The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-20 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRIDAY.

A question from the Earl of MALMESBURY respecting
the alleged loss of the Tiger received from the Duke
of NEWCASTLE a similar answer to that given by the
Government in the Commons. Lord MALMESBURY
having further inquired under what circumstances
certain prisoners had been released by the admirals
in the Black Sea, the Duke of NEWCASTLE said that
these sailors were not in the pay of the Russian
Government, but taken on private vessels.
The Railway and Canal Traffic Regulation Bill
was read a second time.

The Boundary Survey (Ireland) Bill passed through
committee.

Their lordships adjourned at a quarter to eight
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY.

In reply to Mr. Hume,
Sir J. GRAHAM said that no official intelligence
had reached the Government respecting the loss of
the Tiger. The sole foundation for the report was
a telegraphic despatch received by a Greek house in
the City, which stated that the screw steamer Tiger
had gone ashore at Odessa, and been taken by the
Russians. As the Tiger was a paddlewheel steamer,
he trusted that the information, false in one part,
was false in the rest, the more so as a similar report
had been prevalent some time ago respecting the
Amphion in the Baltic, which turned out to be
t tally unfounded.
In reply to Mr. Hutchins,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the Government had
received information respecting the affair of the
Black Warrior simply as a friendly nation with
those more nearly concerned. He believed that it
was in a fair way of settlement.
The house went into committee on the Excise
Duties Bill, the clauses of which were agreed to
without alteration, after some discussion as to the
date of the expiration of the increased duty on malt.
The house then went into committee of ways and
means, when various resolutions were agreed to
respecting the sugar duties. The second, defining
the duties on refined, sugar being opposed, as con-
trary to previous assurances, was postponed by the
Government _ _

The resolution embodying the increase of the in-
come tax being moved, Mr. WILLIAMS moved an
amendment equalising the probate duty on real
corporate and ecclesiastical property with that on
real property. He went into the inequalities of the
existing law, and enlarged on the enormous amount
of corporate and ecclesiastical properties, all which
escaped their proper taxation, and should be rated
according to an average valuation of life.
Mr. WILSON, without disputing the justice of the
ground of the amendment, begged that the supplies
for the war might not be suspended while the house
was disposing of knotty questions. He defended the
present probate duty as a stamp duty, real property,
)n other things, paying more than its proportion
of stamps. A bill on the subject of taxing corporate
and ecclesiastical property had been under the con-
sideration of the Government, and had only been
postponed by the necessities of the time.
Sir J. WALMESLEY, while recommending the with
drawal of the bill for the present, thought that a
very strong case had been made out.

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THE PRESS.

Captain SCOBELL thought that this was just the
time for considering the subject, wheli we were under
the necessity of raising new taxes.
Mr. WILKINSON said a few words.
Mr. HADFIELD denied that the land, in any point
of view, paid more than its proportion of stamp
duties.

The amendment was not pressed to a division,
and the resolution passed without modification.

On the motion of Mr. WiLsow, a resolution was
agreed to granting 8,000,0001. out of the Consolidated
Fund towards making good the supply granted to her
Mikjesty.
The house having gone into committee on the
stamp duties,
Mr. WirsoN moved a series of resolutions pre-
scribing the new tariff of stamp duties on bills of ex-
change and promissory notes.
A long conversation took place on these resolutions,
and some amendments were moved, but ultimately
withdrawn, and the whole series were agreed to.
Mr. PuiNN, in the absence of Mr. Oliveira, moved
a resolution rendering all bankers' cheques liable to
a penny stamp.
Mr. Glyn, Sir J. Trollope, Mr. Masterman, Mr.
Gem'', and other members, opposed the motion,
which was supported by Mr. Bright, Mr. Scully, Mr.
Williams, and Mr. Cobden.
Mr. WILSON remarked that the banking system
had very lately attained its useful development, which
it would be most unadvisable to check by the imposi-
tion of a tax.

The motion was then withdrawn, and the house
resumed.

CHIMNEYSWEEPERS' BILL.

The second reading of this bill was moved by Mr.
Mr. J. G. PHILIIMORE, and seconded by Mr.
LIDDELL.

After considerable discussion the second reading
was negatived by 112 to 39.
The Public Statues Bill was read a second
time.
Mr. Mumws obtained leave to bring in a bill to
amend the acts passed for prevent►ng cruelty to
animals.

Adjourned at ten minutes to twelve o'clock.