The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-16 00:00:00

COUNTY RATES AND EXPENDITURE BILL.

Sir J. PAKINGTON gave notice, that on the motion
for going into committee on this bill to-morrow (this day),
he should move as an amendment, that the house go into
committee on Wednesday, April 13. Ile should make that
motion most reluctantly, and he hoped the right lion. gen-
tleman the member for Blanchester would be induced to
postpone that stage of the bill.
THE RYE ELECTION.
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Sir J. PAKINGTON gay. notice that to-morrow (this
day), before going into the orders of the day, he should call
the attention of the house to etrtaM difficulties connected
with the proceedings of the committee appointed to in9aiire
into the late election for the borough of Eye, under the v & 6
ic., c. 101
LAW OF PARTNERSHIP.

Mr. EWARfwasunae7;to;sitOii;e notice of his
intention, after Easter, to move for a select committee to
inquire into the law of partnership.

WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE.
Sir DE LACY EVANS begged to ask the Commis-
sioner of Works whether it be his intention to proceed
with the bill which was prepared by the late government
for the reconstruction of Westminster-bridge ; and, if not,
what is intended in respect to the ruinous and dangerous
state of the present structure.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH admitted that the state of
Westminster-bridge was ruinous and almost dangerous.
The late government had come to the determination of
pulling down the present bridge and constructing a new
one on the same site. After much consideration he had

come to the conclusion that that determination was a wise
one, and that the site ought not to be altered, and although
it was probable that the future exigencies of the traffic of
the metropolis would no doubt require two more bridges
to be constructed—one at Charing-cress, and another at
Lambeth; yet he thought Westminster-bridge should be
retained. He intended to proceed on the determination of
the late government, and had received plans of a bridge.
As Westminster-bridge was so near the Houses of Parlia-
ment, he thought it should be so constructed as to be worthy
of its locality, that it should be a low and wide bridge, and
constructed at right angles to the river front of the Houses
of Parliament.

TILE AUSTRALIAN STEAMER.
SirJ.PAKINGTON begged to put a question to the first
Lord of the Admiralty with reference to the circumstances
under which the Australian steam packet had returned to
Eugland ; and as the subject was one which concerned the
seety of the public, he wished to say a tew words in expla-
nation of it. the right hon. gentleman would recollect that
in the last few menthe three steam packets belonging to the
Australian Mail Steam Packet Company, had left for Aus-
tralia; namely, the Melbourne, in November; the Adelaide,
in December, and the Australian in February. The Mel
bourne was obliged to put back, the Adelaide was also
driven back and put into Plymouth, and the other day the
Australian, after several trials, was obliged to put back
under circumstances which it was only providential did not
end in her total lees. lie wished to ask what degree of
control or authority the government exercised over the Aus-
tralian Mail Steam Packet Company by virtue of the con-
tract they had entered into to carry the mails, and whether
any steps would bo taken by the government under the ex-
traordinary circumstances he had stated.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he was not surprised that the right
hon. gentleman should call the attention of the government
and the house to the facts in question, and he was sorry to
say that the performance of the service by the Australian
Mail Steam Packet Company under their contract was very
unsatisfactory. The government had power to impose
penalties for the non-performance of the service, and the
late and the present Board of Admiralty in all cases where
equity seemed to require it bad exacted those penalties.
The present Board of Admiralty, since he (Sir J. Graham)
had presided over it, had in more than one ease called on
the company to pay penalties, and they intended to per-
severe in that course. The contract had been submitted to
a committee of the government over which the Postmaster
General presided, sad be should wait until their report was
received. As soon as that was received, he should state the
course the government intended to take.
SIR J. BROOKE.

Mr. HUME begged to ask Lord John Russell whether,
"as Sir Junes Brooke his petitioned the House of Com-
mons to do him justice, and has applied to her Majesty's
ministers for their support," it is the intention of the go-
vernmsnt to institute any inquiry into the proceedings in
Borneo, before Sir James Brooke leaves England /
Lord J. RUSSELL said it was not the intention of the
government to institute any inquiry into the proceedings in
Borneo before Sir James Brooke leaves England. (" Hair,
hear," and cheers.)
ATTORNIES' CERTIFICATE BILL.
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Lord R. GROSVENOR said that owing to an omission
of two or three words in the notice which he had given for
the introduction of the bill for repealing the duty on at-
tornies' certificates, the bill was informal, and he therefore
to move that the order for the second reading of the
tieligoe:l3th April be discharged; and he should move fur
leave to bring in the bill again.
The order was then discharged
Lord R. GROSVENOR moved for leave to bring in the
bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did
not intend to take any advantage of the mistake which had
been made ; but as the bill related to the taxation of the
country, there should not be alterations made in it without
notice. He did not intend to oppose the reintroduction of

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the bill.
Lord R. OROSVENOR then gave notice of a motion for
leave to bring in the bill.____._— —.—