The Press.
London, England, 1858-07-17 00:00:00

THE PRESS, JULY 17, 1858.

moved the reduction of the vote by 300/., the salary
of the travelling agent, leaving the travelling ex-
penses untouched.
A discussion ensued, in which the subjects of the
site of the National Gallery, the removal of the Royal
Academy, and the merits of Mr. Otto Mundler, the
travelling agent, were canvassed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER suggested
that the reduction of the vote would be a harsh pro•
ceeding toward the individual, and undertook, on the
part of the Government, that the whole establishment
of the National Gallery should undergo investi-
gation.
Upon a division, however, Lord Elcho's amend-
ment of the resolution was carried by 128 to 110.

The remaining resolutions were agreed to.
On the order for going into a Committee of Supply,
Mr. CovrrEn moved an address praying that her
Majesty will he pleased to take into consideration the
proclamation of the first year of her Majesty's reign,
commanding that forms of prayer and service made
for the sth of November, the 30th of January, and
the 29th of May should be annexed to the Book of
Common Prayer of the United Church of England
and Ireland, to be used yearly on the said days, with
a view to their discontinuance. lie urged that, as a
general principle, it was not wise that special services,
prepared to commemorate particular events, should
be used after a long lapse of time.
Mr. WAEroLE gave his hearty assent to the motion,
which was agreed to.

BATTERSEA PI

SERPENTINE.

Mr. ALcocK called the attention of her Majesty's
Government to the expediency of offering the surplus
land in Battersea park (100 acres) for sale by
auction, with a reserved price of 284,730/. Os. 3d., in
order to refund to the Government the loans ad-
vanced on account of Battersea•park, Chelsea•bridge,
and Chelsea embankment.
Sir J. SHELLEY invited the attention of the Chief
Commissioner of Works to the bad condition of the
Serpentine.
Lord J. MANNERS said ho had had no offer for the
land in Battersea-park, and was ready to receive one
from Mr. Alcock, or anybody else. He believed that
the 100 acres would hereafter be profitable for
building purposes, but he charged Mr. Alcock with
being at fault in his calculations. With regard to
the Serpentine, his information differed materially
from Sir. J. Shelley's.
The house then went into a Committee of Supply
on the Civil Service Estimates.

The vote of 1,8811. for the Statute Law Commis-
sion gave rise to a debate, on the motion of Mr. L.
limo to negative the vote, in the course of which
the ATTORNEY-GENERAL described the operations of
the commission, and stated the result, in the complete
consolidation of the criminal law, and the preparation
of ninety-three bills, comprehending nearly one-half
the statute law of the realm.

The vote, upon a division, was carried by 85 to 52.
The remaining votes were agreed to, after much
discussion.

The Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill
passed through committee.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT, in withdrawing the Poor Re-
moval Law Amendment Bill, obviated certain mis-
apprehensions regarding the measure which he found
had created a prejudice against it.
The Pauper Lunatics Bill was likewise with-
drawn.

On the report the Local Government Bill received
various amendments.

The Militia Ballots Suspension Bill was read a
third time and passed.
Other bills were advanced a stage, and after some
further business the house adjlurned at a quarter
before two o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-WEDNESDAY.

The house was occupied in committee for some
time with the details of the Reformatory Schools
(Ireland) Bill.
Mr. ADAMS withdrew the Leases and Sales of
Settled Estates Act Amendment Bill.

The Report of the Committee of Supply was
brought up and agreed to.
The house then resolved itself into a committee
of supply upon the remaining Civil Service Estimates
and Civil Contingencies, when certain votes were
agreed to, after much discussion.
The Local Government Bill was read a third time
and passed.
The house adjourned at a quarter past four o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS—TnunsDAY.
INDIA BILL.

The Earl of SHAFTE.IBURY presented a petition
from the East India Company, praying to be heard
by counsel against the Government of India Bill.
He did not support the prayer of tho petition, but
thought so important a body as the Company should
have an opportunity of putting on record IN final
appeal to the Legislature.
The Earl of DERBY moved the seccnd reading of
the India Bill. The political circumstances that had

marked its progress through the House of Conti,
had directed more attention to the tneasure than
intrinsic importance would have obtained for
since the actual government of India must, for
most part, be carried on in India itself. The tn,
sure touched none of the internal questions of In,
—its finance, land tenures, or the condition of
people—and the less Parliament interfered with ti
details the better. Lord Derby then gave the
tory of the measure, from the introduction of
bill of the late Government, superseded by the
measure of the present Ministry, to the resolut
_ _ _ _

of Lord J. Russell and the second bill of the Gov,

ment, modified by the debates on those resolutiot
and now proposed for a second reading. The nol
lord then detailed the principles and provisions
the measure, stating the amendments it is inten(
to propose in committee. One of them will in

the consent of Parliament necessary for th 3 app,
tion of any part of the revenues of India to defray
the expense of military operations beyond the '
tier, except in cases of emergency or of actual in,
sion. Another modifies the operation of the clause
compelling an adherence to the principle of cum'
tive examination for appointments to the In'
Civil Service. On the important question of the
organization of the Indian army, an inquiry I
royal commission would be made into all the matter
connected with it—the number of the native fr

the conditions of its engagement, the proportk
Europeans, the mode of relieving them, and ev,
other question connected with the peace establ
ment of India. rho bill had been carefully coi
dered in the House of Commons, and, though
believed few amendments would be necessary.
Government would impartially consider any
might be suggested during the discussion.
Earl GaterivuLE thought that as many of the
visions of the present bill were exactly, and a
greater number were substantially, the same

those of the bill of the late Government, the m
simple and speedy course would have been to adi
that measure in the first place, and to insert
several amendments. All that was original in
present bill had been so thoroughly condemned ,
it had been cancelled and withdrawn. Time woui
also have been gained if the Government had in
first place proceeded by resolution instead of (If

ring ihst course till two bills had been brough
and debated. The different bills and resolutions'

wearied the House of Commons, and this exhaustion
and the state of the Thames induced it to accept
any proposition made from any quarter. Hf
doubted whether it could now receive the attent.

its provisions required. Having stated several
jections to the bill, he added that the whole
could only be considered an experiment, and that L.
question of the government of India must shortly
come again under discussion. As the bill came
before them with all the authority of the Govern
ment engaged in a most difficult task, he should -
oppose it in any spirit of party, but cordially support
the second reading.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGII regretted that,
had he still been a Minister of the Crown, he cola
not have proposed the present bill. He could
have proposed any scheme for the government
India that excluded the popular element of election
from the constitution of the Council, and that
troduced the principle of competitive examination
into the corps of Engineers and Artillery of ti
Indian army, of which the officers were alreadl
chosen by it from among the pupils at Addis.
combe. To alter that system was a gratuitous
truckling to a temporary feeling that he could
hardly suppose any Government would have com-
mitted. The present bill differed from both the
measures proposed by the Government, and was
rather the measure of the House of Commons than
of the Ministry. In the two great objects of the
change it had failed ; it did not put an end to the
double Government, and did not secure one solo
officer responsible to Parliament ; while by a clause
inserted at the last minute, giving the control of the
Indian revenues to the Council, that body was consti-
tuted a Parliament. But he admitted that by sub-
stituting the Queen's name for that of the Company,
giving the Minister of State the initiative in impor-
tant affairs, and shortening and simplifying the mode
of conducting business, some practical advantages
had been gained by the bill. Still, the constitution
of the Council, the mode in which it was to be
renewed, and the manner in which it was to
exercise it patronage, were open to serious objec•
tion. With these defects they might deal in
committee, but, while discussing the Home Govern-
ment of India, he must express the anxiety with
which he regarded the future of that country.
Larger reinforcements of the army would be re-
quired there than it would be possible to send from
England without making a material change in all
the military establishments ; and with an army
must also be sent a policy intelligible and acceptable
to the natives. The first act of the Government,
when the Queen assumed the direction of affairs,
should be to issue a proclamation in reference to the
rights and religion of the people. That proelama-

Commons
re than its
ed for it,
ist, for the
The med.
is of India
on of the
with these
e the his•
DU of the
r the first
esolutions
le Govern.
!solutions,
The noble
,visions of
intended
will make
13 applica•
to defray
the hon.
!tual inva-
the clause
f cumpeti.
ae Indian
of the re.
iuiry by a
ae matters
itive force,
)portion of
and every
establish.
illy consi-
hough he
misery, the
any that
if the pro.
and a still
same as
the more
n to adopt
insert the
sal in the
rimed that
me would
lad in the
of defer-
irought in
utions had
zhaustion
to accept
'ter. He
attention
3veral ob-
rhole plan
d that the
Lst shortly
bill came
Govern-
iliould not
ly support
hat, even
, he could
could not
❑ment of
r election
1 that in-
amination
ry of the
3 already
it Addis-
gratuitous
he could
ave corn-
both the
and was
aons than
is of the
nd to the
one solo
a clause
rol of the
'as consti-
t by sub-
Company,
in impa-
the mode
lvantages
ustitution
,as to be
; was to
ins objet-
deal in
Govern-
;iety with
country.
Id be re-
;end from
ge in all
an army
;cceptable
rernment,

do n must not be addressed to the House of Com-
mos nor the hustings, still less to the platform, but
to the people and armies of India. Above all, they,
mast have at the head of the Government in India
a marl possessing the confidence both of natives and
Europeans, who could direct military operations, and
by his personal authority compel all his subordinates
to co-operate in his policy and that of the Home
Government.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE and th‘i Earl of
ALBEMARLE briefly supported the bill, which was read
a second time.
The Earl of DERBY fixed yesterday (Friday) for
the committee on the bill, deferring till then his
answers to some of the objections made by Earl
Granville and the Earl of Ellenborough.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—THURSDAY.
The house, at the morning sitting, went into a
Committee of Supply upon the Militia Estimates and
the Supplementary Army Estimates, which were
agreed to, after discussion, as well as the re-committed
vote for the Registrar of Sasines (Scotland), and
20,000/. for defraying the expense of the Wellington
monument.

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