The Sun. — London, England, 1847-05-14 00:00:00

ir b i lc b WlTittott SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. MEETING OF THE DEBENTURE HOLDERS OF THE LYCEUM THEATRE. (THIS DAY.) A. meeting of the debenture holders of this theatre was held this morning in the saloon of the theatre, for the pur pose of considering the best means to be adopted for recover ingthe arrears now due to them on their debentures. There were present Mr. w arrington, Mr. Brookes, Mr. Lumley (who attended as the solicitor and agent of the Marquis of Aylesbury), Mr. Chilton (who attended as the representative of Mr. Wallace), Mr. Powell, Dr. Jay, Mr. -A-ra Yott, the magistrate, Mr. Gilbert, Mr. G. Moore, Mr. W. tA9x, Mr. Wagstaff, and Mr. J. Strutt. Mr. WARRINGTON having been called to the chair, Mr. Szaurr said that he called this meeting of his brother debenture holders in order that they might consider the steps proper to be taken under the circumstances in which they found themselves placed. As a debenture holder he had, on the 25th of April last, written to Mr. Walter Arnold, as the representative of the trustees of the Lyceum Theatre, requesting that gentleman to furnish him (Mr. Strutt) with a statement of the accounts of the theatre. (Mr. Strutt here read the letter, which stated, that as Mr. Arnold had received a sum amounting to upwards of 5,0001. as rent for the theatre, from Messrs. Keeley and Strutt, he (Mr. Strutt) as a debenture holder, requested to know how that sum had been applied.) In his answer, Mr. Walter Arnold said that as Messrs. Grisell and Peto had a mortgage upon the property, dated 1834, which took precedence of the debenture deeds, and not one shilling of which had been discharged, he must decline furnishing any accounts. (This letter was also read in extenso.) He (Mr. Strutt) had paid to Mr. Walter Arnold, as rent, for the theatre in 1844, 2,2031., in 1845, 2,3071., exclusive of 4001. deposit ; in 1846, 2,6901., and up to the 13th June, 1847, 5571., making a total of 7,7664, which he knew himself had been paid, and which spread over an extent of three years, gave 2,3131. a year. From 1836 to 1846 there had been re ceived as rent of the theatre, '22,4001., and as rent of the houses included in the same trust, 3,360/., making a total of 26,2604 giving an average rental for the theatre of 2,073/., and for the houses of 3571., showing a total annual average rental during the 11 years of 2,224/. When the mortgage was given to Grisell and Peto there was a sum of 1,4451. due to the Marquis of Exeter. The following had been stated by Mr. Walter Arnold to be the amount of the average annual liabilities of the theatre :—Ground rent, 704/. ; interest on a mortgage held by the Marquis of Exeter, 232/. ; interest on Grisell and Peto's mortgage, 560/. ; taxes, 2501.; insurance, 1201. • repairs, 1001.; sundries, 25/. ; and Mr. Walter Arnold charged for himself, for the trouble of receiving the moneys, 1501. a year. He left it to the meeting to say how far they thought such a payment ought to be sanctioned in the present state of their affairs. But even this account showed that their ought to be a balance in hand of 3,300/. available to the payment of the debt due to the debenture holders, but he had ascertained that there must be a considerably greater balance unaccounted for. The ground rent was two years in arrear, which would increase the balance unaccounted for by a sum of 1,4001., and he would ask, if Mr. Walter Arnold, or the trustees, have received this money, why did they thus place the property of the debenture holders in jeopardy? The Mar quis of Exeter might at any moment enter upon the pos session of the theatre, and get rid of them altogether by an action of ejectment. If Mr. Walter Aruold could not give some better account of this transaction than he had done, it was high tiase that the debenture holders should look to themselves. In July 1836, Mr. Walter Arnold had written a letter to the debenture holders, stating that the debt due to Grisell and Peto was 5,9964, and that it would be liqui dated by an annual payment of 800/. The mortgage debt now returned as due to Grisell and Peto was 9,2371., nearly double what it was in 1.836. It could not have amounted to this sum even if the 2,2391. guaranteed to the Marquis of Exeter on the execution of this mortgage were included in it. This debt ought to have been reduced instead of having been increased, inasmuch as there was a surplus of revenue over expenditure, which might have been applied to its gradual liquidation; but, notwithstanding the receipts show a balance tor the last eleven of 3001. a year over the expenditure, making a stun of 3,3004, which might have been applied to the liquidation of this debt, notwith standing there was a sum of 1,4001. arrears of ground rent unaccounted for, this debt of Grisell and Peto's had nearly doubled. There was besides a sum of 1,650/., which during that period had been drawn by Mr. Walter Arnold for re ceiving the moneys belonging to them. Mr. PownLe—That is not the only benefit Mr. W. Arnold has derived. He has, I believe, besides this 150/. a year, the best box in the theatre. STRUTT said such was the case, and not only bad he the privilege of giving that box to his friends, but he used to let it through the booksellers at 2/. a night, clearing 6/. a week in that manner, and it was in consequence of his (Mr. Strutt's) refusal to let Mr. Arnold use his privilege in that manner to the injury of the lessees, that Mr. Arnold bad chosen to refuse any terms that Mr. Keeley and himself might offer to take the theatre. But as that was a merely personal matter he would not go into it. Mr. POWELL—By what authority does Mr. Arnold hold that box ? We do not benefit by it. Mr. Szaurr—Certainly the debenture holders do not profit by the box. _ _ Mr. PowELL—It is a very bad bone, certainly; but Mr. Arnold seems to be the only person who gets any picking off of it. In answer to several questions, Mr. &mum' said that he did net know who had a right to let the theatre. He had taken it of Mr. W. Arnold; he paid Mr. W. Arnold the rent; and Mr. W. Arnold was the only person he knew as the representative of the debenture holders. He believed that the mortgage of Grisell and Peto had been assigned to Mr. Walter Arnold, who had assigned it to Lord Cecil, the Marquis of Exeter's son. He bad learned from Mr. Wameford, the agent to the Marquis of Exeter, that there were two years' arrears of ground rent due, and until that was paid up they might be refused permission to walk - • , ey amoun e o ess t an . e insurance in the West of England had been returned at 250/. a year, He had inquired, and found that the sum paid to the West of England Office was 65/. a year. The repairs had been estimated at 1001. During the three years of his tenancy he himself had done all the repairs, and during the last eleven years not 3001. had been spent on the theatre; and, with re gard to the 150/. a year to Mr. Walter Arnold for collecting the money, all he could say was, that he, Mr. Strutt, paid his rent into the bank of Messrs. Cock burns every Monday morning, and all the trouble Dir. W. Arnold had was to draw it out again. He gave Mr. W. Arnold notice of this meeting in order that he night attend if he thought it desirable. He had also written to the trustees, Lord Saltoun, Sir Andrew Barnard, and Mr. Hallett. The two former replied that they had never interfered in the affairs of the theatre, and the latter that he had never received any money available to the liquidation of the claims of the debenture holders. He had written to Mr. Arnold, sen., and his answer was to the same purport as that of Mr. Hallett. A conversation ensued on the conclusion of Mr. Strutt's address, and eventually Mr. LUMLEY (acting on behalf of the Marquis of Ayles bury) moved the following resolution : "Resolved—That the debenture creditors having received no payment whatever on account of the debentures granted by the trustees of the Lyceum Theatre, nor any satisfactory ac count since the granting of the same in 1835, notwithstand ing it appears that the property has been productive to a considerable amount during the whole of that period, an ap plication be forthwith made to the trustees, for an account, showing the annual net rents and profits since the date of the debentures, and for the production of the trust deeds, and other accounts and papers necessary to ascertain the parti culars relating to such net rents and profits." The resolution was seconded by Mr. BedooseEs, and carried unanimously. Dr. JAY then moved that Messrs. Strutt, Warrington, and Powell, debenture holders, who have kindly undertaken the same, be authorised to make such application, and to examine such deeds, trusts, and accounts, on behalf of this meeting, to report the result to this meeting, which is ad journed to Friday, 4th June next, at one o'clock, to be held in the saloon of this theatre, for the purpose of receiving their report. The resolution was seconded by Mr. CJIILT3X, and carried unanimously. _ . . Mr. Srutirr then moved that a copy of these resolution, be advertised and sent to such of the other debenture creditors as may be conveniently found. Mr. WAUSTAFF seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Dr. JAY, 'in proposing the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Strutt, said that if the debenture holders had any chance 01 ever getting anything, it would be entirely owing to the ex ertions of that gentleman. The motion was seconded by Mr BROOKES, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. WAGSTAFF, seconded by Mr. POWELL, thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meet ing separated. NORT H WALES RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) A special meeting of the proprietors of this railway took place this day at the offices of the company, 2, Guildhall. chambers, to take into consideration the propriety of reducing the number of directors from eleven to eight, in accordance with the provisions of the North Wales Railway Amendment Act passed last year. A requisition for such an object had been presented to the directors. Mr. Shaw, of Huddersfield, Wok the chair. The usual routine business having been transacted, a very irregular discussion took place as to the best method of in venting the funds of the association, and in order to give time for the attendance of parties for the purposes of investi gation, and the mating was adjourned to next Monday month. READING, GUILFORD, AND REI- GATE RAILWAY.—(THIS DAY,) A meeting of the shareholders of this railway was adver tised to take place this day, but the directors having found themselves in a position to transact the required business without the sanction of the shareholders, no meeting took place. SALE OF RAILWAY SHARES BY AUCTION. 'THIS DAY.) The sale of Railway shares to-day, by Messrs. Lamond and Co., went off without spirit, and prices remain un altered. The followin are a few of the principal sales South Yorkshire, D on c, and. Goole .£1 7 . 0 North British, Thirds ........ . ............... 2 11 0 Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston.—. 1 5 0 Royston and Ilitchin ....................... North British, Extensi on ......... 1 8 0 Reading, Guildford, and R e i g ate.. . .; 0 14 0 . 7 6 Orleans, Tours, and Bordeau x ...... • 6 1 (-.) 0 Liverp. Manch. and Newcastle-upon-Tyne 0 11 6 Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock 1 12 6 Eastern Counties ..... Shrewsbury and Birmingham ( A) 3 2 0 Newmarket and Chest erford South Wales ... 1 0 0 N o rthern Counties Um on 2 6 1 5 7 0 Eastern Counties, York Extension ... 416 6 London and Blackwall, No. COURSE OF EXCH. Amsterdam ......C.F. 12 9 ANGE.-(THIS DAY.) Gibraltar.. • • • • . • Leghorn .. • • • • • • Genoa .. • • • . Milan .. • • • • • • • • 3934 N aples • • • • • • • • Palermo, per oz ll9 Lisbon.. .. .. • • 52;'i Oporto ...... .. • • .. • • 53% Rio Janeiro ..... . 2634 Buenos Ayres .. • • New York, 21 days'slght Philadelphia PRICES OP BULLION, PU OZ. Foreign Gold in bars... E 3 17 9 New Dollars • • .• • • 0 4 9 1 4 Portugal Gold Coin • • 0 0 0 Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0 811Ter 11 bars ...... 0 4 105 Ditto, at eight ...... 12 6 Rotterdam .... 2U. 12 9% Antwerp •••• • • •• •._. 26 40 Munburgh .... • • i.B. 14 Paris, 3 days' sight .... 26 ..... 30 90 ..• .. 26 50 Ditto, •• ••..•-• • • • .. 26 40 Marseillos ••• • • • ..... • 26 50 80ardeaux......... • • 26 45 Frankfort on Maine.... 124 Petersburgh, 3 Us .. .. . . Vienna, effec.flo.••••. 10 16 Trieste, ditto.... •• .... 10 16 Madrid •............. 46% Cadiz •• - ..: ........ 47% .4relna•••••••••••••••• ••••• THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 14, 18471 RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP VI. WILTS, SOMERSET, AND WEYMOUTH ILIVIENDIYZENT _(NO. II.) ------ The Committee announced at the commencement of the proceedings that they regretted to have to state that they had received a note from Mr. Deedes (the chairman of the Committee), containing also the certificate of his medical adviser, that he Was completely incapacitated from attending the Committee to-day, but hoped to be able to do so on Monday next. Mr. Round presided in the absence of the Honourable Member. __ _ The first witness called was Mr. Maitland, late surveyor of the Shepton Mallet turnpike roads. His evidence went to show the importance of the town of Shepton Mallet, and the advantages to be derived from a railway communicating with that town. Mr. Spencer, brewer, of Shepton Mallet, gave evidence of a similar character as to the importance of the town of Shep ton Mallet. Mr. Paul, farmer, near Sherborne, Mr. Saxen, farmer, of Bruton, Mr. Clarke, chairman to the board of guardians at Wincanton, gave evidence in favour of the line. The Committee then adjourned till Monday next. GROUP XV. The Committee met this day at the usual time in Room, No. 26; Mr. Bernal, chairman. THE EASTERN COUNTIES (CAMBRIDGE, ROYSTON, AND WARE, &c.) _ _ Bill was proceeded with. Witnesses were examined for the promoters on the subject of traffic. Mr. Borthwick, C.E., was then examined in support of the Bill. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XVII. The Committee on this group re-assembled this morning at the usual hour; Sir James Buller East in the chair. The first business to-day was the decision of the Committee on the line from Peterborough to Hepston. DECISION. The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee were not in a condition to give a decision, but they had come to the unanimous resolution, " That they sanctioned the construc tion of the line from Peterborough to Hepston, but omitting the deviation to Stamford." CAREBY TO GRANTHAM• Mr. Cubitl . :CET:llas then examined, to show the ad vantage which would be conferred on the public by this deviation. GREAT NORTHERN (DEVIATIONS FROM LONDON TO GaBNT7l4lllt). Mr. Packe, the Deputy-Chairman of the Company, and Mr. Charles Miller, ex-Mayor of Grantham, were also ex amined in favour of the line. This closed the case of the promoters; when that Lr the opposition was proceeded with. Mr. Welby, M.P. for Grantham, was then examined, and gave evidence as to the injury which would be caused to Mr. Oastler's house by the proposed deviation. Mr. Wood, the architect who built the house and Mr. Oastler's agent, confirmed this evidence. The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock on Monday. GROUP XVIII. The Committee met this morning at twelve o'clock—the Earl of Lincoln in the chair—when Mr. TALBOT replied on behalf of the Great Western Com • pany, and, after clearing away all the erroneous suppositions, that he or his clients intend any the slightest disrespect to the inhabitants of Cheltenham, proceeded to say that be be lieved that they were fully entitled to have all their com plaints freely and thoroughly investigated. The view which he had always taken was that a priori, most astounding, that, in this happy country, which had been the parent of such eminent engineering skill, there should be found such a case of difficulty in Cheltenham, that men like Mr. Brand, who possessed not only a European but an Asiatic reputa tion, were unable to grapple with it. As an Englishman, he must say that it would to him be a matter of affliction if any such insurmountable obstacle could exist. Here there had been not only the talents of Mr. Brunel, but of Mr. Cubitt, Sir J. Rennie, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Hawkshawe applied to investigate the causes of this difficulty, and to ascertain the best means of surmounting it. But the doubt which he entertained, if he entertained it at all, was al together removed when he remembered that, peculiar as the soil of Cheltenham might be—and peculiar it certainly was— the very same difficulty had been overcome by Mr. Stephen son in his works on the North-Western Railway at Camden town. He was free to confess, in his opening speech to the Committee, now about a month ago, he had been somewhat rash, for he had mixed himself and Mr. Brunel up with things which were altogether different in their character, and had stated, as, indeed, he must state now, namely, that the passage through Cheltenham was, and was intended to be, neither more nor less than a common railway cutting; and if there was a difficulty at all from the pressure of the water, it surely would be ascertained by the present condi tion of the sewer that had been formed by the construction of the Gloucester Railway. They had proved the level of the sewers; they had called Mr. Paul, who had been the sur veyor of the sewers, as well as several other witnesses, and those witnesses had proved that the level of the sewer was precisely the same in 1846 as it was in 1845, and that in 1845 it was precisely the same as it was in the year 1836. It was true that there had been some evidence which proved that the height of the water in the wells had been altered. But was it likely to be othewise, when, during the last few years, there had been a population growing up cf tens of thousands, and when every man who sank his well lower than his neighbour robbed him of the quantity of water that he had previously enjoyed? Why, there was pre r Up's. NP o ,E.esaqi& I Harmed by the abstruction of their usual supply of water, and they had sunk a well down into the sandstone, and had succeeded in draining the springs for three thousand feet on each side of it. And all the witnesses who had been ad duced from Cheltenham had each stated that when they had sunk their well lower, they had each recovered the water that had been abstracted by the formation of the I sewer. Further than this, it had been put in evidence by Mr. Dawke, that only at a distance of 374 yards from the Gloucester Railway, the water absolutely stood higher in the sand than it did in the cutting of the line; and every engi neer who had been called on the other side had all, without a single exception, repudiated every notion that the water would be permanently abstracted. Mr. Wood, Mr. Locke, Mr. Leather. and Mr. Gibbs, had all said that, although the work would. be difficult and expen sive, yet, after all, the water would not be permanently, even if it were temporarily, abstracted ; and even Mr. Stephenson himself had allowed that the level of the water would not be permanently altered. In truth, it was the wit nesses for the Great Western project who had stated most strongly the difficulties which would have to be encountered. Mr. Brunel's plan was to pump out the water from the exca vation by small portions at a time, so that the in stance which had been adduced by Mr. Stephenson of the pressure of forty feet at the Kilsby tunnel was not a case at all in point, and he must charge that gentleman with something like disingenuousness in making such a charge. It had been asserted, from the letter of Mr. Close, that the water had been reduced eight feet in the line of its level, but on cross-examination that gentleman had ad mitted that his letter was awkwardly expressed, and that a casual reader might have so understood him, but that in reality it was not so. This was his answer to the Cheltenham case, and he firmly believed that if the respectable inhabitants of that place heard such eminent men as Mr. Locke and Mr. Gibbs state that it was merely a matter of expense to the company, the whole of their opposition would be immediately with drawn. Then, as to that great objection respecting the station at Cheltenham, it had been shown that the flow there was upwards instead of downwards; and even if there were, as was represented, a pressure at that point of 5 feet 9 inches, a flooring of 2 feet 4% inches would be amply sufficient. And with respect to the assertion that the water could :lever pass under the railway in the way which was supposed, Mr. Stephenson 'himself had allowed, that even if the piling did prevent its crossing at one particular place, it would follow the bend of the work and ultimately rind its way after the same course. Then as to the attack on the estimates, an attack which he had hoped never to see, sad which of all things he least expected from a company of such railway experience as the North-Western, he would show that it was utterly groundless and insufficient for its object. The works had been estimated at 60,0001., and the land at 85,0001. ; but Mr. Haynes and Mr. Dawke had together made out that those were quite insufficient, and that they ought for all these purposes to be at least 287,0001.; but evon Mr. Stephenson himself had not ventured to attack these calcu lations ; and even it the allegations of excess were correct, if it was true that the works would cost 90,0001. more than they 'had been estimated, there was still an ample supply in the million which Mr. Brunel had taken as the capital for the line, for out of it there were 200,000/. for which no occupation had been provided. He had made these remarks, because he really expected that the main ground of objection would be the abstraction of the water. As to the assertion that there would be great injury to the house property in Chel tenham, Mr. Brunel had shown that there were only six houses which would in any way be affected, at least injuri ously, in the whole of the town, and with the present mania for central stations, it was impossible to prevent some injury ; but taking the main case which had been brought forward— he meant that of the Wesleyan chapel and the place of worship used by the followers of Ladyliunti ngdon,—he thought the Committee would not consider it to be of much import ance, when they recollected that since the construction of the line, a gorgeous ecclesiastical edifice had been erected within fifty-five yards of the Great Western Railway. This, he be lieved, would close all that he had to say respecting the Cheltenham case, and he would now proceed to unfold the second volume of this same work, of which one was quite sufficient, and to enter upon what he believed to be the real merits of the case. He was not blind to what was passing around him, and allowing for them all the importance of the representations in the fourth estate of the realm, and acceding at once to the assertions of the difficulty of raising capital at the present time, he would at the same time express his conviction that it was in no way applicable to the opposition of the North-Western Company ; for if it were applicable to all, it was equally applicable to both companie s , and was easily to be met by the insertion of clause giving a power to construct the line in five or six years instead of three. He trusted, therefore, that the Committee would at once come to a decision upon the matter. There must be railway communication to Cheltenham. That was a matter upon which no one could entertain a doubt ; and that being the case, the only question was by whom it should be made. There had already been ten years of litigation, and a very expensive litigation it had been. Then, on what principles were they to decide? A G lr re . a r t iil l d N y ,e a a r t d had, ern in the Company first blow which he levelled, opened the whole s u bj ect which guage was to be preferred. The Fish guard,whole of through ance country tile dist between Ireland to this district, had already a line from S th Wales, and h a d indeed opened up the Irel an d and the unbroken and continuous wereto be with metropolis; aviewto an shorten iofr thete n Bill of th a t company herons, if th e y interposed granted, there wo u ld b e an communication all the w a y. the narrow gauge, if they did break the communication, the i s i r w t ould at least very seriously cripple it. That this was a , the tra e r no doubt, for if this to the Forest of Dean there ci e c s ou D al 1() drewf c m immense importance od fin.reoeme ti itlye it t ,. h ac i ordi ng b h e re break cut o o f ff g ; a gauge were whichalelooawled pocket of the purchaser at Cheltenham to the representations of their opponents?, at 15s. 2d. a ton. On the narrow guage theree soldwa already access to the Derbyshire and Leicester coalfields'' and only allow the Staffordshire coal to come by the narrow' gauge, and they would at once insulate the Forest of Dean a if ilo th w er t e h w e railway tinhethßeinlie,iagnha make a broad gauge line from the west, bourhoo coal as d amtlcthll• B as l and the Committ ee itw n a t s only in Cheltenham, but in Oxford also , a would give, not d• tdistricts. scuse the legal effect The Learned Counsel then went on to di, fair competition for the coals of the it eren of the report of the Board of Trade on the respective merit of the gauges, and stated that a clause was inserted to show what the gauge should be, and unless the Committee were prepared practically to repeal an Act of Parliament, which they were only called upon to administer to the satis faction of the public. The Great Western Company would get to London by their own broad gauge line, and westward of Cheltenham there was an uninterrupted chain of communication on the same gauge. The question then was, on what principle were they to act in joining these two portions of the line between Fishguard and the metro polis. Mr. Hildyard had rightly stated that public enter prise had taken its tone from the reports of the Board of Trade, and those reports had evidently shown that if the commu nication between the Welsh coal-fields and the manufacturing districts of the north, it was equally necessary and advisable that the communication east and west should be on the broad guage. Mr. Talbot then read the Earl of Dalhousie's remarks in the report, to show how Newport, Swansea, and other places would be affected, and to prove that there was an absolute requisition for a coast line to bring them into contact with the districts eastward. The South Wales line, therefore, was the line for the mineral traffic, and if for the mineral traffic there, for all other speeies of traffic, that could be brought upon it, and they had therefore to judge whether they would take the narrow gauge in the bush in the place of the broad gauge in the hand. They had already got the broad gauge at Hereford, and all the evidence which their opponents had gone to show that the traffic of the now gauge ought to be, and was, naturrally northwards. M. Hildyard had not been content with attacking the line under discussion, but had levelled his remarks at the main line of the South Wales itself ; and had stated because it hugged the coast, as he termed it, that it was unnecessary, from its adjacency to the River Severn and the Bristol Channel. Why, it was well known that the very reason why that railway was necessary was the tediousness, the uncertainty, and the risk of that passage. And certainly wonders would never cease, for it was perfectly astounding that the North- Western Company should allege such an argument in the teeth of the very fact, that they were themselves reaping in ordinate profits from conveying merchandise to Edinburgh, in competition with the very best system of steam navigation that this country had ever possessed ; and had, in consequence of its powers, almost absolutely ruined some of the best canals of the country. The learned counsel then entered into an examination of the relative advantages of the two schemes to the public, from the facilities which they gave at the ports of Gloucester and London, and showed that whatever might be the present possessions of the North-Western Company the Great Western bad at least as powerful means for meeting the necessities of public accommodation, and stated his belief that in these days it was impossible to live in apathy or quiet, and it was therefore evident that this line would be made by some party, and the Great Western Company were in his opinion entitled to its construction. The Learned Counsel then went into an examination of the convenience that would be obtained by the construction of the Bir mingham and Oxford line, and the consequence that would flow from the establishment} of the several projects, which extended to the south-west, and concluded a long and power ful speech a little before four o'clock, when The Committee intimated that they ,would give their de cision as soon as they received the report of the Railway Commissioners, unless something should transpire in the course of the cases about to come under their consideration that they ought to postpone the declaration of it till those cases had been heard. GROUP XIX. This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, Mr. Denis• twin in the chair. COVENTRY, BANBURY, AND OXFORD (FROM SOUTHAM TO COVENTRY.) The case on behalf of this Bill was resumed. Mr. Fuller, a surveyor, was examined at some length as to the value of the land and the nature of the property which the line intersecteal. The remainder of the sitting was occupied with opposition evidence, when the Committee adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock. GROUP XX. This Committee met at the usual hour this morning, in Room 21; Mr. Goulburn in the chair. oxponn, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER , HAMPTON (No. I.) The case for the Midland Company having been got through yesterday, the evidence in favour of the competing scheme of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Com pany, from Cheltenham to Evesham, was gone into. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XXIV. The Committee on this group met in Room, No. 27, a twelve o'clock; 11r. B. Denison, chairman. MOLD. Further traffic evidence was received from the promoters of this railway. The formal proofs were then put in, and the room was cleared. DECISION. On the re-admission of parties, The CHAIRMAN announced the decision of the Committee —preamble proved. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXV. The Committee on this group met this day at twelve o'clock, in Room 14 ; Sir Charles Lemon in the chair. MANCHESTER, AND BIRMINGHAM AND NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE JUNCTION. The remaining clauses in this Bill were agreed to, and The CHAIRMAN intimated that he would report the Bill to the House. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday next. GROUP XXVII. GREAT NORTHERN (BRANCH TO ZING'S LYNN). The Committee to examine into the merits of the Bills comprised in this group met at twelve o'clock; Mr. Cardwell, chliggMet repuea for the promoters. The Committee having dispensed with any reply on the part of the Eastern Counties Railway (Wisbeach to Spald ing), the room was cleared. On the re-admission of parties, _ . . The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee would defer any decision upon the Bills until next week, when they should be aware of the intentions of the Admiralty. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXXI. ISHEPPIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE JUNCTION. The Committee sat this morning at twelve; Mr. Shaw in the chair; and took the general evidence of Mr. Manes, father of Mr. M. Milnes, the Member for Pontefract, with the testimony of several other gentlemen, in favour of the Bill. GROUP XXXIII. GREAT NORTHERN (EXTENSION TO LEEDS AND 'WAKEFIELD). Evidence in favour of this line was continued this day upon the subject of the proposed levels at the station at Leeds. In consequence of some errors in the levels of the Great Northern Railway extensions to Leeds and Wakefield, the Bill was thrown out; and the Committee at the same time strongly intimated their opinion that they would be under the necessity of throwing out all the other lines before the Committee. Mr. Sergeant WILKINS then claimed to be heard as a landowner against the opposing schemes of the North Midland Railway and the Leeds and Dewsbury Railway. The CoM➢UITEE stated that should any alteration take place in their opinions after having herrd the speeches of Mr. Temple, for the Leeds and Dewsbury Railway, and Mr. Baines, for the North Midland Railway, they would hear him. Mr. TEMPLE and Mr. BAINES then addressed the Com mittee on behalf of the Leeds and Dewsbury Railway, and the North Midland. The COMMITTEE then decided that they would hear Mr. Sergeant Wilkins on behalf of the Manchester and Leads Railway. At the conclusion of the Learned Sergeant's addresy, the Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow. GROUP XXXV. The Select Committee appointed to consider the Bills in this group re-assembled at the usual hour this morning; the Marquis of Granby in the chair. TILE MAST MAN CAS/EIRE (CMXICELEROE EXTENSION). The whole of the day was occupied with the landholders' opposition to this line. This Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP ma. This Committee re-assembled at the usual hour this morn ing; Lord Charles Wellesley in the chair. YORK AND NEWCASTLE (PURCHASE OP THE HARTLEPOOL DOCKS.) The Committee were occupied the whole of the day inves tigating this case. The evidence, however, was purely of a general character. The Committee adjourned at the usual hour. GROUP XLIIL The Committee met again this morning at the usual hour ; Mr. Protheroe in the chair. vrwrzitronmo AND LINZERICE. The Cmttuarax then formerly declared that the preamble of the Bill with respect to the Bansha deviation, had been proved ; he intimated yesterday that the Committee were of this opinion, but he was not in a position to make a formal • declaration of that opinion as the Railway Commissioners had then made their report with respect to the finances of the case. The report was laid before the Committee this after noon, and he was therefore now enabled to do so. The clauses, with some amendments, especially one, which was agreed to between the parties with respect to the way in which Mr. Baker's property should be treated, were then agreed to. The remaining deviations sought to be made by the Bill were from Kilsheland to Lisnamuck, and from Garnavella to Town Parks, near Caher, both in the county of Tipperary, which being unopposed were at once agread to. The works on the main line, which was passed last session, are proceeding with great activity. Twenty-seven miles between Limerick and Tipperary will be opened to the public in the course of a few days. The report was then agreed to, and Mr. PROTHEILO intimated that he would report the fa vourable decision of the Committee to the House. The Committee then broke up. GROUP XLVIII. This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock; Lord Courtenay in the chair. GLASGOW, AIRDRIE, AND DIONNZANDS (COWLAIRS, CARDITZE, AND CENTRAL JUNCTION BRANCHES). Evidence on behalf of this scheme was resumed. Mr. Reid, traffic manager of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, deposed that at present the goods passing between the Ayrshire and Edinburgh and Glasgow Railways yearly was 52,667 tons, and the passengers 82,000. The junction over the Clyde would greatly extend this. 2 Mr. Worthie corroborated the traffic evidence of the pre vious witness. great amount of goods traffic from the east of Scotland Mr. Worthie, carrier of Stirling, gave evidence as tothtoe Glasgow and the west of Scotland. poßseldr. t A h r a c t h t tl g d , 00 a d s sv m oo a l n le a t 750,0001., o f which about three-fourths were westwar d. Th e flacmanufacturerfact A o i f i 0 S a cotlan districtd, w d a e s - Mr. Phillip, merchant of Leith, was examined. to a similar effect, as it regarded the imports of Leith, going westward. Mr. Thompson Potter, of Glasgow,gave similar evidence as to the exp or t ed accommodation. g After some similar evidence, The Committee adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock. GROUP L. The Committee met at twelve o'clock. Mr. Banks in the chair. KILDIARNOCE. AND AYR, DIRECT. Mr. WIIATELEY, Q.C., said parties had considered the recommendation of the Chairman as to withdrawing the Bill, and were only constrained to go on by the heavy tolls which were exacted on minerals upon the Troon branch of the Ayr line. If the Committee could save the public against these impositions they were prepared to withdraw the Bill. The CHAHtMAN, after consideration of several suggestions made on behalf of the Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, said the Committee must endeavour to arrange the tolls in question by clauses, and declared the preamble not proved. The Committee then proceeded with the clauses of the GLASGOW, X.XLIVIARNOCH, & ARDROSSAN, which were read and agreed to. The clauses of the GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND MULLET, were read and agreed to. GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GnEENOCIC, (AMENDMENTS AND DEVIATIONS). GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GREENOCIL, (BRANCH TO PORT GLASGOW). The preambles of these Bills being unopposed, Were de clared proved, and the clauses were then read and agreed to. The Committee closed their sittings. GROUP LI. THE CALEDONIAN (CANONBIE, &c.) This Committee was occupied the whole morning in arranging the clauses of this Bill ; Sir J. Y. Buller, chairman. The Committee adjourned till 11.1onday, to give the pro moters an opportunity of introducing a clause, gr a ntin g power (under certain restrictions) to the D um f r i es C ompany to work the line from Springfield to Carlisle. COMMITTEES on PRIVATE BILLS. (THIS DAY.) COMMERCIAL GAS-LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY (SURREY). CROYDON COMMERCIAL GAS COMPANY. The Committee to whom these Bills had been referred met today in No. 7 Committee-room, General Logan in the chair. The COMMITTEE, after hearing evidence in favour of the -first-mentioned Bill, declared that its preamble had been proved. They then adjourned without having entered into the investigation of the second Bill, which will be taken at an next meeting of the Committee. SANDWICH HAVEN. The Committee met again to-day, in No. 17, Committee. room, at twelve o'clock, when further evidence in favour a this Bill was adduced. The witnesses agreed in stating that the dredging of the water would be productive of the greatest good to the naviga tion, and might be accomplished at no great outlay of capital. Adjourned until Monday. LIVERPOOL GAS COMPANY—LIVERPOOL GUAR DIAN GAS COMPANY—ASHTON GAS COMPANY. The Committee reassembled again this morning, at the usual hour. Evidence in favour of the first-mentioned Bill was con tinned. Its object is to extend the operations of the com pany, and to increase the capital to 200,0001. It is opposed by the second-mentioned company, and by the corporation and some of the rate-payers, consumers of gas. Mr. Milard, the accountant to the company, was examined at great length with respect to the past operations of the company, and as to the necessity for increasing the supply of gas to the inhabitants. - Adjourned until Monday. SAFFRON WALDEN RATES BILL. The Committee net at twelve; Mr. Gisbourne in the chair and read and agreed to the clauses of the Saffron Waldon Rates Bill. They then rose. METROPOLITAN SEWAGE MANURE. After hearing Mr. Hopwood against the Bill, the Com mittee declared the preamble proved. AYR HARBOUR BILL. After hearing some evidence on behalf of the Bill, the Committee decided that the preamble was not proved. SWANSEA DOCKS. The Committee on this Bill met this morning at twelve o'clock, Mr. Hodgson Hinde in the chair. The object of the Bill is to obtain power for the construction of docks at the port of Swansea, and it is opposed on behalf of the harbour trustees, who apprehend injury to the piers and quays. Mr. HILL, Q.C., replied in behalf of the promoters, show ing that there were clauses in this Bill which would oblige them to. repair any damage they might occasion to the pro perty of the trustees. LIVERPOOL WATERWORKS. The Committee met this morning—Sir J. Johnson in the chair —and proceeded with the opposition of the landowners, Mr. Winstanley, the eminent surveyor, and several other witnesses, being examined to show the injury that would be done to property by the construction of the works, especially to that of Mr. Benderley, of whose land 135 acres are to be taken. A HINT TO PAPER MANUFACTURERS..—We copy the following from a recent number of the New Zealand Spectator and Cooll's Strait Guardian, (Dec. 9,) published at Wellington :—" We must apologise to our readers for being obliged, from the unusual scarcity of printing paper in the colony, to publish the Spectator on blotting paper. We are in daily expectation of receiving a fresh supply of paper by the next arrivals, when we hope to be relieved from the in convenience of our present dilemma." BANK OF ENGLAND. (From this night's Gazette.) £.n Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Wecii ending on Saturday, the Bth clay of May, 1847. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notesissued........ 22,783,855 Government debt .. 11,015,100 Other securities •• • • 2,98 1,900 Gold coin and bullion 7,307,616 Silver btdliou .... • • 1,481,239 £22,788,85E. £22,788,855 MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. 17. Dated the 13th day of May, 18 BANKING 1:., £• Proprietors' capital.. 14,553,000 Rest .. .. .. •..... .. 3,419,164 Public deposits (in- TPARTMEN T. Government securi ties (including Dead 'Weight Annuity) .. 10,308,141 Other securities •• • 16,311,7k1 Notes Gold and silver coin.. 799,904 eluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Say- ings-banks, and Di vidend accounts)• • 2,870,109 )ther deposits ••• • • • 8,930,328 Seven day and other bills .• .. • • .... 813,760 X 30,616,361 430,616,361 MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 13th day of May, 184' MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the Landon New Price Current of May 14.) SUGAR.—To-day any further advance in the value of Raw Sugar was arrested by the increased quantities brought to market, still all parties were desirous to operate, and the supply did not exceed the demand. The biddings were spirited at the various public sales, the detailed particulars of which will be found under their respective heads. 'West India was disposed of to a fair extent, and all kinds sustained the former worth; the quantity sold was 450 hhds, making the total sales for the week 1870 hhds and trcs—the rise during that time has amounted to 6d to is per cwt. REFINED. —A considerable improvement has taken place in the demand for Refined Sugar for home consumption this week, and prices havo risen Is 6d to 2s per cwt, although is good, and th e re fi ners cont i nu i ng to wor k with pl every probability th a t t h ey w i ll keep so, as pr i ces a encouraging. All d escr i pt i ons have b een exten sively dealt in by the town and country trade. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon Bengal Sugar was in ex cellent demand, and the parcels offered at public sale, amounting to 6,180 bags and 145 chests, were sold, but in some cases at easier rates. MAURITIUS. —This afternoon the quantity of Mauritius Sugar offered at public sale was large, and amounted to 10,522 bags, still the demand was active, and the whole sold at prices, in some cases, r a th er un d er those that existed previously. FOREIGN.—This afternoon at public sale of 210 hds Porto Rieo Sugar were taken in —low yellow at 45s 6i to 465, mid dling 47s to 48s, good 48s 6d. CGOOA.—For Foreign prices continue high, but there are not many buyers, and 43s to 45s is the value of grey Guaya qiull. British Plantation has been operated in with caution ; there is a better supply. On Tuesday 214 bgs of Grenada at auction were taken in at 52s for middling rather dull red, and at 51s for dull ditto being about the previous value. The arrivals are exceeding those of the previous season. COFFEE.—This afternoon at public sale 133 bags of Plan tation Ceylon were sold, but at barely former rate:, viz—low mid colory 58s to 60s fine fine ord 533 to 565, and damaged 50s to ses 6d; 141 bls Mocha were taken in—good yellow long berry at 755, mid 70s, low mid mixed greenish 58s ; 3 trcs Jamaica fine fine ord 58s 6r; 422 bags of Mysore were taken in at 30s to 35s for ord and good ord mixed. Native Ceylon is wanted, and goes ordinary at 375. TEA. —There has been more desire evinced to operate in Congou this week, and a fair quantity of all kinds have been disposed of by private treaty ; but holders have been free sellers upon reduced terms, and the supply is plentiful. Pouchong is little wanted, and is offered upon rather lower terms In the low and mid sorts of Green several purchases have been made : but in some cases rather lower rates are again taken ; fine and good sorts have been sold to a fair ex tent, but at better prices. For scented Tea the market is very dull, and prices are looking down. The trade are com plaining of the low rates at which Tea is selling. SPICES.—To-dav at public sale 138 boxes of Cassia Lignea were taken in at 56s 6d for ood ordinary third pile, which is above the value. 193 bags g Pimento sold at rather lower rates. Mace is less wanted, and at public sale 20 chests went 2d per lb under former rates. For Nutmegs the demand is not so good, and 67 chests 15 bags went at a fall on former rates of 2d to 3d. Of Malabar Pepper 371 bags went at 3Ld for good heavy. 421 bags of Cloves were taken in at Bid to 9d for Zanzibar and Bourbon. litca.—To-day the market was plentifully supplied with East India Rice, and there being little desire evinced to operate, a fall in the value of most sorts took place. At auction 2,538 bags of Madras were offered, but a part only found buyers at 3d to 6d decline for yellow and pinky white —the best white, however, brought full rates. SAGO.—Although there are sellers upon rather lower terms, yet the amount of business transacted has been to a small extent only by private treaty, and at auction 780 chests of small Pearl we retaken in at 30s to 31s 6d for good white, and at 32s per cwt for fine. Sago Flour is wanted. Tapioca sells more freely at 3d to 4%d. Arrowroot is yet little wanted. COCHINEAL.-- Importers continue to be eager sellers, and submitted to further reduced rates for every kind, yet ex porters and the home trade operated with reluctance, and the quantity brought to market exceeded their wants. Prices are much lower than they were in 184 G at this time. Hors.—The market has an improving appearance for all descriptions of Hops, in the better sorts large purchases have been made, and at rather higher rates; whilst in the lower kinds a fair business hes been done, and in some cases at better prices. SPIRITS. —All descriptions of Rum have met with increased attention, and a further improvement in the value has taken place. In all sorts of Jamaica a good business has been transacted by exporters and the home trade at prices show ing an advance on those of last Friday of 2d per gallon. The total sales amount to 500 puns. Demerara has been iu ex cellent demand, and it is 2d to 3d dearer than on Friday last. Leeward Island is much wanted, but business has been much interfered with by the advanced rates insisted upon. East India has been sold to a fair extent at the advanced rates of 3s Id to 3s 2d for proof Calcutta. Brandy has been operated with caution for all purposes, and there is a strong desire to realize, as the stock is very large. and arrivals near at hand. Geneva is wanted for exportation, and prices are higher. Fine for home use in good demand. For British Corn Spirits the demand is very good. Gin cannot at present be quoted I f higher. INDIGO.—To-day 874 chests have passed the sale. Dur ing the progress proprietors have again withdrawn 797 chests. There was decidedly more disposition on the part of buyers to come forward, and more briskness in the biddings, but although we cannot quote any improvement on ordinary and defective descriptions of Bengal, the prices of good and sound sorts were a shade higher than on the three previous days. The quantity bought in this day is 132 chests. 6,750 chests have now passed the sale, of which 2,250 chests are sold. _ _ Oirs.—This afternoon, at public sale, 142 pkgs of Cocoa Nut Oil fetched 48s to 48s 9d for fine. 85 tuns Sperm in part sold at 88/. to 891. 15s for Colonial, and 1111. for Head matter. 127 tuns of Southern sold at 26/. to 271 lOsforgood and fine, and at 241. to 25/. 103 for low and middling. TALww.—For home made 46s 6d to 47s have been taken nett cash, the supply being large, and the demand limited. Russian on the spot at present has not suffered a further de cline in the value, but the trade have operated with reluct ance at 47s to 47s 6d per cwt on the spot for fine Petersburg yellow Candle, but lower rates are expected to prevail. For delivery in the last three months of the year there has been only a small amount of business done at 45s to 45s 6d per cwt. All other kinds of Tallow are heavy of disposal. IMPERI eIL PARLIAMENT (THIS E VENIN G.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CEIANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. A number of Bills were brought up from the House of Commons. THE TOWNSHEND PEERAGE _ _ _ Mr. AUSTIN concluded his address in this case shortly before the assembling of their Lordships. After which a number of papers were handed in, and attested by witnesses on oath at the bar. The Bill was then read a second time. TUE FACTORY BILL. Lord FAVERSHAM presented a petition from Leeds, signed by 28,300 persons, in favour of this Bill. IMMIGRATION OF IRISH PAUPERS. Lord CAMPBELL said he had a petition to present from Liverpool. It had been sent him on account of his connexion with the Duchy of Lancaster. They com plained that, since the Ist of January of the present year, 150,000 destitute Irish paupers had migrated into Liverpool, taking up their residence in the town and neighbourhood, taking possession of cellars condemned as human habitations ; and that in these places fever, small-pox, and dysentry had broken out. They prayed that their Lordships, in order to save them from not only this pressure upon the poor-rates, but from the con tagion which was spreading into every quarter. LUNATIC ASYLUMS BILL. The NOBLE AND LEARNED LORD moved that this Bill should go into Committee pro forma. The Duke of RICHMOND was opposed to the pro gress of this Bill. He had opposed the original Bill, but the present changed the only redeeming parts of that old Bill. Lord CANIPBELL said it would be committed pro forma, and ample opportunity for discussion would be offered when it was in Committk•e. The Bill then went through Committee pro forma. EDUCATION. The Bishop of EXETER gave notice that he would, on Tuesday next, ask the Government a question, in regard to a communication made to a deputation of Dis senters on the subject of education. POOR REMOVAL ACT. The Earl of FORTESCUE presented several peti Lions in favour of the Poor Removal Act. TEN HOURS' BILL The Earl of STANLEY presented several petitions in favour of the Ten Hours' Bill. One of them had received ten thousand signatures. Lord BROUGHAM presented several petitions to the same effect. The Duke of RICHMOND presented four petitions from the West-Riding of Yorkshire, which were also to the same effect. Lord FAVERSHAM presented a petition to the same effect. which had received the signature of twenty-eight thousand persons. IRISH POOR RELIEF BILL. The Earl of FITZ WILLIAM moved for a return from each rateable district, whether union, elec toral division, or otherwise, of the rates struck, levied, or in arrear, under the provisions of the Act for the temporary relief of destitute persons; also, an account of the number of persons, distinguish ing males and females, adults and children, to be relieved in each district, according to those provisions of the said Act, by which the lists of such persons are to be made ont within each division; also, a return of the estimates made by the relief committee of each electoral division, of the sum needed from time to time for the purchase of food, under the provisions of clause 7 of the said Act ; and also a statement of the rate per cent. of the rates, whether struck or levied upon the valuation of the district according to the poor-law valuation. lie had asked his Noble Friend to give him some infor mation upon these points, but he was unable to do so, and he was therefore most anxious that the House should have such documents in their possession, as would en able them to come to a sound and accurate judgment. And he could assure the House that there was a great difference between rates struck and rates levied.— (Laughter.) It was quite easy for the officer to strike a rate, but it was quite another matter to collect it. After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM, The Marquis of LANSDOWNE suggested that the Noble Lord should postpone the motion which he had submitted to the House. After some further conversation, Earl FITZ WILLIAM consented to postpone his motion until Monday. LEFT SITTING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEA.YER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed : British American Land Company. Van Diemen's Land Company. REPORTS. The reports on th© following Bills were brought up:— Braintree and Halstead Railway. Dublin and Drogheda Railway (Branch from Navan to Bells). Enfield and Edmonton Railway Extension. Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland (Extension from Athlone to Galway). Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland (Newcastle, Anniskinnan, and Baltrasna Deviations). South Staffordshire Railway (Cannock, Wyrley, and Norton Branches, &c.) Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks. Westminster Improvements. The reports on the following Bills were considered and agreed to :—Dublin Consumers Gas ; Edinburgh Mar kets and Customs ; Leith Harbour and Docks Dues ; Runcorn Gas, THIRD READING S. The following Bills were read a third time and passed :7. Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Peterbo rough and Thorney line). Chard Canal and Railway (Extension and Amalgama- Lion). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway (No. 4). Herne Bay and Canterbury Junction Railway. Liskeard and Caradon Railway. Southampton and Dorchester Railway (New Fores Deviation and Branches). South Wales Rail way. Vale of Neath Railway. Wexford and Valencia Railway (Killarney to Valencia) Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway (No. 1— Bruton, Pitcombe, and Roddea and Bradford De. viations). Wolverhampton Rates. DERBYSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE, AND WOR• CESTERSHIRE JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. H. BERKELEY moved, " That the Select Com mittee on Group 26 have leave to proceed with the Der byshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire Junction Railway Bill on Monday next, notwithstanding the seven clear days' notice, required by Standing Order 14S, will not have expired until Thursday next." Agreed to. Bei:. BLACKSTONE withdrew the motion of which he had given notice—", That the Committee on Group 26 be allowed to proceed with the North Staffordshire Rail way (Alterations and Branches) Bill, and the North Western Railway (Birmingham and Lichfield Line) Bill, in the absence of the report from the Railway Commis sionners WINDSOR RAILWAY BILL. Mr. C. RUSSELL moved, pursuant to notice, that the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee on the Windsor Railway Bill, and the London and South- Western Railway (Richmond to Staines and Windsor, &c.) Bill, and the evidence taken in support of the pre amble of the Bills, be laid upon the table of the House. After a short discussion, Mr. STRUTT stating that he had no objection, The motion was agreed to. HIGH PRICE OF FOOD. —ONE-POUND NOTES. Mr. SPOONER presented a petition, numerously signed by landlords, merchants, manufacturers, and by a great number of the working classes of Birmingham, stating that they felt great anxiety and alarm in consequence of the high price of food, and the rapidly diminishing demand for labour, that symp toms of outrage had already appeared in con sequence, and pr a yi ng t h at every f ac ility might given by th e H ouse for the introduction o f f oo d into the country ; and e x p ress i ng t h e i r o pi n ion, that if the Bank of Engla n d were a ll owed to i ssue 11. notes—(Laughter) for—in t the order purposetl iat the i:)f s o o r v o e b r a e e i f li n g s might food, thatbe s eat great at step would thus be m a de to mitigate the evil of . which they .ith complained, goldbt aa: by in factany other . food could d a o b s. e more easily obtained Mr. IC MEDICALEMB LE the Medi ca l R eg istration Bill. presentedß EG IS Tfi lyteATl petitionsO N BILL. in f avo u r of fa v S o i o r r ß o E f N t b iT e A m A e l d l Petitions in favour of this Bill were Bteidlia.flsoourprpeesteintitocnlsbi}n. L i s t rpartei,os presented Mr. Parker. STITUTION BILL. Mr. Macaulay, CapiNctaailiinßAAeLg'Court Sir De Lacy Evans, and TRADING IN PRO reading of this MIL s h ou ld move the second , gave notice that, on . Monday, he Mr. SPOCOONNE EATFICOTE presented a petition from t h e lON OF MALT. Sir J. H CONSUMPTION r .1. members of a temperance society, complaining of the consumption of malt in distilleries during the existing distress. ___ NAVIGATION LAWS. Sir J. HANMER presented a petition from a number of shipowners against any alteration of these laws. COUNTY TOWNS BILL. Mr. DAVID BARCLAY presented several petitions in favour of the County Towns Bill. COURT OF SESSION. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from the board of session in Dundee complaining of the conduct of the authorities, and praying for an inquiry. HEAETII OF TOWNS BILL. Mr. KINNEARD presented petitions from the printers and compositors of various towns in favour of the Health of Towns' Bill. PARLIAMENTARY FEES. Mr. HUME, in rising to move the following resolu tions—That the: table of fees which was laid upon the table of the House upon the 6th day of May, be now read. That the several tables of fees and resolutions relating to fees of the 22d day of February 1731, the 19th day of June 1746, the 13th day of June 1751, the 2d day of July 1801, the 4th day of April 1803, the 18th day of May 1813, the 4th day of July 1822, the 16th day of F e b ruary 1829, and the 22d day of July 1830, be repealed from the time the new table of fees shall commence. That the said table be agreed to, and shall commence from the end of the pre sent session of Parliament. That the said table of fees be made a standing order of this House— said that it would probably be in the recollection of the House that the Committee up stairs had recommended an alteration in the fees of the House. Agreeably to that report the House agreed to a resolution, by which the Speaker was requested to revise those fees, and to form them into a table which would be intelli gible to all parties, which the exiiting tables were not. The evidence stated that it was impossible, and the Cleik of the House could not even explain why many of the fees were charged, nor was this to be wondered at, when he found that they had been instituted and agreed to by that House, in different periods, from the year 1731, The table of these fees was now in the possession of every Hon. Member, and in order that they might pre pare for the next session of Parliament, timely notice ought to be given to all parties concerned. He b( gged, therefore, to move that the table of fees, laid on the table of the House on the 6th of May, be then read. The table of fees was then read and agreed to. RAILWAY COMPANIES CAPITAL. Mr. HUME then moved the following resolution : "That no railway company which, by any Act or Acts of Parliament is now authorised to construct, purchase, or take on lease any line or lines of railway, shall by any future Act receive power to raise additional capital by shares, loan, or mortgage, for the completion or ex tension of suck line or lines, orfor the purchase or taking (LEFT SPEAKING.) THE LONDON GAZETTF. (THIS EVENING.) LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, MAY 14, 1847. Orders for the Court's going into mourning on Sunday next, the 16th instant, for his late Imperial Highness the Arch-Duke Charles of Austria, uncle of the Emperor, :—The Ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen, white glaves, necklaces and ear-rings, black or white shoes, fans, and tippets. The gentlemen to wear black, full trimmed, Cringed or plain linen, black swords and buckles. The Court to change the mourning, on Sunday, the 231 instant, viz. :—The ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribbons, fans, and tippets, or plain white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuffs, with black rkbens. The gentlemen to wear black coats, and black or plain white, or white and golo, or' white and silver stuff waistc9ats, full trimmed, coloured swords and buckles.. And, on Wednes day the 26th instant, the Court to go out of mourning. WAR-OFFICE. 2d Dragoon Guards—Lieutenant Charles Edward Walker, from the 6th Dragoon Guards, to be Lieutenant, vice Carter, who exchanges, May 14. 6th Dragoad Guards—Lieutenant Vavasour Carter, from the 2d Dragoon Guards, to be Lieutenant, vice Walker, who exchanges, May 14. Ist Regiment of Foot—Ensign Richard George Coles to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Gurdon, who retires, May 14. Charles Biset Fenwick, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Cules, May 14. 3d Foot—Captain the Hon. Charles William stafford Jer ningham, from halt-pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice John Terry Liston, who exchanges; Lieutf Charles Wm. Green, to be Captain by purchase; vice Green; Ensign Richard George Amherst Luard, to be Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Green, May 14. John Lewes, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Luard, May 14. Smith Ramadge, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Syms, promoted in the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, May 15. sth Foot—Lieutenant John Henry Chads, from the 57th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Munro, who exchange, May 14. 21st Foot—Lieutenant Alfred Andrews to be Captain, without purchase. vice King, who retires upon full-pay; Second Lieutenant Philip Charles Deere ' to be First Lieu tenant, vice Andrews ; John Thomas Dalyell, Gent. to be Second Lieutenant, vice Deere, May 14. 36th Foot—John James Peck, Gent., to be Ensign, with out purchase. vice Low, who resigns, May 14. 40th Foot—To be Captains, by purchase : Lieut. John W. Thomas, vice Smith, who retires; Lieut. Robert Carey, vice Seymour, who retires. To be Lieutenants, by purchase : Ensign Hans Thomas Fell White, vice Thomas; Ensign Richard Jehu Lechmere Coore, vice Carey, May 14. To be Ensigns, by purchase.—Rogers Parker Hibbert, Gent., vice White, May 14 ; Thomas William Gardiner, Gent., vice Coore, May 15. To be Adjutant—Lieutenant Samuel Snelling, vice Thomas, promoted, May 14. 41st Foot—Ensign Fleming Gough Howell Games Wil liams to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Neville, who re tires; Charles Yelverton Balguy, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase. vice Williams. May 14. bith Foot—Lieutenant Hector Monro, from the sth Foot, to be Lieutenaut, vice Chads, who exchanges, May 14. 68th Foot—Lieutenant William Hugh Hedges Carmichael to be Captain, by purchase, vice Rhodes, who retires; En sign George Hugh Alington, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Carmichael; Charles Samuel Nicol, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Alington, May 14. 69th Foot—Captain William ill'lnroy, from half-ray Un attached, to be Captain, vice John Home Purves, who ex changes; Lieutenant Percival Fenwick to be Captain, by purchase, vice M'lnroy, who retires, May 14. by purchase, vice Colville, May 14. Ensign Thomas Harvey to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Fenwick ; Edward Hazlefoot Pask, Gent, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Harvey, May 14 70th Foot—Lieutenant Archibald John Oliver Rutherfurd, to be Adjutant, vice Alms, promoted, May 14. 74th Foot—Lieutenant Fitzhardinge William Longuet Hancock to be Captain, without purchase, vice Campbell, who retires upon full pay, May 14. Rifle Brigade—Lieutenant the Hon. Richard Charteris to be Captain, by purchase, vice Reynard, who retires ; Se cond Lieutenant William Charles Colville to be First Lieu tenant, by purchase, vice Charteris, May 14. Francis Walter Balfour, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Colville, May 14. 2d West India Regiment—Allan Robertson, Esq., to be Paymaster, May 14. 3d West India Regiment—Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Maclean, from half-pay Unattached, to be Lieut.-Colonel, vice Charles Hastings Doyle, who exchanges, May 15. Royal Newfoundland Companies—Lieutenant Allan Men zies, from half-pay 3d Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Hunt, promoted, May 14. UNATTACHED.—Major Alexander M'Lean, from 3d West India Regiment, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, without purchase, May 14. gßzvET.—Captain the Honourable Charles William Staf ford Jerningham, of the 3d Eoot, to be Major in the Army ; Captain Wiliam M'lnroy. of 69th Foot, to be Major in the Army, Nov. 9, 1846. MEMORANDM—The Christian names of Captain Wyn yard, on half-pay Unattached, are Henry Buckley Jenner. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire. 2d Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia.— Honourable Henry Thomas Stanley to be Colonel, vice the Earl of Derby, resigned, May 8. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Queen's Own Royal Regiment of Staffordshire Yeomanry Cavalry—Thomas Percival Heywood, Gent., to be Cornet, vice Blackistone, promoted, May 10. Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Denbighshire. Denbighshire Yeomanry Cavalry—Thomas .Edgworth, Esq., to be Captain, vice Mainwaring, resigned ; Thomas Humphries, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vice Edgworth, pro moted; Richard Johnson, Gent., to be 'Comet, v i ce Hum phries, promoted ; Joseph Peers, jun., Gent., to be Lieu tenant, vice Jones, promoted. ADMIRALTY, MAY 13. _ _ The following promotions have this day taken place, con. sequent upon the death of Admiral Stephen Poynt a : Admiral of the Blue Henry Richard Glynn to be Admira of the White. Vice-Admiral of the Red the Right Hon. James Marquis of Thomond, G.C.H., to be Admiral of the Blue. Vice Admiral of the White Sir Edward Durnford King, Kt., K.C.H., to be Vice Admiral of the Red. Vice Admiral of the Blue Matthew Buckle to be Vice Ad miral of the White. Rear Admiral of the Red the Hon. George Elliot, C. 8., to be Vice Admiral of the Blue. Rear Admiral of the White John Ayscough to be Rear Admiral of the Red. 0111011 1 Rear Admiral of the Blue Jamks Whitley Deans pandas, C. 8., to be Rear Admiral of the White. Captain Edward Wallis Hoare to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. ADMIRALTY, MAY Corps of Royal Marines—First Lieutenant Samuel Netter ville Lowder to be Adjutant, vice Langley, pr.omoted. Second Lieutenant Fermor Bonnyeastie Gritton to be First Lieutenant, vice Lowder. Gentleman Cadet George Baza l ge tte to be Second Lieutenant. Gough WCallum to be Se con d Gentleman Cadet Edwa rd Lieutenant. Gentleman Cadet Richard Turberville Ansell to be Second Lieutenant. Gentleman Cadet George Henry Wand to be Second Lieutenant. Gentleman Cadet John Poore, to be Second Lieutenant. WHI MAT 8. The Lord Chancellor has appointed John llemmant, of Whittlesey, in the county of Cambridge, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. DECLARATIONS OF INSOLVENCY, Edward Jones, jun., paper manufacturer, Watling-street, city.. Thomas Lane, commission agent, Bi . rmingham. BKRUPTS Thomas Lett, builder, Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire. Cristopher Green, wharfinger, Southwark. S a muel Waters, baker, Luton, B e df ordshire. John Charles Barratt, picture dealer, Strand. Henry Morant, fishmonger, Connaught-terrace, Edgeware road. Robert Ker Aitchison, wine merchant, Great Windmill ticeet, Haymarket. Robert Selby, wine merchant, Burleigh-street, Strand. George Heathcote and Robert Heathcote, coach masters, Clapham. Peter Colston, silk merchant, Ashley -crescent, City-road. Richard Arthur, grocer, Aylesbury. William and amuel Edge, earthenware manufacturers, Fenton, Staftbrdshire. George Staley, grocer, Manchester. Mark Woodward, victualer, Basford, Nottinghamshire. John Laybourne, printer, Manchester. Robert Lees, cotton spinner, Bottoms, Lancashire. Charles, L. Roberta, merchant, Manchester. Robert Ballantyne, merchant, Liverpool. Thomas Wright, ironmonger, Birkenhead. John Scott, victualler, Llanidloee, Montgomeryshire. John Chambers, victualler, Masborough, Yorkshire. PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed From the returns made in the week ending May 11, 1847, is 295. 11%d. cwt. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS. A:8 13. LAW OF MARRIAGE Mr. STUART WORTLEY presented several pea"' ns tio from various places in the north-west on so m thee subject of the law of marriage , praying that alteration might be made. Among th e petitioners were; 123 clergymen, 126 solicitors, 6 m a y ors of towns, and 24 common councillors and taking the whole of the petitioners together there were not less than 1,062 membes of he board of ln the present!' don of r theee t petitions hewonwould not disguise the truth that he was personally desirous of effecting some change in . the law of marriage. But in doi n g so, he was Rer,: tectly aware that he was aroac hing a subject in *he; there was much delicacy and difficulty i nvo lved, and o whi c h man y arg uments had been stated quite irreleettae to the subject. Now, with respect to the object of in; motion which he had to submit , h e would say t hs the House had been pressed in 1841, Wotl T a r one, whose absence from that House all ow regret, if it were not known that was rd engaged in a better place. His Friend yo Ellesmere—(Cheers)—had again, in 1842, renewed.ohri: motion, and in a House when only 290 Members• present lost his cause only by Since that tine five years had passed. and the quest; _ had every day been gaining ground, and was now e stronger than ever, for it was necessary to : et at rest the slightest of a reat number of families. He did not . 11 , f a majority of tweatoya in the degree to disguise the matter bef ore House. Ile did not desire to disturb the general lava; marriage, bat he would nut be deal in g fairly with wo House if he did not state that his object was the sa as that which had been advocated by Lord Eileen:l.r% for he desired to obtain the repeal of the law we!'s' a. prohibited a marriage with the sister of actdeeased It But under whatever circumstances that A might ha ve for been passed, it had totally failed to effect the object the which it was framed. Its effect, instead of renderingio law more certain, had the effect of rendering ohje th° c s o f still more uncertain than it was before. The v oid the Act intended by Lord Lyndhurst was to c m a a si k o c n , his those marriages. And, upon a subsequent oc , at {gill Lordship said that it was not his intention by t", into , to set the question at rest. This Bill was brougalts3s the House of Lords by Lord Lyndhurst in Ju n : w b e re the Bill, as originally introduced, enacted, t hs b " held marriages had taken place, they siw ul ; e which good and valid, but with respect to War' s :" t t hey might afterwards take place, it was enacted O a , l a ce should be held as actually void. No discussion took upon the stages of the Bill in the house C °a ' s Subsequently, however, the second clause was r e . s . -t 0 ( e n. Now that was the history of the Act ; altu e de" Gentlemen would take the trouble to look to t , bate which arose on the occasion of its wculd find that a feeling then prevailed t he e disc ussed that the subject ought to be more iniuutely and considered in another session. A "wbtr(i)etts"of spectable persons made an inquiry in some numb f or the the country, which occupied them three m onths , __ , the purpose of obtaining some statistical inforinstionL had k' passing,litoiVo subject, and they found that 1,648 case's , Pa io rlt' curred, exclusive of the marriages amongst ta e b ibitea fog classes, which vi ere within the F o r / 1 piece degree, as specified by the Act of 1845, 196 t AOO before the passing of the Act, and 1,364 since ; al' u s e, e ; of the whole number 1,501 were with deccasetaybi, sieters. One of the highest civil authorities 6 . t o formed him that he had induced many marry on account of the objections which 01 '0 / i o n of owing to their relationship ; and, with the eve l' s /bet e one case, he had invariably succeeded. Aleclisstrate* marriages, there were seventy contracted by mob c - io , e ses• barristers, and physicians, thirty by the ntiddleo so.; including, merchants, manufacturers tradesene en, persons,. snot : rise and it * had been calculated that ;here roast, t he least 6,000 of these marriages prohibited cione Act now existing, which affected , at leas t, s . t he persons. The principal object of the framersZfinalt Bill of 1835 was to render the law certain anor but the introduction of the clause rendering intlaY,.,seoe riages invalid, had counteracted the benevoletittra tions of the authors of the Bill, and bad can had haa most unhappiness in families, the heads of of t hese married in opposition to the Act. The n umber it, t his marriages amongst the lower classes was sroall,..ccuca to , might be accounted for by the fact, that or ba eu gether in a state of concubinage. Every made to expose the evils which existed from the of and to bring about a healthier state of the laW. eat judges the facts ascertained were laid before that enliv en J t he Mr. Justice Erle, whose elevation to the bench had si gn ica utmost satisfaction, and after devoting initeti eel in the to the subject—for he was one of the c ounse , itj t o n, Sussex peerage case—be etated it as his Arta Oat effort ire jtot, that notwithstanding the Act of 1835, marrieges __ a nd kind then objected to were valid,—(llear, hea r, v iew' prevailed, • , "T e doubt many other eminent men had supported the but still great unce rtaintya nd gre- - • k hung over many marriages, and a man narnedChabdrrgeel who had married his wite's sister, and who was c with bigamy, as he had married during the life of his was acquitted on the ground that it was an i n valid mg. w ri a ag s e no i w n paecacodrid4nactetwheithcothuretAcicftQeufeeinB3,l3sl3. geandebt.heTchaesne riages contracted abroad. Some said a marriage riages diversity of opinion prevailed with respect to T ar; solemnised abroad between uarties who had gen e i abroad for that purpose, and wlio immediately afterwar7 came back to this country was a valid marriage, while others entertained an exactly opposite opinion, and one marriages were illegal. The question sas (In° which affected both rich and poor; but as the rich In s ,: sessed property and held titles that were expose"; much danger, and the transfer of property was rounded with difficulties, litigation, and interminab.! expense would be the result. One object of the Act ws' to relieve children from the suspense they were ill ( 14 ,... 1.- ing the lives of their parents, who had contracted riages not strictly legal, but the Act had not sec, 1 3 ; pushed the good for which it was designed; and ants distance of a century hence, the desce nd of persons who had contracted a marriage of t oo nature, might be called upon to show that their anima of were domiciled in Holland or Germany at the the e o f their marriage, so that they had not violated the lari t ei their own country. Thus every title in this c0t10..00 was insecure. In Scotland, for instance, ma is within the prohibited degrees, if they had taken p in an England, were valid.--(Hear, hear.) Now, thi s ou st. intolerable state of things, and ought no longer to c A petition in 1841 was presented to the House ofl:11-0/0 signed by 75 solicitors, complaining of the Of: h a d state of the law ; and another to the same elo c . rt w as been presented from a large bcdy of the clergY._ H o use under these circumstances that he asked tirthought to give him the means of making an inquirPrilr► bear.) he vv had made out a case for inquiry.--oa, ah the exception of some cantons in Swttz er s tate of Protestant eountry save this allowed such i ls , no el things m to exist. For instance, George IIL, wi n ' s " i n tit° _ a ar i riages were prohibited in this county,.wes b t of giving . dispensations for the solemnising 01,00ii la.r marriages in Hanover, a portion of the British meet o upot n a s. th T i h s oeocoanaliyo occasion i a objection that which ch Committeeball venturepoa to ! il l y this n i o ds j o c would raise a great feeling of doubt in the inasmuch families. With respect to this objection it was it didr h i tet s ci m ioeu u l c rd h , as doubts already existed ; but, even i L et . sioo. i was n p e rh t o , evae n r. o )t r hat ought to be, a valid e u i — w hr° H a e a had ua g m. numerous omaa cou c l i : 6 d se h s° : a b' t a l a iir d e . under the same roof with her deceased sister A o even The if f reath of scandal was too great for her to u f t he her care was necessary for the welfa re res t ehildren. He hadestablished that there was very / tha t doubt upon the subject, and he bad also pr therefore there were many cases of flagrant evil, he c oy considered mis that he had made out his case for a Litt' stole. The Noble Lord then read a petition frn fli etieg coin, signed by all the clergymen in that diocese, sk,oet that great and enormous evils arose from the Pr e f i r st ( a ) te of the law. His first intention was to seek - 01 from Committee but, from the lateness of the session, a sk rom a variety of other motives, he was desirous /body, for a Commission. The high character of such a bo ut the seal of confidence under which they could ,°,, 0 eo evidence, all imparted to such a plan the requistt much to be desired.—(Cheers G. .) 114-eao, After a few words from Sir GREY and Sirß. "oe Sir BERNAL OSBORNE said that he would not 0 10 th into the question. He only arose to tender his asks to the Hon. Member for h avin g brought forward this Bill. He formerly did not record his vote upon this question, as ho b ad not sufficiently made up his Olt u pon the subject , but ever y da y convinced him of IP necessity of doing something. 1)r. NICIIOLS said the same difficulty attended mar' riaire both within the prohibited degrees of coasan" guinity and affinity, and the law of England always coil; eidering the law of marriage to be in the r g" 11 c anonical disability, had never interfered. He could D el agAreien WATSON tothemoti t on. hought the state of as to demand inquiry, and he would the lsw wag eh' The motion was then agreed the motion. to.thereore suppo— I s M ir PR W O . IMPRO VEMENT OF FISHERIES (IRELANP2„O. A . RRON rose to move fora Select Coinall't• to inquire into the means of improving the fisheries and thereby . affording profitable Ireland,emp loy e me=lt.Ho said there were 400,000 individtl7 connected with the trade, but the Want His creaapaiotaal for rendered these fisheries unproductiv e. t he House had . Ireland were making the motion at present, was that voted large sums of money for the Se if which were fostered, while the fishers h a t the Irishwfiereh left unaided. The consequence wad, r o selling their s fiesrhiesatwearevcw.ryorhthiglehss,pwrihoeile thing would more efficiently benefit tbinethipereeSiocaponlett ofle° country whose fisheries were to be the subject of the 7; quiry which he proposed ; the best proof of w hich W the success that had attended the advances to lOW., and to Scotland on this head. The Hon. M ember en'. eluded by moving for a commission of inquiry. Mr. FREWEN seconded the motion. SO Mr. LABOUCHERE said he would not exprtoo. opinion different from that expressed by the bnile, Baronet, who had moved for the Committe e, as "" importance •f the .fisheries of Ireland. It was A CP., - a Lion which had occupied succeeding Goverruseento7l the House for many years, and there had boa th c- e r; missions of inquiry, so numerous, that e e — e al were documents on the tablet of the IG,c sufficient for information upon the ° WI— of Ho believed that the growth of the forttuleta, Scotland were to be attributed to the Rr i Zio enterprise, and not to any encourag emen t derivea T t o Government. At the same time, he was not preP_,„,,, are e at deny that these were the modes in which Get all r e r he might well and beneficially employ its influence, 7 tbta would instance two methods by which he thong voting do g benefit might be had. One of these modes was, by Ti e . grants of money to the building of fishery piers in ni u l oc ii rent parts of the coast of Ireland, where they Via . -6 0 01 wan tedeThe late Government had devoted a sum of so g l ire to this object, and the present Government had, mind manner, voted 40,0001. for the same purpose. The:Dugi mode was by erecting curing stations, Ifwm v WOW .40"