The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-17 00:00:00

s- ~. , , •, `"•4\ • (YESTERDAY.) GROUP XII. 4 - - - • t • - RAILWAY COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP No. I. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group , re - assembl ed in Room 30, at the usual hour this morning; Lord Granville Somerset in the chair. THE SOUTH-EASTERN SCHENCESd The The evidence in favour of these lines was resumed. first witness called was Mr. E. Ellis, a ssd,io le i s u ale ta i v r u o u n r m u o f n i g h e e r of Maidstone, who gave general evidence u nd Filmer, M.P. Mid Kent line • as did also Sir E a. Mr. James 'Macgregor, Ch u r d r d m man of the South-Eastern progress of the company. Company, related the history The first dividend paid was a in October. 1844, amounting and the last . in October, 1846, only to 16s. 6d. p amounting to 17si er pe sr for share, amounting e. In 1845, the charges to the first class from London to Dover, public in August were, 18s. 6d. ; second, 6d.Subsequently 12e. ; Ind third, 7s. the fares were reduced to 15a. 6(1. for firet class, arid 10s. for second, on the whole distance, with the view of developing the traffic, while the third-class trains were doubled, two express trains per diem were put on, and an extensive day ticket system was adopted, and all for the advantage and accommodation of the public. This experiment was made for three months, but it did not succeed ; in fact, it resulted in a serious loss to the company, indeed to no less an extent than 20,0001. upon the whole year. The company was, therefore, compelled to re-adjust their fairs, and at present they stood thus :—First class to Dover, 163. 6d., second 125., and third 7s. 4d. Upon the comparison . with the charges on other lines it would be round that on thirteen of the principal lines the average was 1-75th, while on the South-Eastern it did not average more than 1.63 rd. On the Brighton the average was 1-70. If the lines the com pany had now before the Committee were granted, he was pre pared to pledge himself that the maximum charges for passengers on the line should he—for express 2-75ths per mile, for first 2-25ths per mile, for second 1-65ths, and for third Id. per mile. With regard to the charges for goods, a state ment upon that head would hereafter be submitted to the Committee. Competition in railways could never be main tained in Kent, and he thought it highly desirable that the Committee should discountenance such a principle. It had been openly denounced by Mr. Grenfell, the chairman o the Brighton Company himself, while speaking at one of his own meetings of the absurdity of their attempting to compete with the South-Western Company for Portsmouth traffic ; but, indeed, upon all hands it was ad • mitted that a well -regulated monopoly in railways always proved more advantageous for the public than competition. Hitherto the South-Eastern Company had been struggling with severe difficulties, but it was now approaching a state when it could: afford almost every amount of accommoda tion to the public. These extensions, it was true, would render a great portion of the main line useless, but although the undertaking in its early career involved an immense out lay of money, these new lines and extensions would amply repay the shareholders fur the risks they had already run for the benefit of the public. With regard to the ex tension of the line from Canterbury to Dover, that was, in his estimation, a question of time. He fully ad mitted the expedience and utility of such a line, and was prepared to pledge the South-Eastern Company to construct it, so soon as the works they were, he hoped, about to under take should be completed. Mr. Macgregor was cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT. The cross-examination was confined almost exclusively to the question of raising the fares. All, however, that it elicited was, that on one or two occasions, shortly after the reduction of the fares, Mr. Macgregor admitted at a meeting iu Canter bury, and at a meeting of proprietors, that the experiment had so far succeeded beyond previous expectation ; while in eh. Morrison's committee, one of the officers of the South-Eastern Company (Mr. Wheatley, the accountant) made the same admission. The long or through fares were settled by the board of directors, but the intermediate fares were fixed by the local officers, who were previously put in possession of the views of the directors on the subject. He denied that the board had recently contemplated raising their charges on parcels. It was true, that a new order had been issued, altering the mode of charging, but not raising the charge. Mr. TALBOT said he should require that the minuteebook containing the note of the change should be produced. The COUNSEL for the South-Eastern Company said it was hardly fair that the director of one railway com pany should be allowed to go rummaging over the pri vate books of another company. His Learned Friend should have a certified copy of the minute he referred to, namely, 4th December, 18 i 6, and no more could be required of Mr. Macgregor. The Cross-examination was then continued.—The secre tary of the company wrote a letter to the different depart ments, authorising- the alteration, but the order was subse quently rescinded. The truth was, that the directors were anxious so t o re d uce t h e carr i age of parcels by passengers' trains, as to throw that description of traffic off the goods' trains on to the passengers' trains, and the minute or rider now under discussion was in that spirit. Under the existing system, the par ce l was not sent directly from the transmitter to the railway, but through the agency of receivers, who, al though they had a large package of these parcels serried at a low rate, still charged a- very high rate to the original transmitter. The order in question was made to break down that system, but unfortunately the order was so framed that the carriage of a parcel by passenger trains for a short distance was charged the same as for a long distance. The defect was only discovered recently, and the company were about to establish the system of carrying parcels by the passenger trains and charging for them by the distance in the same way that they charged for passengers. Mr. Mac gregor complained that his character and veracity had been a good deal maligned upon this point by interested parties in Canterbury, and again through the medium of a particular channel in town, and he had hitherto felt a delicacy in ex plaining the matter, thinking it beter to have it thoroughly sifted in a tribunal like the present. The cross-examination had not terminated when the Com mittee rose, and it was adjourned till Tursdav, Mr. Macgregor having to preside at the South-Eastern meeting to-morrow. The Committee adjourned at five o'clock till twelve o'clock to-morrow (phis day). This Committee assembled to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room 23 ; the Hon. Mr. Lascelles in the chair. LYNN AND ELY (EXTENSIO:II7 TO num?' ST. rIDII+IVIV2'S.) This was the first Bill proceeded with, which is an ex , tension line from the Lynn and Ely Railway to Bury St Edmund's. Mr. Sergeant Wit:INGHAM opened the casa for the pro moters, explaining the merits of the scheme, which he de scribed to be free from engineering difficulties. It waa twenty-three miles in length, and was estimated to cost 830,0001. Several witnesses were examined as to the expected traffic on the line, which was described to be very great. It would be the means of affording accommodation to an important agricultural district. - Mr. Valentine deposed to the engineering peculiarities of the line, which he represented to be very favourable. The curves were light, and the heaviest gradient was one in 165. The works generally were light, and would be easily con structed within the estintrtes. This was the case for the promoters. Mr. Sergeant Knto',Alm was heard on the part of certain petitioners against the line, after which the Committee ad journed till to morrow at twelve o'clock. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The Committee on Standing Orders met yesterday at the usual hour for the dispatch of public business. The greater portion of the day was occupied in the consideration of the case of the North British Railway. The following were the decisions announced : :NORTH BRITISH (No. 2). Allowed to proceed. COVENTRY, BANBURY, AND OXFORD JUNCTION RAILWAY. Allowed to proceed. GREAT IND CAN PENINSULA RAILWAY. A meeting of the scripholders in this undertaking was held s ester day at the company's offices, 3, New Broad -street, City, to receive the report of the directors ; Lord Wharncliffe, President of the Board of Directors, in the chair. The Noble CHAIRMAN said that, in opening the proceed ings of the meeting, lie did not feel it necessary to detain them very long by any observations. They would hear the report read, which would place them in the full possession of the position in which the company stood at that very time. The meeting he had the honour to address was not very numerous; but they (the directors) hoped that they might infer, even from that circumstance, that they (the shareholder;) placed confidence in the mode in which the affairs of the company had been transacted. He believed _ that they were entitled to that confidence, and he trusted those who should hear the report would not have any doubt that their efforts had been applied to the object for which the company had been constituted. When they under took to construct that railway, every one knew that great delays must occur before iliey could carry out their object. In the first place, they were aware that the pre liminariec would consume an immensity of their time. They also felt that the governing powers in India were entitled to claim some delay. It was necessary to make inquiries as to distance and expenditure, for if a system of railway were adopted in India the whole responsi bility must rest upon the governing powers there. It was also reasonable that those in authority should wish for time to make their selection from the different schemes suberitted to them. They ( the company) ought not, thereto, e, to be surprised at the delay that had taken place. At the same time, the directors could not deny that they had hoped that they should have made greater ad vances than they had done, and that they would have been able to lay before the shareholders and the public something more distinct than they could at present submit to the authorities in this country, not in India. However, they bad every reason to believe that they were favourable to the introduction of railways into India, and. that they ( the company) stood in a favourable position wa.s evident, from. the correspondence that had taken place between the Honour able the East India Company and members of their com pany. One of the e rincipal reasons the directors had in calling the present meeting was to have an opportunity of communicating with their subscribers, and laying before them a report of the proceedings up to the present time, and to adopt the steps that were necessaey to be taken. They had been obliged to introduce a Bill into Parliament; having no reasonable doubt as to the success of their under taking, they thought it right to obtain that incorporation which waif necessary. That Bill was then before the Parliament; it had been read a second time. That was the position in which rectors they then stood, but before . takine• any further steps the di considered that it would be right to give their subscribers all the inform a ti on i n t h e i r power, and to afford them an they might think proper to of making any observations necessary for hint a to add It was not, perhaps, anything further, but to allow the report to be read. Of course, when they had obtained the decision of t pany, 4-they would t h en L: he East Indi a Com circumstances that might ariee: in express his firm firepared fur the new r they were engaged ° l ye a remunerative confidence that the undertaking culable benek to would be carried out, and that it would speculation to the subscribers, and an i the public both of this country and of India.—(llear Mr. Ilt:Trox then real the report of the tiirecto'rstefar.,) which it appeared that after coneiderable thincultiee they succeeded in gettinie plahnisdardeections completed. Th y , Payment on result of the allotment , been the 75,678 shares, and the execution of the deed and the duple. cates on the bonds by the subscribers amounted to 60, 043 shares. The total numbe r of shares paid on in England was 64,700 and the subscription deed had been executed for 53,865. The deposits paid in Bombay were 6,1781. The total amount of funds realised was 22,122/. 3 s. Gd. The report, after adverting to the difficulties which were encountered from the climate and other local cir cumstances, proceeded to state that data had been obtained for constructing a line of railway from Bombay to Alleah, a distance of 108% miles, with an extension of 36 miles, as far as Alhnse, in the direction of Shala poor ; also an extension of 31 miles, as far as Purah River, in the direction (if Hoshungabad. That was a line which would bring the grain, cotton, &c., and return the salt of the coast, the piece goods and hardware of Manchester and Birmingham. The estimated return the line would afford would be a profit of 11 per cent. upon the cost of its construction. The whole of the documents had been printed, and were open to the inspection of the subscribers. The East India Company had expressed themselves favourably towards their project, and they would see from the report of Mr. Stephenson, that, while he differed in some points from the engineer of the com pany, his opinion of the line was most gratifying The expenditure was 17,934/. 13s. 10d. The report having referred in laudatory terms to the services of the different officers of the company, concluded by recommending the shareholders to promote the Bill before Parliament as being calculated to advance their interests. Mr. WILLIAMSON proposed the adoption of the report. Mr. WILSON seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. G. W. ANDERSON, Esq. (late member of the Council of Bombay), proposed a resolution to the effect that the directors of the railway should be requested to continue their negotia tions with the Board of the Hon. the East India Company with a view to enable them to bring their undertaking to a satisfactory result. He had no doubt that the board to which he alluded had every friendly disposition towards the company. W. ANDERSON, Esq., seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Noble CHAIRMAN proposed. in very flattering terms, that the name of Mr. Halton, who was one of the provi sional committee, and who had acted as secretary to the company, and had contributed from the position be held very much to their success, should be inserted in the report in conjunction with the gentlemen whose names they had men tioned in so flattering a manner. Mr. HAminzoN, M.P., seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Havrox, in returning thanks, observed that a very false impression existed with reference to the probability of the success of railways in India. Towns had grown up there with a rapidity unknown to this part of the world, and the Hindoos were remarkable for the quickness with which they rode or drove; numbers of weal thynatives might be seen in their carriages, and these, no doubt, would prefer in many ceses travelling by steam. Besides, there were many wealthy merchants in India who were ready to embark their capital in enterprises. He conceived that the same motives that led to the formation of railways in this country would operate in India, and that the desire of making a profitable speculation was felt there as well as here. Thanks having been voted to the Noble Chairman and the other directors, the meeting separated. NEWPORT, ABERGAVENNY, AND HEREFORD RAILWAY COMPANY. The first general meeting of the proprietors of this Cool pany was held yesterday, at the offices of the company, No. 2, Moorgate-street ; the Hon. Capt. Fitzmaurice, in the chair. The SECRETARY read the report, from which we make the following extracts:— " The directors beg to state that the arrangements proposed in their circular of the 23d of December last, having been readily acquiesced in, a large number of shareholders in the Monmouthshire Railway Company were admitted into this company. The proprietary has thus been materially strengthened, and the registration, up to the present time, consists of 377 proprietors, holding in the aggregate 22,180 shares of 2 51. each, with 2/. 10s. per share credited thereon, out of 29,320 shares of like amount, being the total number authorised to be issued under the Act. " Under the Act of Incorporation, the company was ern. powered to carry out arrangements entered into for the pur chase of the Llanvihangel, Grosmont and Hereford Tram roads. These sales having been ratified by the shareholders in these respective companies, the first instalment of pur chaee money has been :paid to the Hereford train-road Company, and similar instalments are in course of payment to the other two companies. The balance of the purchase moneys (about 45,000), will be payable in March, 1848. "This company is entitled to the revenue of the train roads from October last ; and the directors look forward to a return of half the purchase money from the sale of the land and plant included in the purchase. Great facilities will be obtained, and much expense saved, in the construction cf the line, by the acquisition of this valuable prcperty. " The whole of the main line of railway has now been laid out by the engineer; and the directors have advertised for the portion of the line between Pontypool and Abergavenny, where the works are the heaviest, and which will conse quently take the longest time in completion. " The directors made a call of 11. 10s. a share, payable on the let of this month, which has been readily responded to, and they confidently anticipate the early payment of the whole call. "In coeformity with the algrost universal practice now adopted by railway companies, the directors have thought it right to allow intere-t at the rate of 4 per cent. on the depo sit, from the date of the Act; and they propose, fur the fu ture, to allow 5 per cent. on the deposit and calls as they are paid." The CHAIRMAN then adverted to some of the topics in the report, and put a resolution to the meeting that the report should be adopted and circulated. The Hon. H. lixox seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The present directors were then re-elected; 700/. voted to them for their past services, and 800/. for their services during the ensuing year. Two auditors were also appointed, and the salary of the secretary fixed at 600/. per annum. SPECIAL MEETING. The meeting was then made special, when the following Bills were submitied for the approval of the shareholders:— A Hill for amending the Newport, Abergavenny, :and Hereford Railway Act. 1846, and to authorise deviations from the line of the said railway, and for making branches and extensions therefrom. A Bill to enable the Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Railway Company, to extend their railway from the neigh bourhood of Pontypool, to the Taff Vale Railway. The Cnium.t.kx briefly stated the leading objects of both Bills, which had passed the Standing Orders Committee, and were now waiting the appointment of a Committee to in vestigate their merits, and concluded by submitting resolu tions strongly recommending the extensions to the adoption of the shareholders. The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. This terminated the business of the meeting. TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, Mancx 16, 1847. Notice is hereby given, that her Majesty will hold a Drawing-room, at St. James's Palace, on Saturday, the 27th instant, at two o'clock. REGULATIONS TO BE OBSEIIVED AT THE QUEEN'S DRAW ING•ROO3I.—The Ladies who purpose attending her Ma jesty's Drawing-room are requested to bring with them two large cards, with their names legibly written thereon, one to be left with the Queen's Page in attendance in the Pre sence-chamber, and the other to be delivered to the Lord Chamberlain, who will announce the name to her Ma jesty. And those Ladies who are to be presented are hereby informed, it is absolutely necessary that their names, together with the names of the Ladies who are to present them, should be sent in to the Lord Chamberlain's-office, before twelve o'clock on Thurs day, the 25th instant, in order that they may be submitted for the Queen's approbation ; it being her Majesty's com mand that no presentation shall take place unless the name of the lady presenting, together with that of the lady to be presented, shall appear on the card to be delivered to the Lord Chamberlain, which names shall correspond with those previously sent in to the Lord Chamberlain's-office. It is particularly requested that in every case written cards only be delivered. FOREIGN-OFFICE, Menet' 12. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. John Burd, as Consul at Hong-Kong for his Majesty the King of Den mark. FOREIGEOFFICE, MARCH 13. The Quern has been pleased to 'approve of Mr. Francisco Jose de Paiva, as Consul General at Hung Kong for her Majesty the Queen of Portugal and the Algarvee. DOWSING-STREET, MARCH 16. • The Queen has teen pleased to appoint Charles Packer, Esq., to be her Majesty's Solicitor-General fur the Island of Barbadoes. _ CROWN-OFFICE, MAncit 16. MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARI.I.I3IENT City of Canterbury—Sir AlbertiDenison Conyngham. Knt., commonly called ford Albert Conyngham, in the room of James Bradshaw, Esq., deceased. WHITEHALL, FEB. 19. The Lord Chancellor has appointed William George Cur-. sham, of the town and county of the town of Nottingham, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. WHITEHALL, MARCH 9. The Lord Chancellor has appointed William Sutcliffe, of Hebden-bridge, near Halifax. Yorkshire, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Queen's Own Royal Regiment of Staffordshire Yeomanry Cavalry—Franci Orlando Henry Bridgeman, Gent., to be Cornet, vice Briscoe, promoted, Feb. 20. BANKRUPTCIES SUPERSEDED. George Knight, dealer in manure, Weybridge, Surrey. Hew)on Dutchman, merchant and ship-owner, Toxteth park, Liverpool. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 17, 1847. BANKRUPTS. _ - Robert Saw, cheesemonger, Hammersmith, to surrender March 22, at one, and April 26, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street, City; Dods, St. Martin's-lane. William Round, cheesemonger, Hammersmith, March 26, at twelve, and April 26, at half-past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official assignee, Old Jewry-cham bers ; Dods, St. Martin's -lane. James Joyce, corn dealer, Warwick-lane, March 23, at one, and April 27, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Tilson, Squance, Clarke, and Morris, Coleman-street. John Greville Fennell, dealer in perfumery, King-street, Holborn, March 25, at one, and May 1, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Pullen, Basingliall-street. Charles Jardine, woollen-warehouseman, Basingliall-street, March 25, at one, and April 23, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane; Baylis and Drewe, Basinghall- street. Richard Parker, carrier, New Inn-yard, Old Bailey, March 25, and April 27, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Lawrance and Flews, Old Jewry-chambers. Francis Kesteven, builder, Camden-street, Camden-town, Middlesex, March 25, and April 27, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lombard -street; Hewson, Ironmonger-lane, Cheapside. George Hilton, grocer, Hythe, Kent, March 25 and April 27, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lombard-street; Lawrence and Plows, Old Jewry-chambers. Henry Hugh Beams Paull, lodging-housekeeper, Peck ham, March 25, at eleven, and April 29, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basing hall-street ; Sturmy and Simpson, Wellington-street, Lon don-bridge. William Hayward, butcher, Ashford, Kent, March 25, at half-past one, and April 28, at one; at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-street; But terfield and Co., Gray's Inn. John Halstead, cotton manufacturer, Radcliffe, near Man chester, March 26, and April 16, at eleven, at the Manches ter District Court. Hobson, official assignee, Manchester; Clarke, Gray, and Woodcock, Lincoln's Inn-fields, London; Whitehead, Bury. John Nosworthy, stock-broker, Manchester, March 26, and April 16, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hob asocottannj,ho_fiireicilailaraesiignee Manchester; Sharpe, Field, and Jack :aßmeedsford:row, London Burdett, Manchester. Winder,29dyerd, Aprillla m p slo9n, at twelve,Mills, near at Bu t r h y e , an - Man chesterGchibiashonolDistrict Court. an Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Henry and Jaynes and Gibson, Lincoln's Inn-fields, London; and Thomas Booth,' Booth , Denton, LaciacerkhDiriseirlicltarechou3Ort. hat - naanufacturers, Haughton, 20, at twelve, at the Manchester official assignee, Manchester; and April Lincoln's Inn-fields, London • Bye ' r Gray, and Woodcock, ks, Ashton -raider-Lyrae. Owen Goodwin and Thomas Goodwin, druggists, Burslem, Staffordshire, March 31 and April 21, at eleven, at the Bir mingham District Court. Whitmore, official assignee, Bir mingham ; Pitcher, New Broad-street, Loudon ; Hodgson, Birmingham. Richard Gibson, grazier. Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire, March 30, at half-past eleven, and April 27, at twelve, at the Birmingham District Court. Valpy, official assignee, Bir mingham ; Weeks, Cook's-court, Lincoln's Inn; Smith, Birmingham. Thomas Walkden, scrivener Mansfield, April I and 30, at eleven, at the Leeds 'District Court. Freeman, official as signee, Leeds ; Moss, Sergeants' Inn, London ; Branson, Sheffield. Robert Glover and Frederick Glover, Leeds, March 27, and April 16, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Hartley, Southampton-street, Bloomsbury ; Payne, Eddison, and Ford, Leeds. Elizabeth Barrs, lodging-housekeepeer, Cheltenham, Glou cestershire, April 1 and 27, at one, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol ; Chesshyre, Chel tenham. John Harvey, assayer, Liskeard, Cornwall, March 30 and April 21, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court. Hirtzel, official assignee, Exeter; Stogdon, Exeter; lieddell al,d Co., Lime -street, London. John Ingham, merchant, Liverpool, March 30 and April 20, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool; Vincent, Temple, London ; R binson, Liverpool. DIVIDENDS DECLARED. John Griffiths, stationer, Liverpool—first div. of 6s. in the pound, on any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. James Willson, wine merchant, Liverpool —second div. of 4s. sd. in the pound, on any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. Joseph Hall, innkeeper, Carlisle—first div. of ss. in the pound, on auy Saturday, at the office of Mr. Baker, New castle-upon-Tyne. John Jones, ironmonger, Burslem, StafEirdshire—first div. of ss. 6d. in the pound, any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Christie, Birmingham. Charles Taylor, brush manufacturer, Birmingham—first div. of 9d. in the pound, on any Tuesday before May 31, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Birmingham. Thomas Peirson, money scrivener, Warwick-court, Holborn —first div of 4s. in the pound, on any Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green, Aldermanbury. Charles William Graham, merchant, King's Arms-yard, Coleman-street, City—fi rs t div. of Is. in the pound, on any Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green, Aldermanbury. DIVIDENDS. _ _ At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street. J. 1 itley, woollendraper, High-street, Southwark, April 7, at half-past eleven—R. Satchel], jun., brewer, Wineley street, Southwark, April 21, at one—H. Wilkinson, cabinet maker, Watford, Hertfordshire, April 21, at twelve—J. Clark, merchant, Cresent, Minories, April 21, at twelve. In the Country. D. W. Acraman, W. E. Acraman, and A. J. Acraman, merchants, Bristol, April 9, at twelve, at the Bristol District Court—A. Birchall, share broker, Manchester, April 9, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court—J. Roberts and H. Hughes, linendrapers, Manchester, April 9, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court—J. Roberts, linendraper, Manchester, April 9, at eleven, at the Manchester Di s t r ict Court—H. Hughes, . linendraper, Manchester, April 9, at eleven, at the Manchester District Court—A. S. M'Laurin, warehouseman, Bradford, Yorkshire, April 9, at eleven at the Leeds District Court—J. Winter, Stoke-under-Hamdon, Somersetshire, April 7, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court—J. Winter, Stoke-under-Hamdor, April 8, at one, at the Exeter District Court. CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown to the contrary, on the day herein mentioned. P. J. Luntley, druggist, Bread-street-hill, City, April 8— A. S. M'Laurin, warehouseman, Bradford, Yorkshire, April 8 —J. Bickerton, hat manufacturer, Castle-street, Southwark, April 14—T. Yates, cotton manufacturer, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, April B—W. F. Brand, draper, Wigan, Lan cashire, April 6—J. Sutcliffe, cotton spinner, liabergham Eaves, Lancashire, April 6. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. S. and A. Westbrook, licensed victuallers, Freemans'- court, Cheapside—F. Allen and J. W. Byrne, manufacturing chemists, Bow-common—11. Jerikinson and W. 11. lkl•Dowell, coal merchants, Liverpool—J. Booth and J. Ward, surgeonx, Penistone, Yorkshire—J. Brown, D. Crighton, and J. Holden, spinner,-, Pendleton, Lancashire (so far as regards J. Brown) Ball, W. Cumley, and W. Ball, calenderers, Manchester —A. Currie, C. Tanqueray. and J. S. Tanqueray, rectifiers, Vine-street, Bloomsbury—A. Graham, R. Graham, A. Mounsey, R. Jackson, J. Monkhouse, and M. Falcon, brewers, Carlisle—T. Gorst and W. Owen, grocers, Warring ton—W. and W. Weighill, tanners, Whitby, Yorkshire—J. Rosbettom, J. Wane, and r. Moon, colliers, Eccleston, Ls:i cashire so far as regards J. Itosbottorn —W. Gregory and C. B. Williams, map sellers, Cheapide— . T. Cope and J. Ch worth, linen manufacturers, Barnsley. Yorkshire—H. and S. Wake, school slate manufacturers, Lombard -street, South wark-bridge-road—lt. Learoyd, J. Learoyd, and J. Learoyd, cotton spinners, Halifax, Yorkshire—C. A. de Liancourt and L. Castelain, oil clarifiers, Battersea—A. S. Stocker and C. 11. Whitfield, wine merchants, Middlesex-passage, Bartholo mew-close, City. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. Stewart Duncan, Robert Dunn, and David Whyte, ware housemen, Edinburgh, March 23 and April 9, at two, at the chambers of Mr. Muir, Edinburgh. Alexander Stevenson and Sons, stock brolrers, Edinburgh, March 22 and April 22, at one, at Stevenson and Sons' Edinburgh. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of March 16.) SUGAR.—To-day the market presented a firmer appear ance for the better sorts of free and slave-labour sugar, the home-trade were axious to operate, exporters and our re finers working under bond came forward with more freedom, and an advance in the value of some sorts took place. At the public sales of East India and Mauritius Sugar there was fair competition in the biddings. REFIVED.—To-day refined goods were largely dealt in by the home trade, and advanced rates were paid. A further rise is expected to take place shortly. In Bonded Crushed Sugar large purchases were made, and higher rates given. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon Madras Sugar met with little attention, and 5,193 bags at public sale went Gd. to Is. per cwt. under former rates, but the whole sold. Bengal is still plentiful, and the parcels offered at auction amounted to 8,020 bags, still the chief part sold at and after the sales at the former value. MAunrnus.—This afternoon the quantity of Mauritius Sugar offered at public sale amounted to 11,194 bags and 767 casks, and consisted chiefly of bright grocery sorts; the demand was active for all kinds, and the whole sold at fully former rates, and in soma cases even 6d per cwt advance. FOREIGN.—To••day there were numerous inquiries after Foreign Sugar of all sorts for exportation, and our refiners working under bond, manifested a greater desire to operate ; the rates offered were fully equal to those of last week, but holders insisting upon an advance of is to 2s per cwt, caused the operations by private treaty to be unimportant. MorAssEs.—There has been little business transacted in any kind, of West India, and the tendency of prices is cownwards for all sorts. At public sale, 90 hhds of Cossi pore taken in at 275. COME.—This afternoon there was only a moderate busi ness transacted privately in Ceylon, but it was difficult to purchase good ordinary pale Native under 43s per cwt: at public sale 400 bags of East India were sold at 13 to 2s lower. TEA.—There has been little desire evinced by the town or country trade to operate, in consequence of the public sales declared for Thursday being large. Green has been sparingly dealt in for all purposes, notwithstanding the moderate rates that exist. RICE.—To-day the market had a dull appearance for all sorts of East India Rice; and privately little business was done. The value of whit e B enga l, on the spot, is now 224 to 23s Gd. At public sale 187 bags Madras were sold at 21s Gd for low mid white, being rather cheaper • 500 bags Arracan were taken i n a t 21 s f or b o ld di ngy white ' half dried. FRUIT. —There has been much inquiry after Denia Raisins, in baskets, for wine making; but the supply is nearly ex hausted. Valentias are little wanted. The stock of Turkey pulled Figs being heavy, holders accept 42s to 465. Currants, for home consumption, are in good request. Eleme Raisins are in increased request. SPIRITS —The market has still a heavy appearance for all descriptions of Jamaica Rum. Calcutta and Madras met With little attention. Leeward Island is heavy of disposal. Demerara of strong quality can be obtained at 5s to 5s 3d ; still the purchases have been small. There being a large stock of Brandy here, and several parcels near at hand, merchants have submitted to rather lower rates for the younger kinds, but old sorts are held for the previous cur rency. INDlGo.—Holders of all descriptions of East India manifest firmness, and supply the market sparingly. A fair quantity has been taken. The rates paid are fully equal to those of the last quarterly sales, and in some cases rather above. COCIIINEAL.—This afternoon Cochineal met with less attention, and GI bags Honduras at public sale went at 5s lid to 6s Id, for low to middling Silvers being Id to 2d per lb under former rates. SALTPETRE. To-day, at public sale, 396 bags of Madras Saltpetre were taken in at 26s 6d for good white chrystal, 74 per cent, which is above the value. Ou.s.—This afternoon a large demand existed for Linseed Oil for home use and export, and prices advanced to 28s on . the spot, and 28s 6d for delivery. TALLOW.—There has been a falling off in the demand for Russian on the spot since our last report ; holders have ac cepted prices 3d per cwt under those that previously pre. veiled. For delivery in the last three months of the year a good demand has existed, and 46s 3d to 46s 6d are the rates given. The value of home made is 50s to 50s 6d net cash for present delivery, but the demand is less active, and there is a fair supply. Other kinds of Tallow have slightly fallen in value. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. HOME ClRCUlT.—Maidstone, March 16. The commission for the county of Kent was opened on Monday. The business is very heavy, there being 112 pri soners for trial on the Crown side, and forty-one causes, twelve of which are special jury cases, are entered for trial. Several of these cases involve the question of the law of gavelkind, peculiar to this county, and Sir F. Thesiger and Sir F. Kelly are specially retained for some of th e par ties. The business was proceeded with interest but n one of the cases disposed of were of sufficient to require a report. MIDLAND ClRCUlT.—Northampton, March IS . NEGLECT Of A LUNATIC.—Joseph Large, one of the at tendants at the Nottitigham County Lunatic Asylum, w as found guilty of having left an insane person, named Double day, by himself for a short time, contrary to orders, and who, during the prisoner's absence, committed suicide by strangling himself with his shirt. The prisoner was sen tenced to be imprisoned six weeks. Cuntous Ctr Anon OF POlSONLNG.—Erizabeth Smith, aged 29, and Sarah Taylor, aged 68, were indicted for the murder cf George Taylor, aged :36, by having kiven him arsenic at various times. Smith was the deceased's housekeeper, and the other prisoner was his step-mother; and it appeared from their own admissions that Smith had given him arsenic for the purpose of making him unwell, and thereby keeping him at home, as Smith, who was attached to him, greatly dis liked his rambling from home and his habits of dissipation, in which scheme of reformation the step-mother joined. The case was noticed at length in our paper at the time of the occurrence, and no new facts came out on the trial. One peculiarity of the case was, that no trace of arsenic had been detected in the stomach ; but the surgeon thought the poison might have passed away by vomiting. The prisoners received excellent characters, and The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. WESTERN ClRCUlT—Dorchester, Mardi 15. The only case of any public interest tried this day was the indictment against Jfarg Beanis, for the concealment of the birth of an illegitimate child. The peculiarity of the ease consisted in the marriage of the prisoner the day before the birth of the child, and though she was accused by all her neighbours with then being in the family-way, she denied it stoutly. The man to whom she was about to be married also taxed her with it before they went to church, but on her assertion that the rumour was false he married her. The jury Acquitted the prisoner. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. rio us E. OF I.ORDS, March 16. The LORD CHANCELLOR teek his scat on the Wool sack at Five o'cljck. Lord FEVERSHAM presented a petition from the guardians of the poor of the York Union, praying that measures might to taken for the immediate repeal of the Poor Removal Act. The Bishop of CHESTER presented a petition against the Tithe Commutation Act. BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD RAILWAY. Lord STANLEY said that ho had been requested by some of the shareholders of the Birmingham and Ox ford Railway to present a petition with reference to that which had been brought under their Lord ships' notice by his Noble and Learned Friend, ird Lyndhurst) and in reference to which he had given notice of his intention to move a Commit tee that night. He hoped that he might be able to state what the petitioner said with the same clearness with which it had been stated to their Lordships by his Noble and Learned Friend, but he did not think that the company had chosen well their representative, be cause, although he had considerable experience in the passing of railway Bills through Parliament, he had no knowledge of their interior workings ; he had never attended any meeting of any description of railway proprietors or shareholders. These petitioners— the parties before them who were in truth interested in the question were—on the one hand the Great North- Western Railway, and on the other hand, the Great Western Railway Company. The petitioners in this case were the shareholders in the Birmingham and Ox ford Railway, and they held shares long before the passing of the Act, and they were consequently not open to any of the charges which had been brought against other shareholders. There were some facts upon which he did not think that there was any dispute. In the first instance, the Birmingham and Oxford line, which was the subject of so much discussion, was a line contemplated by the Grand Junction and the Birmingham and Liverpool Railways. The Great Western, at the time of that union, was in rivalry, and he might say i n h os tility, to Birmingham Company, who were the the line. hat company, a promoter of th e rstoofbe line, and withdrew from the man agemen t o f originalthe however,n dopnr ceased o a m n o d t e it, and established an arranement by which the London and Birmingham formed a union as the Great Northern and Western. The Birmingham and Oxford then obtained a Bill as an independent line, subject to a provision that the Great Western Railway Company should have the right to purchase the line; and in the event of no agreement being come to by the proprietors and directors of the two companies, they were to have the right to make use of it, without purchase, subject to any agreement that could be made. At the time for passing this Bill the directors of the Birmingham and Oxford were in the interest of the Great Western Company, and they entered into arrangements to make over the Birmingham and Ox ford, and a continuous line, the Birmingham, Wol verhampton, and Dudley, to the Great Western Company. The newly formed shareholders had not been permitted the privilege of voting in con sequence of the lateness of the period at which the certificates were issued, while original shareholders, who had no longer any interest in the companies, ex ercised a right of voting. The result of the arrange ment with the Great Western Company was, that the shares of these companies rose, and the directors, taking advantage of the market, sold out 3,000 out of their 4,000 shares at a premium of 10 per cent.. the proprietors of the Birmingham and Oxford Com pany, many of a horn, he slid not conceal from their Lordships, were also connected with the Grano Junction Company, being dissatisfied with this arrangement, and having received another offer, which they considered more advantageous, they protested against the transfer of the line to the Great Western Company. What the Grand Junction, or rather the North-Western Company, proposed to do was this—they did not seek to set aside, and had no; sought to set aside, the right of the Great Western to purchase the Birmingham and Oxford line, it they could do so with the consent of the shareholders, neither did they seek to set aside, nor had they sought to set aside, the right which the Great Western also possessed of working over the line. The Great Western had offered 10/. per cent., and the North-Western subsequently offered 15/., but their offer was not founded upon the basis that they (the North-Western), in the event of becoming the pur chasers, should interfere with the powers which the Great Western possessed, but founded upon the basis that the Great Western should not have the power of ex cluding others from working over the line. They proposed to make an arrangement by which the North-Western company should have the use of their line, and work over it in conjunction with the Great Western. On the 4th of December, previous to the issue of the new shares, and before those to whom .they belonged had the right of voting, a meeting was called, at which only 21 attended, and at which a remonstrance was entered into by many of those present, who wished to have the meeting postponed until the new shareholders became bond fide shareholders, and had a right to vote ; but the proposition was negatived by the directors of the company, who adopted the original offer, and who had acted throughout in opposition to the opinion of the 40,000 or 50.000 who held shares in the Birmingham 60 Oxford Company. Now, in consequence of this arrangement, large sums had beau made by the directors. They put their shares into the market, and sold them at immense premiums. Ile did not think that the parties had any right whatever to do so ; it was against the powers of their own Act, and the subject would be brought in due course before the Corn. mittee of the House of Comtaor,s, and if they decided upon the measure being proceeded with, their Lordships. would have an opportunity of deciding upon it. Pro ceedings had, he understood, been set on foot. by the shareholders in a court of equity upon the subject. When this Bill should be brought before Parliament, the matter must be investigated before a Committee of the whole House of Commons, and should that Bill ever come up to their Lordships' House, their Lardshipa would have an opportunity of searching into the matter, and therefore the petitioners saw no reason for their Lordships departing from the ordinary course of Parliamentary proceedings. The directors who were instructed, and had sold all but a nominal amount of shares at considerable profit to themselves, were the parties who had brought in the Bill ; and before the proper tribunal the question would be raised, whether they had power to dispose of the line in the manner he had related. It was asserted that the shares were bought up by the capital of the North-Western Company, but he was instructed that that assertion was abaolutelyineorrect; but all these matters would be brought out at the proper time and in the proper place. The petitioners, under these circumstances , prayed their Lordships to adopt one of two alternatives, either that the preliminary in quiry should not be made, or that it should be extended to all the circumstances connected with the dispute, and he thought their Lordships could not refuse one of them. It appeared to him that the question should not be pre judged by coming before arommittee of their Lordships' House. If his Noble Friend pressed for a Committee he should be unwilling to put himself in opposition, hut as at present advised he was not pre disposed to concur in the motion of his Noble Friend. Earl St. GERMANS concurred in the opinion of the Noble Lord (Stanley) that it would be somewhat premature, to move the appointment of a Committee at that time. li e could not see any reason why these gen tlemen should not be allowed to sell in the market as other individuals were. He trusted that the Noble Lord would not press the appointment of the Committee. Lord BROUGHAM had some petitions to present on the same subject, but he would keep them back for a little longer.—(Laug h t er. ) Lord 'HATHERTON denied that the directors of the amalgamating companies were actuated by merely mercenary motives in the disposal of these shares, and the proof of this was to be found in the fact, that while they realised only 10 per cent. from their con nexion with the Great Western, they were offered 15 per cent. by the North-Western. He was very anxious to advert to one part of his Noble and Learned Friend's speech, of which he had no right to complain, and which was stated with his characteristic perspicuity and clear. ness. That point was one which the petitioners had m doubt instructed him to state, and it was with reference to the sale of shares by the directors of the Birmingham and Oxford Company. He was not about to enter into any long details upon the subject, but their Lordships were fully aware that the Birmingham and Oxford directors had been accused of endeavouring to make a t'iversion, by attacking the directors of the other line on the score of their shares. Such a system was pur sued, that the directors, found it impossible to hold any influence by maintaining a large amount of shares; and many of them sold their shares, in order to tran-fer their interest into the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line. No mercenary views were to be attributed to the . directors because they sold those shares, for they had fulfilled their agreement with the Great Western at 101. per share, when the London and North Western Company offered them 151. per share. He would not go further into the subject then, for when the discussion came on, on his Noble and Learned Friend's statement, he should have another opportunity of addressing their Lordships. Lord LYNDHURST said that in addressing the House, he was quite sure that when their Lordships were advised of' all the circumstances of the case, they would be of opinion that the facts stated in this petition, so far from at all contradict ing, to a great extent confirmed the case, and strengthened all the facts which had already been stated to the House. There were many points of controversy between them, but with re ference to the least important facts he should be silent, for the Committee of their Lordships should appoint a Committee who would investigate the facti upon the examination of witnesses. It was not a dispute as far as he was concerned, for he did not interfere in these matters unless the public interest was deeply concerned, which it certainly was, in these measures. He had no right to expect their Lordships to accede to his motion, un less it were affecting the public interest. He did consider that interest deeply concerned in the course by which the North- Western Company had forced these circumstances before the consideration of their Lordships. There were several Noble Lords then present who were not there on a former occasion, and if the House would allow him, he would state to them the several facts connected with the case. Last session of Parliament a Bill was agreed to, sanctioning a line of railway branching out of the Rugby and Birmingham Railway, and proceeding to Birmingham. This was agreed to as a rival or competing line to the old London and Birmingham Railway. As might be expected, a great amount of opposition was experienced by the promoters of the line, but it was carried. As he had stated, on presenting the petition on this subject on a former night, the principle on which the Commit tee proceeded in agreeing to the Bill, was that the line would be one of great importance to the public as a rival and com peting line, and because of the overwhelming amount of business on the other line. The Bill was carried through, notwithstanding the opposition of the Birmingham Company, and the Great Western Company was empowered to purchase the company if they saw fit and came to terms with the , directors of the new line. The Birmingham Company bad no right to purchase the line, as, by so doing, the , ' ' advantage of a competing line to the public would be taken away. Negotiations were entered into subsequently, which ended in an a:reement wi h the ( 7 :, at Western Company pUrC%zss the line. To make Use aAreemeut valid, according t o the provisions of the Act, a meeting of the shareholders was re quired, and on the 4th of December this was accordingly held. At this meeting the agreement made by the directors was con firmed. The shareholders confirmed that agreement. At that meeting a gentleman attended of the name of Moseley, who was the avowed agent of the Birmingham Company, and offered a much higher price than that offered by the Great Western. Considerable discussion ensued, but the proprietors declined to accede to the offer, as they had authorised the directors to enter into an agreement with the Great Western. The Act of the company did not authorise them to enter into an agreement with the Birmingham Company. They therefore con firmed the original proposition for entering into an agreement with the Great Western. On the 16th o :December Mr. Glyn, the chairman of the Bir mingham Company, wrote a letter to the chairman of the Oxford Company renewing the offer made at the meeting, but it was again rejected. A meeting of the Birmingham proprie tors was called about that time, for the purpose of approving of the conduct of Mr. Glyn and Mr. Moseley ; so that this was purely a transaction of the Birmingham Company, who were desirous to get possession of this Oxford Company, obviously for the purpose of preventing that competition which it was the wish of Parliament to establish. They would agree with him that no public company could be guilty of more improper conduct. Immediately after the 16th of December, when the Oxford Company had given their final answer, the purchase of shares by the Birmingham Company commenced • he said by the Birmingham Company, bec a u se h e was justified in saying so, from reasons which he should adduce. They purchased 40,000 shares out of the 50,000, in order that they might ac complish their object by unfair means, when day found that fair means had failed to effect it, that they might have the direct control of the line. They were purchased in the course of a month or six weeks ; not, certainly, in the name of the company, but in the names of their agents. For instance, Mr. Burdon, an agent of one of the Manchester banks, which was connected with the Birmingham Company, purchased 3,000, not, it was true, on his own responsibility, but in con sequence of an indemnity which he had received from one of the directors. What, then, was the next step pursusd by the company ? They proposed to raise the number of the directors to eighteen, and they also p ro p ose d th at f our o f them should go out. They appointed six of their own directors, but some difficulty arose as to the mode in which the direc tors should go out, and the solicitor to the London and Bir mingham Company, in order to meet the difficulties of the case, had actually summoned another special meeting for the purpose of reducing the number of the directors.—(Laugh ter.) Thus, by means of all this complicated machinery, the company had obtained the entire possession of the railway, and would adopt it to suit their own purposes, notwithstanding that this line was passed as a rival line to the North-Western, and passed especially for the purpose of competition between the two lines, and thus to tend to the benefit of the interests of the public. He ' contended .that Mr. Moseley was the acting agent of the London and North-Western Company, and the whole transaction had been carried on through Mr. Moseley's solicitor. His Noble Friend Lad asked why not refer the matter to the Railway Commissioners. He objected to such a reference, because the Commissioners had no power to examine witnesses ; while he equally objected to the matter being referred to the Committee on the Bill in the other House, because that Bill had no reference whatever to the Bir mingham and Oxford line. Under these circumstances he must press his motion fora Committee of Inquiry. He had no interest whatever on either side, and it was solely on public grounds that he had made the motion. Lord STANLEY begged to correct a statement made by his Noble Friend. He (Lord Stanley) was sure there never was any intention of reducing the number of directors. But what did the Noble Lord propose to do ? Supposing that the evidence taken in the House substantiated the statements of his Noble Friend, what could he do then? Why, nothing; therefore he thought that his Noble Friend should not press the motion. He maintained that there was no monopoly sought to be main tained by the London and North-Western Company against the Great Western Company. The 8,11 which was authorised last session authorised the use of the line freely by the Great Western Company. They could, if they thought fit, run trains from Oxford to Birmingham and from Birmingham to Oxford. But what did the Noble and Learned Lord seek to do ? He seeks that the Great Western Company should ob tain possession of the line against four-fifths of the share holders, who were opposed to it. So far from the London and North-Western Company seeking to exclude the Great Western Company, they had tot the power to do so, as the Act provided for the concurrent use of the line. If they thought proper to go into an investigation, he considered they would be losing valuable time, but if they did agree he trusted that the Noble and Learned Lord (Lyndhurst) would state what end he had in view by the inquiry. Lord HATHERTON would trouble - the - House a few minutes while he stated the reasons which had led him to support the Oxford and Birmingham Railway Bill. The proptietory and directors were almost the same. Their object was to serve the same districts, and as they were sup ported by the same evidence, these two lines were the crea tion of public wants and opinion in that part of the kingdom. His Noble Friend had t rld him that the Grand Junction was originally the promoters of this line, and took an active interest in it. They did so from a sense of the necessity of establish.. ing a competing line; with the London and Birmingham, be tween Birmingham and Oxford. The lines were supported by all the principal towns of Birmingham, and so overwhelming was the evidence given by these gentlemen in favour of the line, as one likely to accommodate the manufactures of the dis trict, that the Committee both of this and the other House unanimously sanctioned the railway. If the Great Western should not, however, purchase the line, they were to be em powered to run trains on the line, no other company to be al lowed that privilege. If the North. Western Company became the proprietors of the line they would effectually! destroy that competition with the Great Western which Parliament wished to create, as they might by crowding the Birmingham line with heavy mineral traffic prevent the rapid passage of passenger traffic on the Oxford line. Both the Birmingham and Oxford and the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Companies refused to accede to the proposition of the Birmingham Company. Then came the offer of Mr. Moseley, a gentleman extensively engaged in share transactions in Manchester and Liverpool, and well acquainted with railway matters. He would not call him the " mouth piece" of the Birmingham Company, as that term had much displeased him at one of the meetings, but he certainly appeared to be the agent of that company, as he took a paper out of his pocket and offered certain terms in the name of the North-Western Company, if they would consent to lease their line to that company and to repudiate the Great Western. But the proposition was scouted by the meeting ; and it was most remarkable that a man of Mr. Glyn's standing, and of his experience, should have so far forgotten himself as to have repeated the offer. He would not enter info the legal view of the whole transaction ; but to show the difficult position in which the Oxford Company was placed he should state that they had to deal with 40,000 shareholders, who represented the North-Western Company, and who were determined to abrogate the agreement with the Great Western, which had been entered into in accordance with the Act tinder which the line was to be constructed. Lord BROUGHAM said that he was not disposed to per suade their Lordships to postpone or put off this inquiry, on the sole ground that he was not able to see his way clear to the remedy. It appeared to him that great irregularities had taken place, not to say fraud, between these two companies, and he thought that it was due to their Lordships, to the public, and to the compani e s th emse l ves, t h at the inquiry shalt:se-take place in another House, and that there would be no necessity for their Lordships troubling themselves about it. With respect to the language of the petitioners, that they courted inquiry, he had never yet heard of any abuse, the parties to which did not always pretend to court inquiry. Then it was said that there was a Bill in another place, which might come down there, or rather, he should say, come up there---(A laugh)—and which also might not come there; oh, but, said the Noble Lord, what signifies that, if it does not come up here it will be inquired into elsewhere. He had great confidence in that other place. He had the greatest respect that it was possible to entertain towards that other place and its proceedings, When he considered how it was made up of share holders who could not sit on this Committee but could on that, and remembered the courtesies and compliments that passed amongst themselves, he must confess that he had not confidence in the proceedings, he would net say of that other place, but of some other place; and that opinion had induced him to think that they ought to keep the inquiry in that place.—( Hear and laughter.) He thought, however, that the Committee ought to be named by the Committee of Selection.—( Hear.) The Marquis of LANDSDOWNE wished to know if the Noble and Learned Lord who made the motion had any objec tion to allow the Committee to be named by the Committee of Selection? Lord LYNDHURST said he had no objection to the course proposed. Earl FITZ WILLIAM thought it was most desirable that they should have an impartial Committee, but he doubted if a proper Committee could be selected in the ordinary way. He thought such a Committee would be too small. They ought to have a large one, embracing as far as possible the various conflicting views on the subject. It was a most important question, as he plainly saw what the end of all this would be, that the executive government would have, in a great measure, to take the control of these great lines of communication into their own hands. It was not to be borne that all the great means of intercommunication in this country should fall into the hands of three or four great companies. He was glad to notice the feeling of their Lordships on this subject, as his only desire in proposing to enlarge the Cominitio was to make it as effective as possible. Lord CAMPBELL asked Lord Brougham if he had any other cases to bring forward ? Lord BROUGHAM said he had some other petitions to present. Lord CAMPBELL suggested that the petitions had better be presented, and the Committee appointed afterwards. Lord LYNDHURST said that the authority on which he had made certain statements in his address was that of Mr. Moseley, the agent of the London and North-Western Com pany: _ • After a few words from Lord STANLEY, in explanation on the Act of Parliament under which the agreement he referred to in his soeech had been made, Lord BROUGHAM presented two petitions of a similar character to the one presented by Lord Lyndhurst, in reference to the Bristol and Exeter and Crediton and Exeter Railway Companies. The motion for a Select Committee on the several schemes named in the petitions was then agreed to. CANAL NAVIGATION. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from cer tain canal shareholders, complaining of the difficulties they now laboured under in regard to opposing railway companies, and praying for a remedy. LOAN BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. CONSOLIDATED BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. IRISH POOR -LAW. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice that on this day week he would move for a Select Committee to inquire into the best mode of administering the poor-laws in Ireland, and especially regarding out-door relief. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE 01 COMMONS. March 16. The SPEAKER. took the Cbair at a few minutes before Four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Lord ALBERT CONYNCHAM took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Canterbury. IRISH POOR-LAW. An HoN. MEMBER (whose name we could not learn) presented a petition from the high sheriff and grand of Ki ng ' s County apinst the proposed poor - law for Ireland. RAILWAYS IN IRELAND. Mr. VESEY presented a petition from the board of guardians of Queen's County, praying - that the House would make such advances to those railways in progress of construction as would afford employment for the poor in their neighbourhood. THE RAJA OF SATTARA. Mr. WILLIAMS presented a petition praying the Ilouse to grant to the Raja of Sattara an opp ortun i ty of examining the charges brought against him, and the evidence adduced thereon. LIGHT DUES. Mr. FORSTER presented a petition from the mer- chants and shipowners of KirkaMy against the light dues, and also another pet;ti:-J, tf, the s.i.mr, r•fr, , ,;t the .silii.ovln! Mr. AINS WORTH presented a pr i from the borough of Bolton, tigned by numorous me:niters Of the Temperance Society, praying that tho House would put a stop to the nitnuficturo of all intoxicating drinks, in order that the corn used in their manufacture might be used as food for the people. Mr. WILSON PATTEN presented a petition frOm Chorley, in Lancashire, praying the House to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the causes which checked the growth of cotton in India. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. Dr. BOWRING postponed the resolution on this subject he had on the paper till this day fortnight. BOAVISTA FEVER. On the motion of Dr. BOWRING, Dr. Mac William's report on the Boavista, fever was ordered to be laid on the. table. UNION WORKHOUSES. Mr. BOND CABBELL moved for returns of the union workhouses in England and Wales, and the num ber of the poor, and the cost of maintaining them in each union ; and the number of the poor, and the amount given for out-door relief by each union, during the years 1843, 1844, 1845, and 1846 respectively, classified according to age and infirmity ; of the number of children separated from their parents in each of the union workhouses in England and Wales, distinguish ing their sexes, and stating if any and what oth€r classification exists; and a report of their school instruction, and the number of deaths of infants, in each year, from the year 1834 to the end of the year 1846 respectively; also, to move for a return showing the amount paid to the medical attendants of the union workhouses, and the number of the poor, and the num ber of the sick in each union, and the number of the poor each attendant has under his care, and the numb• r of the poor relieved by orders from medical men for extra nutriment, during eonvalesevnee, in each union, during the years 1844, 1845, and 1846, respectively. Agreed to. GRAND JURY OATH. Mr. LABOUCHERE presented a petition 'from the Protestant grand jurors of Limerick, signed by Lord Adare, Sir Vero de. Vere, the Knight of Glyn, and Wm. Monsell, Esq., of Tervoe, &c., praying for an alteration in tilt oath, because some parts of it were offensive to their Catholic - rdlow-jurors. RATING ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. The Hox. MEMBER also presented petitions from owners and occupiers of laud in Antrim, Armagh, and Down, complaining of the system of rating electoral districts, and praying for an alter<►tion in it. POOR•LAW'V (IRELAND). Lord R. GROSVENOR presented a petition from certain persons at Limehouse, praying the House to enact a poor-law for Ireland. I';X•RAJA OF SATTARA. Mr. P. BORTHWICK presented a petition from the city of Westminster, praying the House would consider the claims of the ex-ltaja of Sattara. WELLINGTON STATUE AND NELSON MONUMENT. Mr. COLLETT said, as he saw the Noble Lord the Commissioner of Woods and Forests in his place, he wished to put a question to .him. The Noble Lord had been reported to have said last night that the Wellington statue was to come down; but the Noble Lord had not stated where it was to be removed to, or at whose expense. He (Mr. Collett) certainly hoped it would not he removed at the public expense; but he begged to ask the Noble Lord what site the statue was to occupy, and at whose expense it was to be removed to it? He hoped the Noble Lord could inform the House also when the Nelson monument would be finished?—(Laughter.) Lord MORPETH said he must stale to the House what he had stated before, that the site for the Welling ton statue would be in Wfv. , rloo-place, whither it must be removed at the expense of - the sub•comMittile; at whose expense the statue had been first put up. As fur the Nelson monument, he said fresh instructions had been given for the execution of the bas reliefs, and for putting- them in their place. Mr. COLLETT—When 2—(Loud laughter.) The Earl of LINCOLN made a remark acroas the table,- . which.was'-not 'heat(' in:the :gallery; • • • NEW • HOUSE .4 OF . f PARLI..oiENT. Sir DE LACY EVANS wish; d to know whether any measures had been taken to admit the public to the new ilcuses of Parliament, and whether any compensation was to4te,rnade for the loss sustained by tho inhabitants by the contemplated new streets in Westminster ?: Lord MORPETH had been. in communication with the architect of the New Palace at Westminster, and in order to enable him to redeem his pledge, it was neee,. sary to prohibit any persons whatever from ertvring its precincts,. of course including the. two Houses of Par liament; until the end of the Easter recess. He hid, however, made arrangements fur the opportunity of seeing the splendour of that place, for which the public had paid so largely, at the end of the present session. RECORD OFFICE. Mr. MONCKTON MILNES wished to ask the Right Hon. the Secretary for the Home Department, whether any measures had been taken for the erection of an office for the reception of the records of England and Wale.•. Re had learned that the documents of other muniments of the country were in daily danger of destruction, and the question he had to put was as to whether, accordinff to the promise held out last session, it was decided to have a Record Office built, and as to whether the site had been chosen ? Sir GEORGE GREY was understood to say that the Government were duly impressed with the necessity of providing for the safe custody of the public records, but they had not yet decided upon the site where the build ing was to be erected. The subject, however, was under consideration. GENERAL PUBLIC BILLS. Mr. AGLIONBY wishad to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government would propose to the House general Bids for the watch ing, paving, and lighting, or other matters of regulation and improvement of towns. He was desirous to know whether any such measures were to be proposed, and how soon they would be brought forward, so as to obviate the necessity of introducing a separate measure to meet the requirements of each case. Lord MORPETII stated, in reply to the Hon. Mem ber, that on Thursday next several Bills for watching, lighting, and paving, would be laid on the table. WELLINGTON STATUE. Lord JOHN MANNERS would like to know with reference to the question lately put to the Noble Lori, respecting the Wellington statue, whether it was the intention of the Government to erect the statue in Waterloo-place—whether the opinion of the Govern ment was adverse to that site or not ? Lord MORPETH said that the Sub-C.)mmittee had now left the matter entirely at the discretion of the Go vernment. GENERAL FAST-DAY. Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved that the Venerable Archdeacon of Surrey, the Rev. Dr. Deal try, be requested to preach before the House on the general fast-day. Mr. lIUME said that they had a chaplain of th. it own, and it would be rather casting a slight upon him if they appointed another to discharge hi, duty. Sir GEORGE GREY was informed that the state of their own chaplain's health rendered it impossible fur him to fulfil the duty. Agreed to. HOLYHE AD. HARBOUR. Lord SANDON would beg to ask what steps the Government had taken with reference to Holyhead har bour, for the purpose of ascertaining its fitness to be a harbour of refuge. It was a matter of pubic importance that some inquiry should be made before there was an expenditure of public money, which might turn out wholly fruitless. Mr. COWPER answered that an examination had been made into the capabilities of the harbour by Capt. Pechell, and steps would be taken in pursuance of the results of that inquiry. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. Mr. E. DENISON postponed his motion for a Select Committee to inquire into English Ecclesiastical Com missions till Thursday. CORN FROM PORTUGAL. Lord J. MANNERS asked the Noble Lord at the head of the Government whether it was true that the Government of Portugal had prohibited the exportation of grain? Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied, that he believed that some step of the kind referred to had been taken. TRADING IN SEDUCTION AND PtiOSTITU TION. Mr. R. SPOONER presented a number of peti tions against trading in prostitution; among others, one from a public meeting held at the London Tavern on Monday, Sir Fowell Buxton in the chair. The Hon. Member then proceeded to address the House. In rising to ask leave to introduce a Bill for the better suppression of trading in seduction and prostitution, and on behalf of which 80 petitions, signed by 10,000 persons, in addition to those now laid on the table of the House, had been presented, he had hoped that it would have been un necessary to make any statement on its first reading. But he was sorry to say that he had inti mation from two Members of that House, that they would not suffer the Bill to be brought into the House, unless a statement were made which should appear to justify him in doing so. If, however, the House wished him to postpone any statement on that occasion, he was very willing.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") Yet, if the House would allow him, he would lay before them—(Cries of " No, no")—such grounds as must appear to justify: him in expecting to meet with no opposition in bringing in that Bill.—(Cries of N o .") A similar Bill had b een b rought into the House of Lords, and had gone through all its stages, except the third reading, but just then the Duke of Wellington begged the Right Rev. Bi s h o p would withdraw his Bill, a s i t was of such a nature as to equire the serious consideration of the Govern ment, and he pledged himself that Government would give it their early attention. Considering then that a similar Bill had advanced so far in the other House of Parliament; that 10,000 petitioners had played the House to pass a measure on the subject ; and that that subject was a wrong fir which there was no legal remedy, he thought there was sufficient to justify the course which he was taking. But if the Noble Lord opposite re quested him to refrain from making any statement then, h e wou ld certa i nly consent. Sir G. GREY said he might state to the House what he had said to the Hon. Member privately, that con sidering the debate which came on that night it might be desirable that the Hon. Member should refrain from any statement on that occasion, and he (Sir G. Grey) would give him no opposition. But he did think that any statement now, under these circumstances, would be inexpedient. Mr. SPOONER—WiII the Hon. Members, the Hon. Gentleman behind him, and the Hon. Gentleman oppo site, still impede my motion ?—(Laughter.) Mr. C. BERKELEY must say frankly that hi would oppose the Bill; at the same time he admitted that the subject was important. l‘ iro l SPOONER said he would bow to the wigh of t he . en to brine in the l 3 il• FACTORY BILL. Mr. DENNISTOUN wished to ask a question of cell' slOe'rable impel Nance with respect to factory ittbotir. The SPEAKER—Tire lion. Member is out of o rder. Mr. DENNISTOU.N e cud throw Himself on the in dulgence of the House.—(Hear.) The SPEAKER said, a s is appeared to be the wisll of the House, the Hon. Member might proceed. Mr. DENNISTOUN—The House was awar e that tbo Factory Bill was to come b e fore the llcuse egai°' to-morrow. The manufacturing i n t e re s t had been ove r • whelmed with surprise by the majority of the 110es t e 1 , 11 favour of the Bill,. and had not taken any steps w°a": ever. He had received communications from w; of the most influential of his constituent , w it , h ; „, proposal that would• meet the views of all 1 )1 ,"'",„" . He regretted to see that the Hon. Member for 01U,c'a— (Mr. Fielden) was not in his place, but as the lo n ' Member for Cockermouth was p r esent, and hi s celne was at the back of the Bill, perhaps he could sa y wbe i ther the mover would be ready with the concur rence the Noble Lord, to postpone the measure. Lord J. RUSSELL said it was quite true that he fan Hon. Member had submitted the proposal ofa lb which be conceived was likely to meet the views c'f i . u k e e l f the parties who were interested in this matter, Bill ?J and h - e h . ! to remove those portions of the Ten Hours' were objectionable in their eyes. In his own °PT en is he must say that the proposal was feasible, uu'ber Bill or depended entirely on the feeli ngs of the Hon. for Oldham as to whether he would postpone the Lor d not, t-speeially in its present stage. Nor could he P . John Russell) ask him to do so. But it ce rtainly % h peered a great advantage to ad o pt any plan " 11 might meet the views of both parties. Mr. AGLIONBY had no authority wh3teveri for aceceling to a proposal fer postpunement, but b e pers i ° concurred in the opinion that it was most desirab,e obviate the objections which had been entertellateed against the measure Th e N o bl e Lord had enters that it was necessary for t he H on . Member for Olcula.„ to state what ceurse . he intended to pur sue, bef ore answer could be nto the question.' From ca rat e b:a si. fellen from the Noble Lora, it appeared that the POP tion was worthy of attention. the Mr. HUME eaid that as the first Minister 0- Crown had expressly declared that this proposal /10 parties , calculated to meet the objecti o n s o f bothit vl o r of immense importance that it should be d° l sidered. Mr. lIINDLEY hoped the House would go °- ; w e* the Bill. The difficulty of a private M em ber eacrYll)st Bill through that House was.very great, and he it unreasonable to expect the Hon. Member for 010,4 to postpone it. With regard to the opposition dilate, masters, he believed it had very much abated of ;:hes and he believed that, if the Noble Lord stated his ' I , she to tin in, there would be a general acquiescence 0' part of both. oars° Mr. P. BORTHWICK thought the propos ed c- i f be was irregular, arid he trusted the lion. Gentlenial l . ,,'" to wished for postponement, would be able to-1 0 r' . convince the Hoe of its proprie A ‘lOO Dr. BOWIIING thought his Hon. Friend bad i c ed everything that could be expected of him. He ""`"-„-$ to a communication from his constituents with resP":„ t ioa the Bill, and he no sooner received that cornmut c- fger than he communicated it to the Government. 1" he had done everything that co u ld b e ex pected fro ° 4 t he Mr. FERRAND said that the only method to e 0" for discussion was to pass this Bill in th e way it now st ° '' old if it was other, ise, a more determined agitation w°_,,a take piece in far ur of the measure than heretoi ore ' ' rbe the reason was, that the operatives had seen th at el. Anti-Corn-law League had carried their point by tatioth k) e n I,tottlitlogrnttsthilte-bee‘i their IRISH EMIGRANTS. if t he Lord GEORGE BENTINCK desired to kaa vi eten A or 0 at Government had received information of any I T i a ite-, r; _, aat on the part of , Itho Government o f the he ad ; igiat t o d ; States or New York to impose a duty of sl,peccd to up, n immigrants to that country. He also ee5. 1 4 . 1 t he dell o '` . . hl i t, elm know what were those other documents to wh it t hel ak le r ,7 Noble Lord referred upon a previous occasion whe n were diseussing the subject of Cracow. 0 st atiees Lord PALMERSTON said that, with refer ence o i l toe ot the first question, he did not understand th at ha d th e co been ntionedided su p had in been Congress, but taken. The no subkint Faistialo tha t t me!. had beim c onve y e d to hi m res p ec ting "' es ,vs answer to the second pa r t o f th e N o ble Lor" t han lith ; tion, he would sa y t h a t hi s eve was quickersolio to, his ear, for he (L or d P a l mers t on ) only , the re s e , and the interpretati on o f th a t sm il e was not tha t i s were other documents, b u t th a t th e Noble Lor a "° t he find, by reference to th e lib rary o f th e House, t h3 :,,,;r 0 t' British Governm en t, at the Congress of Vien"'„ress• party to all protoc o l s a n d treat i es made at that ul l , by ADJOURNED CRACOW. s e 01 1 DEBATE.—ANNEXATIONOn the order of the day f or th e adjourned de b 2. Cracow being read, ug t h. Sir JOHN WALSH ro s e an d s aid in addressiito House he would apply hi mse lf fi rs t to the Pal e tiw of the question arisi ng ou t o f th e m otion of tu er seti* Member for Montrose, and i nqu i re what was t he first cal and immediate question before the House. ~ _ b ir bad question for them to consider would be w hether any legal right to free th emse l ves from theouizassie is tioa a-•; of that treaty to cont i nue t h e payment faith °` whether it wou ld b e cons i stent w ith t" con treaties, or with th e i r own character' to t inue th a t p a y ment . The second question ise, whether, the other b e i ng assumed, it would be % %re , whether it would b e p o li t i c , whether it would be e sistent with their nati ona l status in the p„r sent condition of Europe, to p ursue suc h a cot.: When he entered upon this question, he " say that he felt considerable dissatisfaction the mode in which the Honourable Diet for Montrose had introduced his motion, not that had stated what was not literally true, but any Pe' who owas not acquainted erroneous with conclusion.t h e whole Tie question, ico 7 be led into a very Lion of the 19th of November, 1831;, was merely, a st mental measure, to supply a Parliamentary deficieLF was contended that, in equity, England could not avat of the treaty of Vienna. It was, however, subsequen witted that Parliamentary sanction was requisite:, treaty bore date May, 1815, and the treaty of I merely a subsequent and technical ,treaty, calculate' effect to the former one. What was that tre4 1815, and what were the obligations by whiell m i t bound under that treaty ? The treaty to whic" ;, 1815 referred was one between Holland and Ru ss " the treaty of 1831, England rendered herself ref the obligations into which Holland had entered In order to show what the nature of that treaty vo Baronet read the preamble of the treaty of 1815, appeared that, in consideration of the assistance the allied powers to Holland, Jain agreed to pa! for the expenses which had been incurred. It w dent that this sum was to be paid for the res' kingdom of Holland. At the conch speech on Thursday last, the Righ Baronet the Member for Tamworth had ta' remind the House of the services which Eng]: to Europe during the great struggle of the I: of the obligations which s he had undertaken —when she took up—the responsibilities of t Holland and Russia. He rejoiced to hea from the lips of the Right Hon. Gentlema England should be reminded that she was in making those arrangements, and he tho was due to Russia, as she was the first tha Napoleon, and helped to effect the deliver: Right Hon. Gentleman the Member fur tested against a doctrine in one of Monsie that the breach of one article of a treat tion of the treaty itself on all who were not think that Mons. Guizot was core though he was not sorry to see the pre Gentleman, he thought that he had p' the phrase than the writer of it inter) , know, however, how they should a( adopting the resolutions of the Hon If they acted in this manner, they w( ciple that the infraction by Russia of would justify them in releasing the gations which they owed to Russia, The Member for Montrose had m judicial character, and he had calle whether, under certain consideratit obliga , ions otherwise binding. T tion to be in, namely, to be judE was, therefore, doubly necessary bearings of the case, and to see attaching weight to the allegati, how far matter had been urged i He said the Right Hon. Baron had expresed a strong opisior England;—of all the great P of protection to the smaller at thing to the effect that they anxiety as to such a Power Bavaria, Prussia ; but he di of the body of internationa weaker States, He (Sir J the Right Hon. Baronet, f of the great States, and tt ' special interest of Englan( to gain from territorial a and if she absorbed any a sacrifice, and the loss w entertained that opinion British empire would b, that, among those sma duty, that if they had bound to observe strict casion for aggression f the smaller States oil secure them peace, wl pose they should tak portance of the noble nent of commercial merchants, the pro vital spirit of comm nence to that tow France were sudd possession, and that she was to se Frankfort. If burst of indignat pose, that instea , that she was obl come a politica to become wha century. Thr enemies of Fr to state that a Inn tandis, he thetical case In making t House to th sympathy o' this insurre movement Poles who stepped fi ready to so much 11.,!ssta— that ma These v rection known or int but tt from -....,..=1mm