The Sun. — London, England, 1851-06-06 00:00:00

%ter a few hours it used to get clear again. The de- Posit, however, was generally produced in the course F.! , month, and had to be removed in shovelsfulls He Z sl'eyed the Right Hon. Baronet repudiated the idea of I s e Bill guaranteeing the existing companies 5 per cent. Itsireati of that, however, they would have more than g Toe cent., which was about what they divided now. 4 o stock on which they divided was, he believed. about 4,800,00 01,, „ , on which they shared the su m of 6 i p er e 4 ,— " But, in point of fact, had they ev er p aid u p ) 80 0,0004? No such thing. They had never p aid u p more than about 9,000,0001. The effect of that Bill Would b e • -• . l e _ to give the existing companies a return of at ~sat 10 per cant on their bona fide capital. He believed Lae people of the metropolis would never submit to such a burden for the purpose of perpetuating their present Miserable and pernicious supply of water. He had no h esitation in staticg that he telt convinced the c om p anies icould never carry into effect such a measure in defiance the popular storm to which it would inevitably give ~;ae He could only account for the fact of the Right Hon. 9aronet the Secretary for the Home Department having oltroduced such a measure, by supposing that, in the pres 112tre ef business with which he had had to deal, he had been Unable to give the master any ordinary amount of atten tion, Ho had himself introduced a Bill upon that sub 'ectl but he was as yet unable to proceed with if, be cause the examiner had not, for some reason which was Unknown to him, reported that he had complied with the standing orders. Ia that Bill he proposed that t h e m etropolis ehould be divided into seventeen districts, that the rate-payers should choose four Commissioners, t hat the corporation of London should choose four more, lied that the Government should choose four also. He further proposed that an Executive Committee should be a Ppointed, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Act. Ile would give to the Commissioners a Power of levying a yearly rate, not exceeding three Fence in the pound, on the rateable property of the Metropolis. He believed that such a rate would, in the course of thirty years, give the inhabitants of London a right to a gratuitous supply of good water. In cou ch:Won, be had to state that he felt bound to offer his decided opposition to the measure then before the House. Mr. HUME said they were all agreed that it was ex tremely desirable to provide a better supply of water for tile metropolis, and they only differed as to the best !code of carrying out that object. They had two Bills before them for that purpose, and under these circum 'tenders he would suggest that both measures should be referred to one and the same Select Committee. If that course_ were to be pursued, he should recommend to the Ileum) to assent to the second reading of the measure then under their consideration. Sir GEORGE GREY said that he had no objection to have the two Bills reierred to the same Select Com mittee, provided that all interested parties were ex cluded from the Committee. Mr. LABOUCHERE justified the conduct of the Gentlemen who had been unable to report that in the case of the Bill of the Hon. Member for Falmouth (Mr. Mowatt), the standing orders had been complied with. 'they could not have so reported, because the measure bad only that day come under their notice, and because certain parties had come forward to state that they meant to oppose the measure on the ground that the standing orders had been violated in the case. Sir W. CLAY said that every one must admit that the people of the metropolis were entitled to have the best and the cheapest possible supply of water that was consistent with a fair regard for existing interests. He believed the existing companies would be perfectly ready to allow the control over that supply to be placed in the hands of a Government board or of a municipal board, if Parliament should think that either of these courses was the best which could be adopted; and ho felt couvinced that in that case the Legislature would not refuse to grant a fair compensation to those persons who held property in the present companies under the faith of an Act of Parliament. The Hon. Gentleman oppo site (Mr. B. Cochrane) had accused those companies of malversation. Mr. B COCHRANE said he had not used the word raalversatiou. He had merely said that the companies had not performed their duty to the public. Sir W. CLAY continued—lie believed that the Hon. Gentleman had done great injustice to the existing companies. The Hon. Gentleman was not, perhaps, aware of the exertions made by those companies to sup ply water at an extremely low rate in those poorer dis tricts to which he had referred; and neither, perhaps, was he aware of the fact that those exertions bad only been frustrated by the refusal of the landlords of the houses in those districts to pay any sum whatever for a supply of water. The Hon. Member for Falmouth had Said that the same house in the New River district which was at present provided with water for 6s. per annum Would have to pay 10s. if that Bill were passed. But the fact was, that such a house would in that case be sub ject to a payment of only ss. per annum. He confidently asserted that under that Bill there would be a very con siderable diminution in the charges for the supply of Water in the metropolis. Power was, no doubt, liable to abuse; but some of the opponents of this Bill went further, and assumed that men would always do what they ought not to do. Under this Bill, however, not only must the directors fall gratuitously into evil paths, but they must do so with the certainty of pecu• nary loss, for the Bill reserved to the Government the Power of stopping them if they refused to carry out its intentions honestly. The Hon. Member for Falmouth assumed that no new sources of supply would be sought for, but the Bill made it imperative on the consolidated companies to provide a better supply of water when called on by the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, he being the organ and exponent of public opinion. He contended that the Bill would also secure a great diminution in the expense. He admitted that the supply of water to London required amendment, but denied that even at present it produced ill health and death, and the Board of Health positively denied that it had produced any such result. With respect to the objection of mono poly, he denied that the word had any meaning when applied to the supply of water. In one sense, undoubt edly, all water supply was a monopoly, because they could not, without injury, have more than one set of works - and one capital applied to the supply of one lo cality. The only question was, what conditions they ought to impose on those to whom the supply was en trusted, and the point on which they had now to deli. berate was, whether this Bill was the best practical solution of a question which imperatively required to be solved. Three distinct parties had united to op pose it, every one of whom differed as widely as pos sible from each other as to the best mode of ad ministering to the supply of the metropolis. What the Bill would do was this—it would give, and that with certainty, the best possible supply of water; it Would distribute that supply in the best possible way and on the lowest possible terms. It any one supposed that he could violate with impunity the engagements into which Parliament had entered be greatly mistook the temper of that House. They could not take from these companies their existing charters without compen sation. Their only course, consistent with justice, would be to create fresh companies to enter into competition with them, and the result would be, not to bring the rates so low as those contemplated by this Bill, but pro bably to raise them after a short struggle to a higher pitch. His own opinion was that the Bill, under the circumstances, offered a wise and practicable compromise and solution of a very difficult question. He did not think the House would ever deal unfairly with existing companies, and it would bo not only a pitiful policy if they abused their power by dealing unjustly with those who had embarked their capital on the faith of a Parlia mentary sanction, but it would be also a most unwise policy, and one which would shake to their very founda tions those feelings of unbounded confidence in the jus tice of Parliament which lay at the very root of that spirit of enterprise by which all the great works in Eng land had been aceomplished. He left the question with the most perfect confidence in the hands of the House. If they did not pass this Bill, they would to a certainty put off to another year a reform which was highly de sirable. Ho had been so strongly impressed with the justice of the view taken by the Board of Health as to the necessity of obtaining a supply of soft water, that he bad taken steps to ascertain whether their recommenda tions could be carried into effect, and the result of his in quiries had convinced him that a sufficient quantity of water of the quality recommended by the Board might be obtained; but ho thought nothing would be got by going to the Wandle or the Colne. Viscount EBRINGTON called attention to the re port of the Registrar-General in January, 1850, to prove the influence of the quality of the water on the health of the people. From the report it appeared that the rate of mortality from the cholera on the banks of the Thames, between Battersea and Hungerford bridges . , was ten times as great as that between Hammersmith and Kew. It appeared to him that a Bill electing the health of the greatest city in the world, with a population of 2,250,000 ought not to be sent to a Committee up stairs to be licked into shape, but ought to receive the full conside ration of the House. He protested against the question of a constant or intermittent supply being still treated as a moot point, when it was established de concesso that a constant supply was not only the more convenient, but also the more economical system. Mr. Mill said that it was a mistake to suppose that prices were in all cases kept down by competition. In this case the competi .tioa should, in his (Viscount Ebrington's) opinion, be for the occupation of the field of monopoly. The rating of the houses in London at 11. per house for domestic pur poses would yield 300,0001., and to this should be added 180,0001. fur the supply for manufactures, in all 400,0004 a-year, which was more than double the ac tual cost at which the article could be supplied by a company beginning de novo. He could not see why the people should be thus overtaxed to pay the interest of the money squandered in former days by those comp nies in extragavant competition , and expended in igno rance of all the modern improvements of science. 1 10 did not believe that the rejection of the Bill would re tard the obtaining of an improved supply of wholesome water; if he did, he would nut oppose. But, deeming it a hasty and ill-considered measure, he should vote against the measure. Mr. WAKLEY said that scarcely a word bad been said on either side, except by the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir G. Grey), to show that the Bill should be sup ported. The people bad asked for cheap hops and they had been refused; for cheap malt, and they had been ' refused; for unadulterated coffee, and they had been re fused; and now they asked for pure and cheep water, and the answer was this Bill. What the Administra tion did drink, he could not imagine.—(Laughter.) The people asked for clean water, and the Government in reply delivered them over to the hands of those who had long persecuted them with foul and muddy water. It ' was idle to say there was not the means of remedying the evil—where there was the will there was the way. But the Government had not the disposition. The Hon. Mr. Napier had proved that an adequate supply of ex• cellent water could be obtained from the land of Surrey, but they did not avail thamselves of the advantage. The public, however, were becoming angry, and if wig Bill were read a second time, the Government would be met with a general burst of indignation which would astonish therm After a few words from Mr. B. COCHRANE in ex planation, Sir DE LACY EVANS expressed himself opposed to the principle of the Bill. The House divided, when there appeared — For the second reading Against it „. Majority ... •.. - The Bill was accordingly read a second time. LEEDS AND THIRSK RAILWAY BILL. The Lords' amendments to this Bill were agreed to. NOTICE OF MOTION. Lord D. STUART gave notice that on Tuesday, the 24th, he would move for a Select Committee on the case of Ernest Jones. ADULTERATION OF COFFEE. Mr. T. BARING presented a petition from merchants and traders in London, complaining of the effect of the Treasury minute, permitting the mixture of chicory with coffee; and a petition from retail traders in London to the same effect. He presented these petitions in support of the following resolution, of which he had given notice:—" That it is the opinion of this House, that the directions of the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasure to the officers of the Excise, signified by orders of the Gth and 25th of August, 1840, namely—' That rio objection be made on the part of the revenue to dealers in and sellers of coffee mixing chicory with coffee,' are opposed to the Excise regulations in force regarding other articles of consumption, have encou raged very much the practice of fraud, and ought there fore to be revoked." The case, he said, that ne had to plead was so clear, the grievance and the remedy alike so obvious, that he did not feel it necessary to address the House for any length of time. He ventured, however, again to press this subject upon the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, because the reasons which the Right Hon. Gentleman had given on former occasions, in answer to propositions similar to that now submitted to the House, did not appear to be either satisfac tory or conclusive.—(Hear, hear.) All those who were interested in this subject, whether as growers or as pro ducers of coffee—as dealers or as consumers—had thought it necessary that the resolution he had to propose should be brought before the House by one who was a dealer in coffee.—(Hear, hear.) It was scarcely necessary for him to state that by the 41st and 42d George 111., there wore very stringent provisions enacted against the substitution of any article for coffee. By the Act of Geo. IV. roasted corn and parsnips were permitted to be used by all par ties, except those who dealt in coffee. They were not allowed to be sold but under their real names. By the 7th and Bth Geo. IV. no one was permitted to institute a prosecution for a breach of the Excise laws, unless with the order of the Commissioners of Excise. And these Commissioners were subjected to the Lords of the Trea sury. In 1832 the Commissioners of Excise had insti tuted proceedings against dealers in chicory; but on the 21s: of August, 1832, a Treasury minute was issued, by which it was declared that the dealers in chicory were not to be interfered with; and matters remained in that condition until August, 1840, when there was a Treasury minute issued permitting the admixture of chicory with coffee, because, as it was declared by the Treasury minute, there was no fraud on the Exchequer so long as chicory paid the duty. The law was still the same, but the operation of the law was suspended by the chicory minute.—(Hear.) This was done in opposition to the Excise regulations with regard to other articles, such as tea, sugar, pepper, and tobacco. No mixture was allowed in any other article, and if any such adulteration were attempted a prosecution would bo im mediately instituted.—(Hear, hear.) This anomaly then existed.—(Hear, hear.) The adulteration of coffee was altogether authorised, and the dealers in coffee were allowed to sell in the name of coffee that which was not coffee. This was not perm itted to be done by the law, but it was allowed by the Treasury minute. The de-' tails with which he was furnished, but he would not trouble the House by giving them, showed that there was a pretty general practice of adulteration. Perhaps this mint be excused when there was a war with China, and the price of coffee was 110 s. per cwt.; but now the price was 385., and though coffee was so cheap, yet the consumption of coffee had very considerably diminished.— (Hear, hear.) This occurred when it was notorious that the temperance habits of the people had increased, and hence the only way to account for the diminution was by the fact that there had been authority given for the ad mixture of other articles with coffee, even though the Treasury minute permitted that nothing else but chi cory should be mixed with it. He did not understand why this distinction in the case of coffee should be ad hered to, for it would lead to much mischief — to t he use of roasted peas, of acorns, of sawdust, of tan, and several other base ingredients, which were sold as coffee.— (Hear, hear.) Practices like these ought not to have the sanction of Government; and it was his opinion that it was the duty both of the House and the Government to prevent their continuance.—(Hear, hear.) The effect of his resolution, if sanctioned by the House, upon every grocer and seller of coffee would be to permit him still to sell coffee and chicory, but to compel him to sell each article by its own name and separately. By this course there would be no demoralization of the trader, and no injury done to the consumer.-- (Hear.) By the present system, and by competition, traders were forced to deal in unwholesome articles and to substitute them for coffee. The honest traders now called upon the Government to recall its Treasury mi nute, so that parties should not be compelled to pay Is. and Is. 2d. for an article which did not in reality cost more than 4d.—(Hear, hear.) The objection to the course he proposed was by the Chancellor of the Exche quer, on the ground that, if adopted, he must have an army of excisemen to enforce it. He denied that this would be the case; for there was not a grocer nor a person who was a dealer in tea and tobacco who was not visited by the Excise officers, and to introduce the article of coffee, as one that should be looked to, would not cause that additional number of excisemen which the Right Hon. Gentleman supposed.—(Hear, hear.) The effect of adopting such a course would be to cause a groat number of grocers who now dealt in the adulterated articles to cease to deal with them.—(Hear.) But then he might be told that there had been no petitions from the consumers of coffee. It was not likely that there would be so; for the great body of consumers were of the poorer classes—persons who purchased the article in powder, who were not compateut to be judges, who had not the means of grinding and roasting their own coffee; poor persons, who lived from day to day on their earnings.—(Hear.) He did not propose to interfere with the growth of chicory, nor to place a tax upon it—and if the chicory-dealers said that his pre position would be a hardship upon them, he replied that ho did nothing to prevent a bona fide sale of chicory. He was, indeed, distressed, to find the number of those who openly declared for maintaining the fraudulent dealing in the article; and he could tell the Chancellor of the Exchequer that if he did not promptly interfere in this matter, he would feel the effects of this encourage ment given to the mixture of fraudulent articles; he would be made to feel it in tea, pepper, and other arti cles; because persons were learning now the lesso n, that no offence was a fault, but the fault was in being dis covered.—(Hear.) The value of the reduction of duties producing an increase of the consumption was once re lied upon, and coffee was pointed to as an example; but of the truth of that maxim, coffee could bo no longer pointed to as an instance.—(Hear, hear.) When an article paid a high duty the seller had a right to be pro tected against the competition of articles which were untaxed or to be placed on the same footing. He (Mr. Baring) should not dwell on the sanitary aspect of the question, but looking at the analyses of that which was sold as coffee which had been made, it was plain to all persons that this mixture contained ingredients dele terious iu their nature, and injurious to the health of the community. Having placed his views before the House, and shown that the anomaly which existed in the case injured the revenue, injured the public health, and tended to the demoralisation of the trade in coffee, he concluded by moving his resolution. Sir J. TROLLOPE rose to say a few words on the part of the growers of chicory. Before the Treasury order in question the great balk of chicory consumed in this country was of foreign growth; since then, how ever, the great bulk of that article haS been grown in England. His constituents were extensive chicory growers; and they had entered on its cultivation on the strength of the Treasury order, which pledged the faith of the country. It was obvious, therefore, that it would be at once unjust and impolitic to encourage the growth of the article at ono time, and then at a moment's warning to act in a sense directly the contrary.—(Hear, hear.) The chicory-growers were not in anywise im plicated in the adulteration complained of. They grew the article honestly, and they delivered it pure into the hands of the buyer, who and the retail grocers were alone responsible fur the mixture. It required a large outlay of capital, and high cultivation, and on the faith of the nation, pledged by the Treasury order, that cultivation was extending every day. At this moment the largest crop ever known was growing; and an immense sum had been laid out upon kilns and ovens to dry it in, as as well as other appliances. He protested, therefore, against the Legislature interfering in any way with the cultivation of the soil, especially after what had been done in other matters as regarded agriculture. Conse quently, he should vote against the proposition of the Hon. Member. Lord H. VANE said his Hon. Friend had entirely mistaken the question. There was no intimation what. ever that an Excise duty would be laid upon chicory, as he seemed to suppose. All that was proposed was, that the Treasury order should be withdrawn, and that coffee should be sold under its proper name, and chicory also. An Host. MEMBER—No one would buy it. Lord H. VANE considered that the coffee dealers had great reason to complain of the difficulty in which they were placed by the order, and he hoped, therefore, that theGovernmentou sewould oui dwaoffiu actlrdm tthe efai proposition.rly t oward s them, and that the House The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was no quite clear whether his Honourable Friend took the sanitary ground or not on the question at issue. When he spoke of the foreign article, he said it was whole some; but when he spoke of home-grown chicory, he said the reverse was the case. It was a remarkable fact that as long as chicory paid duty there was not the slightest objection raised to its use on sanitary grounds. Chancelloro n the question. of the Exchequer) Neverthe less, it was onl y within the last few months that this ever t h e ground was taken at t h all less, though he (the would not trouble the House with medical testimony on the subject, he felt bound to say that there were strongly expressed medical opinions in favour of the healthful ness of chicory. Moreover, there was the fact derived from experience on that head. It had been used exten sively for the last fifteen years in Germany and in Eng lend, and no complaint of its unhealthiness had been made until with in the last six months. Indeed, the weight of medical testimony on this point went to prove that a mixture of chicory and cJfee was much more wholesome them coffee alone.—(A laugh.) His Hon. Friend had wetted correctly enough what had taken place. Before 1840 the grocers kept chicory on th noeir premises along with other articles that paid duty, and interference took place on the part of the Excise. It was ... 95 79 -16 found, however, 'by experience that it would ba utterly impossible to prevent their mixture; and the Treasury order was therefore issued, not because of the high price of tea and coffee, but simply because of that im possibility. All that this order did was to exempt the dealer from the Excise penalty; it did not in any sense of the word.. sanction fraud on the public. That order had bee❑ drawn up by his predecessor in office; and although efforts were made to obtain its with drawal, under the Government of Sir Robert Peel, the Chancellor of the Exchequer of that Government de clined to interfere as between the seller and the public. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had not the slightest doubt on his mind that for a considerable time past the consumption of coffee had been increased and extended by the use of chicory. The Hon. Gentleman had argued e . s though no adulteration had taken place before the Treasury minute of 1840; but the Hon. Gen tleman would think differently if he had read the book written by Mr. Accum, or even if he was aware of the statements constantly made to him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer). His Hon. Friend had presided over a meeting on the subject hold in the City, at which opinions were much divided, for he (the Chancellor of the Ex chequer) had received two deputations from it. In that interview ho was assured that tea, mustard, pepper, sugar, and even arrowroot, were adulterated to an enor mous extent. When he (the Chancellor of the Exche quer) adverted to the statements, a member of one of the deputations said he could not interfere because there was no duty on them. That admission made it a sani tary question. It was, he conceded, the duty of the Go vernment to protect the public against the use of dele terious ingredients in food, but he did not believe chicory to be deleterious; and he held that it was not the duty of the Government to interfere between the public and the seller when such was the case. He referred to a publication in which the components parts of milk and cream, such as they are sold in the metropolis, were stated; and urged that the Hon. Gentleman, therefore, should not run away with the absurd idea that the Treasury minute was the cause of adulteration in coffee, inasmuch as it admitted only a wholesome mixture. The Hon. Gentleman bad alluded to the number of those in the retail trade adverse to the Treasury minute; but ho (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) should say that there were still more on the other side of the question. In fact, he was overwhelmed with memorials in its favour from retail grocers in all parts of the country, every one of which deprecated its withdrawal.. The Hon. Gentleman said his motion was simply to withdraw that minute—nothing more. But what would be the result of that proceeding? Excise officers would visit every grocer's shop which they suspected—seize all the chicory they found on the pre mises, lay informations before a magistrate, and endea vour to obtain a conviction, as a matter of course. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) believed it would be extremely difficult to obtain proofs that coffee was mixed; and, therefore, these proceedings would produce no good; but, on the contrary, would cause an extraordi nary degree of vexation and trouble. Indeed he was sa tisfied that before three months were over there would be a mass of petitions against the withdrawal of the order. lie had had a memorial signed by 1,076 grocers in London, against all interference in the matter, and the aggregate from the towns of England amounted to 3,680. It was well known by the parties purchas ing th© article, in nine cases out of ten, that it was not pure; and unless ho doubted the evidence before him, the working classes liked the mixture better than anything else. The lion. Gentleman had admitted that there wore no complaints on the part of the con sumers; but he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) re ceived representations stating, not only that no voice was raised against the mixture, but that it was more generally liked than pure coffee. A grocer in South Shields stated that even those parties purchasing ground coffee, which contained a very respectabls portion of chicory—(Laughter)—actually bought at the same time packets of chicory to mix with it still further. This grocer said, " In one instance, when my stock was ex hausted, I was necessitated to sell pure coffee, and the complaints and returning of which were so great, that they lasted for more than a week." The Right Hon. Gentleman read similar letters received from Liverpool, Leeds, Norwich, Cork, &c. From Cork the letter stated that they would prefer all chicory to pure Ceylon Coffee.—(Laughter.) It should be recollected that the consumers had the power, if they pleased, of protecting themselves from adulteration in coffee if they purchased the bean and ground it themselves. This was not the case with tea, sugar, and other articles. There was not a respectable grocer that would not grind the coffee be fore the eyes of his customer if he were required to do so. He therefore did not think that it was a case for the interference of the Government. He believed it would be very vexatious if they interfered. Even if they did interfere, he doubted whether they would succeed in their object. He was not prepared to undertake so vexatious an alteration in their laws as to interfere by their army of excise officers in all cases in which they thought that this mixture of chicory with coffee took place, and to lay an information with a view of enforc ing the penalties against all parties who were suspected of these practices. Mr. E. STANLEY said that the Right Hon. Gentle man hadiold/hem that he was not prepared to carry on a crusade against the adulteration of coffee, because if he did he would have to extend the same principle to many other articles in which there were similar adulte rations. Well, if the Right Hon. Gentleman objected to interfere in any case of adulteration whatever, what did he intend - to - du - in the case of tea; - tobacco, pepper, and other spices, in all which cases it was well known he in terfered to prevent adulteration at present?—(Hear, hear.) All that was asked at present was not that the Right Hon. Gentleman should introduce a new principle, but that he should merely carry out the principle which he applied do other cases.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman said that the same abuses existed at the time of the late Government, and they did not think it desirable to interfere; but their abstinence from action be (Mr. Stanley) believed resulted from the simple cause that the revenue from coffee had not then diminished. The Right Hen. Gentleman said fraud might easily be prevented bydhe purchase of whole instead of ground coffee; but if there really were not practical difficulties in the way of applying that remedy it would have been applied before, and the present general feeling of discon tent would not have been excited. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the diminution of the consumption of any article, he believed that there could be but three reasons explanatory of it. The first was diminished power of consumption. Now, he did not think that any Gentleman would contend that that existed at present, (" Hear, hear," from the Free-traders.) Whatever might be the result for the future of the present commercial policy, there was no question that the labouring classes were consuming more largely than they had done for some years past.--(Renewed cheers from the same quarter.) By that cheer tbey acknowledged that diminished power of consumption was not the cause of the falling off in the consumption of coffee. The Right Hon. Gentleman had urged another cause for the diminished consumption of coffee—viz , the substitution of tea and cocoa, which bad largely increased. But there had been a movement in favour of temperance, and a consequent diminution in the consumption of spirituous liquors, so that that dimi nution might be set against an increase i❑ the consump tion of tea and cocoa. There was only another cause to account for the diminished consumption of coffee, and that would be an increase in the price of the article; but it was perfectly well known that a very great reduction in price had taken place. While none of these causes, therefore, operated, the consumption of real coffee had greatly_fallen. In 1847 the quantity sold for home con• sumption was more than 37,000,0001 b., but from that time it had regularly decreased, and last year (1850) it had fallen- to 30,000,0001 b. He had not heard any cause stated for this very large reduction, except adulteration. He believed it was calculated that of the quantity of ar ticles sold under the name of coffee two-thirds were not real coffee, but chicory. The result was a loss not only to the revenue, but also to the public. He would not dwell on the case of the colonial producer, for that was not likely, perhaps, to meet with a favourable hearing; but itswas not consistent even with the principles of free trade to subject a colonial produce paying a tax to com petition with 'an article paying none. There was, how ever, a fourth'class which suffered, and that was the honest retailer, who desired to sell as coffee that which was coffee only.—(Hear, hear.) It was very well to say that it was not compulsory on any one to sell chicory, but the consumer would leave one tradesman's shop if at another's an article were sold to him as coffee at a cheaper rate.--(flear, hear.) He had, as yet, only dealt with the pecuniary question; but there were statements resting on medical authority to the effect that the mix ture of chicory was not perfectly harmless in a sanitary point; but, whether harmless or not, there was no reason why a man should pay for chicory three times the price he would pay if he knew he were buying chicory.— But under the cover of the chicory adulteration there were other articles mixed with coffee which were unfit for human consumption. Among these were burnt peas, dog biscuits, powdered earth, damaged beans, and tan. The Right Hon. Gentleman talked of the attempt to apply a remedy leading to vexation and the employment of an army of excisemen. But the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Baring) did not ask for an excise duty on chicory, nor for a prohibition against its growth, but only that chicory should be sold as chicory, and coffee as coffee— (Hear, hear)—and to say that any law to that effect would be evaded to some extent was no argument against its enactment, as the same thing might be said of almost any other law. As he thought the disadvantages of the proposition of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Baring) were more than counterbalanced by the advantages, ho should vote for it, believing that it would prevent fraud and de moralization, and prove a protection to the poor man, who from the circumstances of his position was almost incapable of protecting himself in this matter.—(Hear.) Colonel THOMPSON said that a grocer in the West Riding, with whom he was acquainted, maintained that there was nothing like deceit in the mixture of chicory with coffee---(oh!)—and that all his customers had a ready way ot knowing whether they were buying a mixture of chicory. by comparing it with the price of his coffee unground.—(Cri sof "Oh!" and laughter.) Really the facilities with which Hon. Gentlemen broke out into raptures of mirth was most extraordinary. If they would listen they would see whether he ought to be laughed at or somebody else. His informant sold ground coffee at Is. 2d., and coffee in the berry at 2s. per lb. Now, his customers in the West Riding must be idiots if they fancied they were buying real coffee at IF. 2d. per lb. His informant also explained the falling off in the consumption ot coffee when he said, that when the working classes found their condition good, they bought less coffee, and more meat and beer, but when trade was bad they "clammed" upon coffee. Sir J. TYRELL differed with pain from his Hon. Friends near him upon this " mixed question."—(A laugh.) It was a positive fact that the best coffee was composed of tho mixture of a portion of chicory with the genuine article.—(Laughter.) The Hon. Member (Mr. Baring) did not come into court with clean hands, for he admitted he was interested in the growth of coffee in the island of Ceylon, while he (Sir J. Tyrell) admitted that he was a grower of chicory in the county of Es,ex.—(A laugh.) The Hon. Member had lately presided at a great ineetieg in the City en this question, but the people there seemed equally di vided, and many of the retail dealers did not care how much adulteration was practised.—(A laugh.) There would be a great disadvantage in entering upon a cru sade against all those who adulterated coffee with chicory. The Hon. Member (Mr. Stanley) had treated this as a poor men'e question, but he would consent to take the vote upon that view of the case, and ho said that the mixture was the better article. Looking at his (Sir J. Tyrell's) interest in as clear a point of view as pos sible—(Great laughter)—he should vote against the mo tion of is Hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon. Mr. WAKLEY regarded the wrongheadedness of the Chancellor of the Eachequer upon this question as most extraordinary. He had taken under his especial care and patronage the fraudulent dealers throughout the country—(Hear, hear)—but for the honest trader he had no sympathy. The Right Hon. Gentleman quoted the fraudulent dealer everywhere, and he had told the House to-night that there were 3,000 of them encouraging him to proceed. But, was it not an unfortunate thing that the Government should positively go out of their way to encourage fraudulent dealing?—(Hear.) See the effect of it upon the once innocent Baronets opposite. — (A laugh.) The Honourable Baronet the Member for Lincolnshire had asked whether the House would stop the trade in chicory without notice ? But, what people complained of was, not that chicory was sold, but that it was sold as coffee; and he thought the House ought to set itself against that. But the Right Honourable Gentleman found it convenient to fence with the ques . . tton, and had denied that chicory was unwholesome. But this was not the time to settle whether chicory was unwholesome or not. It was because it was used in a system of fraud that he and the honest traders op posed it. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that people preferred coffee with chicory in it. But what was the fact in London ? When it became known that certain coffee dealers behaved honestly to the pub lic their business had increased tenfold in a single week.—(Hear, hear.) As soon as the public knew where they could obtain genuine coffee they went there to obtain it.—(lfear, hear.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to step in and protect the honest traders.—(Hear, hear.) Many of them said, " We cannot help ourselves, for our neighbours in the same street sell their coffee 20 or 30 per cent. cheaper, and we are under the necessity of adulterating to maintain our trade." He asserted that the conduct of the Government in maintaining the Treasury order was producing the greatest pain and annoyance to the konest trader. Chicory was a powerful medicine; it was an active diuretic, and that the Hon. Baronet (Sir J. Tyrell) knew perfectly well.—(A laugh.) Its influ ence upon the human organs when under the influence of disease was very powerful, and it had a tendency to produce disease when constantly used by persons in health. If the Government thought it right to tolerate fraud he hoped the House would not give its sanction to such a course of proceeding. He trusted that the amendment would be carried, and he felt confident that if it were lost to-night it would be carried in another session. —(Cheers.) Mr. HUME was surprised that his Hon. Friend, who was against the interference of the Government in every thing else, should support this motion. He (Mr. Hume) wished to abolish the Excise altogether, so far as was possible, and leave the public to take care of themselves. Sir W. JOLLIFFE had no doubt that these restrictions were a great detriment to the interests of the country, and it must be palpable to every one that if landowners were prevented from growing chicory, they were also, by the excise on barley and tobacco, restricted from cultivating their land to the same advantage as those who were not burdened in the same way. But he would put it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would institute prosecutions against those who adulterated tea, when he sanctioned, by a Treasury minute, the adul teration of coffee?—(Hear, hear.) Mr. BASS could not sufficiently express his admira tion at the desire of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to avoid any vexatious interference with those persou.s who were connected with the Excise; but as the Right Hon. Gentleman was so liberal to those who had the !tale of coffee, he wished to know whether he would extend the same indulgence to the brewers—(Hear, hear, and laughter)—and whether they might do anything they pleased with their beer, and whether the Government would continue to interfere with those publicans who he saw were fined by the magistrates for mixing their beer? The House then divided, when there appeared— For the resolution Against it Majority ...• -5 Colonel SIBTHORY moved for, and obtained leave, to bring in a Bill to prohibit the use of advertising vans and barrel-organs in the streets of the metropolis. The British White Herring Fishery Bill passed through Committee. The Farm Buildings Bill and the Prisons (Scotland) Bill, were read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at a quarter past One o'clock. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, THURSDAY. The Queen and Prince Albert and their illustrious visitors went to-day to the Ascot races. The Royal party left the Castle at half-past twelve o'clock, in the following order: — A landau and four, convoying her Majesty the Queen, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Saxe Coburg Gotha, her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, and her Royal Highness the Princess Alice. A carriage and four, conveying his Royal Highness the Prince Albert, his Royal Highness the De,ke of Saxe Coburg Gotha, his Royal Higness the Prince of Wales, his Royal Highness the Duke Ernest of Write temburg, and his Serene Highness Prance Edward of Saxe-Weimar. A carriage and four, conveying the Duchess of Sather land, his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningeia, the Duke of Rutland, and the Duke of Wellington. A carriage and four, conveying the Countess of Eg linton, the Countess of Charlemont (Lady in Waiting), the Duke of Norfolk, and the Marquis of Abercoen. A carriage and four, conveying the Countess Grey, the Countess of Jersey, the Earl Granville, and the Earl of Eglinton. A carriage and four, conveying the Lady Constance Leveson Gower, the Lady Clementine Villiers, the Earl of Jersey, and the Earl of Yarborough. A pony carriage and four, conveying the Countess of Yarborough, the Countess Granville, Earl Grey„ and Lord Seymour. A pony carriage and four, conveying the Lady Alice Lembton, the Hon. Hermione St. Maur, Lord Du.fferin (Lord in Waiting), and M. B. de Treskow (Gentleman in Waiting on the Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha). A pony carriage and four, conveying the Baroness de Wangenheim (Lady in Waiting on the Duchess of Saxe Coburg Gotha), the Hon. Mary Seymour (Maid of Honour in Waiting), Mr. Birch, and Sir Frederick. Sto vin (Groom in Waiting). The Equerries in Waiting, General Wemyss and Col. Bouverie, rode on horseback with the Royal party. The Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, and Col. the Hon. Charles Grey, left the Castle at twelve o'clock to precede her Majesty to the Royal stand. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, with the }loyal c ortege, returned to the Castle from the races at ten minutes past five o'clock. His Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen then proceeded to Frogmore.. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the younger branches of the Royal Family, took their aeons tomed pony and walking exorcise to-d a y i n th e H ome " park. Th e Queen gave a State banquet this evening in St. George's Hall, which was served on the magnificent state service of gold plate. The company consisted of the fol lowing Royal and illustrious circlea,_g or Royal high ness the Duchess of Kent, their Royal Highnes sea the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg Gotha, his Royal Highness Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg, his Serene, High ness the Prince of Leiningen, his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, the Duchess of Sutlerlan ef d Dake , and Lady Constance Leveson Gower lington, the Duke of Norfolk, the Dake of Rutland, the Marquis of Wes tminster, the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane, the Marquis of Abercorn, the Marquis of Exeter, Lord Seymour and the Hon. Hermione St.. Maur, the Marquis and Marchioness- of Stafford,, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Wangenheim, Baroness do Speth, the Earl and Countess of Eglinton, the Earl of Jersey and Lad 1 Cardigan, the Earl and Countess ot Clementine Villiers, the Earl and Countess Grey and Lady Alice Lambton, the Ea rl and 'Countess Grenville, the Earl and Countess of Yarboqugh, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Honourable Mary Bar rington, the Earl of "Uxbridge, the Earl Grosvenor, Viscountess Maidstone, Viscount and Viscountess Sea ham, Viscount and Lady Elizabeth Lascelles, Viscount Anson, Viscount Enfield, Lord Stanley, Lord Burghley, Lord Robert Clifton, Sir George Ceuper, Sir ll'homas and Lady Louisa Moncrieff, Hon- MIS. Villiers, Colonel Hon. George Anson Hon. G. Barri ngton, Captain Hon. Henry Rous, Colonel Peel, Colonel Blair, Mr. Payne, Mr. F. Villiers, Mr. Shelley, Captain Streatfield, Mr. E. Lascelles, Mr. Standish, Mr. J. Leslie, Mr. Lyon, and M. B. de Treskow. a l Regiment of Horse Guards was The band of the Roy in attendance during the banquet, and performed the following selection:— Overture, Introduction, and Chor us , " Antigone" .... ......................... ... Mendeinshon. Waltz " Tony" ................... . ..... Labitzky . Selection, " Lucia di Lemraermoor"...... Donizotti. Galop, " Frutlings fiere" „ Gungl. Finale, " Ist Act, Marie de 1 3,011211 '... .. . . Donizetti. Andante, "Bth Symphony " a... Beethoven. Her Majesty had afterwards an evening party. The invitations:— The had the honou r of receivin g The Earl of Euston, .the Earl of the Elul and Countess of Camperdown and Lady Elizabeth Duncan, Viscount and Viscountess Duncan, the Earl of Granard, Viscountess Forbes and Miss SeYtnour, Viscount and Viscountess Emlyn, Lady Caroline and Miss Barrington, Lady Isabella Wemyss, and Mrs. Sykes, Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps, Colonel the Hon. Charles a nd Mrs. Gray, Lieutenant- Colonel F. H. and Lady Emily Seymour, Colonel and Mrs. Bathurst, Mrs, Bouverie, Mr- J. M. Cannella, M.P., Mrs. Vernon Harcourt, Mr. and M 6. Granville Vernon Harcourt, Mr. Birch, and Mr. Glover, The Queen's private band was in attendance in the Castle after dinner yesterday (Wednesday) even'cng, and performed the following pieces:— Overture, " Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor" Sestetto, " Sole Sole" . Selection, " Fidelio" Scene de Dense, " La Baymiere" A deputation, consisting of Mr. Sharman Crawford, Air. Edward Taylor, Mr. John Ashwood, Mr. John Phillips, and Mr. William Simpson, bad an interview yesterday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer at his official residence in Downing-street. The Oxford University Commission had a meeting yesterday at the residence of the lint Lord of the S Li N, tfi N 1.1; 0 N ,v^q ?, x ~ .1i... _ F '.a FR A I y EN I _L.1,0 Ci 2-4 fif ‘3l J UNE Treasury in Downing-street:. Present—the Bisbc .p of Norwich, the Dean of Carlis it), the Master of Pembr:oke, and the Rev. A P. Stanley (secretary). The Charge d'Affaires for Saxony, Chevalier do Col quhoun, gave a dinner party on the 3d inst., at hig, resi dence in Stratford-place, to kis Excellency Baron Beust, Minister of Foreign Aftaii s, his Excellency Baron Friesen, Minister of the Interior, his Excellency Count Hohenthal, Envoy of the King of Saxony at Paris, the United States Minister and Mrs. Lawrence, Colonel Lawrence, Secretary of Legation, his Excellency Gene ral Jockmus, Baron Waitz von Eschen, Sir Charles, Lady, and Miss Hardinge, Sir Andrew Stockenstrom, Mr. Councillor tLasius, Major Worm, the Saxon and Hanseatic Commissioners, and other foreigners of dis tinction. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From tle Votes and Proceed;gs of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, ,TUNIC 5. METROPOLIS WATER BILL. Order for Second Reading mad; Motion made and Ques tion proposed,," That the Bill be now read a second time :" Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word " That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words " it is the opinion of this House that no Bill for the Supply of Water to the Metropolis shall be proceeded with, unless the works required for an improved and complete Supply of Water to the Metropolis shall be put up for competition as to the terms on which they shall be executed and main tained, upon a contract for a term of years, on a general rate," instead thereof : —Question proposed, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question :" Amend ment, by leave, withdrawn : Question again proposed, " That the Bill be now read a second time :"—Amendment proposed to leave out the word " now," and at end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six months .." Question put, " That the word ' now' stand part of the Question. The House divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 95. Adair, Hugh E. Fordyce, A. D. Paget, Lord C. Aglionby, H. A. Freestun, Colonel Palmerston, YisCOUnt Armstrong, R. B. Geach, Charles Parker, John Bailey, Joseph Glyn, G. C. Pilkington, Jamel Batnee, M. T. Grenfell, Charles W. Plumptre, J. P. Baring, Sir F. Grey, Sir George Ricardo, Osman Baring, Thomas Grey, R. W. Romilly, Sir John Bass, M. T. Guest, Sir J. Russell, Lord J. Bell, Jacob Hanmer, Sir J. Russell, F. C. H. Bellew, B. M. Harris, Richard Slaney, R. A. Berkeley, Admiral Hastie, Archibald Smith, J. A. Bernal, Ralph HatchelLl John Smith, M. Tucker Blackstone, W. Hawes, Benj. Somers, J. P. Blakemore, R. Heywood, James Somerville, Sir W. Bouverie, E. P. Howard, Lord E. Spooner, Richard Brotherton, J. Hughes, W. B. Stansfleld,' W. R. Burke, Sir Thome., Jackson, William Stanton, W. S. Clay, James Labouchere, Henry Strickland, Sir G. Clay, Sir W. Langston, J. H. Sutton, J. 11. Cockburn, Sir A. Lewis, G. C. Tancred,;ll. W. Compton, 11. C. Lygon, Gen. Townley, R. G. Cowper, W. F. Mahon, O'Gorman Townshend, Captain Craig, Sir W. G. Marshall, William Vane, Lord:H. Dawes, Edward Weigand, Viscount Wawn, J. T. Denison, J. E. Milner, W. M. Wilson, James Drummond, Henry Moncreiff, James Wilson, Matthew Duncuft, John Morgan, IL K. Wood, Sir Charles Dundas, Admiral Morris, David Wood, Sir W. P. Dundas, Sir David Mulgrave, Earl Wyvill,. Marmaduke Elliot, John Mundy, William Evans, William Norreys, Sir D. Farrer, James Ogle, S. C. Fergus, John Ord, William TELLEM. Fluter, W. G. ILE, Lord Marcus MINORITY—NOES, 79. Irkwright, George Farnham, E. B. Noel, G. J. Baillie, H. J. Forster, M. O'Connell, John Barron, Sir H. Fos, W. J. O'Flaherty, Anthony Barrow, W. IL Frewen, C. H. Power, Dr. Bennet, Philip Galway, Viseount Prime, Richard Berkeley, H. F. Gaskell, J. M. Repton, G. W. J. Blandford, Marquis Gore, W. 0. Reynolds, John Booker, T. W. Granger, T. C. Rufford, Francis Bramston, T. W. Greenall, Gilbert Sandars, George Broadley, Henry Greene, Joha Scholefleld, William Bruce, C. L. C. Heald, James Sibthorp, Colonel Buller, Sir Y. Heneage, G. H. Stafford, Augastus Cabbell, B. B. Henley, J. W. Stanford, J. F. Child, smith Hume, Joseph Stanley, E. 11. Cochrane, A. D. Humphery, Ald. Stuart, Lord D. Cocks, Thomas S. Keating, Robert Sullivan, Michael Colvile, C. R. King, P. J. Thompson, Colonel Cubitt, William) Knox, W. S. Thompson. Ald. Denison, Edmund Locke, Joseph Trollope, Sir:J. Disraeli, B. Lockhart,:A. E. Tyler, Sir G. Dod, J. W. Lockhart, W. Wakley, Thomas Duke, Sir James Lowther, Colonel Walmsley, Sir J. Duncan, George Lushington, Charles Williams, W. Dunne, Colonel Martin, John Ebrington, Viscount Masterman, J. TELLER/I. Estcourt, J. B. B. Mitchell, T. A. Hall, Sir B. Evans, Sir De Lacy Mowatt, FranciS Moffatt, George Evelyn, William J. Naas, Lord CHICORY. Motion made, and Question put, " That it is the opinion of this House that the Directions of the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury to the Officers of the Excise, sig nified by Orders of the 6th and 25th August, 1840, namely, ' That no objection be made on the part of the Revenue to dealers in and sellers of Coffee mixing Chicory with Coffee,' are opposed to the :Excise regulations in force regarding other articles of consumption, have encouraged very much the practice of fraud, and ought therefore to be revoked." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES 89. Adderley, C. B. Galway, Viscount Moffatt, George Agilonby, H. A. Gaskell, J. M. Mundy, William Baillie,tll. J. Gladstone, W. E. Nicholl, John Marrow, W. H. Goold, Wyndham O'Connell, John Bass, M. T. Granger, T. C. O'Flaherty, Anthony Bell, Jacob Greenall, G. Plumptre, J. P. Berkeley, Henry F. Greene, John Repton, G: W. Booth, Sir R. G. Guernsey, Lord Rufford, Francis Bramston, T. W. Gwyn, Bowel Sadleir, John • Brocklehurst, John Hall, Sir B. Sanders, G. Bruce, C. L. C. Halsey, T. P. Scully, Francis Burroughes, H. N. Hamilton, G. A. Seymer, H. K. Cardwell, Edward Hamilton, J. H. Sibthorp, Colonel Cochrane, A. D. Hastie, Alexander Smith, John Abel Compton, 11. C. Haste, Archibald Spooner, R. Currie, Henry Heald, James Stanford, J. F. Denison, J. E. llerbert, H. A. Stanley, E. H. Disraeli, IL llerries, J. C. Sullivan, Michael Dod, J. W. Hervey, Lord A. Sutton, HAM. Douro, Marquis of 11111, Lord E. Thesiger, Sir F. Duke, Sir James Hindley, Charles Thompson, Alderman Duncan, George Hernby, John Tyler, Sir G. Dunce.% John Jolliffe, Sir W. IL Vane„Lord IL Edwards, Henry Keating, Robert Vesey, Thomas Egerton, T. W. Keogh, William Wakley, T. Ellice, Edward,jun. Knox, W. S. Walter, J. Farnham, E. B. Lockhart, W. Wegg-Prosser. F. Ferrer, James Lygon, General Fox, W. J. Manners, Lord J. TELLERS. Frewen, C. H. Masterman, John Baring, Thomas Gallwey, Sir W. P. Miles, William Mackenzie, W. F. MAJORITY-NOES, 94. Anderson, Arthur Hammer, Sir John Pinney, William Armstrong, R. B. Hatchell, John Bowden, W. H. Bailey, Joseph Hawes, Benjamin Ponsonby, C. F. Baring, Sir F. T. Heathcote, Sir G. J. Rawdon, Colonel Bellew. R. M. Henry, _Alexander Ricardo, Osman Bennet, Philip Hepworth, Lawrence Romilly, Colonel Berkeley, Admiral Hollond, Robert Russell ,F. C. H. Berkeley, C. L. Howard, Lord E. scholefield, William Blackstone, W. S. Howard, C. W. G. Smith, It. V. Brotherton, Joseph Hughes, W. B. Smythe, George Cabbell, B. B. Hume, Joseph Somerville, Sir W. Cayley, Edward S. Labouchere, Henry Spearman, H. J. Clay, Sir W. Langston, J. H. Stafford, Augastua Cobden, Richard Lawley, B. R. Stanton, W H. Cockburn, Sir A. Lewis, G. C. Strickland, Sir G. Cowper, W. F. Mangles, R. D. Talbot, C. R. Craig, Sir W.G. Marshall, W. Thompson, Colonel Dawes, Edward Mar tin, John Towushend, Capt. Dawson, T. V. Matheson, Colonel Trollope, Sir J. Douglas, Sir C. Melgund, Viscount Tufnell, H. Dundas, Admiral Milner, W. M. Tyrell, Sir J. Dundas, Sir David Mitchell, T. A. Walmsley, Sir J. Dunne, Colonel Moncreff, James Willyams, H. Ellis, John Morgan, 11. K. Williams, W. Elliot, John E. Morris, David Wilson, James Evans, William Mostyn,:E. M. L. Wilson, Matthew Fergus, Jelin Mulgrave, Earl of Wood, Sir Charles Forster, Matthew Murphy, F. S. Wood, Sir W. P. Freestun, Colonel Ogle, S. C. Glyn, G. C. Paget, Lord Clarence Grey, Sir G. Palmerston, Vis. Grey, Ralph W. Parker, John Guest, Sir John Pilkington, James TELLERS. Hayter, W. G. Hill, Lord Marcus NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY. SAILORS' HOME AT PORTSMOUTH.-A general meeting of the directors and subscribers of this admirable institution took place at the Green-row Rooms yesterday ; Lord George Lennox in the chair. Admiral Sir F. Austen, Admiral Dacres, Admiral J. P. Douglas, Captain Ga mbier, Captain Sul livan, J. Binstead, Esq., and many other influential per sons were present. A most satisfactory report was read, showing the Home to be in a very flourishing condition, and the inmates increasing. We are most happy to state that a princely and muni ficent donation of fifty guineas has been presented to the Portsmouth Sailors' Home, by Niel Malcolm, Esq., of Poltallook, through Dr. Rolph. The Devastation steam-sloop, Commander Campbell, had her compasses adjustet yesterday by Mr. Madge, the master of the Victory ; and this morning (Thursday) went out of harbour and anchored at Spithead, where she will take on board her powder and live shells. The Vengeance exercised her lower deck guns (firing at a mark) this morning. The Prince Regent, 92, Captain Harris, arrived at Lisbon on Saturday, the 24th. She sailed from Ports mouth May 15, and had to beat down Channel. By let ters from her we bear she made a good passage from the Lizard, which she left on the 18th. With the wind abeam, she is said to have made 12 knots 8-10, under double-reefed topsails, topgallant sails, courses, jib, and spanker. Died, at his residence, in King's-street, Southsea, on Wednesday evening, Frederick W. R. Sadler, assistant surgeon, doing duty with the Royal Marine Artillery corps. About a month back we had the melancholy task of announcing the death of a brother of the above gentleman, Mr. John Sadler, a clerk in the dockyard at Portsmouth. These gentlemen, who have both left wives and families, were the sons of Captain F. W. R. Sadler, of the Royal Navy, whose distress of mind at losing both his sons (his only children) in the prime of life and in so short a time cannot be described. The Hecate steam-sloop, Commander Hand, went out to Spithead this evening, after her refit. Rear-Admiral Prescott, C. 8., superintendent of this dockyard, returned this afternoon, after ton days' ab sence, and rehoisted his flag on board the Britan nia. The Raleigh, 50, is to bo undocked at the next a high tides, to make room for the Retribution steam- frig soon as she arrives from Lisbon. P LY M O UTH, WEDNESDAY.—Her Majesty's ship Roy al te as William, 120, was placed in dock on Monday; her copper proving defective, has been taken off, an d she is to be ca ulked down. The Anchor boy, for service at Bermuda, was launched yesterday; she is masted, and is now alongside the jetty to be rigged. The Turkish steam-frigate Feizi Bahri, Commander Sehamasche Bey, entered the Sound this morning, and fired a royal salute of twenty-one guns, which was acknowledged from the citadel. and a salute of seven teen guns answered from Hamoaze by the sag. ship of Port-Admiral Sir John A. Ommaney. Shortly W. Fox, jun., in his yacht, the after her arrival she was officially visited by the leaving, was complimented by a Turkish Consul, Mr. T. Grand Turk, which, on salute of seven guns. The frigate left Woolwich on the 2d at three r.x., arrived at Portsmouth on the 3d at nine A.m., sailed therefrom at seven P.M., and reached this port on the 4th at ten A.m. After embarking fuel she proceeds for Constantinople, calling at Gibraltar and Malta. Yesterday the Dutch steam-frigate Bierapi, com manded by Lieutenant H. T.Van Maldeghem, arrived here from Amsterdam, and, after discharging her powder in the Sound, Prgcoodod to lililibay pier this raomirg to copl. She is ho , and to Batavia, and will probably leave on Saturday. The merchant :-brig Naiad, Captain Spence, came in this morning wi .th sugar from the Mauritius; left Feb. 15; spoke May 18, in long. 16., 0 W., lat. 44.46 N., the ship Forfarshie e, from London for Valparaiso, captain sick; May 24 in long. 14.50 W., Ist. 48,15 N., the ship Agamemnon, from Liverpool for Bathurst; May 28, in long. 7.32 W.,, 45.26 N., the ship Sydenham, from Cowes for St. Helena. f ,~ u ~'V~t APPOINTMENTS. WooLwrcrt, JUNE :,,—Commander Thomas D. Stew art (1843), an di Lieutenant William A. J. Heath (1844), to study steer 1 at the factory et Woolwich Dockyard. The Birke ahead steam troopship, Master-Com mander t Salmond, left Woolwich at a quarter past two o'clo(lik this mercing for Portsmouth, and yes terday took (x board the furniture of the late Colonel Mitchell, Itoyn:, l Marines, for conveyance to the latter port. Mr. Salt send has suggested several improvements on hoard the ve 3sel, which would enable him to accom modate a whole regiment comfortably. The Govern , : 10, Sardinian war-steamer, Captain The lasono, is to lea re Woolwich this afternoon for Genoa. Three of the cr'en , of the vessel have absented them selves, and their equipments have been found, hut the search for the ir persons has proved ineffectual. NEW ZEALAND. (From Eliza Cook's Journal.) The islands c f New Zealand seem destined at no re mot,: period to become the " Great Britain" of the southern oceari6. They are situated not far distant from our Australian colonies; the islands abound in timber of the most val uable kinds suitable for ship-building; the coasts swat in with fish, and ere the haunt of the spermaceti wh s.le, large numbers of American vessels yearly re.iort,,..ug thither fur fishing: purposes; and the numerous nobs bays and deep inlets all round the coast afford them a. :safe anchorage during the stormier sea sons of the year. The exte 7 at a New Zealand is about the same as that of the British islands. There are two large islands and one smaller in the group, and several thriving emigrant settlements have already been formed at various points of the two larger or northern islands. In New Ulster Island, there are the settlements of Wellington, New Plymouth, and Auckland; and in New Munster, or the Middle Island, there are Nelson Settlement, Canter bury, and Otago. The total British population is about 15,000, and there are about 110,000 native New Zea landers. The coast line is of great extent, and very irregular, being broken by numerous bays, inlets, and the wide mouths of numerous rivers. The coast is exceedingly picturesque, and in some places very bold, partaking of the uneven and mountainous character of tie country. Chains of locty mountains intersect both the northern and southern islands ; and their summits are covered with eternal snow ; t h e i r s ides being clothed with forest timber up to the very snow line. From these great mountain chains, which form as it were the back bone of the islands, subordinate ranges of hills ex tend, on both s id es , h o ldi ng w i t hi n t h em mu ch fertile valley land of th e r i c h est an d mos t b eau tif u l descrip tion. From these, large tracts of level land stretch away towards the sea, the soil being of considerable depth, and capable of growing the vine and the olive in perfection, as well as corn, flax, potatoes, and all the culinary vegetables of northern Europe. Even the hill country contains much excellent land, which is pre pared by the natives for the plantation of potatoes and maize, and yields an excellent return by hand labour. The forest land is peculiarly rich, the best proof of which is the immense vegetation which it constantly supports. In spring and summer, autumn, and win ter, there is no visible change in the woods ; they are as beautiful in the depth of winter (which is there exceedingly mild) as in the height of summer. Tho leaf that falls is immediately replaced by another—the withered branch is sup plied by one more vigorous, and there is a constant succession of luxuriant vegetation. The fairest shrubs preserve their beauty all the year round, neither being nipped by the winter's blast, nor scorched by the sum mer's sun. The extremes of cold and heat in all the islands are confined within comparatively narrow bounds. Being limited in breadth, and surrounded by an immense body of ocean, the temperature is preserved very equa ble; indeed, the climate of Now Zealand may be pro nounced the nearest perfection possible. Labour goes on in the open air in summer and winter alike. All emigrants and travellers are agreed on this point. Mr. Carrington, speaking of the climate of New Plymouth, which is situated near the centre of the islands, says— " The climate has not been overrated. It is very splen did : it is a magnificent climate. I have seldom or never suffered from cold; I have been up to my middle in water, in the swamps, and have laid down in the same clothes at night for several nights, and have never expe rienced any injury. It is true that the climate is so healthy that you can undergo wettings and great expo sures, without suffering any injurious consequences, such as in England would make a person seriously ill." It is computed that, notwithstanding the hilly charac ter of the country, not less than two-thirds of its whole extent are capable of cultivation; and that it could easily maintain a population as large as that of Great Britain. The native fern, which grows in the forests, on the plains, and up the hill sides, is very rich and nutri tious for cattle. Mr. Earle saw a hundred head of fat cattle at a missionary station, and was surprised to find that, although they never tasted anything but fern, they gave as good milk, and were in as a healthy condition, as though they had grazed on the richest grasses of Lin colnshire. The natural growths of the country, nearly over its whole extent, are these:—first grass, chiefly on the eastern coast of the middle island, in the midst of which the Free Church (Scotch) colony of Otago has been planted; secondly, flax, which grows universally in low situations, and has already been found of consider able value as an article of export; thirdly, fern, which supports large numbers of stock and wild swine in both the northern and the middle island, the fern root being also used by the natives as food; and fourthly, timber, inferior to none in the world. The British Admiralty now imports its spars from New Zealand, and they are also exported for ship-building purposes, to India, the Brazils, and New South Wales. The soil, when cultivated, grows all descriptions of grain; potatoes grow luxuriantly, and the same land will readily yield two crops in the same year. Maize is very productive, and is largely cultivated by the natives. The vine and the olive also flourish; peaches and water melons are abundant in their season; and figs, oranges, strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, and all the garden produce of this country, thrive remarkably wall. In con sequence of the moisture of the air, and the frequent showers from the clouds which are attracted by the lofty hills from the surrounding ocean, there are none of the destructive droughts to be met with in New Zealand, which are the scourge of New South Wales. A constant verdure covers the country, and we believe there is no instance yet of a crop having been lost there for want of rain. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) COWES, JurNE 5, 1851. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. June 1. Dream yawl, George Bentinck, Esq„ from Guernsey. Ripple cutter, D. J. Dickerson, Esq., from London. 3. Stella cutter, R. Frankland, Esq., from Lyming ton ; Drift cutter, James Lyon, Esq., from Portsmouth; Leda schooner, Lieut.-Colonel Smith, from Guernsey; Titania schooner, Robert Stephenson, Esq., from Cher bourg. 4. Elizabeth cutter, Hon. Augustus Moreton, from St. Helen's; Merlin schooner, Colonel Markham, from St. Helen's; Resolution schooner, Duke of Rutland, from the West of Scotland; Turquqise cutter, C. H. Coote, Esq., from Southampton. 1 5. Coquette schooner, Lord Godolphin, from West ward. . " t-"a SAILINGS. " I'l' 3. Dream yawl, G. Bentinck, for Plymouth; Flirt Schooner, Col. Sir C. F. Maclean, Bart., for Hartlepool. YACHTS AT AND ABOUT THE STATION. Titania, Merlin, Resolution, Leda, Drift, Stalls , lipple, Elizabeth, Turquoise, Plover, Meritania, Spider, ,avrock, Nautilus, Coquette FASLIIONAIILE INTELLIGENCE. James Lyon, Esq., Mrs. Lyon, and family, arrived a, ,ord de Grey's house on Tuesday. Colonel Markham and fa m ily at.Beaeh Villa this day. Lord Godolphin at Sir J. llippesleY's house, and Mr. Alaudesle at osetta. Lord Somerville has taken Trafalgar House; Captain Ilamlyn Williams, Cambridge 'louse; and W. Grove, Esq., the Third Cottage. Thomas Thornhill, Esq., and family, are to arrivo at Norfolk House, on Saturday. Mr. Gorden has tak en No. 1, Solent-terrace, and Sir W. Jolliffe, Bart., is in treaty for Belmore House. SMITHFIE ----11A---sts.sr.—Yeaterday the Committ ee proceeded with the consideration of the daises sought to be an d negatived those proposed on b e h a l f he i o n f e t r h t e e _ionv: Bill, rnors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, as to the appropria tion of the open space to be left by the removal of smt hdeid ma rket ; also the claim put in for comp ensat i on i on behalf of the churchwardens of St. Sepulchre, in respect o f a present rate charge of 6001. a year on the market. It is understood to be the intention of the Committee not to grant compensation to the persons resident in or about Smithfield for any alleged loss or injury the remo va l o f th e market may occ [ADVERTISEMENT.] Abscesses, Piles, Fistulas, afid Ulcerous Sores can be cured by using Holloway's Oint ment and Pills.—The very satisfactory results arising from the use of this invaluable ointment, in cases where patients have been suffering from abscesses, ulcers, piles, and fistulas, or bearings down, have induced several of the medical profession, eminent for their skill, to introduce it into the hospitals and their pri vate practice, and in many instances where the sufferer was considered incurable Holloway's Ointment, in conjunction with his Pills, has healed the most desperate wounds after every other remedy had been tried in vain. There is no medicine known that can equal it for the cure of scrofula, scurvy, and diseases of the skin.—Sold by all Druggists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. THE GREAT CHESS TOURNAMENT. The play in this very interesting contest was continued on Wecl had Herr Howitz, having vanquished his first antagonist,Me Staunton. nesday. now the perilous honour of contending with The struggle excited very great interest among re the amateurs present. Mr. Staunton is, since thoherement from the champion of field of Mr. Lewis, acknowledged as t ingenious player, is Eng land. Herr Howitz, well known as w e e n r of playing without particularly distinguished for his no w as a very fine one, and seeing the board. The game played fully justified the expectations of the spectators. After a severe struggle, which lasted eleven hours, Mr. St aun t on was defeated, Herr Howitz win ning the . first game of the series. The remaining player s well sustained their reputa tion. The games were good, and well contested. Mr.-Wil liams was again successful against Mr. Mu kl having now won three games; on e more entit es him to play again. Captain Kennedy won a c °Nv , game of mr. yvill, having thus won two games to one. M. Szen also defeated Herr An derssen two to one, The provincial players are going on with their matches. WILFUL BURNING OF THE KUR. MANY EAST INDIAMAN. THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE LIVES LOST,.. Last month we briefly announced the destruction bi fire of the Kurramany East,lndiaman, Captain J. Hogg, commander, on the night of the 7th of April last, a few hcurs after she had taken her T, departure for the Mauritius, from C a l cu tt a . Subsequent delails received yesterday not only con firm the truth of that announcement, but communicate, we regret to say, a most frightful loss of human life, up. wards of three hundred and sixty-five persons having perished by the burning of the ill-fated ship. The event - has caused the deepest sensation amongst those con nected with the East India trade, more particularly as ed there appears to be every reason for supposing that the shi p was wilfully set on fire by some of the crew. el The unfortunate ship was a large vessel, nearly 1,000 tons measurement. She had on board, on leaving Cal cutta, besides a crew of cno hundred and eleven sea- • min, three hundred and fifty-four emigrants, natives of the Ganjam district. The only cargo on board was riee and provisions, articles which could not ignite spontaneously.— On the night above,— mentioned the ship was brought up for the night some distance off Kedgeree. At ten o'clock the pilot, Mr. Porter, who had charge of the ship, was alarmed by the cry of fire, by one of the female emigrants, and 01,1 gaining the deck was astounded by finding the ship was on fire fore and aft. She was then riding flood tide. With the captain he attempted to unshackle the chain, and get her before the wind ; but on account of the fierceness of the flames they were obliged to abandon the attempt, and take refuge on the b ows prit. Four hundred people were crowded on the poop. Some made a rush to the quarter boats, hanging on the davits. A number of emigrants got into one of these—the tackle falls of which were carried away by their weight, and many of the poor creatures were thrown out and drowned. The cap. talc, with the chief mate and second mate, with Mr. Porter, got down on the jib-boom, which had fallen under the bows, and were there buffeted by the waves, with a heavy sea running, till the second mate could not hold any longer, and sunk. The scene in the mean while was most awful; the poor creatures flung them selves off the burning ship, in all directions, into the sea, preferring death by drowning. None of them were seen afterwards. Within three - hours after the outbreak of the fire the ship was almost burned down to the water's edge. A steamer picked np the survivors, 99 in num ber, the next morning. They were hanging on the burning wreck up to their neck in water. The annexed statement is from Captain Hogg, the master of the ill-fated vessel, written on the morning after the fire:— " To describe the scene of last night in the total de struction of my ship, below Kedgeree, quite surpasses the power of language. But it being incumbent on me to make a statement of such facts as I am able to relate con nected with the catastrophe, I lose no time in forwarding them to you. Having retired at an early hour, I was awoke by Mr. Porter (the pilot in charge of the ship), with the alarm of fire. This was about ten minutes past ten o'clock at night, the fire having been discovered by some of the emigrants, who alone gave the alarm. I instantly hastened on deck, but my way forward was so obstructed by the unfortunate people, that I found it very difficult to force a passage to the fore part of the ship. How ever, before I got to the fore-hatch the deck was so in volved with dense smoke, that emerged from the fore scuttle, that I could not see anything before me, and had to grope to the forecastle. In vain I sang out for all hands —my own men, of course—but very few paid any atten tion. All my efforts to get the buckets and assistance were in vain. The chief officer was at this time in be tween decks, but was at last driven up, and with Mr. Porter and the second officer of the ship, one Tindal, and six Lascars, got forward on the topgallant forecastle, and at this instant the flames burst forth out of the fore-scuttle and fore-hatch with immense force, and the ship riding head to wind, with a fresh breeze from the southward—almost as quick as thought the deck cuddy, and cabins, and all were enveloped in flames. The emigrants were all assembled on the poop. I cannot describe the scene that ensued amongst them—it was perfectly horrible. They attempted to launch the quarter boats, but they broke down from the immense weight that filled them. I believe that all who were not precipitated into the sea by the falling of the boats jumped overboard to escape from the flames. We forward could do nothing towards the safety of ourselves or others but stand and watch the devouring element, work ing its way towards masts, rigging, and all were on fire. As it approached us we retreated on to the bowsprit and jibboom, but having cut away all the headstays and rig ging, to prevent the foremast falling forward and effect ing an immediate destruction. Suddenly the jibboom, with several persons on it, broke off by the bowsprit cap, but being connected with the ship by all the rigging belonging to it, it still hung under the bows. We who were on the bowsprit remained there till driven off by the intense heat. We then descended into the sea, and supported ourselves on the broken jibboom. Oar only hopes of being saved were through the mercy of God, and the assistance any vessel might afford us. Hanging on un der the bows, we saw the :starboard chain, by which the ship was riding at the time, run out in a way which con vinced me that it must have been unshackled preparatory to the event. The ship then drifted several miles, we still hanging on, witnessing the consumption of the hull, spars, &e., until the larboard anchor dropped from the bows. The cable was red hot. This brought the ship up. By this time two steamers, the Rattler and Union, the crews of which had seen the flames at a distance, had bore to our assistance, and anchoring close to the wreck, dispatched their boats, by which means we—Mr. Porter, Mr. Turner, the chief officer, myself, and six Lascars—were rescued from our awful situa tion. Mr. Andrews, the second officer, baying let go his hold from utter exhaustion before the boats reached us, sank, and was seen no more. Mr. Clarke (the leads man), the third officer, and Mr. Butler, were not seen after the alarm of fire was given. Those who were saved were all but naked. About five o'clock we heard cries for help from some of the unfortunates, a boat was imme diately lowered in search of them, and the steamer was got under weigh; in a short time we succeeded in picking up five individuals. After daylight, several others were picked up, some on spars and bits of wood, others were supporting themselves above water by swimming. The ship, Royal Albert, and the ship, ' Tutta Monbarack, came up to our aid, and in the course of the morning the masters manned three boats and sallied out in all directions, if possible to save any of the poor creatures who might be floating. The masters rendered every assistance in their power. The steamer Rattler, in her passage up the Channel picked up several emigrants alive. Among them I noticed was the serang of the ship. About noon, in coming up the river, with one of the ships in tow, a cluster of poor creatures were descried float ing on portions of the wreck in the Mud Point Chan nel. The ship was instantly cast off, and boats sent to rescue the sufferers, who were twenty-three in number. Fortunately they were all saved. We saw ne others, nor have I heard whether the boats met with any. I am afraid no more will be found. Up to the present time, out of 465 persons who were ou board, viz., 354 emi grants and 111 seamen, all who have been saved are Mr. Porter, Mr. Turner, myself, 07 emigrants and 29 of the crew, making in all 99. What has become of the other 366, and Mr. Clark and his servant, God only knows. It is but justice for me to add, that every praise is due to the commanders of theof nders other ships the steamers R m a e t n ti t z n a e n d, ud w n h io o n, aff a o s r a d l e s d o to those Turner, n shoulde r,chief, f b e e f, doing nnd m a, injustice s s i t s e t a n m c e y in their officer s, o m w e r r . . Andrews, second, if I were to. assistance in .o un.ortunate people who were jumping overboard all directions. These officers, apparently disregarding their own safety till all service to others was impossible, remained aft, throwing overboard hen coops and all other moveable articles they could get hold of, till all had disappeared ; they then worked their way forward on the outside of the ship. " A general impression prevails that the ship was wilfully fired by the Lascars, who had but two or three days previously received three months' pay in advance, • in order to escape the performance of the services for which they had been paid. This is strength ened by the statements of several of the survivors. The pilot servant states, on the alarm being given, he attempted to get forward, but finding it was impossible, he made his way to the poop, where he found a number of Lascars engaged lowering a boat. He jumped in with them, it capsized, but they all m anaged to get ashore at Kedgeree, where he was surprised to find that these men were in new clothes, the rest of their clothes with them, tied up in bundles, and their money. Among them :was a man who had charge of the stores of the vessel, ropes, blocks, paint, &c. Some of the Lascars were supposed to have formed part of the crew of the Buoke inghamshire, which met with a similar fate to the Nur ramany only a few weeks previously. No clue had been obtained of the perpetrators of the diabolical act. The , I ship was not insured. THE SUFFERANCE WHARFINGER S OF SOUTHWARK. —On Wednesday, a dinner took pl ace at the Bridge House Hotel, at which Sir William bfolesworth, M.P.., was pre sented with a very handsome pi ece of plate by the sufferane s wharfingers of Southwark, as a testimonial of his services in assisting to obtain an extension of the privilege of landing foreign merchandize at the wharfs on the Surrey side of the river. The chair was taken by Mr. George Scovell, and about 80 gentlemen assembled to do honour to their repre sentative upon the occasion. SouTs Dsvore ItanwA.Y.—This company have now got rid of all their opponents, their Bill for making an arrangement with the two classes of shareholders having now recei ve d the sanction of the two H ouses of Parliament, and awaiting only the Royal assent. The directors will now forthwith declare a dividend, for the first time—a very welcome incident to the shareholders. It is fully expected that the traffic in the ensuing half-year will be such as to justify a dividend of 21- per cent. at the close of the year. PLANTS FOR HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY TMI QUEEN.—At the first exhibition of the South Devon Bota nical and Horticultural Society, Mr. William E. Rendle nur seryman, Plymouth, exhibited four magnificent specimens of rhododendrons, intended by Royal permission for her most Gracious Majesty the Queen. The plants were literally loaded with large and handsome trusses of flowers; they were in fine condition, and well worthy of the admiration of Royalty. On Friday, the 23d ult., these specimens were for warded to Buckingham Palace, throw in a few days Mr. Rendle received a most gracious reply, gh Col. the Hon. C. B. Phipps, conveying the pleasing intelligence that the plants had arrived safely, and had been much admired by the Queen. West of England Conservative. It is stated that the remedy for the delays in the edpersons being drafted into the Lord Chancellor's Court to hear appeals, with or without the presence of the Chief Judge in Equity.—/ Chronicle.