The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-08 00:00:00

CANADA.

QUEBEC, Mir 21.
A reform of vital importance to the Canadian con-
stitution has been under discussion in the House of
Assembly for the last three weeks ; that is, the pro-
posal to make the Legislative Council, or in other
words the second branch of the legislature, elective.
This subject has been for many years under discus-
sion in this province, and has been advocated by op-
posite parties from opposite points. It is the govern-
ment who now propose the changes, and I believe
they will be supported by a large majority of the
representatives of the people, as a few days will test.
The ships are beginning to arrive very fast, and
business operations to assume a lively aspect. The
Cleopatra, the second vessel of the steam line be-
tween Liverpool and Canada, is expected shortly to
arrive.

THE SWELLY ROC/W.—MENAI STRAITS.—It is
fully expected that the chief portion of them dangerous
and obstructive rocks will be removed during the present
summer, the contractors having received instructions to
proceed with the undertaking, according to the plan pro-
posed by Mr. Edwin Clarke. The time allowed by the
SUICIDE IN LIVERPOOL— OD Monday afternoon Admiralty for the completion of this work is 18 month., and
an unmarried woman, named Margaret Wyk., 37 years of the removal will be set about in good earnest without for
age, committed suicide by cutting her throat. of time.

COURT OF ALDERDIEN.

Yesterday a court was held for the desp2tch of
business. There was a full attendance of =waters upon
the occasion.

OVER CROWDING OF STEAM-vEs,EIA.
The Lout> hlsscon. informed the court that he had
within the last two or three days received statements from
men of station in society complaining that although the
court had taken vigorous measures to prevent the danger.
ous practice of over-crowding steamers in the River
Thames, there was no aaatement of the evil. The
court could not be too active or strict upon such oec,e.
sions, and he therefore considered that it Would be
advisable to refer the matter to the General Purposes Com-
mittee to ascertain whether other steps than those which
had been already adopted might be considered necessary, in
order to re-assure the public that the court would leave no
prudent course unattempted to prevent the apprehended
mischief. (Hear, hear.)

-FALSE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Alderman COPELAND presented the annual report of the
Inspectors of Weights and Measures, the advantages of
whose active exertions were, he said, deeply felt by the pool
all over the City of London. He regretted to state that a
great number of convictions had taken place, partieolorly is
those localities where poverty most prevailed.
Sir P. LAERIE said there was no power of which dis.
honest shopkeepers were so much afraid as that of the press,
and he scoot dingly recommended the adoption of the prao.
tice of advertising resorted to in Marylebone after a stcond
conviction. (Hear, hear.)
The subject is to be resumed.
THE OFFICE OF CHAMBERLAIN.
The LORD bIATOII read a letter from Sir John Key,
Bart., the newly-elected Chamberlain, resigning his seit in
the Court of Aldermen.

Upon the motion of Alderman WIRE, the resignation was
accepted by the court, and Sir John Key's letter asa
ordered to be entered en the minutes.

The LORD IdAron then raid that having ascertained that
Alderman Thompson, the senior alderman, was determined
not to accept the gown of Bridge Without Ward, vacant by
the resignation of Sir John Key, it became the duty of the
chief magistrate to put the question to the other aldermen
according to seniority.
Aldermen Sir Peter Laurie' Eirebrother, Copeland, and
Kelly, at once and peremptorily refused to leave their
wards, except at the summons of death, or of the almost as
powerful authority of the law ; but Alderman Wilson, the
next in rotation to Alderman Kelly, upon being asked
whether he would accept the office, said without hesitation
—"I do accept it."

Upon the motion of Alderman SYDNEY, a precept was
then issued for a wardmote for the election of an alderman
to serve in Cantle.Baynard Ward, in the room of Alderman
Wilson, appointed Alderman of the Ward of Bridge
Without.
ANSWER OF THE QUEEN TO THE CORPORATION ADDIUSS.
Her Majesty's moat gracious answer to the address of the
Corporation upon the birth of the infant prince was read,
and ordered, upon the motion of Sir PETER LAURIE, to be
entered on the minute. of the court.
Sir JOHN KEY (the Chamberlain of the City of London))
nominated Mr. 11. Scott for his clerk, and Mr. W. W.
Walker for his cashier, and the court confirmed the noun.
nation unanimously.