The Press.
London, England, 1857-08-15 00:00:00

PUBLIC OFFICE,.

Mr. B. Horn moved an address to the Crown,
praying for the appointment of a select committee to
consider the site and plans of the proposed new
public offices, especially with regard to the Foreign
and War Offices, and report upon the same. The
hon. member contended that the late competition of
lesigns for this purpose had practically proved a
failure; and further advice from profeeahmel.

PH E PRESS, AUGUST 15, 1857.

rities was required before a work of such importance
and cost was deftnitively undertaken.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER opposed the
motion, which he submitted would practically trans-
fer to a royal commission the settlement of a ques-
tion which ought to be left under the responsibility
of the Government. _ _

Lord .1. ltussEt.r. believed that all the plans pre-
sented for competition must be rejected, and a totally
new design provided for the public offices. He con-
curred in the opinion that the question should be
left in the hands of the Executive.

Sir B. HALL, in the course of an explanatory
speech, stated that no practical step would be taken
this year, except to purchase some ground near
Downing-street and the building upon it of three
offices. During the recess the plans would be exa.
mined, estimates of expense formed, and the whole
subject laid before Parliament early next session.
The house ultimately divided upon the motion,
which was rejected by 13R to 8.
The conversation respecting military promotions
and army clothing was again renewed by Mr. STAF-
FORD, who warned Sir J. Ramsden against repeating
in India the distresses of the Crimea, and of the
responsibility of his positron.

SUPPLY.
The house then went into committee of supply, and
proceeded to discuis the remaining votes belonging
to the miscellaneous civil services.

The vote of 2,0001. for the National Portrait Gal
lery was opposed by Mr. SPOONER, who objected to
tax the public for an object whose benefits could be
appreciated only by a class.
Mr. CoNINORAM was opposed to the vote on two
distinct grounds. The first was that they had ample
machinery for the purpose already existing in the
National Gallery, and the second ground was that
he protested against the appointment of a totally
irresponsible body of trustees, some of whom, par-
ticularly the professional trustees, had proved them-
selves utterly unworthy of public confidence.
Mr. DISRAELI condemned the attacks on Sir
Charles Eastlake, vindicated the course of the
committee, and supported the vote. The money
already voted had been expended with admirable
judgment; and, aided considerably by anticipated
gifts, there was already the nucleus of a valuable
historical gallery.
Upon a division the vote was carried by S 5 to 31.
The vote of 10,0001. to the London Diocesan
Building Society, as a contribution on the part of
the Crown towards building additional churches and
parsonage-houses, was opposed by Mr. W. Wm-
f.fAms chiefly on economical grounds; by Mr. GILPIN
because it interfered with the principle of religious
liberty; and by Mr. AYRTON as unnecessary, since
Church property in the metropolis, he contended, if
properly applied, would more than suffice for this
purpose. The vote was defended on the ground that
the Crown had large property in London, and was
bound to contribute to the relief of spiritual destitu-
tion with reference to the property as individuals
had done. Upon a division the vote was carried by
97 to 50.

Mr. WISE proposed to negative the vote of 10,5001.
for the purchase of a chapel in Paris for the use of
the British residents and visitors, and called atten-
tion to the fact that the chapel had been purchased,
and 2,0001. advanced from civil contiugencies on
account of the purchase.
Mr. WILSON defended the vote.

Lord PALMERSTON observed that it had long been
a reproach to the British nation that it had no fit
place of public worship in Paris ; that the vote was
no departure from principle, Parliament baying
been in the habit of providing funds for such a
purpose.
Upon a division the vote was negatived by 135 to
47, the Government being thus left in a minority
of 88.

The vote of 10,0001. for the Industrial Museum,
Edinburgh, was withdrawn.
Upon the vote of 24,000/. for the completion of
Chelsea Suspension bridge, the question of tolls
was agitated, and Sir B. HALL distinctly stated
that the bridge should be opened as a toll-paying
bridge.
Other votes were agreed to after discussion, and
the Chairman was ordereci to report progress.
On the order for the third reading of the Ecclesi-
astical Commission, &c., Bill,

Mr. L. KING moved to defer the third reading for
three months.

After a short discussion the amendment was
negatived, and the bill was read a third time and
passed.

On the order for the third reading of the Dulwich
College Bill,
Mr. KNIGHT, who complained that the bill had
been unfairly carried through its preceding stage,
moved that the order be discharged, in order that the
bill might be recommitted.

The bill was supported by Mr. .Malins, Mr.
lieadlam, and Mr. John Locke, and opposed by