Mercantile Marine Bill? The Right Honourable Gentleman informed him at twelve o'clock to-morrow, when the Right Honourable Baronet the Secretary of State, who was sitting beside him, said. " You must mistake—the amendmenfs on the Irish Franchise Bill are to come on at twelve o'clock to-morrow, to which their consideration is adjourned; you mean twelve o'clock to-night." To which the President of the Board of Trade replied, " Yes, I mean twelve o'clock to-night, and I hope you (Lord J. Manners) will have no objection to the third reading of the Mercantile Marine Bill being moved after all the other orders." He replied, " Certa'nly not; and that having an amendment to move, he would offer no obstruction to the third read ing, whenever it came on." Both the Right Hon. Gen tlemen seemed perfectly satisfied with that arrangement, and expressed themselves more or less pleased at the co operation he gave to them in proceeding with the Bill. With that understanding he left the House; and on his le turn, f mud the third reading of the Mercantile Marine Bill had actually been moved—whether by either of the Right Hon. Gentleman he did not know, at half-past seven o'clock that evening, and had been carried.—(Hear, hear.) All ho knew was, the engagement entered into by those Right Honourable Go.ntletneo, as members of Government, had not been kept.—(Sir GEORGE GREY ".There was not the smallest approach to an engage ment.")—(Hear, hear.") The Right lion. Baronet it say _so, but c if that sort of quibbling was al lov:ed no engeggement would be entered upon between lion. Members. and the Government. He would ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in all the transactions relating to the Bill, be had not shown the greatest anxiety to consult his convenience, and whether he had exhibited the least wish to offer to it a factious opposition? He had then a right to complain, and he did complain, of that sort of conduct, and all those ar rangements which tended so much to the mutual conve nience of the members of the Government must in fu ture be disregarded; and it would be the duty of Hon. Gentlemen ou this side of the House to exert every sort of opposition to Government, and to disregard all state ments of Ministers except those made publicly in their places. Had it not been for the declaration of the Right Hon. Gentleman, he (Lord J. Manners) would have been in his place ready to propose the amendment which stood in his name on the paper, and be appealed to the House whether the Right Hon. Gentleman had acted on this occasion in the way in which he had sated hitherto, or if his conduct had been what he (Lord J. Manneis) had a right to expect —(Hear, hear.) Mr. LABOUCHERE said he should be very sorry indeed if any conduct on his part could have rendered him justly liable to the imputation of having acted in any way but with the most scrupulous fidelity in any engagements he might have made with any Honour able Member. He felt very deeply the important cha racter of those engagements, and how much the conve nience of the House and the dispatch of business de pended on their being adhered to with the most invio lable fidelity. But he hoped, before he sat down, to remove from the mind of the Noble Lord the false im pression under which he seemed to labour. It was quite true, both as to the Noble Lord and as to other Members, that he (Mr. Labouchere) had stated, if the discussion which had occupied the greater part of the day should be brought to a close at any time before twelve c'cleck at night, that he should move the third reading of the Mercantile Marine Bill, for he felt it to be of great importance that that measure should be sent up to the other House of Parliament with as little delay as pos sible, but he never for a single moment contemplated any thing so very extraordinary as letting the most conve nient opportunities pass by and keeping back that or any other measure till 12 o'clock. Every one knew that the discussion respecting the Baron de Rothschild had ended much sooner than was expected, and if the Noble Lord had been taken by surprise, so also was he (Mr. Labouchere), for he was himself not in the House when the Bill was read a third time, his Noble Friend at the head of the Government being the Member who then took charge of it, and by whom it was successfully pasted through its last stage, at which time the amend ment that the Noble Lord had intended to propose was moved by another Member. Having made this short statement, he trusted the House would do him the justice to believe that he never intended to take the Noble Lord by surprise. He hoped during the ten years he had had a seat in that House he never pursued, any course which could justify an imputation of any unfairness. He was sorry that any misapprehension should have occurred, but he begged the House to observe that not only the Noble Lord, but the Hon. Member for Liverpool, was also absent when the Bill was read a third time. There could not be a greater mistake than to suppose that he had ever made any such arrangement as the Noble Lord had supposed him to make, for it would be so mani lestly against the course of order in that House that the Speaker would have interfered to p revent its bein g carried into effect. He should co nclude b y re p eatin g an expression of regret that any misapprehension had arisen, and by hoping that the House would acquit him of intending to take any one by surprise. Lord J. MANNERS said that no doubt the Right Hon. Gentleman did not mean to take him by surprise, but he must be permitted to say that the Right Hon. Gentleman had distinctly told him that be intended to take the Mercantile Marine Bill at twelve o'clock, after the other orders of the day were disposed of, and he dis tinctly remembered the Home Secretary observing that they could not proceed with the Bill at twelve o'clock to-morrow. The Right Hon: Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade might have meant that he would proceed with the measure before twelve, but he said that he should not do so till twelve—be certainly fell into some mistake, and deceived not only himself but him (Lord J. Manners). Sir G. GREY observed,-that as he had been appealed to be felt it due to himself to say, that. he entered into no engagement whatever, but contented himself with ob serving that twelve o'clock to-morrow was a time already occupied. Beyond that he had not opened his lips, but he was bound now to state that be certainly understood his Right Hon. Friend to say that after the debate which then occupied the attention of the House was concluded he should move the third reading of the Mercantile Ma rine Bill; but certainly no one expected that that debate would have been so soon over. Admiral BOWLES stated, that the Right Hon. Gen tleman the President of the Board of Trade told him, not that he would wait till 12 o'clock, but that he would proceed with the Mercantile Marine Bill, even if no op portunity of moving it occurred before 12 o'clock; that, if necessary, he should go on with it as late as 12 o'clock. Lord J. MANNERS said, that if the Right Hon. Gentleman had told that to him he should not have been taken by surprise, but he never said any thin of the sort. Mr. ANDERSON rose to say that he had spoken to the Right Hon. President of the Board of Trade in the lobby on the subject, when his reply to an inquiry was, that it would probably be late that night, and, as he in tended to second the clause of the Noble Lord, he took the liberty of moving it in his absence. The vote was then agreed to. On the question that a sum of 211,1391. be granted for excess of naval expenditure, Sir H. WILLOUGHBY rose to call attention to a sum of 29,5341. expended upon iron steamers. Tbey did not derive that sum from any surplus, nor had they ex pended it with the consent of the Treasury. Further, account linei it was in clear violation of th e A ppropr iation Act. At the same time he was bound t o a d m it th a t the Board of Audit had exercised all fitti ng v i g il ance u pon the occa sion. Upon these ground s h o s h ou ld pro pose that the proposed grant be red uce d b y t h e sum o f 2 9,5341. wh S ic ir h r the ß p A a ß ym lN en G t onaxp othfetheiricruomn circumstances under was nder made. The year before last money was taken to pay for these iron steamers. The estimates of the expenditure for the next year were framed in the month of October, and presented in 1849. But he found that the contracts, which were expected to terminate before the termination of the financial year, did not fall within that financial year. and thereke e the payments ran actually a few weeks beyond the financial year. He made a payment on account, though not legally compellable; and he had stated the excess, on the principle that Parliament ought to know how it had occurred. Mr. HENLEY thought the matter was not yet clearly before the House. The Right Hon. Baronet seemed to say he had committed the fault of having an excess, but had shown it to Parliament, and that he might have car ried it to another year, without their knowing anything of it. There was a third alternative—that of notspend ing in excess at all. The statement was not satisfactory as to how the excess arose. Sir F. BARING had stated, in opening the estimates, the ground of that excess, which occurred before he came into office. A good deal of it arose from the number of men being carried beyond the vote, and from the pay of the men being taken on a wrong calculation. Mr. HUME did not believe they would get rid of these excesses until they came to a resolution that the Lords of the Admiralty should pay the excess themselves.—(A laugh.) He was quite ready to make the Right Hon. Baronet pay it himself. Sir J. GRAHAM. observed that the excess was not incurred under the a dministration of the First Lord of the Admiralty, and no one more agreed with the position laid down by the Hon. Member for Montrose than the First Lord himself, that these excesses were to be cares fully avoided. It might be confidently anticipated that under his administration, though it was difficult to know how excesses could always be avoided, Parliament would to' the utmost see en end put to these grants. There was one principle to which the Right Hon. Baronet had not adverted, that when any such unexpected expendi ture was incurred, it was most desirable to have it brought under the cognizance of the Treasury. Mr. REYNOLDS complained that, while 700,000 gallons of rum were consumed in the Royal Navy, home - made spirits were not advertised to be taken under the contracts, though there was no Parliamentary resolution giving a preference to rum. Mr. FRENCH observed, that at the Admiralty the interests of Ireland were not represented. There was no Irish Lord of the Admiralty. Such was not the case in the late Administration, which was supposed to be more adverse to the interests of Ireland. The Member for Tyrone (Mr. Corry) was then Secretary for the Ad miralty. Colonel SIBTHORP would veto with the two Hon. Gentlemen who had just spoken in favour of consuming Irish whisky i n t h , Royal Navy rather than rum; but he could not understand how, with their views, they sup perted her Majesty's Minit.ters, of whom no man enter tained a worse opinion in their public capacity than he did.—(A laugh.) li e advised the Hon. G en tl em an to leave the bad com pany in which he was placed. He should remember that evil communications corruted g ood manners; „d, if he remained longer amongst his , r3sznt ussocia - AA, he would became ir,oca!,;lted with their v :nu. Mr. REYNOLDS said, that al.hough he disapproved of many of the acts of the Governruenr, he did not be lieve that another Administration would puraae n d'if ferent policy. Only a choice of evils was before him, and he took the least. If, however, the lion. and Gal lant Colonel would form an Administration which would take Ireland under its protection, it should receive his sapport.—(Beer, and laughter.) Colonel SIBTIIOIIP crossed over the House and held some conversation with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, amidst much cheerio; and laughter. Sir. P. BARING said, in reference to what had fallen from the Right Hon. ?Member for Ripon, that communi cations should bo made to the Treasury with respect to every casi - a 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:- 453,8911. 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 de`'ray 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 had 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 thick of objecting to the monument to the memory of Sir IL Peel being erected in the Abbey, but he gave notice that, if a similar proposition should be 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 50,0001. for civil contingencies. The House resumed. Mr. BERNAL reported progress, and the Committee of SUpply was ordered t 3 sit again on Thursday. The Duke of Cambridge's Annuity Bill 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 2,5004 If the House should agree to these resolutions they would get rid of the last shred c f 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 Home agree 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 (fh 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 there appeared— For the third reading 64 Against it ... ... 15 Majority ... —49 The Bill was accordingly read a third time. Colonel CHATTERTON moved that the Bill do not extend to Ireland. Colonel SIBTHORP supported the motion. Mr. G. A. HAMILTON hoped the Hon. and Gallant Colonel would not press his motion. They had taken care that the people of Ireland should be taught to read; but, having 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 bo done to Ireland by this Bill, he could not withdraw his motion. The House divided, when there appeared— For Ccl. Chatterton's motion ... 13 Against it ... ~. 56 Majority ... —43 The Bill was then passed. 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 bcea 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. " With 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 pos sess. The proprietors are aware that the line bi•twken Chesterford and Newmarket was closed for traffic (so far as this company as carriers are concerned) on 30th of June; and after what passed at the l as t meeting te of the company, the proprietors will neither be surprised at that result, nor altogether in the d ar k as tosutheris cir cumstances which have induced it. At that meeting the directors, after adverting to th e 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, anu en 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 til.) , would attempt one more appeal to the Eastern C oun ties Rail way Company. That appeal was made without loss . of time by the chairman of this c om p an y to the chairman of the Eastern Counties R ailwa y Company—resulting in propositions holding out not even a remote prospect of benefit to the Newmarket shareholders ; and which could not consequently have been accepted, even if their mortgagees (whose concurrence was required and refused) had put it in t he p ower of your directors so to do. " Subsequently an overture was made from another quarter, for a working arrang ement, 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 tailed. 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 imp med 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 the traffic, and thus serve the Newmark( t Company. there own share holders, and the public; seeing also, that heavy charges were being incurred for upholding the worke, and that the mortgage interest being retained at 5 per cent. could not be met, even if the balance arising from the work ing by the Eastern Counties Railway Company were paid over to this company, the directors have thought it . _ inadeleable to call up the remaming 21. (ceserved f r the completion of the hue into Cameri lge) until tsey could show to the proprietors some pro peer of a return, and have reluctantly resorted to the altereative, of which they lead give a preliminary intimation —viz., of tearing to carry truffle._ _ . " The directors avow that, in taking this step, they had a confident belief that consequences so far benefi cial would arise ae that the Eastern Counties Railway Company, - who must derive a large income from the pessage of the Newmarket Company's traffic over their line, would at last have acquiesced in some arrange ment by which, without any sacrifice on their pert, 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 aceordance in the measures adopted by their directors, for so long ne 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 eha teeter are likely to be made by them. The directors, therefore, earnestly recommend the proprietors now to determine definitively on their future couise of action, and if they see reason to differ from the views of the ,present board of directors, or have altered the opinion expreised by there at the last half-yearly meeting, re commend that the services of others, more in unison with their own, be obtained—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 au equitable proposal to relieve this company from their stuck of plant, and consequently from the 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 Itchen 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 tor which the Newmarket Railway was intended, and is cal culated 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 3,7161. 3s. 4d. There was also`a balance on revenue account. The above two ba lances, together with outstanding accounts, amount to 6,581 t. 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 au amendment on the adoption of the report. He should, therefore, propose f,rinitily the adoption of the report. Mr. C. FANE begge f to propose that the shareholde rs 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 vote of want of confi dence in tee direction. He had great pain in bringing forward that 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 line 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 for the future. With the line closed there would be no revenue, but there would be regular outgoings of 5,381/. 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 7,1071., leaving a balance of profit of 2211. Ho had 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 8/. 10s. per mile per week, or 5,967/. --making a total of 9,328/. He founded that calculation on the fact that the average revenue on all the lines opened in England for the last six months was 471. per mile. As their lice was situated in the eastern counties, perhaps they ought to see what was done in that district. The Eastern Counties line produced 511. per 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, 12/. per mile per week, The Hon. Gentle man then went on to show that according to the offer of Mr. Jackson to work the line for 4,650/., 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 stated, 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 3i 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 commumication with a much larger population; and the 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 been ultimately placed in connexion with Bury St. Riceland's, Ipswich ; Norwich, Bac., 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 eboald 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 16/ 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.—(Cbeers.) 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 cent, as Mr. Jackson and Mr. Wright would be thereby called upon to pay all manner of expenses, and lose all advantage to be obtained from the contract.—(Hear.) It was in consequence of the treatment of Mr. Jackson that he (Mr. Fane) bad resigned the direction, and he called upon the s h are h o ld ers to support his resolution as a distinct vote of want of confidence in the beard. At the suggestion of Mr. MOXIIAY, Mr. FANE a s k e d M r. Jackson whether he had 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 bad been no difference of opinion as to the terms of contract, but there had been a difference on the deed for currying 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 di 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. Fine, 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 lens were th e c l os i ng of the line and the declining of Mr. Jackson's contract. The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors were still willing to sign a contract with Mr. Jackson, but he did not think i t would be advantageous to the shareho ld ers that he s h ou ld enter i nto m i nute deta il s to s h ow w h y they had not d one so — t h e con di t i ons comp l a i ne d o f having been added to the contract to ensure its being fairly carried out, under legal advice. At the same time, c be might state that there was a c o ntractor ready to take the workin g o f t h e li ne on t h e terms pro p ose d, w ith a ll th eo ndition s , if Mr. Jackson would not have consented to redu ce hi s de b enture i nterest from 5 to 3 i per cent. After considerable irregular conversation as to the Way in which the contract was drawn up, Mr.eM°ltrimEß (a director) stated that Mr. Pane had said that the di rectors h a d as k e d too mu ch f or their line from the E astern C ount i es C ompany at t h e t i me o f t h e amalgamation. Now, having been the party who had made a provisional agreement with the Eastern Counties Company, he begged to state that the terms were to b e f or t h e s h are h o ld ers 1 per cent., an d t h e in rest reduced on the debentures from 5 to 3 per cent. The debenture holders declined to do so, and the result was that the negotiation fell to the, ground, Mr. Fane himself saying that, as an individual, be would not con sent to it. With regard to the conditions complained of, as put into the contract.. they sere only for the purpose of proteetlng the shareholders from a contingency which might arise , at the close of four years, by which, without express con di t i ons to the contrary, Mr. Jac k son, as a debenture holder, might become the sole possessor of the lino. At the same time another contractor would have leased the line it' Mr. Jackson would have re duced the interest on his debenture debt from 5 to 3i per .r cent., tut that la,erlletnan would not do so. Th , • cantrae o might, witnon that condiaion. have laoi his phut s , •7.Prl by the &beaturif h Her , . There ore they saw that if they closed rha line they would be sujectecl to a charge of about 5,0001. per annum—while, it they continued it open, there was only 7,300/. ( arned upon it. ()f that S U `sum the Eastern Counties Company charged 6,0004 for working, and declined to hand them the balance, on the.,(3- 7 :77 ground that they had a further claim against them, sd a .:y a *( a ' t ' .ll:t the debenture debt and other expanses still remained Is', a,coi.inst the company, without any profit to meet it. Some other conversation basing ensued, in which if/ was stat'd that the line had been closed iu accordance , with a promise given to the proprietors at the last half yearly meeting, and that the whole of the directors were)l:4 ( t willing to retire if it was the wish of the proprietors, Mr. GRAHAM, as a large creditor, suggested that all the cre2i;ors should cons , ant to a reduction of the inte rest on the.debts to 31 per cent., and then leave the directors to do the best they could with the line. Mr. JACKSON contended that under proper management the line would produce much more than any estimates that had been laid before them, ar, there being no traffic either by land or by water which could oppose them, they could take better tolls than any other line. lied he had the working of the line, he should have gone to the chairman of the Eastern Counties Company, and called ;lam him to assist in developing the traffic by al ering the running of the trains, so that parties wishing to travel en the line might be fairly accommodated at rea sonable hours. By the contract he had otft red he could have only made a profit by a co-operation with the Eastern Counties Company, or some other party coning into the district, which he hoped would be shortly the case. • On the question being put to a vote, the amend ment was carried by a majority cf about three to one. Mr. MORTIMER, having been requested to join the new direction, that gentleman said most distinctly he would never join any board to carry out the plicy of Mr. cane, 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 eatis fy ing the pressing claims upon the company, and had made arrangements for the construction of the railway from the colliery to a place cf shipment, by which they would obtain a cheap and expeditious transit tor their coals. The line was to cost about 5,0001., to meet which they had called np the remaining 41. per share in two in stalments. Arrangements have al<o ben made with several landowners and tenants on the line for the use of the land required for the railway; and a contract had been entered into on advantageous terms for th..c. mp , etion 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 stall 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 till directors w,ll take immeeiste steps to ship the coals, which are said to be excellent 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 seating 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 301 h of June last showed that 152,575/. had been received on shares; that 13,3271. was due to sundry creditors; that 42,5821. 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 16,880/., and cash 380/. leaving a balance of debit of profit and loss 43,635/. Mr. ELDERTON, the solicitor, begged to apologise for the delay which had occurred in preparing and deliver ing his bills of costs. Ho could assure them that it was unavoidable. The period over which they extended was five years, and they had taken a long time to make them out; the bills 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 the solici tor's account, which they were all so anxious to receive. It wee particularly necessary that the shareholders should give the directors their unanimous support to get the company out of its difficulties and enable them to make the undertaking productive. The coal existed in very large quantities, aid they had only to provide a cheap and rapid mode of transit and shipment to obtain an immediate return. They had already orders for 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 cf the auditors, said, he had en deavoured as much as possible to induce the solicitor to send in his bill, p:o that it may be included in the present balance-sheet, but although he had promised to send in his bill ho had not done so. Mr. ELDERToN said, it was his intention at the time he promised to send in the bill, but circumstances had rendered it impossible. With regard to the balance sheet, he did not think it included all the liabilities. Messrs. Cooper and Shelley (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 CHAIRMAN said, ho had no doubt the meeting would come to the conclusion that the balance-sheet was so far correct, end 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 then 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 dissente7 (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 had 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 had been illegally transferred,• and the party wbo transferred them had a° power to do so; that no money had been paid on them; that Mr. W. B. J. P. Cameron had no right to claim them, and that his interests were totally adverse to the interests of the company. The meeting having received the protest, Mr. SMALLBONE 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, R.N., Cap tain Erle, and Mr. Barham are re-elected, as were the 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, and 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 he chairman and directors for their indefatigable our ions in promoting the interests of the company. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBO tiNE, 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 Cabbell 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 ProviLeA. IRELAND. MAYO ELECTION. DUBLIN, JULY 29.—At the close of the poll on Sa turday evening the numbers stood as follows: Higgens ..• ... 140 Butt ... ••• •.• ••• 94 Majority for Iliggens 46 Thus the contest was virtually over, although the polling booths a ou hi be kept, open tor 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 odd mo tions of the limbs, sad a laughter like that of fools. TETE S tT N. TTCY N; Id _L JL7.I - V .Ik:if-TV - -7