The Sun. — London, England, 1847-02-24 00:00:00

THE SUN', LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1847. rciting it they found, wrapped up in some rags and a piece of chemois leather, twenty-five sovereigns and the missing note. While they were looking over the money a person of the name of Waddington came in and remained a few minutes, and while she was leaving the house a person of the name of Beun came in, the bearer of a message from the prisoner, to inquire if it was true that the money was found, there having, as it was alleged, been in the interval no means by which she could legitimately become possessed of the knowledge. The further evidence against the prisoner went to show that she had been seen, just about the hour when the money was found, walking backwards and forwards, opposite the pas sage leading to Mr. Lawry's back door; that she bad entered the yard, remained there but a few seconds, not sufficient to enable her to enter the house, and then hastily went away. The person, however, who deposed to this fact, stated, that the prisoner had on a light-coloured gown, hut it appeared from other testimony that the gown she had on that evening was of a dark colour. Mr. RAMSHAY addressed the jury for the defence, and called witnesses to show that the fact of the money having been found had transpired, and was known to several parties, before the time when the prisoner sent the message by Benn. One; of these, a person by the name of Hodgson, had in formed her of it, having heard it from some of the persons who had been in Mr. Lawry's house. The prisoner was Acquitted. POLICE INTELLIGENCE, MA/vs/ON-HOUSE. William Watts, the master of the vessel called the City of Rotterdam, appeared before the Lord Mayor upon an information filed against him for having ne glected to take on board a certain number of apprentices. Mr. Swainson, from the office of the solicitors to the Admiralty, attended for the prosecution, and stated that the defendant was charged with having violated the 7th and Sth Vic., cap. 112, sec. 37, which was entitled, " An Act to amend and consolidate the laws relating to mer chant seamen, and for keeping a register of seamen." The vessel of which defendant was master, belonged to a company to which several other vessels belonged, some of which went on voyages without having any appren tices on board at all, to the great injury of the service, in which it was indispensably necessary to keep up a constant supply of able and efficient seamen. The pro secution was instituted at the instance of the officer of the Registrar-General of Seamen, and the penalty for each infringement was 131., which could, at the discre tion of the magistrate, he reduced to one-third of the amount. The defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. Swainson said, that as the object of the Lords of the Admiralty was to press the observance of so neces sary an act for the support of the sea service, and as the defendant and others who had been also chargeable with neglect of the kind, had readily expressed their determi nation in future to carry out the provisions of the Act, he would be satisfied with the mitigated penalty and costs. At the same time, he trusted that the prose cutor of the case would render any future representa tion of the kind unnecessary. The LORD MAYOR said it must be obvious to every experienced man, that the infringement of so important an Act was calculated to do serious mischief by relaxing the vigour of a service to which England owed so much. As the solicitor to the Admiralty had expressed a wish that the penalty should be reduced, the sentence upon Captain Watts was that he should pay the fine of 101. and ss. costs. His Lordship at the same time intimated that if any other cases were brought forward and proved, the full penalty should in every instance be inflicted. The Captain returned thanks for the indulgence, and paid the fine and costs. A woman named Sarah Scott was brought up charged with having committed a robbery in the shop of Mr. Hall, the extensive linendraper in Bishopsgate-street Without. This was the fifty second robbery committed upon the prosecutor. The woman had gone into the shop to pur chase a small quantity of ribbon, and she contrived to hide two pieces under her shawl. The prosecutor's un fortunate experience enabled him to judge the moment one of his shopmen spoke to him, that the prisoner had some of his property concealed about her, and he seized and took it from her himself. The prisoner was committed for trial. The prosecutor has been more than once the victim of some of the persons employed en his premises. At the last session of the Central Criminal Court a young man named John Boraston, who was behind the counter. and who stole a large quantity of silk and kid skin gloves, pleaded Guilty; and since that time Mr. Hall discovered that a trunk belonging to the prisoner was detained at a coffee shop at which the fellow lodged, for a score, and he went from the Mansion House for the purpose of examining it, on the beliet that it was filled with his goods. BOW-STREET. James TV. Goulborn, the sexton of St. George's, Bloomsbury, was charged with having been found in the parish church at half-past eleven o'clock at night, under somewhat suspicious circumstances. The Hon. and Rev. 11. Montagu Villiers, the rector, attended to prefer the complaint, and stated that his at tention was called to the church between eleven and twelve the preceding night (Monday) by a parishioner named Doubleday, who, perceiving a light in the church, and knowing that a collection for the Irish poor had been made on the previous Sunday, entertained a sus• picion that some one was 13 , rpetrating sacrilege. They proceeded together to the church, calling aloud to any person who might be the rein to come forward and deliver himself up at once to the police, who were in attend ance. No response was heard, but presently they dis covered the sexton emerging from the aisle in his shirt sleeves. As the door on that side of the church was found open, they proceeded at once to examine the com munion plate, which appeared all safe. The prisoner was then asked to explain himself, when he told two stories: the one being, that he had left his coat there, . . and had merely come to fetch it ; and the other, that he was anxious to see that all was safe before retiring rest. At all events, whatever the sexton's intentions were, it did not appear that anything had been re moved. It was mentioned, in extenuation of his offence, that he was rather intoxicated ; and as he was a new comer, having been highly recommended to his present employ trent, the lion. and Rev. Gentleman expressed no desire to visit hiza with further punishment than his dismissal from office. Mr. JARDINE told him that the case was very suspi cious, and hoped he would profit by the leniency now shown towards him. SOUTHIVARK. A woman of the town, charged with refusing to leave a coffee-shop, and afterwards insisting on being taken to the station- hJuse and locked up, when placed at the bar before Mr. Cuttingham, said the policeman 83 M had not told the truth. She went on to say that the reason of her having been placed in the situation she then appeared in, was in consequence of not being inta condition to treat the policeman with some liquor. Mr. COTTINGHAM inquired if there was any truth in the assertion? Policeman 83 M—Not a word. I never drank with the woman; in fait I never saw her before in my life till last night. The defendant said that what she asserted was perfectly true; that she had often treated policeman 83 M, and other policeman of the same division, to liquor, to keep them in good humour, so that they should not interfere with her when walking on their beats. Mr. COTTINGHAM (with surprise)—ls there any per son h. re to confirm that which you have just asserted? If you have witnesses I shall hear them. Defendant—l have no one here certainly, but I can vouch for the truth of every word I have said. There are plenty of other women situate as I am, who know the policemen are in the habit of being treated to liquor by such persons as we are; and that if we don't give them liquor they mark us, and for the most frivolous act in the street will drag us off to the station-house, and there what they say is a law, for there is no use in contra dicting them. We have no voice there. Mr. COTTINGHAM said, that if the defendant's asser tions could he proved, that policemen suffered themselves to be treated to liquor by unfortunate women, who, on refusing it, were exposed to the policeman's revengeful feelings, he would take care that such scandalous con duct should soon be put a stop to. However, as the de fendant's mere assertions were not borne out by any evidence, he should at present not take any further no tice of this particular transaction; but, in case it could be hereafter proved before him, he would take especial care that they should be soon stripped of the authority they possessed. Francis Wardrop was indicted for stabbing James Wright, at Longtown, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Mr. Fawcett conducted the prosecution; Mr. James ap peared for the defence. It appeared that on the night when the occurrence took place, which resulted in this indictment, a nephew of the prisoner was at a late hour in the streets of Longtown, and a scuffle arose between him and the prosecutor. While the affray was going on, some one ran to the prisoner's house, and told him of what was taking place. He was just about retiring to b?d, having fastened up his house for the night. On hearing the alarm, however, he immediately came down stairs, and ran along the street to the spot where the prose cutor was. He called out, " Where's Wright ?" and upon Wright answering, the prisoner said, " Are von a man ? I'm prepared for you." Wright said he would have a turn with him ; and, after some high words, both squared for the pur pose of fighting. In the first round the prosecutor had the advantage, and the prisoner was knocked down. He rose up again, and the fight recommenced. During the second round the prosecutor received a blow on the left breast, which was accompanied by a sharp pain as if he were wounded. He continued the fight, however, and again felt a similar sensa tion on his side, and, as he turned round, received a similar blow on the back. He gave the alarm that the prisoner had a knife, and some of the bystanders interfering, a fork with out a andle was taken from the prisoner's hand. It was then bent nearly at right angles. On the prosecutor being examined by a surgeon, it was found he had been stabbed with such an instrument on the breast, in the side, and near the spine. Mr. James addressed the jury for the defence, and stated he would call witnesses to show that the fork in question was used by the prisoner for the purpose of fastening his door. He urged that, being suddenly called from his house by the alarm of his nephew's danger, he had hastily withdrawn this instrument from the latch, and ran to the place where the affray was taking place, when he had joined M the con test without recollecting what he had in his hand. Verdict—Guilty of a common assault. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. New Price Current of February 23.) To be imprisoned one week. thi b( s Fu S rcl u oA"R a . r th—eTrin‘ka Elizabeth APBurnie was indicted for having broken into the Lando n n th N e y q u a n t i ty of East India and Mauri cweeerdsmagruithdeistwillaenrtss o o pe f r t a h t e ed re w fi i n t e h rs es a u n t a io gr o, oc a e f r l , l whilst submitted to public competition being very large, dwelling-house of Francis Lawry, at Maryport, and stolen and exceeding . thebre therein 30 sovereigns and one 51. note. Mr. Gregg and Mr. James for thevalue of prosecution; Mr. Ram- all descriptions took place, and merchants were shay for the defence. , free sellers, on account of th e many arr i va l s. Of West India According to the case for the prosecution, the prisoner and Muscovado the quantity on show being still small, mer the prosecutor both resided in King-street, in the town of chants were enabled generally to obtain the rates that existed Maryport, within three doors of each other. Mr. Lawry was last Friday. the master of a vessel called the Ben Brace, a collier, plying REFINED.—To-day Refined Goods were extensively dealt from Maryport to Belfast. The prisoner's husband was a in by the home trade • and a slight improvent in p r i ces t oo k sailor on board that vessel, and she herself was frequently in place. Bonded Crushed Sugar is in excellent request. Mr. Lawry's house, and had opportunities of being well ac- MAURITIES.—This afternoon three parcels of Mauritius quainted with the localities. In the course of November last Sugar, amounting to 10,587 bags and 505 casks, were sub she was in the kitchen at Mr. Lawry's when he handed Mrs. mined to public competition, and consisted chiefly of the Lawry the money in question belonging to the ship, and she better qualities of yellow and grey; merchants were willing heard Mrs. Lawry direct her daughter (by a former husband, sellers, but submitting to a reduction on the rates on Friday and who resided with them) to take it up stairs and put it in of Gd. per cwt. occasioned the demand to be good, and nearly the drawers in her room. In January last Mr. Lawry and the whole was actually sold. his wife both sailed in the Ben Brace on a voyage to Belfast, EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the public sales of Bengal leaving the house in charge of' Miss Mounsey, the only other Sugar consisted of 3,941 bags 9 cases : nearly the whole sold, inmate being a young child about six years of age. On Sun- but at prices Gd per cwt. under those of Friday. day, the 17th of January, Miss Mounsey went to church at SALTPETRE.—AII descriptions of rough have been in ex the usual hour. Before going, she went up to the drawer cellent request for home consumption and exportation ; the where she had put the money, for the purpose of getting her rates paid are fully equal to those of this day week, and prayer-book. She lifted up a glove box in which the money holders manifest firmness : the stock being still much less was deposited, and by its weight was aware that the money , than it was last season. was then in it. In the same drawer w a s a sav i ngs ' b an k box, FOREIGN' —There has been a brisker demand for nearly all containing some money, and that also was safe. On her rehire from descriptions of F . Sugar for home consumption, but church all seemed to be as she had leftoreign_ h leer have been sellers at previous rates, on account of the it, and • she retired to bed about nine o'clock. h° leers 8 The following day she • • . large arrival that may be shortly expected. drawer for the p e u n ryose of ay she had occasion again to go to the getting some of the savings' COFFEE.—This afternoon there was no public sale of any bank manes-, kind of Coffee. Privately native Ceylon was sought after, the lock f ia d bete' on applying the key, she found but holders insisting upon higher rates operated against drawer. The lid forc e d off' and was lying in the ran wl in t o ofl f g glove box, and the money gone. business. Fine Plantation is much wanted, and prices ate She immediately which the house, crying on the advance. that she was robbed, en ,out . r Theprisoner immediately TEA.—The quantity imported here during the past week said, "Oh, is it the ship mone prisoner returned amounted to 30,000 pkgs, and during that time duty was with Miss Mounsey to the house, and, haul as s s s e iondook place for a policeman. - On his C o m i ng, some AT sc h u er request, went paid upon the large amount of 569,919 pounds. Black has been in excellent request for actual consumption, and all among the women who by this time ed, at the polie m ern s a o n aside, house, on which the prisoner took the sorts are fully as high as last quoted. The low and mid a house in sorts of Green are attracting attention on account of the low and told him that he had better look after ~ rates that prevail. In the better qualities a good deal has the m n e e s i s. ' • 113 characters at .MoonWs, picio been done, but not at higher rates. bourhood, where tramper , s were in the habit f lodging.--o She RICE.—For Bengal the market has assumed a quiet ap • d however, no reasonfor her suspicion. assigne , The next pearance, and the rates accepted are rather under those that told her she called on Mies Mounsey, and . she had not existed previously. Madras has been operated in with day all night. On the evening of Wednesday, been able to sleep ' loci - Miss Mounsey 's aunt called upon her and at auction fetched 25s for fine white. about six o c s, in company with remained with her till half-past seven, . Miss .......reEs.—A much better demand has prevailed for all de- Snowden,While they were sitting together ''''' _. iption s of Cassia Li Rea and prices an acquaintance.advanced 2sper cwt. they one Ginger ie wantedg ' they heard theback door lifted, but no latch of the . . those previ ,and the rates paid have been fully equal to by their feeling some ousl • came in, and after some delay, caused current. Black Pepper is not to be alarm, upon lowe .e alarm, Miss Mounsey and Miss Snowden went to the door. 1 purchasers, and r terms. Whitemetwith ready out into the yard t prices are still • • rising. There was no one there, but on looking „ o f ri mmto i 4 uzays g. The supply r a they caw a email bundle lying Agar the din • gta PG Ule "'W IL Y mull, and priced are , rising. Cinnamon of inferior and coarse quality is offered rather under the rates of the last quarterly sales; still few purchases have been made. Cloves cannot be quoted higher, but the operations are upon a larger scale privately. Nut megs have been largely dealt in by the home trade, and the purchases made by exporters are upon a larger scale. Mace is much wanted, and fictches stiff rates. Hors.—The purchases made have been to a small extent only, but factors are unwilling to reduce their prices, and supply the market moderately. Smtrrs.—Although there are sellers of Leeward Island Rum upon rather lower terms, still the purchases made have been trifling. Calcutta is little wanted, and prices are on the decline. The high rates that exist for Jamaica are operating materially against business. Demerara is not much wanted. Holders of all descriptions of Brandy have been more in clined to realise, but they submitting to rather lower rates occasioned the home demand to be good, and a fair quantity has been taken for exportation. Geneva has been in request, common shipping sort at 2s 7d to 2s Sd, and fine for home consumption at 3s 2d to 3s 4d per gallon proof strength. Corn Spirits dull of sale at lie 9d, Gin lOs 3d for 22 per cent. under proof, and lOs 9d for 17 per cent. under. Oms.—For Cocoa Nut late prices are sustained, the supply being small, but exporters and the home trade operate with caution, and 45s is the value of low to fine quality; there is, however, a large consumption going on. In Rape Seed Oil extensive purchases have been made, and prices are still on the rise. For Olive the demand has been extensive for home consumption, and a fair quantity is taken for exportation. A considerable increase has taken place in the demand for Linseed Oil, and prices have risen 9d to is per cwt. Although the market is well supplied, a large demand prevailed from the home trade, and exporters have taken many parcels, chiefly for America. In Lard Oil only a limited business has been transacted ; prices are on the decline. The arrivals of Cod Oil continue upon a large scale, and of other descriptions a fair quantity has been received since this day week; whereas the deliveries do not fall cff of any kind. Cod has been in excellent request Seal is wanted chiefly by the home trade, and the supply at market is small. Of Southern the supply has increased considerably of all qualities; but merchants submitted to a reduction on former rates. Tannow.—For Russian a much better demand prevailed on the spot; but no advance in prices of consequence has occurred, although the stock is much less than it was last year. Home made has been in excellent request on the spot, but having a plentiful supply there are sellers at 49s 6d to 50s nett cash. COURT OF ALDERMEN. Yesterday v. Court was held for the dispatch of business. Alderman WILSON presented the petition from Mr. Budd praying that the City Solicitor should be directed to stay the proceedings against him for having neglected to serve on the inquest jury, on which he had been elected as a juryman in 1845. The consideration of the petition had been postponed in consequence of the abience of the petitioner, on the last day of the meeting of the Court. Mr. Budd appeared at the bar, and Alderman WILSON said that the petitioner had ex pressed much regret that he was prevented by unavoid able circumstances from serving on the inquest, and had offered to attend upon any future occasion with promp titude and punctuality. It would be, therefore, no more than fair play in the Court to direct the Solicitor to stay the proceedings adopted in the case as they could have no other object than the performance of the duties of the office. The Alderman moved accordingly. Several members said they could not think of agree ing to the proposition of Alderman Wilson without being assured that Mr. Budd had paid the costs. The RECORDER said, if the matter stated in.the peti tion had been represented before the proceedings were commenced, there would have been no occasion for the present application. After some observations from members who were of opinion that the refusal of Mr. Budd to serve on the inquest, was made in defiance of the authority of the Court of Alderman, the petition was ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Budd will therefore be called upon to answer for his rerusal to serve. Alderman lItiMPTIERY begged to state to the Lord Mayor that he had received intimation from Mr. R. Ferguson that the mayor of Londonderry sod a deputa tion were expected to arrive in London with respect to a dispute between them and the Irish Society. His object in noticing the circumstance to the Court was to secure to the gentlemen a hearing at the next Court of Common Council, and to have a perfect understanding established between the corporation of Londonderry and the Irish Society. The general opinion of the members was that they had no right to ask the Lord Mayor to grant a hearing to the deputation at the Court. That was a matter which depended entirely upon his Lordship's own inde pendent choice. Alderman SIDNEY moved that the following be stand ing orders of the Court : First, that no business be proceeded with, nor any gratuity be voted, nor any account be ordered for pay ment, unless notice of such business, gratuity, or pay ment be inserted on the summons. Secondly, that the recorded proceedings of this Court in future be printed, and circulated to each member after every sitting. The first of these prepositions was, after some modi fication, referred to a committee. The second was negatived by a considerable majority. THE LIEUTENANTS, R.N. (From the Devonport Independent.) The following memorial to which we referred a fort night since, has been presented to the FirA 14-,rd of the Admiralty. A deputation has waited on Lord Auck land and from the courtesy with which his Lordship received them, and the attention paid to their repreeen tations, we are justified in hoping that the claims of this class of officers will be duly considered by the Board. To the I?ight Hon. the Earl of Auckland, and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. The Memorial of the Lieutenants of tier Majesty's Fleet most humbly shewtet : Tina your Memorialists have seen with much satisfac tion, the promotion and retirement that has been granted to the senior Captains, Masters, and Paymasters, of her Majesty's fleet, as it will be the means of rendering the service more efficient, by bringing forward young active officers, fitter to bear the fatigues and privations incident to the service. That there are twelve hundred and fifty one of your memorialists that have served with credit to themselves and benefit to their country, many of whom had the honour to serve under the immortal Nelson, at the battles of the " Nile," " Trafalgar," and other memorable engagements through the whole of the French and American wars at the termination of which they were consigned to a life of inaction and pecuniary difficulties, without a shadow of hope to brighten or relieve its monotony, and this not arising from want of energy in themselves, but purely from circumstances over which they had no control, and were thus excluded from em ployment, promotion, or the means of benefiting their families. That the peculiar position of your memorialists differ from every other rank of officers in the service in conse quence of their number, two thousand four hundred and forty eight, of which a very large majority cannot, from their long standing, he employed, otherwise than in com mand, or as first lieutenants, which would exclude younger and more efficient men, at the same time de prive the captains of their long established privilege of selecting their first lieutenants—added to this there are one hundred and ninety eight at the head of the list, bearing rank as retired commanders of 1830, without increase of pay or benefit accruing to their widows, having the shadow without the substance—thereby pre venting the junior officers receiving the increased half pay, until age renders it of little value, from the short period of enjoyment. Your memorialists therefore humbly trust. that your Lordship will be pleased to take a favourable view of their position, as well as of the justice of their claim and bene volently recommend the Government to extend to your memorialists such retirement to themselves, with pen sions to their widows, in like proportion to that granted to the captains, masters, and paymasters of her Majesty's fleet. And your memorialists as in duty bound, will ever pray. DEFEAT OF THE DEER PRE SERVERS.-RIGHT TO DROVE ROADS IN SCOTLAND. A case was decided lately in the Court of Session of great importance to the Highlands, and indeed to 1 the country at large, by which the right of the pub lic to what are termed " drove roads" is established. The case originated a few years ago in an attempt by the Marquis of Breadalbane to abolish the long-used cattle stance at Invervcach, on the great drove road through Argyllshire, with the view of more strictly preserving his Lordship's deer forest in the Black Mount. The attempt necessarily created a great sensa tion, not only throughout the whole Highlands, but among the graziers of the northern counties of England, who are so much interested in the cattle trade of the north of Scotland. Public meetings were held at various places, a deputation was appointed to correspond with the Noble Marquis and his agents, with the view to an amicable arrangement of the nietter, and that failing a public subscription was raised to try the question in the persons of the tenants at In verveach, on whose grounds the right of interference, was first exercised. With the exception of Lord Ful lerton, who rather qualified the broad view taken by the rest of the Bench, their Lordships unanimously sus tained the right of the public to the roads in question; and Lord Jeffrey explained the justice of the principle thus established in his usual felicitous style of illustra tion. The case may, no doubt, be protracted by appeal; but, in the face of such an opinion as that delivered, we can hardly suppose such a course will be adopted.— Ross-shire Advertiser. INQUESTS ON CONVICTS AT WOOLIVICII.--011 Saturday inquests were held at Woolwich on the bodies of three more of the convicts who had died, and in each case a verdict of death from natural causes were returned. Each of the deceased had been in a bad state of health when sent to Woolwich, and Mr. Bossey, the surgeon, said he thought it highly important to let it go forth to the world that the cause of the large mortality at Woolwich arose from Govern ment having made the Royal Arsenal the convict invalid depot, from both home and foreign establishments. Recently a large draught of these unfortunate sick beings arrived from Bermuda, which would account for the mortality being so large, as all the aged and infirm were sent to Woolwich to be restored to health or die. The labour they performed was comparatively light. An act of outrageous villany has been committed on the Hamburg and Berlin Railway. Some sailors from the former place, who imagined their means of subsistence to be affected by the railroad, took up the rails not far from Berlin, for the distance of a few yards, some few evenings since, shortly before the expected passage of the train from Ham burg. Fortunately the conductor, seeing something wrong about the lights at the station which he was approaching, stopped the train and entered the house, where he found the station-keeper lying on the floor, bound and gagged. He thereupon proceeded to examine the line, when he made the discovery, which happily prevented a fearful disaster. We are happy to say that the parties by whom this atrocity is sup pond tt) haya been connittad, ara in cuatQdy. LONDON AND BLACKWALL RAILWAY. The usual half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of this company was held yesterday, at the London Tavern; J. N. Daniell, Esq., in the chair. The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that the total receipts amounted to 34,8011. 6s. 9d., being an increase of 3,5481.45. 3d. as compared with the corresponding period of the year 1845, and the sum available for the half-yearly dividend was 9,6381. 17s. 2d., which would give 4s. per share, clear of income-tax. The amount of passengers in 1845 was 1,658,555, which produced a sum of 26,362/. 14s. 2d., and the number in 1846 was 1,782,844, and the receipts 28,634/. 140. ld. The report then went on to state that the directors had for some time past been engaged in an inquiry whether, under all the circumstances of the traffic, it would be desirable that the present system of motive power should be continued, and that from a recent report furnished by the superintendent of the company, which was confirmed by their engineer, they believed that it would be beneficial to the interests of the company to change the present expensive and exclusive system of working by ropes, and to adopt locomotive power. 'the recommendation of the present system was that it ac commodated the intermediate w ithout inconveniencing the through traffic. The directors thought that the conveni ence of the public might be provided for by a judi cious arrangement of the intermediate stations, in order to adopt the line to the use of locomotive engines. By means of locomotives an accommodation would also be afforded, which could not be given under the present system of conveying passengers to and from the intermediate stations, thereby opening a new traffic, which the removal of the Shadwell and Cannon-street stations to the locality of the new street leading to St. Katherine's and the London docks would extend. The report then went on to state that working by ropes precluded the possi bility, without great difficulty, of junction lines running into the railways, and that to obviate that inconvenience, the directors, at the recommendation of their engineer, obtained powers to widen the line from Stepney to Fenchurch street ; but, in the event of the present mode of traction being changed, that the outlay for widen ing the line would be spared, with the exception of the cost of improving the London terminus, to accommodate the traffic which would follow the communication of other lines with the extension line then in progress. The present system cost nearly one-third more than would be in curred by the locomotive power. The report concluded by stating that a Bill for effecting the requisite altera tion of gauge, and for constructing a short line t o connec t the London and St. Katherine Docks, had been read a second time in the House of Commons, and that after the meeeting, the directors, in accordance with the wish of the proprietors, would reduce their number from 10 to 7. The SECRETARY then read a lettter from Mr. Joseph Locke, stating that the change of gauge could be easily effected, and at a cost of but 1,5001. for each line. A statement of the accounts for the past half-year was then submitted to the meeting, from which it appeared that the expenditure for that period was 25,020/. 2s. 6d., which left a balance of 9,9241. 2s. 10d. The CHAIRMAN said that it must be evident to the share holders that there was a disposition on the part of certain great companies to avail themselves of their line. He had no doubt that the Great Western Company would do so if their line were offered to them. It would be for the meeting to consider whether or not there should be any change in the mode of traction. Their station traffic was no doubt of great advantage, and by the alterations here proposed they would be en abled to carry passengers from one station to another. There was one important feature which should not be disregarded in deciding upon this question—that was,' if the proposed alteration were adopted, it would effect a saving of 190,000/. or 200,000/. The saving was not only in the mode of traction, but in several other ways, as any person acquainted with the subject must be aware. There Was every reason to think that within the space of a few months they would be in full operation. As far as the last half-year was con cerned, the shareholders had reason to be gratified, for it was the only half-year in which there had been anything like a bond fide dividend. He would therefore move that the re , port, together with the accounts which they had heard read, should be received and adopted. Dr. Boveutso, seconded the resolution, which, after some discussion, was agreed to unanimously. Captain Mangles, Mr. Haigh, and Mr. Baker, were then re-elected directors. Thanks were voted to and acknowledged by the Chairman, after which the meeting separated. THE NORFOLK RAILWAY. The usual half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the Norfolk Railway was held yesterday afternoon, at the offices of the company in Guildhall-yard. Mr. Adam Duff, chairman of the board of directors, in the chair. The report stated that during the past half-year the traffic upon the line had considerably increased. The r-ceipts had amounted to 45,689/. Is. 2d., and the expenditure to 22,190/. 4s. Bd.; after pay ment of the half-year's interest on the mortgage debt, amounting to 3,8601. 17s. 4d., there would be a balance available for a dividend of 29;387/. 1 ls. Bd., and the di rectors accordingly proposed that a dividend, at the rate of 3/. 10s. per cent., should be declared on the capital stock of the company, and 4s. I Id. on the 22,000 101. shares, payable on the 4th day of ➢larch next. A preliminary agreement had been come to with the Eastern Union and Ipswich and Bury Companies for the union or amalgamation of the two concerns upon the following terms, namely—the Norfolk Company were to be guaranteed 7% per cent. upon the whole of their capital, but, in case any proprietor objected to take the amalgamated stock, he was to have the option to dispose of his interest, at the rate of 150/. for every 1001. share. The CriatrimAN, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the agreement for the amalgamation was only come to on Saturday, and in the present state of the railway market the directors, with the view of obviating expensive Parliamentary contests and unwholesome competition, had thought it best to accept the 7% per cent. A special meeting would be called to discuss the details of the agreement, but still it was proposed now that the shareholders should express their feelings upon the matter in adopting the report. After a short discussion the report was adopted with only four dissentients. The dividend having been declared, Captain Charles William Tyndale, Captain Charles War dell, and Ebenezer Fuller Maitland, Esq. ' were re-elected directors of this company; and Mr. Stephen Nicolson Barber, jun., and Mr. Benjamin Wigg Hickling re-appointed auditors. The CHAIRMAN said it was proposed to capitalise the loan debts, and, with the permission of the meeting, he would move two resolutions for the purpose : The first was—That in pursuance of the pourers vested in this company by the several Acts of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vic., cap. 18, 8 and 9 Vic. cap. 41, and 8 and 9 Vic. cap. 154, and also of the Act of Parliament 8 Vic., cap. 17, and subject to the provisions of such Acts, it is hereby directed that the 22,000 10/. shares, which have been created un d er th e p owers of the Act of Parliament 8 and 9 Vic. cap. 154, the whole mone y subscribed in respect of Which (amounting to 220,0001.) has been called, be, and they are hereby conscli dated, into the general capital stock of this company, in the proportion of 101. consolidated stock for every 101. share. Second, That in pursuance of the powers granted to this company for that purpose, an additional capital of 197,0001. be now raised to be divided into shares of 201. each, and offered to the propri et ors of shares and stock in this com pany, in proportion t o th e ir e xisting interest therein—that is to say, one 201 . s hare to ever y 100 /. stock, such new capital to e be applied payment of the pre sen t mortgage debt of the deposit of 51. to be paid upon each share, and to be called for by th e di rectors, as occasion A PROPRIETOR inquired when the leans becam e d ue ? s te h h a em l e I P ritaenpq3pr. remainder A ure for effecting the object aforesaid. The CHAIRMAN. replied, in the present year, 1848, 1849, 1850, and 1851. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. A vote of confidence in the directors was then passed, and the business of the half-yearly meeting closed. SPECIAL resolved EETING. Th e proprietors themselves into a sp ec i a l meeting, when the followin g B ills were unanimously ap proved of:-- A Bill to enable tl extend Norfolk Railway C ompany to their Railway t o the town of Great Yarm outh, and for other purposes. A Bill to empow er the Norfolk R ailway Company to make a Railway from the Norfolk Railway, in the county of the city of Norwich, to Aylsbam, in the county of Norfolk, wi:h a branch therefro m to North Walsbam. A Bill to empow m er the ondham Yorfo R to pi lk ailway Company t o ma k e Wyss. a Railway from A Bill to e mpower the Norfolk Railway Company to make a Railway from the Norfolk Railway near Thetford, to join near Bury St. Edmunds Railway, the Ipswich orßury St. Edmunds. A Bill to empowe r the Norfolk Railwa y Co mpany to make a Railway from the Norfolk Railway at Thetford to the Lowestoft Railway near Reedham, with a Branch to Hales worth. A Bill to asthorise an Alteration in the line of the Lowes• toft Railway and Harbour Company. The meeting terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman. SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD RAILWAY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this company was held at the British Hotel, Cockspur street, yesterday. W. Ormsby Gore, Esq., M.l'., presided. The advertisement calling the meeting having been read by the Secretaty, the report, of which the follpwing is a brief abstract, was read: — The directors are now in negotiation with the Shrewsbury and Chester, Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and Shropshire Union Railway Companies, with a view of making permanent arrangements for the erection of a joint station at Shrews bury. The directors have entered into an arrangement with the proprietors of the Leominster Canal Navigation, for the pur chase of that canal, a part of which will be made available in the construction of the line, and the remainder held with a view to future objects. The accounts showed a total receipt of 35,911/. Is. 7d. expenditure, 13,417/. 16s. 4d. ; leaving a balance of 22,4931. ss. 3d. The liabilities of the company amounted to about 15,0001., leaving a credit balance of 7,400/. 18s. 4d. In answer to questions, the CHAiamAN said that the Leo minster Canal was 16 miles in length, occupying a space of 150 acres of land, and that the purchase money was 12,000/. It was the general opinion of the meeting that the purchase was an advantageous one. The calls had been well paid up, and a 2/. call would be made in the course of a short time. The report was then adopted unanimously. In seconding the second resolution, that the negotiations for the purchase of the Leominster Canal should be confirmed, Mr. Score, M.P., for Walsall, suggested that the amalga mation of all the lines which had their common terminus at Shrewsbury would be advantageous to the particular in terest of this company and to the public at large, the more especially as the Chester and Shrewsbury, and the Hereford and Shrewsbury were continuous lines. Thanks to the Chairman were then voted, and the meet ing separated. It was stated in the course of the meeting that the offices of the company would be removed from London to Chester. --- - - MUNIFICENCE OF THE MILLOCAACT.—" Proud of of my heritage indeed; lam more—l love it, I reverence it with the fondest affection, and bless the accident that made me a Manchester man. In less than three years the noble spirited inhabitants of Manchester—a mere provincial town —have given away, out of their own earnings, upwards of three hundred thousand pounds! Oh ! how hard-hearted, selfish, and grasping are the cottonocracy. What ducal country can vie with such a town ? Wherever I may dwell, I shall always look back with the fondest remembrance to my native town, raised, as it has been, by the giganti c efforts of the son s o f t o il t o th e honourable position of the first commercial town in Europe."—From John Easby's Mena TIIE ROBBERY OF DIAMONDS.—In our report of the last examination of Kerr, upon the charge of stealing the diamonds, Mr. Satchell was erroneously mentioned as the solicitor for the prisoner; Mr. Nobler is, and had been from the tire, engages for the deform. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 23. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack al Five o'clock. DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the order of the day for the third reading of the Destitute Persons (Ireland) Bill. Lord BROUGHAM said that he had already stated what he conceived would be the necessary consequences of this measure. Among the other objections that might be urged to this measure was, that there were three official bodies con stituted to carry out the details of it. The relief commission was the one to which ho wished to call the attention of the House. There was no power given under the provisions of the Act to appoint one of the commissioners a member of the committee. It only said that it should be lawful for the Lord-Lieutenant to nominate certain parties. It only gave power to the Lord-Lieutenant to specify by a general or special order applicable to the case of the parties, but it did not make it imperative, upon him to say what the number should be. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY complained of the attacks which the Noble and Learned Lord who had just sat down was in the habit of making against the Irish landlords, for a more kind-hearted, more just, or more beneficient body of individuals did not exist in the empire. Their gene rosity at the present emergency could not be described, and he would not venture to assert that the assistance they had given had contributed much to alleviate the calamity. If thi; Noble and Learned Lord was so adverse to persons spending their money abroad, why did he not carry out his own argument and not spend his money in France.--( Hear, hear. ) He repeated that the Irish landlords were a most beneficent class of persons. He admitted that the want of resident proprietors in Ireland caused much of the unhappiness in that country. However, if Irish landlords were deprecated in the way they had been, their tenants would become dissatisfied. He did consider that these measures might have been more maturely weighed. By these frequent animadversions the Irish tenants were taught to look unfavourably upon their landlords. He considered that the Noble Lord should not have undertaken the Government without re-enacting the Arms Registration Act. At the present moment the pea santry were parading the country in large bodies with arms. He was satisfied that they must now extend the poor-law system to Ireland, for the guardians appointed under it were the wisest and best protectors both of poverty and property. He was obliged to the House for their attention to him on this subject. It was one on which he felt very anxious, and he had felt it his duty to state to the House his opinion that the measure was one calculated to benefit Ireland. Lord BROUGHAM begged leave to set the Noble Marquis right. The Noble Marquis had totally mistaken him, if he was under the impression that he had meant any attack upon the Irish people, or to run down the Irish, he could assure the Noble marquis that he had no objection to the measure as applied to the Iri s h i n particular. He should have the same objection to the measure if it were applied to the Irish or Scotch. His objection had nothing to do with any national peculiarity ; what he was averse to was the system. He had no doubt that many of the measures adopted were very munificent charities ; but his objection applied to a great public measure. He had no objection to Ireland, although he had not resided there any more than he had ever pursued the diversion of bsar hunting on the Con tinent.—( Laughter. ) The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said that, although he was not present, he understoood that the Noble Lord had attacked the Irish landlords. He objected to their habits, of horses, equipages, servants, and wino —(A laugh ) ard said that they ought not to indulge in them. The Noble Lord himself could go to France, and do as he pleased in that respect, but there was no necessity for him to run down the Irish proprietors. Lord BROUGHAM could assure the Noble Marquis that he never ran down an Irish proprietor any more than he ever ran down— ( A voice from the Ministerial bench—" A bear.") The Marquis of L A NSDO WNE here made some observa tions, but in so low a tone of voice that they did not teach the gallery.) With respect to the amendment that had been sug gested by his Noble Friend opposite, it was one to which no very seeious objection could be advanced, and he intended to introduce an amendment that would meet the views of the Noble Lord. In reply to an observation of the Noble Lord opposite, he wished to state that he would receive a report from the Commissioners, to which he might refuse to accede. Lord ELLENBOROUGH said he felt quite satisfied with the Noble Lord's statement that he would introduce an amendment. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that there were certain other amendments which it was intended to introduce. The NOBLY, MARQUIS then proceeded to refer to amend ments which he proposed to insert in the Bill. The Marquis of WESTMEATH said the late meeting of Irish proprietors in Dublin proved that better feelings had been generated among them, and that there was now greater hope than ever for the improvement of Ireland. He regretted that there was no provision in the Bill for the more effectual collection of the poor rates. Lord BEAUMONT said that he desired to take that oppor tunity of correcting a mistake which had appeared in a letter of Mr. Commissioner Otway from Castlebar. He states that a near connexion of mine, a Noble Lord who does not possess a seat in this House, Lord Kilmaine, has not paid the greater portion of his rates. He ( Lord Beaumont) had received a letter from that Noble Lord, and he had also a communication with his agent, and they had both assured him that that statement was totally incorrect; that all the rates had been paid, and that no portion of them were unpaid at any time, as they were always paid upon applic a ti on . H e thought, however, that he might be allowed to remark that he did not wonder that these mistakes should occur from the incorrect manner in which the collector's rate-book 6 were kept. He acknowledged that the Bill was a necessity of the moment; hut he thought a great disadvantage would arise from the me thod in which one rate was made to clear another; for that was really what would occur.—( Hear, hear.) One rate would not be half collected, before another was struck. The system of levying the rates in England was much more complete and rapid than it was in Ireland, in consequence of the long notice required. The system, however, was produc tive of most injurious effects to those who did pay their rate, while those who did not pay them escaped comparatively free. If a retail trade had existed in Ireland, to distribute the im mense supply of provisions that had arrived in this country, three-fourths of the suffering which had prevailed in that count try would have been prevented. He would just observe in conclusion, that an extensive system of emigration must be re sorted to, if an improved system of cultivation of the land was to be introduced. In England there were but three labourers to the hundred acres; but in Ireland there were eight; and until this surplus population was removed, they could not hope to establish the prosperity of Ireland on a permanent footing. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY was about to address the House, when _ _ The LORD CHANCELLOR interrupted him, and said that he had received a Commission from her Majesty cud the House should stand prorogued during pleaiure. ROYAL COMMISSION. The LORD CHANCELLOR then retired, and in a few minutes returned, accompanied by the Earl of Minto and the Earl of Shaftesbury, in their robe , , as Lords Commissioners, to give the Royal assent to several Bills. The Usher of the Black Rod then summoned the Com mons, when the Royal assent was given in the usaal form to the Buck Wheat Importation Bill, the Brewing from Sugar Bill, the Distillation from Sugar Bill, and the Chelsea Pen sioners' Bill. DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the Marquis of Lansdowne this Bill was then read a third time and passed. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 23. The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour. The following Bilk were read a second time, and or dered to be committed:— Aberdeen Harbour Improvement. Leeds Waterworks. Regent's Canal Company (Paddington and Limehouse Railway and Branch)—by order. Rochdale Waterworks. Ryde Improvement. South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole Railway (Peni stone, &c., and Purchase of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Goole Rail way, Dun Navigation, and Dearne and Dove Canal' DISTRESS IN IRELAND. Major MACNAMARA presented a petition from the tenantry and landed proprietors of several parishes in the county Clare, complaining of the state of distress in that county; also a petition praying for a system of rail ways for Ireland. COMPLAINT OF UNJUST IMPRISONMENT. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from the working men of Warrington, in Lancashire, complaining of the unjust imprisonment of two men in that town ; that no notice had been taken of the petition Presented to the House in reference to that imprisonment; that the prisoners had not had a fair trial, and that the tyranny of the magistrates in the manufacturing districts was extreme. RATEPAYING CLAUSE OF THE REFORM ACT. The HON. MEMBER also presented a petition which had been agreed to at a public meeting of the inhabitants of London, at the Crown and Anchor, on the 17th inst., presided over by his Hon. Colleague, the other Member for Finsbury, erasing for the abolition of the rate paying clauses in the Registration and Reform Acts, which they designated as unconstitutional in their nature and vexatious in their operations. The Hon. Member also presented a petition to the same effect from the city and borough of Leicester. TEN HOURS' BILL. Mr. WILSON PATTEN presented a petition from Warrington in Lancashire, in favour of the Ten Hours' Bill ; also a petition for the Hon. Member fur Devon, from the merchants and shipowners of Brixham, Devon, against the light dues ; also a petition from Tenbury, Devon, against the law of settlement. CHARGES AGAINST THE MEMBERS FOR CLARE. Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented a petition, signed by 14 members of the relief committee and others in Liscarron, county of Clare, complaining of the reports made by Captain Wynne, an officer of the Board of Works, with reference to the character of Mr. O'Brien and other members of that committee, and praying for a Select Committee to inquire into these charges, for which, the petitioners asserted, there was not the shadow of a foundation. Petitioners also expressed a de: ire that Captain Wynne should not be promoted (which it was rumoured was intended by Government) till this Committee should be appointed and the charges investigated. CE YLON —DISMISSAL OF MR. LANGSDALE. Mr. B. ESCOTT said he had a petition to present from Mr. Langsdale, complaining that he had been . dis charged by th e S ecretary o f S tate f rom a j e dg d e o s ti a e pin s of one of her M a j esty ' s courts o f C e yl on , th which he had di sc h arge d with satisfaction tot e he bar and L ( to all int eres t e d i n th e administration f' justice;t that the ground s on which he was dismissed were not stated to him, and an opportunity given for his replying to them ; that his professional prospects o bad been ruined, an d p ra yi ng the House to aff him redress. He should move to-morrow that the petition be printed with the votes. SUGAR. Mr. FORBES presented a petition from farmers, brewers, and others, praying that sugar might only be admitted into breweries at the same rate as malt. POOR-LAW REMOVAL BILL. Mr. O. STANLEY presented a petition, complaining of the Poor-law Removal Act, and setting forth th a t t h e rates had been already doubled in many cases in con sequence of it. RATE-PAYING CLAUSE OF THE REFnR VBILL. Sir B. HALL presented a petition, agr ee d to at a public Meeting held lass evening in St• rocras, praying that the rate-paying clause of the Reform Act might be abolished. TRAVELLING ON SUNDAYS. Lord BROOKE presented a petition from Kenilworth, praying that a clause which had bee,' inserted in a rail way Bill, which would run through that town, giving the directors power to stop travelling on the line on Sunday, might be expunged. REGENT'S CANAL (PADDINGTON AND LIMEHOUSE RAILWAY BRANCH). Mr. ALDAM moved that the debate on the second reading of this Bill be resumed, for the purpose of moving that the second reading be deferred for a fort night. WARBURTON wished to know from the Go vernment what was intended to be done with this Bill. He had teceivect information on which he believed he might rely, that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests had advised her Majesty not to give her consent to the Bill as it stood at the present mo meat. From this he inferred that the Bill was not to be assented to if it interfered, in any way, with the pri vacy of Regent's Park. Those who had. built villas in the park had done so on the understanding that their property would not be interfered with, and it was most unfair that they should be subject to annoyance, and obliged to spend money from year to year for the purpose of protecting their property from aggression. Lord MORPETH said that it had been intimated to him that the promoters of the Bill were anxious to propose some modification of their scheme in order to satisfy the objections of their opponents, and under these circumstances he was not unwilling to grant them the delay which they sought for. He could only deal with the Bill in the shape in which it was submitted to him. Sir BENJAMIN HALL was anxious to know what was the definite intention of her Majesty's Government with re spect to this Bill. He represented a great number of the lessees of the ground through which the railway ran, and to whom the faith of the Crown had been pledged, that the pri vacy of their dwellings should be respected. Sir ROBERT INGLIS said, no matter what modification was proposed, it would not meet the objection which was urged against the Bill. He would desire that her Majesty's Govern ment would at once declare that they were not prepared to assent to the Bill. Mr. HUME said he was very much surprised that the Noble Lord did not at once negative the Bill. The Com missioners of Woods and Forests had spent 2,0001. or 3,0001. in beautifying the parks, which money was very properly expended, and a railway would perfectly destroy the villas which were erected in the neighbourhood of the Park. The nobility would not wish to ride out. having a rail way about 40 feet off from them, the noise of which would be most disagreeable. The House should recollect that the faith of the Crown was distinctly pledged that their privacy should be respected. He hoped the Noble Lord would not postpone the consideration of the measure, but at once reject it Lord MORPETII Said that he did not wish to use any de ception upon the matter. He could not advise that her Ma jesty's consent should be given to the Bill under its present circumstances. But the promoters of the Bill had some scheme on foot by which they hoped to satisfy the objections of the opponents. They only asked a fortnight, and he con sidered it would be rather hard to refuse it to them. Dr. BOW RING quite agreed with the Noble Lord, thht it would be an ungracious thing to reject the Bill. A fortnight was but a reasonable delay, and he did not see why the House should refuse to grant it. The second reading of the Bill was then adjourned for a fortnight. PRIVATE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. HUME moved for a Select Committee, v to continue the inquiry into the private business of the House, the expenses attending the obtaining of all Private Bills, including all the expenses of the opponents'as well as the promoters of Bills, and the taxing of expenses thereto. The Committee to con sist of Mr. Hume, Lord Granville Somerset, Sir George Grey, Sir James Graham, Mr. Strutt, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Greene, Mr. Gibson Craig, Sir William Clay, Sir WilliaM Heathcote, Mr. Esteourt, Mr. Loch, Mr. Home Drummond, Captain Jones, and Lord Courtenay. The object which he had in view in making the present motion, was to save time, money, and facilitate business in regard to these Bills. Dr. BOW RI N G seconded the motion. Sir WALTER JAMES wished to know if the retrospective operation of Bills already passed would be inquired into. Many of these enactments were quite contradictory in their provision , . In the town which he represented there were several local Bills which clashed with each other. Mr. HUME replied that cases of this kind had been already provided for. In cases where a new Bill was soueht for any locality it was arranged that a general Bill should be passed to repeal all previous enactments, and thus get rid of every. thing of a contradictory character. The motion was then agreed to. LOAN TO IRELAND. Mr. ROEBUCK wished to ask a question. He had under stood from the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, that the 15,000,000 for the. relief of Ireland was to pass the House p lii pussu with the Irish poor laws. He desired now to know how the grant of that sum had been settled. Sir GEORGE GREY W 33 understoo.l to say that a Bill must be brought in on the subject. Mr. POULETT SCROI'E was proceeding to make a statement to the House, when he was called to order. RAILWAY BILLS. Mr. ELLICE proceeded to move that all Railway Bills in the present session be referred to the Railway Commissioners, for their report to this House, upon the following points, pre viously to such Bills being considered in Committees of this House:—That every report so to be made upon each 1313 should s'ate the amount of the capital proposed to be raised, and of the loans proposed to be authorised by the Bill ; an 1 if, under the provisions of such Bill, any powers were to be given to any company already incorporated, of raising further capital or loans, or of making alterations, branches, or extensions of their existing lines, or of purchasing or leasing any other lines made or to be made, or of subscribing to the capital, or guaranteeing the capital of, or amalgamating will, other companies ; such report should also state the powers granted by any former Act or Acts to such companies already incorporated for any of the above purposes, and of the manner in which, and extent to which, such powers had been exercised ; and the report should further state the opinion of the Commissioners thereon, and also their opinion as to any special provisions with which it might in any case be expedient to accompany the grant of any powers for any of the above men - tioned purposes. That every such report be:referred to the Com mittee of this House appointed to consider the 8.11 to which the same may relate. He found that the North-Western Corn, any had raised 11.000,000/. of money, and they had power to raise 16,000,0001. by way of loan, making 27.000,000/. of a total sum for this railway. The Great Western Company had rais d 4,b00,000/. of capital, and they had power to raise 4,500,000 . more by way of loan, which, with the other em powerments in their Act, for the purpose of entering into guarantee leases, would enable them to raise upwards of 30,000,000/ He found that the Eastern Counties' Railway Company had a capital of 4,2/0,0001., and powers to raise 3,400,0001., and they also had in addition other powers of raising money. The fourth company to which he would refer was that of the Manchester and Leeds, where they had 2,000,0001. of capital, and a power to raise 1,800,000/. more, but with additional powers the sum to which they might extend leached some 10,000,000. He thought that these circumstances ought to be reported to the House, together with the respective cases in which the several powers were to be exercised. There were cases were the capital stock of the company was' in 100'. shares, and yet the intere•t paid was upon ISO .—( Hear, hear ) He thought that it was necessary that the capital, together with the loans proposed to be raised should be stated, and that the House should be put in full possession of all the circumstances before the Bills were read a third time, as well as all the powers which each company sought of making grants to other com panies, together with all amalgamations, loans, lea-es, and other engagements into which they proposed to enter. There was one company which proposed to raise a capital of 5,000,000/. in addition to that which they already possessed. There were several other companies who were acting in the same way_; and he wished to draw the attention of th e H o use to th e number of these Bills now lying on the table, with a view to impose some restriction upon them. He might take as an ins' aoce of the extensive powers sought by the old companies, that of the Cheltenham and Oxford Railway, which was promoted by that enormous company the Great Western. They proposed to raise a capital of 1,000,0001., with the power to raise a loan of 330,0.'01., giving a guarantee of five per cent, to their original subscribers. It would be advisable to inquire what amount of funds were at the disposal of the great Western Company, over and above the means required for the fulfilment of their present engage ments. There was also the Eastern Union Railway and several others of a like nature. Then there was the Shef field, Rotherham, and Doncaster Railway, the subscription deed of which was signed by three solicitors, two engineers, and twelve directors, who had subscribed together 192,000 ~ while the public subscribed only the sum of 30,000/. The Bill proposed to give authority to the promoters to sell this railway to five different companies, or to any person or persons who might be willing to purchase it. There were as many various conflicting propositions for borrow ing money as the House could very well imagine, and it appeared to him that it would be desirable that each dill should be inves tigated by the Railway Commissioners previous to coming before a Committee of that House. Then with respect to amalgamating there were as many different principles of amalgamation and powers of leasing as of borrowing, while there was a vet} , den. serous practice in existence to creating fictitious capitals. That was another question which required to be examined into, and he thought it ought to be ascertained whether the public had to pay interest upon this fictitious capital as well as upon the cost of construction. There was one case which would illustrate what he was contending for. The new North-Western Company had several Bills for branches and exteusions, in which the directors had pledged the capital of the company for that purpose. In such a case it was desirable to inquire how far such a proceeding was in agreement with the standing orders, which required that no pledge of the company's credit should take place beyond the actual capital' raised. He would offer no opinion on the case, but thought such a matter ought to be referred to the Railway Commissioners. Some better system should be brought into operation than the one which at present prevailed. He would not trouble the House further on this subject, but he must say that, in the committee on which he was engaged himself last year, they declined .to assert the supe riority of one gauge over another. They left that question to the Board of Trade, although there were witnesses that He parties himself there to have occupied them for two or rth kov‘ three days. was the more inclined to do this, promoting a railway had ex p ended 150,00011efore a Com mittee of the House of Commons, and had afterwards the mor tification of losing their Bill before the House of Lords, the effect of which would be, that these matters would be referred to the House, or decided by an authority responsible to the House. On the motion being put, Mr. HUDSON said he meant not to take the least objec tion to the proposition made by the Hon Member, nor would ho enter into the details which the Honourable Member had laid before the House ; but he woald make one or two observations on points noticed in the speech of the Hon. Gentleman ; and, first, as to the capital involved in the railway projects of this year. He said that last session the capital of proposed rail ways amounted to 300,000,060/. He at that time mentioned that the capital of the lines which would be sanctioned by Government would not exceed 100.000,000/. and in that he was quite right, for Parliament had not sanctioned lines to a larger amount than 90,000,0001. He . was not of opinio n th at t hi s session the projects passed would involve any large amount of money, sod would bring no extraordinary pressure on the money market. The Right Hon. Gentleman had particularly referred to two companies, over which he had the honour to preside, and had he been aware that these charges were to be made he would have come provided with the necessary information, but as it was, he believed that he should be able, off hand, to reply to these charges. The Right Hon. Gentleman had stated that the capital of the Midland Company amounted to something like 30,000,0001. A notice of dissent was here made by Mr. Ellice. Mr. HUDSON was quite willing to give the Right Hon. Gentleman full credit for the candour and fairness with which he intended to bring the matter before the House, but he had understood that assertion to be made, and was prepared to say that the capita; was nothing like that corn. The whole amount of iue ongilial capital of ihe Cualpany was 5,000,0001. In 1545 they had übtained Acts which empowered them to rain 2 3 000,000/. more. That would make 7,000,000/,, and the last year they had obtained Acta which empowered them to raise 2,000,6 0/. more, and this money was to be raised in shares. There IN as then the additional power to raise 1,700,0i1i /. on loan, making something more than I0,000,0:70!. In addition to this, they had leased the Bristol and Gloucester line, with a capital of 2,1,00,0001., and the Leeds and Bradford, the capital of which was 1,000,000/., so that the whole capital was not more than 14,000,000!. Mr. ELLICE-111.n there was the Northern line. Mr. HUDSON—That is a property entirely and perfectly cLidinct. The capital then was something like 14,000,00 01 and it should be recollected that when any company leased a line they did not undertake to find the Capital; they only engaged to carry on the line when the capital was raised. It would be very unwise in Government to interere with the raising of their capital. When they had imposed all the necessary limits they might well leave the raising of the money to the discretion of the companies. A; to putting on any direction for raising the money, he thought it would be quite futile, for the directors were obliged to act according to the state of the money market. Sometimes they raised it in one way, sometimes in another, and it was a matter well known that in the early stages of railway enterprise the directors had frequently put themselves into positions of great anxiety and peril, anti Set had they not done so the works would have been stopped and the public - would have lost the benefit. When the late President of the Board of Trade brought in his Bill two or three years since the question of loans was most fully and fairly discussed, and the conclusion was that the dif ferent companies were to be confined to the terms of their Acts. He took an early opportunity of providing for the debts of every company with which he was connected. With refe rence to the subject of the execution of the railways, he begged to say that the House need be under no apprehension upon that subject, for in all his experience he never found the calls more readily and freely paid ups than they now were. He had made calls to the amount of three millions within the last three months, and he never saw them paid up so readily as they were, even to the present week. The duty of the House was to take care that the public were protected, and that the shareholders were remunerated for the outlay of their capital , and having done that, the House might depend upon it that the less they interfered in the management of rail ways the better it would be for the undertakiugs , or the public, and for the House itself. With respect to the guarantee fund, he would say that it was necessary for the railway companies to have the power to, borrow money under a guarantee fund. In the year 18 41, the greatest difficulty existed to get the public to invest their money even if under the guarantee of six per cent. France was quite ready to find employment, and give good' guarantee for the capital of this country, and he therefore warned the House not to be too ready to Interfere with the pri vate enterprise of England. After a few words of explanation from Mr. ELLICE, Sir R. H. INGLIS said he understood the object of the reso lution was to revive the same jurisdiction of the Board of Trade that it p o ssessed two years ago in reference to railway Matter,. He, therefore, saw no objection to the proposition. His object in rising had mainly been to bear his testimony to the efficiency of the labours of the former board, which had been he thought unfairly underrated. Lord JOHN RUSSELL had no objection to the motion's and thought considerable benefit might arise from the arrange ment proposed. The inquiries would, ne doubt, be much assisted by the ref:nada of the Commissioners, but it must not be supposed that the results would se eersede the labours of the Committees. It would be for the latter to take the inquiries forwhat they thought them worth and act accordingly. He supported the motion. und. r the impression that no delay would be imposed, in cense quence, on the railway Bills of the present session. The motion was then agreed to. COMMITTEE ON THE LAW OF SETTLEMENT AND POOR REMOVAL. Mr. BA NK ES postponed his motion on the report of thie Committee, as the report had not yet been printed, till that day week. The Honourable Member said he would give no tice on the same day, of his intention to call the attention of the House to a case which hail been submitted to the lap officers of the Crown affecting the construction of a clauseo l the Act. PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. Mr. EWA RT gave not ice that he would on the 9th March move the abolition of the punishment of death. DIRECT TAXATION. The HoN. AIEMBEIL also gave notice that on the same dat he would call the attention of the House to the expediency ow direct taxation. RAILWAYS. Lord GEORGE BEN TINCK gave notice of his intentions to move to-morrow fur certain returns which would form la basis on which he meant to found certain observations in re.. • spect to the figures and statements of the Chancellor of the Ex' chequer last night, viz., a return of all the sums of money ex' pended by certain English lines of railway previous to the yes ej a. 1845, including the South Western, the South Eastern, an 'spond ee by Midland Companies ; and a return of all the sums by the railways of Great Britain and Ireland on carriages, loco"" 1 ° motives, and waggons, made up in triennial periods previous tee e the years 1811,1814, and 1847 respectively. COPPER ORE. Mr. SPOONER said that in the absence of his Hon. Cole' league, he should move that the petition presented by hire tb other evening be printed with the votes. • JAMAICA. Mr. HUME begged to ask a question whether any Ide a ' sure had been adopted to put an end to the disputes between' the House of Assembly and the Judge of the Supreme Cow l° by which the public business had been suspended for one year . Mr. HA WES said that he was aware that such interrup tiota had taken place, but means had been taken to reconcile b te differences, and• he had great pleasure in stating that pu° business would at the earliest period be resumed- • NUMBER OF DEATHS, IRELAND. Mr. S. O'I3RIEN postponed the motion of which he b given notice, respecting the return of the number of death o which had taken place in Ireland from starvation since the fate of November, 1846 Mr. P. SCROPE had heard that the workhouses of Ireland. were already completely filled with inmates, he saw that a pro-. vision was made in the Poor-law (Ireland) Bill of the Ist an a 2nd Vic., for the purpose of extending the means of aceornnere dation fur the people by either enlarging th e buildings or h irie4 .. others. He wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to lay upon the table of the House any returns f.„. respecting the workhouses in Ireland and their number of i mates. sir G. GREY—In a few days a series of pip ers will be laid on the table of the House, which will conten e . the corres pondenee with the Board of Guardians, as well as th e Acre which have been taken in consequence. • DRAINAGE OF LANDS. Mr. BAILLIE wished to know whether it was the inten tion of her Majesty's. Government to introduce any measurepr the improvement of the Drainage Act of last session,. f!e_:ietecte" ther they intended to introduce any new Bill t hat miene the principle of that Act. the Sir amendmenter GREY o s f t a h i that e Aet new fir th Bille drainageliadbean f pi:574:1 foolf, though he could not go to the length of baying that the ew Bill would alter the principle of the Act of last year. Mr. HUME wished to ask whether it was the intention enableor Her Majesty's Government to introduce any mea sure to the proprietors of entailed estates to dispose of part of their . property for the improvement of the rest of it, cr whether le was intended to burden the couutry, with the expense. Sir -G. - GREY said that his reply to the question o, t_h ee e Hon. Member fir Inverness would have intimated that tdeL was to be ne change in the principle of the measure, but stoe e might add that. it was the intention of the Governmene. 'pply to Parliament far no inure than the sanction of p art the 2,e00,0e0/. grai t3l last year unt , e, the Drainage Act. 0. Mr. 130UVERIE wished to know whether the Ge yel .. merit had eny bhp ction to lay the correspondence respectnee: Seotlaud on the table, as well as that which concerned Ireland Sir G. GREY—None at all, it would he included. nth Mr. COLLETT wished to ask whether there was any tro th in the statement that the Government were about to estabeia a bishopric in elanchestar, and whether the Noble Lord eiee give any information on tite subj,ct? Lord JOHN . RUSSELL thought the best way of gieil information on this subject, was to lay a copy of the commt's!°_, issued by h, r Majesty for the founding of the new bishoprieeo on the table. This he had done a week ago, and it bad be e ordered to be print, d, and hen it was in the hands of the Bell; ~ Member, he woe(' find that it was intended to found • bishopric in Manchester, as well as three other bish o P eigs. t ` From the present st ate of the Episcopal revenue, it would ee be necessary to add any new charge to the country for the port of these be.hopries. He might add, that it was not the lion of her Majesty to summon the new bishops to sit in Pa r ; liament, but-they won take their turn, as any casualty alley' the bishops eceasioned a vacancy. Mr. ROEBUCK asked if the arrangement would be carei e4 out without an Act of Parliament? Lord JOHN RUSSELL said it would be impossible 1° carry it out without an Act of Parliament. So soon be /3 : received the report of the C o mmi ss i o n, he should ask for le a„ to introduce a Bill urn the subject. THE FRANCHISE. Mr. T. DUNCUMBE said he was in a difficulty to the course he should take with reference to the notice to had on the paper. He did not know what was the intentiod of the House or the Government in reference to it. He upY derstood the Government had no objection to his introdnei e ti the Bill, but there were some gentlemen opposite might. Ne vi e j • if Government could give hi m p erm i ss i on t o i n t ro d u ce the fit"., upon the understanding that they a pp ro v e d o f the principles b ut did not p,edge themselves to the details, he would postpone t "" • discussion till the second reading . If, however, Government did not object to the Bill now, because they would have an e portunity of strangling it hereafter, he must go at once into eh - matter. Lord J. RUSSELL said, if the Hon. Gentleman m eal); wished to bring his Bill before the House, he s hodlu e offer no objection to his doing so. He certainly sha d ' . ) 2 offer an objection to his laying it on the table - but if the Bill was, as he had stated, mor e l proposed to repeal that clause of the Refor m Bill which be`" reference to the day on which taxes should be paid to secure :- a a vote, without proposing any new provisions or other contly • tions, he thought it right to state at once that be was °pre e n to the spirit of such a Bill. If they w i s h e d t o h ave t h e P"" • discussed now, lie thought it right to state to him at the out' set, that he should oppose a decided negative to the Sir 1)E LACY EVANS said as h e h a d consente d to se co' him,Bill, atthe ohntadiotiniehorefrsttlillio:u,a,lili,usenium.slG:loyennuitulone‘i:nietaanfi,,fruhtlueeraebveedgagtyo.edintotrosudgugeoestotde DUNCOMBE said he was perfectly aware t hat the Noble L or d was opposed to such a Bill .7. the one he now soug h t to i ntroduce . It however, contained but one clause, and its object simply to repeal that porti on o f t h e R e f orm Bill wh i c h ma de t he ,; payment of rates imp era ti ve b y a certa i n d ay to rec eive the registration of a vote. It was en titl e d " a Bill t o r epeal much of an Act passed in the reign of William the Fon rt ; intituled, an Act to amend the representation of the Peq r , - in England a n d W a l es ,' as ma k es t h e r i g ht t o reg i s tration 1 . cities and boroughs conditi o nal on th e p a y men t o f poor's rates and assessed taxes." As, how e v er , d e f err i ng th e Bill Wo n !. only lead two di s cussio ns , he th oug ht it b e tt er to have t he discussion then and to fight it out at once.—( Hear.) There. fore he would state a s s h or tly as -p oss ibl e th e groun ds on whi ch he sought leave to introduce the Bi 1. It provided for v i e; moving one of the greatest blots hi the Reform Bill --e b ie r complained of by the whole electoral body whether in cities 0 , in boroughs, and was one which he sincerely believed deservfa the most serious consideration of the Government and of the . House. The chief objection to the clause was that it Ivo 1 1 1 : t constitutional in principle, vexatious in its operation. and that it opened the door to all manner of bribery and favouri tisu : s He should prove that it was unconstitutional f rom the wo rds of the Noble Lord himself, In speaking of the operation o f t a n Reform Bill. The substance of the Noble Lord's opinion .oan that occasion was that no man should be taxed until he had voice in the making of the laws which imposed those axes upon him. The Reform Bill, he contended, had not answereat the expectations which had been formed of it ; it even ha d answered the expectations of th e N o ble Lord himself.t At the time that Bill was passed, the Noble Lord stat ed that he intended to call into electoral existence half a million o f z r err, voters; that he would gi ve 100,0J0 t o th e English counties. 60,0t)0 to Scotland, 40,000 to Ireland, and a con siderable ._ number to the metr o p o li s , ma ki ng near ly 500,000. But wh had been the result ? I n Marylebone, in 184 1, there were 32,341 rated h ouse h o ld ers , but there were only 11'765 ° :•atedl the register, showi ng a great diff erence. I n Finsbury th e liousttht:ider.: v,ere 11'2,954, Lut th.ie were. out, 3.4,d 5 t ) °" the register. In the Tower Hamlets there were 64,896, b u t only 13,000 on the register ; and in Greenwich 11,536, but only 3,610 ou the register. In Greenwich awl of the houses were PET IT lONS ON PRIVATE BILLS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Room 22, before Mr. Examiner SMITH.) UNOPPOSED LIST. In the following unopposed cases the customary formal proofs were completed:— Leeds and Thirsk Railway (for supplying water to Leeds and the neighbourhood, and selling same to the Corporation of Leeds, and the Leeds Waterworks Company). York and Neweastle Railway (Wearmouth Dock Enlarge ment). York and Newcastle Railway (Hartlepool Dock and Rail way, and Great North of England, Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway, Lease and I"o.lThaSe Act). York and Newcastle, Newcastle and Berwick, and North British Railways Amalgamation. Axholme Railway (from the Leeds and Selby Railway to Gainsborough, with Branches). Manchester Corporation Waterworks (with power to pur chase the Manchester and Salford Waterworks Company). Manchester Corporation Waterworks (with power to sell to the Manchester and Salford Waterworks Company). Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railways (Station at Sheffield, and Branch to the Sheffield Canal). Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Society. Great North of India Railway Company. Shropshire Union Railways and Canal (Shrewsbury to Worcester). Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway (No. 1— Extension and Amendment). OPPOSED CASE. Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct Railway (Railway from Kil marnock to Ayr, with Branch to the Harbour of Ayr). This opposed case was part beard, and adjourned till to morrow. (Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MA y.) ti NOPPOSED LIST. In the following unopposed cases, the customary formal proofs were completed : Direct London and Portsmouth, Brighton and Chichester, and London, Brighton, and South Coast, and London aid South- Western Railway Companies Acts Amendment. Waterford and Limerick Railway (Deviations in Line, Ex tension of Time for Purchase of Lands, further Rights and Privileges as to allowing Interest and giving Security and Amendments). Edinburgh and Northern, and Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railways Amalgamation. Dunfermline Waterworks (for the better supplying the town of Dunfermline, and places adjacent thereto, with Water). Tranmere Docks. The British Commercial Insurance Company. Western Gas Light Company. City of York, Freemen's Strays or Common Pastures Re gulations. Stockport Manorial Tolls and Bridges. Lytham Improvement. Bristol Building and Improvement Act Amendment. OPPOSED CASE. Manchester and Southampton Railway (Line from South ampton to Cheltenham, to join the Midland Railway, with connecting lines, to join the proposed London, Oxford, and Cheltenham Railway, the Great Western Railway, and the Basingstoke and Salisbury and Bishopstoke, and Salisbury Branches of the London and South-Western Railway, with power to purchase the Andover Canal, with power to the Midland Railway Company and the London and South- Western Railway Company to subscribe towards, or to take or use the undertaking). ' This adjourned opposed case occupied the rest of the day, but only three allegat►ons were sustained, and they were not of any great importance. They chiefly had reference to slight inaccuracies in the plans and sections. Several me morials were withdrawn. The case was further adjourned. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. Ths Standing Orders Committee met yesterdayat the usual hour, for the dispatch of public business. The following decisions were announced during the course of the day : THE LONDON A RTOB E OND NLLORTH-WES TERN BRANCH.) RAILWAY (PO Standin , orders complied with. BLANDFORD AND BRUTON RAILWAY. Parties allowed to proceed. THORNE AND CROOLE MOORS DRAINAGE AND IMPROVEMENT BILL. Standing orders complied with. GREAT NORTHERN (HURNCASTLE BRANCH). Parties allowed to proceed with the Bill. TAW VALE RAILWAY. Allowel to proceed. KING'S NORTON, (NORTIIFIELD) RAILWAY. Standing orders complied with. The Committee then adjourned. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Feb. 23. (Before the LORD CHIEF BARON and a Special Jury.) DAWSON V. TRIUT. Mr. Martin and Mr. I ,7 Vllles were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Ilumfrey and Mr. Ileggins for the defendant. This action was brought to recover a sum of nearly 5001., for printing and advertising done by the piaintiff, who is an advertising agent, for which the defendant was alleged to be liable, in his capacity of promoter and provisional com mitteeman of the projected Direct London and Hastings Railway Company. On 111 h part of the defendant, it was alleged that the so licitor to the company, Mr. Potter, had given to him, on condition of his becoming a member of the provisional com mittee, an indemnity against all liabilities, which circum stance was proved in evidence. It also appeared that the original order for the insertion of the advertisements had been given to the plaintiff by Mr. Potter, the solicitor to the company, previous to the time of the defendant's connexion with the company ; and there was no evidence to show that the terms of the order had been subsequently altered. The plaintiff, i n re ply, stated that the indemnity had been withdrawn in consequence of a dispute which had arisen be tween Mr. Patter and the defendant, the former not being satisfied with the conduct of the defendant. The LORD CU LEV BARON, in humming up, said that, in his opinion, the solicitor had not the power to annul the in demnity given to the defendant by him during the time that the liability which had commenced when he first became connected with the company was continued. At least he could not annul his agreement without placing the defen dant in the same position as he was prior to his connexion wit h the company.. With respect to the defendant's liability, in dependent of the indemnity be did not think that he was liable Mr the present claim, as the order was given by Potter, the solicitor to the, company, prior to the name of the de fendant appearing as a provisional committeeman of the railway. The jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict, fur the defendant. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. NO ClRCUlT.—Carlisie, Ft b, 22. The assizes for the county of Cumberland commenced here this morning. 'Their Lordships sat at ten o'clock. Mr. Baron Alderson presided in the Crown Court, and Mr. Baron Rolfe on the Civil aide. There are nine causes enter( d for trial. The calendar contains the names of twenty prisoners. Of these one stands charged with murder, four with bur- Wary, one with forgery, and one with cutting and wounding. The other offences in the calendar are cases of petty theft. ( Before Mr. Baron ALDEasos.) His Lordship during the day disposed of a large number of the minor cases, which presented no point of public in terest.