The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-11 00:00:00

PUBLIC WORKS.

On the order for into committee of supply,
Sir M. VETO called attention to the want of efficient
control over the public works of the country and the neces-
sity of reorganising the Office of Works, with a view to reme-
dying the evil. Having animadverted on the useless ex-
peediture incurred for various public works, and the gene-
rally unsatisfactory condition of the department, the hon.
baronet contended that the office ought to be altogether
remodelled, and made responsible for all the public works
of the country is respect of which parliament had voted
MODE].
Mr. B. COCHRANE said he despaired of seeing any re-
form in this department of the government, and should
like to know who war responsible for the frightful public
statues which had excited at once the amazement and the
deviant' of foreigners, and who had set up the figure on
horseback sans legs and one arm In the centre of Leiceater-
square.
Sir C. WOOD and Mr. COWPER defended tbe administra-
tion of the Office of Works.

The subject yea also ventilated by Sir F. SMITH sad
Colonel Fame.

Sir J. HAY directed attention to the attack on Traogaoo,
the chief town of a province of Siam, on the 12th of Noway.
her last, rude by British forces from Singapore, in order to
obtain the person of a certain ex-Sultan, who was residing
at that place, and whom, it appeared, the authorities of
Trangeou and the aunt of Siam ware quite prepared to
surrender without the necessity of nutting to the last
appeal of arms. Sir James Brooke had coodemnad the sot
u the commission of a cruel sad grievous injustice. sod
there could be no doubt of the impolicy of bombarding •
friendly power without a declaration of war, or precautionary
measures for the protection of the live, and property of the
uooffeading inhabitanta.
Sir C. WOOD stated that he had not yet received from
the Indian government • full report of the transaction. but
the information already M his possession enabled him to
my that attacks of this sort were of a questionable, and in
this particular instanoe of • very precipitate, character.
Until the whole of the facts were before him, however, it
would not be just to the officers respossible for the affair to
form, much law expressos decided opinion on the setter.

Mr. LIDDELL insisted, with some warmth, that the
time had arrived when the house ought to put a stop to the
policy of constant interference in the quarrels of native
princes in the Eastern seas. It was unjust and illegal, and
diametrically opposed to the principles of our common
Christianity.
Lord NAAS said it appeared to him that our officials
bad been carrying on an unauthorised war in this mss, and
that in doing so they had committed not only a mistake
but a great crime. HO hoped that instructions would be
sent to our officers in the Indian Archipelago, forbidding
them to fire a shot except in selfdefence,- or by the orders
of the government at home.
Mr. BENTINCE brought under adios the subject of the
frequently recurring accidents on railway; the great ma-
jority of which he attributed to the high rate of speed.
The hon. gentleman also moved that in the opinion of the
home it was the duty of the government to legislate for
the better prevention of such accidents.
Mr. DUTTON concurred in the views expressed by Mr.
Bentinck, but remarked that the high rates of travelling
complained of were in most instances occasioned by the
public aniviag late at the stations, thus delaying the
trains, and impos•rag the necessity of increased speed to ob-
serve the boon in the time tables.
Mr. GIBSON opposed the motion, on the ground that
there were so many considerations, such as curves, gradi•
ante, and other circumstances, mixed up with the question,
that it was impossible to legislate usefully respecting it.
The motion was subsequently withdrawn.
Several other subjects were also discussed, including the
defective arrangements and insufficient accommodation of
the courts of law ; and ultimately the house was counted
out.
The house went into committee of amply pro forma, and
the chairman was immediately ordered to report progress.
THE SYDNEY BRANCH NM BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
PROMISSORY NOTE'S AND BILLS OF EXCHANGE

This bill passed through committee with a new clause
providing that it should be limited to continue for three
yearn, and until the end of the then swesion of parliament.
ALKALI WORKS REGULATION BILL.
The Lords' amendments to this bill were considered and
agreed W.
FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was reed a third time and pared amidst con.
sidersble cheering.
INDIA BrOOK (REMUNERATION).
The report on this bill was considered and agreed to.
INDIA STOOK BILL.

This bill passed through committee.
GREENWICH HOSPITAL (PROVISION FOR
WIDOWS) BILL.
This bill wee read e third time lard passed.