The Sun. — London, England, 1847-02-26 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 25. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. The Earl of CLARENDON laid on the table copies of letters relating to presentments under the boards of works in Ireland. PUBLIC \YORKS—COUNTY CLARE. Lord BROUGHAM wished to ask the Noble Earl if Captain Wynne's letter to th© board of works, with re ference to the transactions which had recently taken place on the public works in the county of Clare, had been laid on the table ? The Earl of CLARENDON replied that it had not. PUBLIC WORKSL-SLIGO. Lord BROUGHAM would be glad to know if the statement made with respect to the sons of a clergyman and a landowner, in the county Sligo, obtaining employ ment as inspectors on the public works in that county, were true, and if the Government had received any in formation on the subject. The Earl of CLARENDON replied that the Go vernment had reeeived no information on the subject, but if such appointments had been made he saw nothing objectionable in them if the parties appointed were pro perly qualified to discharge the duties of the situation, and it no local prejudice existed against thier appoint ment. IRISH TENANTS AND THE LONDON COM- PANIES. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY called the atten tion of the House to the peculiar position in which many of the tenants in the north of Ireland were placed on account of the land being let by middlemen under the London companies. He considered that these companies ought to be made to contribute to the support of the people who were destitute, as well as the other Irish proprietJrs. At present they did not do so, and the peculiar position in which they were placed had hitherto exempted them. He considered something ought to be done to remedy this state of things. Lord BROUGHAM said there could be no doubt that no distinction could be made between a company or any other private landlord. The one was just as liable as the other, and he apprehended the companies would be just as ready to contribute as a private landlord. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY asked the Noble and Learned Lord if he would guarantee his opinion. Lord BROUGHAM replied that it was not usual in the legal profession to guarantee opinions. After a few words from Lord CAMPBELL and the Marquis of CLANRICARDE, the matter dropped. The Earl of FINGAL presented a petition from a Board of Guardians, praying Goverment to adopt mea sures for providing seed for the ensuing harvest. The Earl of CLANCARTY gave notice of his inten tion, to-morrow, to ask Government if they proposed in the present session to introduce any measure for the medical relief of the poor of Ireland. TAXES ON SHIPPING. The Earl of RODEN presented a petition from the merchaLts and shipowners of the port and harbour of Drogheda, praying- for the abolition of the present sys tem of taxation on shipping. DAY OF HUMILIATION. The NOBLE EAra, also presented a petition from a parish in the county Carlow, praying that a solemn day of humiliation be appointed to supplicate the Almighty to avert the present awful calamity from,lreland; also a petition from Newt , iwnbarry, County Wexford, to the same effect. PROGRESS OF PUBLIC BUSINESS. Lord STANLEY gave notice that to-morrow he would put a question to his Noble Friend the President of the Council, as to the course which the Government intended to pursue with regard to public business. They were now in the sixth week of the session, :and it was a general eniplaint that there was at pre sent no business of any sort before the Mouse. This had frequently been a subject of complaint in former sessions, but he nev:er recollected so strong a case as the present one. At the meeting of the House this day, there was not a single Bill, nor any sort of business or notice before them, with the exception of one from his Noble Friend fixed for to-morrow. Farther than that, he understood that the Government intended to postpone till the 7th March the Bills which they proposed with reference to Ireland. He should therefore ask the Noble Marquis to-morrow what course her Majesty's Government intended to pur sue with regard to the prowess of public business. He should alEo put a question w ith regard to the nature of the duties proposed to dcvolve upon a commission recently appointed for the discha-ge of business hitherto intrusted to the Commissioners of the Duchy of Lancaster. LABOURING POOR (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the Earl of CLARENDON, this Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday. Their Lcrdshipi then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 25. The SPEAKEr took the Chair at Four o'c!ock. ECOND READINGS. The following Railway Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed : Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley Rail way (No. 2) Branches. Cornwall Railway. Dublin and Belfast Junction and Navan Branch Railway. Dublin and Dregheda Railway (Branch from Navan to hells). East of Fife Railway (Nlarkinch Deviation). Eastern Counties Railway (Ilford to Tilbury Fort and Southend, with a Branch from Vange to Battle Bridge). Great Northern Railway (Branches to Sleaford). Great North , :rn Railway (Extension to I.4 , eds and Wakefield, Deviation of Meade . ). Branch of Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole Railway). Great North , rn (Purchase of Ainhergate, Not tingham, and Boston ;in.l Eastern Junction Rail way, Sze ) o!dhana Alliance Railway. Paisley an,l Renfrew Pailwsy (Sale and Improv, , ment). t't. Helen's Cana! and It tilway (Warrington and Black brook Branches, &,7.) A number of Private Bills were brought in and read a first time. THE CHESTER. AND HOLYIIF,AD RAILWAY (EXTENSIONS AT cliEsru. ANI) HOLY HEAD) BILL. This Bill, which was on the paper to be read a second time this evening, was postponed till this day fortnight. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY BRANCHES BILL. Sir R. INGLIS presented a petition from the Cor poration of London, as trustees of St. Thomas's Hospital, against the branches and extension of the Great Western Railway Bill. NEWMARKF, ANI) CHESTERFORD RAILWAY BILL. This Bill was read a second time. IRISH POOR-LAW. Petitions for the amendment of this law were pre sented by Mr. Collett, from Athlone ; by Mr. IL Hind, from places in the county of Cork ; and by Mr. John O'Connell, from several places in Vferent parts of the country. REPEAL OF TILE RATE-PAYING; CLAUSES OF THE REFORM BILL. Mr. W. COWPER presented a petition from Hertford in favour of the repeal of these clauses, amidst the laughter of Mr. Thomas Dinv_!ombe and several Members near him, in which the lion. Member heartily joined. TENANT RIGH IS (IRELAND). Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition from Bel Shane, praying for the protection of the rights of out. going tenants in Ireland. THE TRUCK SYSTEM. Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE presented a petition, signed by nearly 40,000 members of the National Association for the Protection of Industry and the Employment of Labour, praying that the present punishment by pecuniary fine on masters who paid in goods might be exchanged for that of imprisonment, a prayer in which he heartily concurred. WILLOW WORKERS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE also pre ented a petition from the willow and straw manufacturers of London, stating the distressed condition of their trade, and praying the House to take measures for their relief. IRISH DISTRESS. Mr. J. O'CONNELL presentecra — pstitiou from the clergy of the district of New Ross. The petitioners stated that they were the clergy of half a million of people, and that unless some steps were promptly taken 13y the Government, that part of Ireland with which they were connected would be depopulated by famine. MINISTERS' MONEY. Mr. J. O'CONNELL also presented petitions from the Corporations of Dublin and Kilkenny praying for the abolition of ministers' money. POOR LAW—IRELAND Mr. J. O'CONNELL also presented a petition from the inhabitants of Kilkenny for an alteration of the pre sent extent of the unions of Ireland, and stating that they had paid 6s. in the pound, and were now paying 35., although other places were absolutely paying nothing. Sir CHARLES NAPIER presented a petition from Marylebone, numerously signed, in favour of the claims of the Raja of Sattara. Sir CHARLES LEMAN presented a petition against the Poor Removal Act. Mr. C. VILLIERS presented a petition from Bilston against the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Act. Captain CLIVE presented a petition, complaining of the operation of the Poor Removal Act. An HON. MEMBER presented a petition from a place in Cornwall against the Roman Catholic Relief Act. Sir J. Y. BULLER presented a petition complaining of the law of settlement. Sir D. NORREYS presented a petition from Mallow, praying the ll_ouse to adopt an i m p rove d system o f ra i s i ng the rat es for the relief of the poor in Irel a nd. Colonel T. WOO D cor_n_plaini ng of the presented a petition from St a i nes mr. M. Gu3s e os aw of settl emen t. presented a petition fsom Man chester against the alt monopoly of the East India Company. Poor Mr. Removal MACKIA N NON present e d a petition against the ct. Mr. ALDAM duction of the tea p duties, resented a peti t i on praying for the re. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL presented a petition Kill a rney against the present sy s t em of irom 'lun poor in Ireland. g to th e DUTY ON BUTTER AND CHEESE. Mr. B. ESCOTT gave notice that, on an early day, he would move for the r e p eal of the existin g dutiesCn butter and cheese. AFFAIRS OF SINDE. Mr. HUME postponed for a fortnight his motion re. specting the affairs of Sinde. MEDICAL OFFICERS IN TUE ARMY. Sir H. DOUGLAS said that it was his intention to call the attention of the Government to the state of the medical officers in the army. REGULATION OF THE REVENUE. Dr. BOWRING gave notice that, in consequence of the indisposition of the Chancellor of the Ezebequer, he would postpone his motion on the subject of the revenue fora fortnight. NATIONAL FAST AND HUMILIATION. Mr. PLUMPTRE gave notice that, upon an early day, it was his intention to move that an humble address bi presented to her Majesty, praying her to appoint a day of national fast and humiliation. QUEEN'S PRINTERS' PATENT (IRELAND). Mr. HUME moved for copies of all correspondence since the Ist day of January, 1846, respecting the arrangement made by the Treasury, on the expiration of the Queen's Printers' patent in Ireland, fur the several matters of business formerly done by them.— Agreed to. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 1847. PORTLAND BREAKWATER. Mr. MIME moved for a copy of the reports and plans submitted to the Board of Admiralty for a harbour of refuge and breakwater at the Isle of Portland, in the county of Dorset, and the minute of the Board of Admiralty and Treasury approving of the same; also a copy of the correspondence with the Treasury, and an estimate of the probable expense to be incurred for the purchase of land, and fur the formation of the breakwater and harbour, as approved of.— Agreed to. CRACOW. Mr. HUME gave notice that he would to-morrow move for returns of the amount of goods annually im ported into Cracow, and the tariff at present levied upon those goods. TENANT RIGHTS, (IRELAND). Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORI) rose, in pursuance of the notice he had given, to move for leave to bring in a Bill to secure the rights of occupying tenants in Ireland, and thereby to promote the improvement of the soil, and the employment of the labouring classes. He did not think it necessary to enter then into details which he had so fully laid before the Ilouse when the Labouring Poor Bill was under discussion. But he hoped that he would be able to show that security to the rights of the occupying tenants would, in a great degree, forward the improvement of the soil and of the people. It had been said that small holdings had been the ruin of Ireland, but he would maintain that not the small holdings, but the insecurity on which the small holdings in Ireland were held, had been the ruin of that conntry. He had made a comparison be tween the counties of Down and Limerick, and he found that in the one, where the tenant right existed, there was comfort, and in the other, where it did not, there was nothing but misery. The Hon. Member then read from agents in Ireland facts confirmatory of his statement, and proceeded to say that his object was to secure by law that which at present existed only by sufferance. To secure that simply was the object of the Bill he wished to introduce. Now, the farms in Ireland might be classed as follows:-306,915 of 5 acres, 231,158 of 15 acres, and 48,312 of 40 acres. If the occupiers of the second class could be induced to vend to the value of 101. in labour on the land, it would realise 2,514,0001.; and if the other classes would spend in the same proportion, 6,000,0001. would be realised. This expenditure would give employment to 3,822 individuals, and support to 900,000 families. From the official returns, it appeared that the better class of farmers invested their money in savings' banks. This they did, because, if they ex pended it on land, they would have no security of a return. If they altered the present system, and made the farmer believe that he had security for what he laid out, they would make him expend. Give him a tenant-right to his land, and he would of course, wish to improve that land.—(Hear.) He believed that there was no intention to oppose his bringing in this Bill, and he should, therefore, trove that the Bill be brought in and read a first time. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL seconded the motion. Mr. LABOUCIIERE had no intention to oppose the introduction of this Bill, for he thought' that the opinions of one who had paid so much at tention to the subject, and especially as he was an Irish landlord, were worthy of all attention, and ought therefore to be embodied in a Bill, and thus be brought under the notice of the House. He had already stated on a previous occasion that it was the intention of the Government to bring in some measure for this object, and he thought, therefore, that the better plan would be to delay the consideration of this Bill until that was also before them. In the meantime he most cordially gave his assent for the introduction of this Bill. The Bill was then brought in and ordered to be printed. CAPTAIN WARNER'S LONG RANGE. On the motion of Sir C. NAPIER, the report of the officers appointed to inspect the trial of Captain Warner's long range was ordered to be printed. EXPIRING LAWS. On the motion of Mr. PARKER, the following gentlemen were appointed the Committee on expiring laws:—Mr. Parker, Mr. Tufnell, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Greene, the Lord Advocate, the O'Conor Don, Viscount Ebrington, Mr. Gibson Craig, Mr. Hawes, Mr. Ward, Mr. Milner Gibson, the Solici tor-General, Mr. Shell, and the Secretary-at-War, COLLECTION OF RATES, IRELAND. Mr. CRAWFORD rose to move the second reading of the Bill for the better collection of the poor rates in Ireland, and he might say that his first object in this Bill was to re - oer the landlord, as well as the tenant, responsible for the poor-rates. His first principle was, t o p ro t ect t h e poor tenant from paying his landlord's rates as well as his own. lle proposed after the Bill was read a second time, if the House shouhl consent to read it a second time, not to press the further stages of the Bill until the wh-Jle of the measures of the Government were brought before the attention of the House. Colonel CONN 0 LLY was sorry to he cornpell , d to oppose, a measure introduced by the lion. Member for Rochdale; but he felt it his duty to do so en the present occasion. The Bill proposed to confer most unheard-of and most uncalled- for powers on the Government; he believed also that there would be great difficulty in carrying out the provisions of the Bill. Ile had no objection to support the second reading, !in condition that it was not proc , eded with until atter the Government measures were laid up )n tte table of the Home. Sir C. GREY concurred in the opinion expressed by the Honourable and Gallant Member, that there would be considerable difficulty in the practical part of the measure ; the principle might be a sound one. He would therefore le commend the House to consent to the second reading, and pp,tpone the fur ther con-dderation of the measure till the measures of her llejesty's Government had been brought before the After a few words from Mr. P. Schorr: and Mr. B. ESCOTT, the Bill was read a second time. FAIRS AND MARKETS CLAUSES (IRELAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee on this Bill. Mr. HUME, on asking whether the Government had any Bill under their attentii.n lor the object of town improve ments, was told that that was not the subject then before the Committee. The lion. Member said he merely asked the questions, as several inquiries had been made of him on the lubject. After some desultory observations from Mr. HUDSON, Mr. IlumE, and several other Members, Mr. HANDLEY remarked that it was useless to adopt any general Bill for the direction of private Bills, unless the clauses which were intended to apply gene. rally were more carefully drawn than they had been hitherto. Lord G. BENTINCK thought that the practice of reading Bills a second time, and pas:ing them through Committee on the next day, was certainly something like acting with very great haste. lle had no doubt that considerable opposition would be made to the Bill when it was well considered by the House. Mr. GISBORNE was understood to approve of the principle of the Bill. The clauses of the Bill were gone through seriatim, and agreed to. Lord J. RUSSELL said there were certain clauses in the Bill which would have to come under the considera tion of the Select Committee on the Standing Orders, and if any amendments were deemed necessary, they could be made on bringing up the report. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK hoped that some time would be allowed to elapse before the report was con sidered, in order to give the country time to examine the provisions of the Bill. The House then resumed when the Chairman reverted progress, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Thursday next. COMMISSIONERS CLAUSES BILL The House then went into Committee on this Bill. The several clauses of this Bill passed through Com mittee without amendment. GAS WORKS CLAUSES BILL. This Bill also went through Committee, and w ordered to b e rea d a third time on this day week. as WATERWORKS CLAUSES BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and was ordered to be read a third time on this day week. MILITARY BARRACKS. Mr. HUME, after a few observations, moved for the following returns, stating—The number of barracks for the royal artillery, engineers, and army in the United Kingdom, distinguishing England, Scotland, and Ireland, where situated, and the areas in square feet of the buildings of the parade grounds attached thereto. The date of erection, if known, and the mate rials of which built. The number of officers and men each barrack is calculated to accommodate. The num ber of men, women and children usually occupying it; also, what regulations there are respecting the accom modation of married non-commissioned officers and soldiers. The greatest number of men, women, and children lodged in each of these barracks and rooms thereof, at any one time in 1846. The number of rooms, distinguishing those for the use of the officers, non-com missioned officers, and privates severally, the dimensions, length, and width of each room. The number of men each room is regulated to hold, compared with the cubic feet or space of each room. The number of windows in each room ; the number of fire-places, and any other means of ventilation in each room. How the barracks are supplied with water, whether from wells or rivers, and whether laid on in each floor of the barrack, or in each room used for cooking, or in what part of the building, and whether there is a sink or pipe for the waste or refuse matter ; also, whether the barracks are draiijed, and how. What accommodation each barrack affords for cooking, for the men bathing, for washing, and for the men cleaning their clothes and accoutre ments, and other necessaries ; and in what parts of the building these several places are situated, and whether the floors of the barrack are planked or laid with stone or brick. The numbers and charge of the whole establish- of the a manci labourers), ept of each b arrac k (b arrac k- masters, b arrack-serjeants, u ra re ek rs)e,stasoblasshmteont in the soar.exhibittheen T tir b e e e e x x p p e e n n s s e e of building and repairs at each barrack, and all other contingent char year. The total for buildin g an g es ' so as to exhibit the aggregate charge t a cza o irs, for each barrack, in the last officers and men res amount of barrack damages paid by year 1846. Return 'Of theelY in e ac h b arrack, in the ceived at each b arrack an a d ni t o li i i t e nt of c an t een rent re ggaregato am t e T ° nhase regulationsnd 17,91 v thoeunstamo regard- e ing the kind f the rent of all the barrack 3k.ecaarn. was appropriated in of spirits, beer, coffee , a n d ot h er articles sold in the canteens, stating by whom the prices are fixed, and whether any committee of offi cers or men have had the management of the canteen. Return of the reading rooms in each barrack for non-commissioned officers and pri vates, the dimensions, and whether supplied with books or other articles by Government, or by subscrip tion of the officers or privates, and at what total expense it is conducted in the year. Whether any and what ac commodation exists in each barrack for schools for the soldiers or their children, the average daily number of each in attendance on the school in the year 1846, and from what funds the teachers and requisite articles are supplied, and the expense thereof. What places and means of amusements are attached to the barracks, and also whether any and what kind of rooms or other places are prepared for confinement for minor offences in the regiment or corps. Return of the dimensions of the wards in the hospital, and the number of wards, how the wards are ventilated, and the number of patients each ward is calculated to accommodate, and the space in cubic feet allowed for each. Colonel FOX said there could be no objections to the Returns moved for by the Hon. Member, and intimated that many improvements had already been effected in the barracks. After a few words from Mr. HENLEY and Colonel ANSoN the Returns were agreed to. The House then Adjourned at a Quarter past Seven o'clock. PETITIONS ON PRIVATE BILLS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Room 22, before Mr. Examiner Slum.) UNOPPOSED LIST. Torbay and Brixham Deep Sea Harbour of Refuge and Docks.—Complied with. Agriculturist Cattle Life and Fire Insurance Company.—No appearance. Wexford and Valencia Railway (Killarney to Valencia). — No appearance. Belfast Improvement Acts Amendment.—Part heard, ad journed till to-morrow. Lough Neagh Drainage.—Not complied with. Harwich and Eastern Counties Junction Railway and Pier (from Ilarwich to the Eastern Union Railway at Ardleigh). —Not complied with. London Sewage Chemical Manure Company.—Csomplied with. Rathmines Improvement.—Not complied with. Tyne Docks.—Not complied with. OPPOSED LIST. Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Railway (No. 4—Branch from Stowmarket to Sudbury).—Opposition withdrawn. Complied with. Mold Railway (from Mold to join the Chester and Holy head Railway).—Formal proofs taken. KILMARNOCK AND AYR DISTRICT RAILWAY. This adjourned opposed case occupied the rest of the day, but ne allegations were sustained. Further adjourned. (Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MAT.) UNOPPOSED LIST. Charine•-cross Bridge.—This Bill is withdrawn. In the following cases the customary formal proofs were completed : South Wales Railway (Deviations, Branches, and Amend ment). Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway (No. 2 Extension and Amendment ). Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks. Edinburgh and Glasgow, Monkland and Kirkintilloch Ballochney and Slamannan Railways Amalgamation, crr Sale or Lease. London and North-Western Railway (Lime-street, Liver pool, Station Extension and Branch Tunnel ; Crewe Station Extension and Amendment of Acts). Liverpool Guardian Gas Company. Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company (for making a railway from Bombay to Alleh, with extensions to Mhure and the Pera River, and branches or extensions to Sholapoor, Hyderabad, Kandeish, Indore, and Iloshurgabad, and else where). Swansea and Amman Junction Railway (lines from Yuisymond to Nantmelyn, and thence to Yui3lomlyd and Guaun Cae Gurwen Colliery and Cwmannan). Wexford Free Bridge (building of now bridge and removal of present bridge across the River Slaney at Wexford). O . PPOSF.D LIST. SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT. The several allegations in this opposed case were sustained. Standing orders not complied with. ELECTION OF CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) STATE OF THE POLL, BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. THREE O'CLOCK. Prince Albert... Earl Powis 427 451 Majority FOUR O'CLOCK. Prince Albert Earl Powis Majority FIVE O'CLOCK. Prince Albert . Earl Powis Majority . 582 572 -10 The polling was then adjourned till Eight o'clock. NINE O'CLOCK. Prince Albert Earl Powis Majority -15 THE GOVERNMENT LOAN OF EIGHT MILLIONS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRELIMINARY MEETING RESPECTING THE LOAN OF 8,000,000/. PROPOSED TO BE RAISED IN THE PRESENT YEAR. The following gentlemen attended the meeting 3-ester day, in consequence of the Chancellor of the Exchi pier's letter to the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England, of the 23d inst., to hear the terms proposed for the said loan: — Mr. Isaac L. Goldsmid, Mr. B. B. Williams, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. J. Wrefor3, Mr. Bates, Mr. Thomas Baring, Mr. George Webb, Air. Thomson Alers Han- key, Mr. James Ricardo, Mr. Humphrey John Mild may, Mr. Guilliam Scott, Mr. James Capel, Mr. John Nor bury, Mr. B. S. Lloyd, Mr. Burnand, Messrs. Roths child, Mr. E lward Satterwarthe. The measures proposed were 1. That the loan to be contracted was for 8,000,0001 of money. 2. That the tenders should state the amount in money that the party will give for 1001. Stock in the Three per Cent. Consa's. 3. No discount to be allowed. 4. The instalments to be paid on the days following:— Deposit of 12 p,:r c nt. on Friday, the sth March. Payment of 12 pot- cent. on Friday, the 9th April. 12 „ ~ 7th May. 17 12 „ ~ 11th June. ~ 12 ~ 9 9 9th July. 19 12 „ ~ 6th August. 12 , t ~ 3i Sept. 16 „ ~ 15th October. 5. The deposit to be retained as a security for mak ing the future payments on the days specified, and stock will be given for the money paid in at each instalment after the first, if requirtd. 6. The interest to commence from the sth January, 1817, and for whole payments, made on or before the 2d July, 1847, the contributors will receive the half year's dividend at the sth July, 1847. 7. No reserve for public companieli. 8. A sealed paper will be laid upon the table pre viously to opening the tenders, containing the lowest amount of money that Lord John Russell and the Chan cellor of the Exchequer will feel themselves justified in accepting for every 1001. stock ; and in the event of a smaller sum being tendered in the several proposals than that in the sealed paper, it will, in such case, be opened, and the amount in it declared. 9. The biddings to take place on Monday next, the at March, at the Treasury, at ten o'clock. AVIIITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION RAILWAY, -• The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this company was held yesterday, at the offices of the company, No. 1, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall-atreet ; the Earl of Lonsdale in the chair. The SECRETArn- read the advertisement calling the meeting, and the report, from which we make the following extracts : "It will be remembered that at the last half -yearly meeting the progress of the works was reported to have been impeded by the difficulties which were met with in obtaining possession of the land; these are now entirely removed, as the land required has been purchased from the whole of the peeprietors (with one exception), and upon terms which it is believed are as advantageous to the company as could pos sibly be expected. "The whole quantity of land purchased is 370 acres, at a cost, including compensation for severance and tenant right, of 36,0001. ; this is exclusive of about twenty-two acres of sands, forming part of the Duddon Estuary, the carious inte rests in which have been purchased at nominal amounts. " This shows an average of about twelve acres and a quar ter to the mile, and an average cost per mile of about 1,1001., and from this will have to be deducted the proceeds of the sale of surplus lands, which have been purchased on account of their severance, and will be re-sold to the adjoining pro prietors, the company retaining such portions as are required for stations. "The whole of the land which has been purchased has not given rise to one case of litigation or dispute, or of the exer cise of the compulsory powers of the Act of Parliament. "The contracts for the heaviest portions of the line, of those which may be called the measure of the time required for the opening of the railway, are all let and in hand, and extend over rather more than fifteen miles and a half of the line. " To these portions the directors have purposely confined their present attention, inasmuch as the remaining sixteen miles and a half of the line may be completed in from six to eight months from their being commenced; and, forming as they do an unconnected link in the communicatbn, present expenditure on this portion of the works would remain un necessarily unproductive for a period of several months. " You are aware that an Act of Parliament was obtained last session for connecting your line with the Whitehaven Junction Railway, by means of a tunnel under a part of the town of Whitehaven. The contract drawings for this tunnel are in a state of forwardness, and the engineer anticipates that the contract may be let almost immediately, and corn. pleted by the spring of next year. The estimate for this work is 25,0001., which is authorised to be raised by an issue of new shares, but may in the first instance be executed by means of borrowed capital " Of the fifteen miles and a half let, more than six miles will be completed by September in the present year; and, as this portion will connect Whitehaven with St. Bees, the di rectors will have it in their power to consider the expediency of opening this communication in the ensuing autumn, al though they are at present by no means decided as to the policy of this step, looking to the very short further period at which their anticipations of the opening of the whole line are fixed. "The remaining nine miles, which are let, are con tracted to be finished in April, 1848; assumin; the com pletion of the Duddon Crossing at the same period, the line may be opened throughout in the spring of the ensuing year. " The Whitehaven Junction Railway is at present open throughout to Whitchaven for goods traffic ; and the Government Inspector is expected on the Ist March. when the line will be opened for passengers. On the other hand, the Furness Railway is in active working, both for passengers and minerals, and its extensions to Ulverstone and Broughton are expected to be completed at about the same time with your own line." The CHAIRMAN said that the report was so full and expla natory, that it was unnecessary for him to say anything fur ther. There was every prospect of their being able to open the line about spring twelve months, as the report stated ; but it would be necessary to make a call of 41. per share between this and September, and he anticipated that it would be a long time ere an additional call should have to be made. He would conclude by proposing that the report should be re ceived, adopted, and circulated. The motion was unanimously agreed to. SPECIAL MEETING. The meeting was then made special for the purpose of con firming resolutions of the board of directors, declaring cer tain shares in the company to be forfeited for non-payment of calls, and authorising the sale or other disposition of such shares. _ _ A resolution confirmatory of the resolution of the direc tors was then, on the motion of Mr. KNOX, seconded by M r . W.tLEY, unanimously agreed to. It appeared that the total number of shares was 945, which stood in the names of 19 shareholders; 115 of these shares were the only ones on which would arise a loss to the com pany of 21. per share on sale at tho present market price. This having terminated the business of the meeting, a rote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr. Waley, seconded by Mr. Bowker, given to the Noble Chairman and directors. The meeting then separated. DIRECT LONDON AND PORTS, MOUTH RAILWAY. The usual half-yearly general meeting of the p ro p r i e t ors of the Direct London and Portsmouth Railway was held yes at the London Tavern, in Bishopsgate-street ; Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the chair. The report stated, that since the last meeting of the pro prietors, the line had been re-surveyed and the necessary plans prepared for serving the notices required for obtaining possession of the land over nearly the whole distance. These notices were now being served over a portion of the line, and the directors hoped soon to be in posses sion of the land between Dorking and Gomshall, where the railway was to be used by the Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Railway Company. A short Bill authorising a few amendments of the line, and a road ap proach to the proposed station at Dorking, had been prepared and submitted to Parliament, principally with a view of im proving the junctions at Epsom with the Croydon and Ep • som line, and at Havant with the Portsmouth Extension of the Brighton and Chichester line. The Bill for securing the amal gamation with the London, Brighton, and South Coast Com pany, upon terms agreed upon by the respective proprietaries, had been read a second time, and would shortly be in Com mittee. In accordance with the arrangement with the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway- Company, the remainder of the shares to complete the capital for this undertaking had been subscribed for. A vacancy had occurred in the direction, which had been filled up by the appointment of John Meeson Parsons, Esq., one of the auditors. The receipts amounted to 108,4641. 153. Id., and the expenditure to 53,788/. 4s. 3d., leaving a balance of 54,676/. 10a. 10d. in hand. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, con tradicted a rumour which had gone abroad that the line was not to be made. The rumour, no doubt, had arisen from the fact of there being a Bill before Parliament which, it w;:s supposed, was for enabling the South-Western Coinpany to work over the line from Dorking to Portsmouth, but that pro - vision had been withdrawn. A PROPRIETOrt wished to know what the terms were that had been agreed upon between this company and the South- Western. The CHAIRMAN replied that no terms whatever had been come to, but the London, Brighton, and South Coast Com pany had come to terms with the South-Western. A PitorniF:Toit hoped that, whatever arrangement might be come to with the South-Western, the shareholders of the Portsmouth Direct would have a voice in it. The CHAIRMAN replied that when the Amalgamation Bill was passed the Portsmouth Railway would become a Brighton line, and as the shareholders in the Portsmouth Company would then be Brighton proprietors, of curse they would have a voice in everything that could be done. The Reading, Guildford, and Reigate had power to work over a portion of the line, but that company was seeking to annul that power. The proceeding, however, would be strenuously opposed by this company. A PPOPAIETOR wished to know when another call would be made. The CHAIRMAN replied not just yet. Ample notice would be given when one was to be made. The report was adopted, and the meeting separated with the customary vote of thanks to the chairman. READING, GUILDFORD, AND REIGATE RAILWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in his company, was held yesterday, at the London Tavern ; David Salainone, Esq., president, in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said, it was with great pleasure he had to submit to the shareholders at their first half-yearly meeting the report of their directors, which would inform them that an arrangement had been entered into with the South. Eastern Company for leasing their line.—(Hear.) The Sacaa.vrity then read the report, which stated the terms of the arrangement that had been made with the South-Eastern Company, and which were to the effect that two directors of that company should be added to the board of the Reading, GuiLiford, and Reigate Railway Company; that the latter company should raise 600,000/. as their cap:- tal, in 40,000 shares of 151. each, guaranteed at five and a half per cent. from the day that the agreement should be signed by the South. Eastern Company, who in the interim were to pay four and a half per cent. The report then stated that arrangements had been entered into with Mr. Robert Stephenson to act as their engineer, and that the directors had found it necessary, in consequence of the change in their position with respect to the London and Portsmouth Railway Company, to amend their Act in cer tain particulars. A statement of the accounts was then read by the Secre tary, from which it app e ared that the expenditure of the company w as 41,466/. ss. 5d., and th e i r present cap i ta l 121,7081. 18a. The CHAIRMAN said, that comment on the report must necessarily be short as it was sufficient to explain to the meeting all that it was necessary for them to know, namely, that their property was safe, and that the requirements of the Act of Parliament had been complied with. The direc tors had taken those precautions that would secure the in terests of the company in an efficient manner. He trusted that the arrangement would also prove satisfactory to the company with which they were associated. When there line was first opened, the directors had some, doubts as to whether it was a line calculated to inspire confidence; but there could be no doubt at the present time that it was one of the most imp ortant lines i n the country. They th oug h t , h owev er, that they were best consulting th e i n t erests of the com p a ny by coucluding those a rrangements with the taarkYen example, and not t o re f er to past debates or to place at forme r meet i ngs; but he trusted South-17:astern Company. It wo u ld b e well to follow Par hear.) With these t‘Pli'aharati parliamentary they would t interestsg i give th e ef directorsthe company, eredi a s t fora they desire did not to promote the observations a r h r e an w g o e u m l d h e nt beg s . -- t ( o Hear,move the adopti on of the report. There was on e point in connexion w ith that report with wh ich the y sho uld be acquainted. B y th e terms of the arra n g ement two directors were to be add e d t o their company. He was sorry that a pressu re o f b us i ness preven t e d the South - Eastern Company from n am i ng these e s few hurry on t gentlemen, but he could understand from Mr. Small that Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Gregory were the parties who had been selected, and he hoped that the meeting would elect these gentlemen. The CiIAIRUAN, in reply to some questions as to the terms of the agreement, said that he regretted there was not a printed report, which would have prevented these categorical questions, but he could assure the meeting that every inte rest was satisfied. They would get 5% per cent., which was far beyond the ordinary interest at present. A s to the South-Eastern Company, they had another important point the south ; and there could be no doubt that they wo u ld re ceive compensation far beyond 5% per cent. from the union with these co i npanies. An expense beyond the sum st a t e d in the report would be defrayed by the South-Easte rn Com pany. He cou ld assure the Hon. Proprietors that th ey need not go to Parliament for the purpose of sanctioning the agree ment. The report was then adopted. Messrs. Gregory and Pritchard were elected directors, and Mr. Small was re-elected. The CHAIRMAN said—With regard to their secretary, his salary at the last meeting had been fixed at 300/. per annum, a sum that was far below the value of his services in a situa tion that required so much efficiency. He would therefore wish to ask the meeting to place in the hands of the board the power of increasing it to 4001. per annum. lie did not wish to fix a higher sum, as the question would have to come before the other company. A motion to that effect Was unanimously agreed to. Mr. CAPPER moved a vote of thanks to tke Chairman and the other directors, for the zeal and efficiency with which they had discharged their duties. The motion was carried said ‘ u nanimously. , The CitaxustA in returning than ks, f rat! coro na; x, opus." He trusted that as the barometer o f their affairs rose they would give equal satisfaction. The meeting then separated. VALE OF NEATH RAILWAY. The half-yoarly meeting of the shareholders of this corn leer pony was heldyesterday at the offices, 449,West Strand, Lord Villiers in the chair. The SECRETARY read the following report : "The directors have much satisfaction in submitting to ' the proprietors a statement of their proceedings to the present time, together with an account of receipts and expenditure, to the 31st of December last. "In accordance with the powers given to the directors at the last meeting of proprietors, a Bill has been brought into Parliament to authorise the construction of a second Branch ve of se t c l u le re ß d to join the South Wales Railway to the west ha Neat!' ; also a Branch to the Rhygos Collieries and to Aberdare, " The directors are also happy to state that they have en tered into an agreement with the directors of the South Walee Railway Company, by which they use of the line from the town of Neath to the port of Neat?' and Briton Ferry, and that a Bill is no w before Parliament for the purpose of authorising the construction of this branch. " The proprietors were informed at their last meeting, th at negotiations were in progress for the purpose of disposing of the shares at that time unsubscribed for. Your directors ' have much pleasure in stating that the directors of the South Wales Railway Company have consented to take these shares ; the deposit has been paid upon them, and the whole of the capital is now subscribed for. " The other negotiations, which, as the proprietors are aware, have been commenced with the directors of the South Wales Railway Company, have led to no result." The CHAIRNIAN moved the adoption of the report, and then put the resolution to the meeting, which was passed unanimously. A resolution was then moved by the Chairman, autho rising the payment of interest at five per cent. on all pay ments made in anticipation of calls.—Carried. GriffithretTirhineg Cieawt directorsne i l iE l s. moved q2.t, . a ntßhar Bruce, nc r .e e ,-Telli:eoseqi Thomas, a o ; s n ,D ( a ) f%, Esq.,i the David j e I%,ifollowings F, s 1 . , which was carried. Mr. Starling Benson, retiring auditor, w as then re-appointed and the meeting adjourned. ENFIELD AND EDMONTON RAIL- WAY. A special general meeting of the shareholders of this corn pany was held yesterday at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate street, for the purpose of considering certain proposals, made by the Eastern Counties Company, to purchase cr to work the line. The notice calling the meeting having been read, Captain OwEx, the chairman, said, that on the last occa sion on which they had met there he had mentioned to the shareholders some correspondence which bad taken place with reference to the purchase or working of this line. A proposition had been made by the Eastern Counties Com pany to work the present railway, and an inquiry made by this company as to the working expenvs of the Eastern Counties line. The answer was that their work ing expenses were estimated at 414 per cent. The question for the shareholders was simply as to whether the line should be worked by them or purchased. Their interests ought to be joined, for nothing could take place for the be nefit of their own line which would not benefit the Eastern Counties Railway. A Shareholder inquired what was the bone of contention between the two lines? Mr. LERCH, at the request of the Chairman, said that the difficulty was in the price of the land. The difference of the estimates and the claims made was 3,0001., and that was a very serious difference. There was no contention with the Eastern Counties Railway Company itself. A Shareholder said that the question was, whether they should have an independent line, or merge their line in the Eastern Counties Railway ? The CHAIRMAN said that that was the real question. Mr. WADDINGTON said that the Eastern Counties Com pany had in a very kindly spirit offered either to take this line, to work it at their own rate of mileage or to supply them with engines, &c., at the usual price. The CHAIRMAN said that these propositions were the only ones the shareholders had to consider. The Enfield and Ed monton line would of course regulate their fares according to the rate adopted by the Eastern Counties Company, as it would not do to let them both work the line and regulate the fares. Mr. WADDINGTON said that the Eastern Counties Company only desired to deal as fairly as possible with the Enfield and Edmonton Railway. Some considerable discussion ensued here as to the rate of fares, which resulted in the adjournment of the meeting, in order to make a proposition to the Eastern Counties Railway Company. CORK AND WATERFORD RAIL- WAY. The first annual meeting of the proprietors in the Cork and Waterford Railway was held yesterday at the Louden Tavern, for the transaction of general business ; Th omas Wyse, Esq., M.P., in the chair. After the advertisement calling the meeting had been read, the Secretary proceeded to read the repot, of which the following is a condensation " This ACt authorises the making of a railway from the borough or city of Cork, in the county of the same city, to the borough or city of Waterfcrd, in the county of the same city, with branches from and out of the said railway to Fermoy, in the county of Cork, and to T ramore , i n the county of Waterford. . _ - - " In obtaining the above Act there were at first two op posing companies, viz.:—The Cork and Youghal, and the Waterford and Tramore Railways, increasing materially the difficulties which were presented by the various alterations and requirements during the session of the several standing orders of both Houses of Parliament. After a lengthened negotiation one of them, the Cork and Youghal Company, the most influential and important, was amalgamated with this company; and the amalgamation received the approval of the shareholders, at a meeting held for that purpose at the Hall of Commerce, on the Ist February, 1846. " The other, the Waterford and Tramore, after an un usually protracted opposition, was successfully resisted, though at a considerable cost ; and hence, together with other causes, the serious and heavy outlay which it was absolutely necessary to incur to secure the very existence of the company, "Memorials were forwarded, after the passing of the Act, from the baronies of Imokilly and Barrymore, in the county of Cork, to Government, urging upon it the important advan tages that this railway w ou ld afford to that portion of Ire land. The barony of Barrymore includes Midleton, and extends to Fermov, which, in addition to its being a central position for all inland produce, is one of the principal military depots in Ireland ; and the barony of Imokilly extends from Midleton to Youghal, the importance of which it is unnecessary to dwell on. " In consequence of the foregoing memorials your chair• man had an interview with Lord John Russell, and your secretary, with the consent of the Treasury, was sent over to Ireland to communicate with the Board of Works, in accord ance with instructions forwarded by Government, and to en deavour to make such arrangements as might enable the works to be proceeded with on terms equally advantageous to the landowners and shareholders, at the same time affords ing sufficient security for the repayment of any advances of public money. " Your directors regret to state that, notwithstanding the evidence which those memorials bore of the dispssition of the landowners to lend the most liberal co-operation, together with the consent of the rate payers to presentments from the aforesaid baronies, as well as from the baronies of Gaultier and Middle-third, after mature consideration and having consulted with your engineer, your directors were compelled to abandon the project of strengthening their resources through the medium of the baronial presentments, in conse quence of the terms under which advances would be made, not affording adequate facilities. "Under these circumstances, and taking into considera tion the present state of Ireland, and of railway property in general, your directors are of opinion, that one of two courses should be recommended for adoption to the share holders, to make a call of 1/. per share in this year, and another call of 10s. per share, to be p a id i n 1848, an d to proceed to the construction of a small portion of your rail way, viz.—from Waterford to Tramore, a distance of or about seven miles, which by ensuring a fair dividend to those shareholders who paid up their calls would enable you, after it was finished, to commence a portion at the Cork end, viz.—from Cork to Midleton, and so to go on constructing, by degrees, those portions of the line which are likely to afford the most certain and speedy return. " The other alternative is, that of everything remaining in abeyance until your next half-yearly meeting in August, no expenses being incurred excepting such as may lie ac tually necessary, and by which time the views of the Legis lature relative to Irish railways will be known ; this latter course is the one recommended by your directors, and the directors of the Great Western and South Wales Railway Companies coincide therei:s. " They would, in conclusion, state, that they recommend that interest be paid upon the deposits at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum from the passing of the Act of Parliament." FINANCIAL ACCOITN T. To expenditure &lane- .. 19,675 0 11 .£75,378 10 0 By receipts ... £73,378 10 0 The CHAIRMAN said that the company had now heard the report read, and he begged to move that it be received and circulated among the shareholders. Mr. EMERY seconded the resolution. Mr. FIELD wished to know whether the South Wales and Great Western Railway Companies had registered for the shares which they held in the Cork and Waterford Railway Company. The CHAIRMAN said that they had. Mr. FIELD wished also to know whether the recommenda tion that interest at 4 per cent. be granted, should refer to only to such deposits as were properly paid up ? The CHAlRMAN—Certainly. The report was then agreed to. Mr. FIELD moved, and Mr. GAnteurr seconded, a resolu tion re-electing the fifteen directors who were, by the Act, obliged to retire. GARRETT moved, and Mr. FIELD seconded, a resolu tion granting the directors a sum of 8001. as a remuneration for their services for the year after the passing of the Act. These resolutions were carried unanimously. ....... Mr. Edward Charles Buxton, of Abchurcti-lane, and Mr. Thomas Bates, of Al!sop-terrace, New-road, were elected auditors, with a salary of ten guineas each. Mr. LAYAkII was appointed secretary, with a salary of 6001. per annum. After some discussion as to the propriety of granting 5001. to the directors for past services, which these gentlemen did not desire, and which was not, therefore, embodied into a re solution, thanks were Toted to the Chairman, and the meeting broke up. LA.W INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Feb.2s. (Sittings at Guildhall, before Mr. Justice ERLE and a Special Jury.) NEWTON AND ANOTHER V. BELCIIEL-TIIE OXFORD AND SALISBURY DIRECT RAILWAY. This was an action brought by Messrs. Newton and Co., the advertising agents, to recover upwards of 4,6001. for work and labour done in advertising the prospectuses, &c., of the Oxford and Salisbury Direct Railway Company, of which the defendant was a provisional director, and a member of the committee of management. Mr. Crowder and Mr. Ball were for the plaintiffs ; Sir F. Thesiger and Mr. Brown for the defence. Mr. CROWDER opened the case at some length, detailing the facts which he intended to prove in evidence. He said the case was different from the ordinary cases of provisional directors, inasmuch as he would prove that the defendant had taken an active part in the management of the concern, and had been a party to incurring the present debt. Robert Lucas, an attorney, deposed that in 1845 he was one of the promoters of a line from Oxford to SalLibur ) . The first project was p ro p ose d f rom Bi cester through Hun.- gerford to Salisbury, which was registered on the 3d of S_ pe - tember. About the 10th of September he called on Mr. Belcher, at Abingdon. The defendant was mayor of that town at the time. Witness explained the project, and the defend ant objected to it, on the ground that the line did not touch Abingdon in its route. In consequence of the conversation that took place witness had the project re-registered so as to take in Abingdon. It then was to proceed from Oxford to Abingdon, and thence to Hungerford and Salisbury. It was brought out in thi s a lt ere d form. Afterwards wtess called on the defendant at Abingdon, and was received very po litely. The alteration was explained, and the defendant promised to give the scheme all the support in his power. Subsequently a meeting of the gentlemen favourable to the line was held on the sth of October. It was a meeting, as witness understood, of the provisional directors. The means of carrying out the project were dis cussed, and wit ness believed the publication of the project was mentioned. M r . Belcher took part in the dis cussion. A committee of management was also talked off. Mr. Belcher was named as one of the com mittee of management, and he accepted the appointment. Witness was present after this at several meetings of the committee of management at the o ffi ces in Moorg a te -str e et, at which h e saw the defendant present. At the first meeting he was present at a number of prospectuses were produced, setting forth the advantages of the line. The prospectus was similar to the one produced in court. Witness had often seen newspapers at the company's offices containing the pros pectuses of the company. Cross-examined—He did not recollect the defendant say ing at the first meeting that he would only notconser to act as a promoter of the line on condition ofhe ng put to any expense. Witness had been concerned with severa l other schemes as well as this. With respect to the ad vertising, perhaps 5001. would do it well now, but at that time the papers, especially the country ones, charged much more than now. The present scheme was advertised in many papers that were no w de funct—in the Railway 13ell, the Railway Critic, the Share. holder, the Railway Telegraph , th e Railwa y King , the Railway Standard, the Railway Mail, and the Stock Exchange Gazette. All these had ceased to exist, and were papers, he believed, which did not circulate much. from the Registration-office, produced th e George Dean, register of the company, with the names of the promoters attached. George Preston deposed that he was one of the solicitors of the company. Ho had an interview with the defendant on the Bth ~ft),:t )ber, and ia c,Atrets..itt,,“ v. hien they had together, Mr. Belcher agreed to do all he could to promote it as one of the committee. On the 15th of the same month a meeting was held at the London Coffee-house, at which Air. Belcher was present. The latter gentleman was named on the acting committee, and he consented. On the same afternoon a meeting of the acting committee took place, at which it was resolved to borrow, if possible, 3,0001. from one of the banks to forward the interests of the company. Another meeting of the acting committee was held on Saturday following, the 18th. Mr. Belcher was present. The deputation to the bank reported that the money would be advanced, if the acting committee would give a guarantee. The defendant, as one of the committee, did not object to do so, and he along with the others present signed the guarantee. The guarantee was here produced and put in. It was signed among others by the defendant. After this time Mr. Belcher attended several meetings of the managing com mittee, and took an active part in the proceedings. Witness had seen him at meetings as late as March or April last. Several orders given on behalf of the acting committee to the plaintiffs to insert advertisements in the London and country newspapers were next put in and proved; as was also their reception by the plaintiffs' clerk. Gentlemen from the Times, Chronicle, Hera'd, Sun, Post, Advertiser, Gler,e, Standard, and other newspapers proved tl.e insertion of the advertisements claimed for, in the pews papers they represented, with the prices charged in each case. Evidence was also given of the advertisements inserted in the country newspapers. This was the case for the plaintiff.. Sir F. Tnestacn having replied at some length, The jury returned a verdict that the defendant was liable for the debts since the 15th October, the time at which he consented to act as provisional committeeman. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. A Court was held immediately after the committee of the whole Court was broke up. There was a large attendance of aldermen as well as of commoners. When the minutes of the last Court were read, an addition was suggested by Mr. WIRE, which was agreed to by the Court, and accordingly made in the minute-book. It ap peared that the minutes had been correctly, as far as they went, recorded, but that they had been inadequately de tailed. The addition was considered as insignificant, except as regards the principle, and the existing disagreement be tween the Lord ➢layor and the great body of the members. Mr. WIFE, when it was proved that the pressure of bu-, siness which related to the election of officers (and no other business), be proceeded with, rose to state his reasons for allowing the election of the officers to take precedence of all other matters. Alderman SIDNEY said, that if Mr. Wire's reasons were listened to, the demand of every other member to be heard on the same subject could not be rejected. Mr. Wins said he had no notion of obstructing the public business, and would not give any person a pretence that such was his intention. He consented to the precedence of the election, relying'upon the independent and honourable sup port of the court in adopting such steps as would put them in a right position, by going to Parliament.—•(Cheers.) The CHAMBERLAth gave in his list of affidavits, for the freedom of the city-; amongst them were three or four per sons in small. reta►l businesses. Mr. Wats again called the attention of the court to what he considered to be the disgraceful fact, that such applicants should be compelled to take up the freedom, while the rich wholesale dealer was, exempted from any such obligation. He hoped the day was near when nothing of the kind should be heard of.—( Hear, hear.) ELECTIOg OF OFFICERS. The Court then proceeded to the election of the officers. Some conversation took place upon the motion for the election of Ur. Bullock to the office of Judge of the Sheriffs' Court, and it was argued that much inconvenience was lila ly to arise from the annual election •f a judicial officer. The Court agreed in the opinion that the Learned Gentleman should be chosen quarndzn se bene gesserit, anl he was accord ingly appointed for so long a time as he should act properly in the office As the Court proceeded to the election of the other officers, some of the members took occasion to refer to a railway action in which one of the officers was concerned, and to condemn any connexion with speculations of the kind; at the same time that they cast no imputation upon the honour or integrity of the gentlemen to whom they alluded. CHARGES AGAINST THE IRISH SOCIETY. The Mayor of Londonderry, and a deputation from the Corporation of that place, attended to present a petition, cc m plaining of the manner in which the Irish Society had dis charged its duties and trusts towards the county of London derry generally, and the city of Derry in particular, and praying that the Court would secure to the petitioners their independence and just rights, by restoring the lands and fish ings intended for the use of the citizens of Derry, and direct such an alteration of the funds of the society, derived from other sources, as might render their city worthy of its founda tion, and its connexion with the city of London. Alderman HUMPIIERY, in moving that the petition be read, said that it contained grave charges, which the society could completely disprove. He wished that the greatest facilities should be granted to the gentlemen who attended as peti tioners, and that every attention should be paid to them by the Court. He wished that their own time might be ap appointed for the consideration of the case, and he expressed his conviction, that the Irish Society would prove satisfac torily to the Court, that they had acted towards Londonderry in the true spirit of liberality, at the same time that he ad mitted the petitioners had some reason to complain. Some conversation took place on the subject of the most advisable mode of proceeding, and it was at last determined that counsel should be heard at the bar of the court a month hence, on any day which might be considered convenient to the petitioners. The Court of Common Council will act judicially upon the occasion. Wo omit the details of the petition, which, as the Recorder observed, was the first presented during the last two hundred years against the Irish Society, until the answer shall have been given. Mr. JOHN WOOD gave notice that he should, at the next court, move that the third reading of the Qualification Bill be put.—(Hear, hear.) The Lout) MAYOR said he did not know that he could accept that notice of motion. Mi. W. JoNEB intimated that he should move, upon the occasion, the recommittal of the Bill. The Court then broke up. CORPORATION OF LONDON REFORM. Yesterday the committee of the whole Court assembled in the Council Chamber, for the purpose of receiving the report of the sub-committee on the subject of the privileges of the Court. Deputy PEACOCK in the chair. The minutes of the proceedings of the last committee were then read Several members declared that they did not perfectly understand the position in which they stood or the exact nature of the question by which the Court of Common Council was agitated, and that it was therefore necessary that they should be informed by legal authority. Mr. ASIIVEST immediately brought up the report of the sub-committee,which stated as follows :—lst. "That in order to prevent the delay of public business it is expedient that the election of officers should be proceeded with at the next Court prior to the discussion of any other ques tions. 'ldly. That the es,rporation requires to be reformed ' which can only be done by the aid of Parliament, and for that reason we recommend that it be referred to us (the sub committee) to prepare such a Bill for such reforms and alte rations as we may see fit, the same, when prepared, to be submitted to this committee for consideration." 'fee sub committee were, he said, influenced to rectimmend these two resolurior:s by adequate reasons. It would be seen that Mr. Bullock, the Judge of the Sheriff's Court had, according to a parag - aph which appeared in some of the newspapers, de clined to preside in that Court, in consequence of the fact that his appointment had not as yet taken place in the Court of Common Council. Now at the present moment Mr. Bul lock happened to be performing his duty in the very seat which he had been represented as having refused to occupy. The report had evidently been manufactured to preju dice the Court by an implication that the mem bers were interfering with the course of public justice: and the object was to oppose the spirit in which the Common Council were acting, and to support the Lord Mayor in his denial of their privileges. ',That the question which the members required to be put from the chair was a lawful question there could be no doubt, and there was no assembly that would not approve of the measures adopted by them to accomplish this most reasonable object.—(llear, hear.) They had endeavoured to assert their right to freedom of discus sion. They had the right, but It was evident that they had not the power to carry it into effect. It would be, therefore, for the Court, after the election of the officers, to take the necessary steps, by applying to Parliament to retorin the Corporation, and put an end to the obstinacy to which they had been subjected by enlarging the numbers and the powers of the constituency. It would be desirable that both branches of the Corporation should agree in these views upon so important a subject; but if the Court of Aldermen persisted in the course they were pursuing, a separate appli cation could be made to the Legislature. The citizens of London had long been of opinion that reform was indispen sable. The constituency was limited to persocs who were compelled to take out their freedom by the terror held over them, that they should not carry on business except upon such condition. The Court of Common Council bad done all they could to prevent the poor man from being oppressed by the obligation to pay for that which the rich man, as was proved by the judicial opinion of the Recorder, was justified in repudiating. In other respects the City Common Council had manifested an earnest disposition to reform itself. Of the Court of Aldermen, he could not say, that a similar anxiety existed amongst that body. They had lately testified their disposition to reform, by carry ing Alderman Humphery's motion for a committee as a preparatory step, and then refusing to advance another step.--(Hear, hear.) They admitted that the necessity for reform existed, and one of them, Alderman Wilson, cdslared, with a great deal of propriety, that the court of which d he t sso! t s a member, was a disgrace to the Corporation, .an th must be reformed.—( Hear, hear.) It would of b seentheir fellow-citizens that the actions and intentionst ie two courts had been essentially different, and that in ord e , r to , effect the changes which time and aid of Parliament (Hear, hear.) circumstances imperatis el 3 co-operation called for, recourse must be hadts; the body could not b e of the C Aldermen, but LAthglin the acquiescence hoped obtained, the other memberl of the orporation could not b e for the that th e at a loss for the requisite facilities. Mr. LAWEEN cE said, that however undeniable the right of the Common Council was, they had not the power to en force that right, and they ought certainly to do all they could to prevent the public from suffering in consequence of any act of theirs.—(Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") There had appeared in the newspapers a misrepresentation as to the sitting of the Judge of the Sheriffs' Court. Th e C ommon Council were charged with having been the cause of post ponement of business. If any delay took place the blame lay upon the Lord Mayor, and not upon them.---(Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Lawrence) was for go i ng to Parliament to effect t hat which it was evident they could not accomplish them selves. He was anxious to get the co-operation of the Alder men. He would be willing to make a sacrifice to obtain the consent of the whole body. By a conference with a deputa tion of the Court of Aldermen a system of reform might be produced calculated to effect the Most beneficial changes. It was well known that a large number of the Aldermen agreed with the Common Council in the opinion as to the necessity for reform, so that it might be no difficult matter to arrive at a proper understanding on the question. The Court of Common Council had no no ti on o f i n t er f er i ng w i t h t h e magistracy of the City.—(Hear, hear.) Believing, then, that the Common Council, though possessed of the right which they had endeavoured to assert, were not armed with the power to enforce it, he thought it would be advisable to proceed to the election of officers the moment the Court should be formed. Several members spoke in favour of the first resolution, as it stood unconnected with the second in the report, and ex pressed a wish that the consideration of the second resolution should be postponed. . Mr. ASHURST was decidedly for agreeing to the report, embodying as it did the two resolutions, and contended that the object of the dissentients to that proposition, was to sink the great question after the appointment of the officers. It was, he argued, ridiculous to think of a reform, after all the disappointments which had occurred, without• going direct to Parliament; and if he was not supported by the Court in that object, he would join with those who were col.tendin:.. , ; out (.1 Coo:;, to come to au duirLaile, an isn: Mr. R. L. JONEU submitted that, at the last Court, it was agree'', as far as could be inferred from the speeches of the majority of the Members, that they were to proceed to the election of the officers of the Court. The obsfnacy o' the Lord Mayor had inter fered with, and prec..nted the effect of that determination , but it must not be put in the power of the public to say that the Court acted in diametrical opposition to the course they had resolved to adopt after deliberation.—(Hear' hear.) Mr. Bum advised that the latter portion of the report , which referred to an application to Parliament be postpon ed id order that the opinion of the law officers should be taken on the queqtion, and he moved an amendment to that e ffect. Mr. KING seconded the amendment. Mr TAYLOR supported the original motion in the be lief that there was a strict coherence between the two resso tions. _ The amendment was negative by a large majority. Mr. T. FL llAtt. then moved that the first resolution be pat and that the si cowl be postponed for future consideration, as being a subject of bio graveimportance to be hurried over. Mr. Hanatscm seconded the amendment. He w i s hed the first resnlutiun to he carried, in order that the public might sustain no inconvenience from the non- appointment ot the ffi,er); but the second question required a great dea l of con" sideration. A great deal of confo,ion took place at this stage of the business of the committee, so that it became extrentely cult to ascertain the exact state of the question. T he Lo Mayor was announced, and his Lordship entered with the Sword-bearer and Mace-bearer, and the business of the el; mittee wax necessarily at an end. As our reporter was a l e to collect from those around tihrt, the committee adopted t!'_ recommendation 0 proceed in the Court to the election of to , officers, and postponed the latter part pf the report of the Pp committee. DESPERATE AFFRAY. As constable J,,bn Banning, one of the noel police station , d at Winclicombe, near Cheltenham , w es , on duty at II tile,woed. on Sunday morning, t he 2 1 1 5 ; instant, about five o'clock, he met with a nun in a field carrying a bundle. Upon questioning him what ttn; bundle contained , the man, without speaking a w ° struck the policeman a violent blow on the side of the hew with a stick to which eight ballets were attach ed by e strong cord. From such a formidable weapon the bic'wt was severe ; the constable Wit stunned for a m 00 ' 1 %; but, having a walking-stick in his hand, he knocked the man down, who immediately got up again,• and, closing with the officer, cut him very much in the face with! butcher's knife, and stabbed several times at his Mr Both were strong men, but the constable eve ntua l overpowered his antagonist, bidding him to desist se surrender himself ; and saving at the same time , 5 frighten the man, "I have firearms in m y pocket, r ha will shoot you if you continue to struggle." prisoner, in a most determined manner, said to hl.: " Shoot and be d—d ; I'll fight whilst life is left." 1 ,, P : conflict then continued for some, time longer, when prisoner cut the policeman across the back of the rig:, hand, dividing the tendons, and depriving him of use of his staff-hand. In the course of the struggle, which lasted nearly two hours. a quantity of bloo d al' lost on each side, and they both lay in their gore ef hausted on the ground for some time. The polic erell „i after a little time, roused himself and comelee e '. shouting "Murder," thinking hewould be heard he some person who would render him assistance , felt himself getting weak from the loss of blood `",, 0 prisoner all this time was lying unable to 1.13° . ,.; on the ground. A carter, who lived at a house, more than a quarter of a mile away, corn out to see his horses, heard the shouts, and goe„,, u ; formation to the police at Winchcombe, the constable and prisoner were removed in a ca w. and their wounds immediately dressed by Dr. . 0° „, man, of that place. The prisoner was then re c _.„ ° ';,l sized as being a most notorious character, David Johns, a sweep, and a native of St o w-on - tP; 'Vold, who had been previously convicted of burgisS.F-' the winter assizes of 1844, and sentenced to two Iribe imprisonment. It was subsequently ascertained 'bil k ,' 0 house of Mr. Trotman, of Winchcombe, had ri n e burglariously entered, by cutting the pannel out 01 ",11 door, and a quantity of property stolen therefrom' e e of which was foand in the bundle which the pr ia lt , Johns was carrying. It has been discovered the prisoner's right arm has been broken in the drea a o , conflict. The constable, we are happy to say, is tr sidered out of dancer, but very great fears are ell'" 0 rained that he will lose the use of his right hand,. 11 7, 0 the fact of the sinews being divided ; the wounds 1111 Pld neck and face are going on well. Banning, we vie.o o , remark, is a very peaceable man, of mild 0 di s positt_ and bears an excellmt character among the dueinha bit6 of Winchcombe, and in the force. Great praise is the to the officer for the stout resistance he made. an determined manner in which he overpowered Ids 1 1 cherous antagonist, armed as he was with such a del o weapon as a butcher's knife. Johns is now lying a l union wollehouse, Winchcombe, receiving medical v went, and as soon as he recovers sufficiently, e l ` brought before the magistrates. Dispatches were sent off last evening from the —O - office, for the Governor of the -Mauritius. ; o .bteci LEGISLATING IN TIIE DARK.--SOMP 51:101'0540 bbd Member (Mr. Hume, we think) complained of the ve9 c i—tog iighting of the House. We should say that, coin ; re how very obscure mot of the public messeres we cl l was a sad deficiency of light in the House of Commons, w _ t of prevented Members seeing things as clearly as peoPle.td of doors. The light seems to come all from ono side—a .n e o party light—which may account for such one-sided 1,00 being always taken of the laws of the country by those the have been legislating in the dark. There appears to be , h o Tory light, the Whig light, and the Radical light, an d ef farthing rushlight, the Protectionist light. N o w, the en n l a , these lights are merged into one, and a good central ligbge• troduced, by which Members shall be able to see the on all sid ,, s of the House, the better it will be for those 'L er have an antipathy to taxes. We do not know of a be- pg one than the light of truth. It is cheap—requires uotso l Aa 't —trims itself—never goes out, and gives the light of weuat e r know how many million candles? Will any tallow-Chi° inform the Ilin , e where it is to be had ?—Punch. VC li b noefiELAG ; OR, ENGLAND IN THE NEW °ll TO ). EDITED BY ELIOT WARBURTON, ESQ., AUTHOR " r dy , CRESCENT AND THE CROSS."—Mr. Colbßill has this day s r Hatted a third edition of the above work, in 2 vols., 00 can now be bad of all booksellers. Mr. Colburn ha s ,, ti o just published-2. Adventures of the Connaught Its u b a rs, by W. Grattan, Esq., late Lieutenant Connaught Ra ri b,„or 2 vols. 3. Revelations of Portugal, and Overland jourp_a to Lisbon, by T. M. Hughes, Esq., 2 vols. 4. The third Po, fourth volumes of General Mont holon's History of the 9' 1) 0, vity of Napoleon at St. Helena, completing the weri‘• 10, Burke's History of the Lauded Gentry, complete in 2 p e lt Svo.• C. Titiers' History of the Consulate and . E 1 translated by D. Forbes Campbell, Esq., with the parie l° ,; o oo the author, 6 vols., build in 3, price, 31r. 6d. 7. Th e ' ef o,' eluding volumes(6 and 7) of the D'Arblay Diary and Let s t a o ROYAL INFIRMARY FOR CHILDREN.—OaTO C ty the thirtieth anniversary festival of this institution Rag le' brated by a dinner, at the London Tavern. Bishopsmlieo street. Lord Ashley presided, and amongst the gen t L e l l l present, and acting as stewards, we observed A. IL BSI' ate Esq., S. M. Veto, Eeq., Dr. West, 8c... The dinner teas tended by about eighty gentlemen. The chair was ta le she half- . )ast six, ard after the cloth was removed, and itf usual' loyal toasts drank, the chairman proposed, " Prosp er e 64 to the Infirmary for Children," and in a brief address e t tp upon the company present to give their cordial suPP °r o the instituthm. The toast was drank with the greatest e ntba a te stasm, and Mr. Delman, the secretary, read a list of script ions, amimg - which were the following:—(The "b os P l ia• fund" is devoted' to the purpose of erecting a hospitab..4, stead of the existing infirmary) :—Her Majesty the Q i n* 211. ; the Queen I)owa4er, 10!. ; for the hospital A. Barclay, Esq., and friends, 501 ; Lord Ashley, 51 ; s' r , Veto, Esq., 'XL Dow, and 100!. when the hospital is cy t a n , pleted; Dr. West, 20/., and 1001. when the hospital is All' pleted ; Crook, Esq., 1(1. ; Esq., 151; --- ","ta shire, Esq.. and friends, 22e. ; Dolman, Esq. Secretive l y the institution, 211.; total amount of subscriptions t° hospital fund, 305/. 9e. 6d.; amount of donations to th e 44 , stitution, 1151. 75.; annual subscriptions, 116/. 16s• Thanks having been voted to the Noble Chairman, the C° pany separated. pa [ADVERTISEMENT.] —TEAS AT" HOLESALE A- - 1 ) , ( 0 No. 2, BUCKLERSBURY, CHEAPSIDE.—FamiIies v" . '" ) ere • consumption is large, and Study economy, Will d e D i. considerable advantage at this establi,hment. 013 e - l. • form price is affixed, ' hy hich thc purchaser of a 60/. vund can obtain it on the saute terms as the trade. • Black Tea ...2s. Bd., 35., 3s. 4d, 3s. Bd, 4g., 45. 4d. , " Green 3s. 4 , 1., 3s. 841., 45., 4s. 4d , 55., 68. 7 1 ' 841, Coffee. 9d., lud.. is 2d., Is. 4d., Is. 6d., One pound sent free to any part of town. Order s frusbo., the country forwarded the ~,ame day; and whe ° quantity is for Gib. weight (tea only), the carriag7l o , paid to any Intl of EngIand.—MANSVLL and '''- • whole , ale tea dealers. 2, Burklersburv, Cheapside. O [ADVERTISEMENT.)—SENT INTO THE COUNTRY fir: UPON A PPROBATION.-39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Ne w „,•,'o o, vented Spectacles, powerful 'Telescopes, - Opera Glasses, Micror: tral &c.—Patronised by his Majesty the King of Hanover, her Griweor Dowager Duchess of Bedford, their Graces the Archbishops 0 1 Ar terbury, York, and Dublin, the Dukes of Devonshire, Norfols. , c or gyle, Marlborough and Manchester, Bishops of Exeter, 1 400 Cork, Kilmore, and Kildare. Messrs. S. and B. Solotnons ',ooe • end Opticians, have invented Spectacle Lenses upon lion. Immediately ;hey are placed before imperfect vision, ef t "' 0 0 day or candlelight, that mist acid dullness which appear before,. - a new ' co'r e r eyes is at once removed, every object becomes clear and distino"os pis that b,,reo t it l i q i s pti i g er as h ., t , I ,(, .z .i c de u r m oar 7 .g s (3i state. a and d A b 3 r ifa l i l o l e i rotb al l vie t i lto o.: a-((ittti, defectiveh T inl I , lasses, t o asg i l adlleakfinncsiss.of Caution Messrs. S. u l d br l3 r . m in o s s 'i t 'ib e i x e' tr a et Opticians and Aurisis, are not in any way connected with af t , 0 7 of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood, no r ,,_,rve: part of the country. To prevent mistakes, be cautious and o ..q.the Only to be bad at :39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, oPP''' York /tote. A sTI I4 ! [ ADVERTISEMENT]. —COLDS, COUGHS, AND fro.- EASILY CURED BY IIOLLOWAY'S PILLS —Let DO person saficrilis on' asthma consider himself as past all cure, even it so bad as t°_,, r ate l able to lie down in bed, Nvilhout trying the effect of these celctootl pills, as alms- doses w soon carry off the phlegm and oPfdi ; p ro te from the chest, arid produce a healthy action of the lungS: vet erS per course of this famed medicine will insure a cure. teet h coughs and colds will soon yield to the like treatment. ." Dead; at mo yof the Rev. David Williams, Wtsleyan minister and elsigoonierooo/ maris. is to this effect most astonishing-,Sold by all druge7 at Professor 110110 ay's Establishment, 244, Strand, 1111,711.. On the 14th inst., at Munich, Mre. B he r M Milhanlse, the lady of 01 jesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plentpotentiart , and heir. NO' On the 20th inst., at Southery, Norfolk, the wi fe of the Michael Thomas Du Pre, of a daughter. of On the 21st inst., at Dublin, the lion. Mrs. Robert Da•IY, daughter, still-r• On the 2lst In bo st., n the 1341 at Llwyn-y-Verllan, Carmarthensh i r e, • of Alan James Gulston, Esq., of a son. , , -1,,e the On the 21st inst., at Liverpool-terrace, Islington, .the., 17" Rev. Charles C. Crakanthorp, of a daughter. • • On the 22d inst., at Seatorth Cottage, Trinit3'. Edinbrallt; of Octavus U. Trezevant, of twin sons. Scott, ZOO On the 23d inst., at Boulogne-sur-Mer, the lady of John So . M On the of a son. B Coals telo 25th inst., in Wilton-terrace, elgrave - squ are, the Reventlow, the lady of the Darish Minister, of a daug hter. fora On the 25th inst., at Sussex- , quare, Hyde-park, the wife of " Entvvisle, Esq., M.P., of a son. rilE. O. On the 25th inst. at St. MA Pete l.! r's Church, Walwort h, by t he WI George Ainslie, M.A., 1 Captain Lawrence, of the East India Clark, to Mirian Ann, eldest daughter of W. B. Boddy, Saville-row, Walworth. DIED. 2d On the 15th inst., Alexander James, the infant son, and on the 0 , Inst., Frances Emily, the wife of the Rev. Jam es Isaacson, Rector Elveden, Suffolk. On the 20th inst., at Ilast!ngs, Sussex, the Rev. Edward Ereawood, M.A., Rector of Halstead, Kent, aged 53 ------ f So. 1 1 I,cius,n: Printed slid Published by UILDO YOITIIIa. the et i n ct -4..).,1•1. Printer, at Me Sun Of2c , ~ ri fC• si the Savoy. in tke County of kilddliNes bruary 26, 1847. 111. ~.