The Express.
London, England, 1847-12-11 00:00:00

NEWCASTLE DISTRICT BANK.

Me HUTT wished to put a question to the Chancellor of
the Exchequer relative to some observations which had
fallen from him in speaking of an important banking esta-
blishment in the district with which he (Mr. Hutt) was con-
nected. In the course of his speech on the subject of
monetary and commercial distrer, the right hon. gentleman
had referred to the District Bank of Newcastle in a manner

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which, in the opinion of the directors of that important
establishment, reflected unfairly on its credit and character.
He felt sure that the right hon. gentleman would have no
objection to restate what be had intended to utter on the
previous occasion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was not
aware that he had used any expression of which the parties
had a right to complain ; or that he had said anything which
could fairly give cause for dissatisfaction. He thought he
bad not at all reflected en the credit or character of the
establishment. lie certainly did my that it had received
assistance from the branch Bank of England, not in cons►
quence of any direction front the Bank, but on the responsi-
bility of an individual, in order to enable It to meet a heavy
run made upon it in consequence of the failure of another
bank. He believed, however, that ample securities were
deposited with the branch Bank of England for the assist-
ance received ; and as to the character or the credit of the
district bank ultimately no person could entertain the
slightest doubt.
RAILWAYS IN INDIA. _ _

Lord JOCELYN asked the Secretary of the Board of
Control what arrangements bad been made by the East India
Company with those companies which were prepared to ad-
vance their capital for the construction of railways in India ?
Mr, C. LEWIS raid that in the Calcutta presidency it had
been decided to commence a railway from Calcutta to Delhi
For that purpose an arraegement bad been entered into be-
tween the East India Company and a company called the
East India Railway Company, of which the following were
the terms; ,in,, that two sections should be executed at •
coat of 3,00070001. sterling, the government finding the
land, and guaranteeing interest upon 3,000,0001. for
twenty-five years at 5 per cent.; the government to have
the option of purchasing at the end of 25 or (as was under-
stood) 50 mars. A similar arrangement had been made
with a company called the Great Indian Peninsular Rail-
way Company, for a railway from Bombay to a town about
3.5 miles north-east of Bombay ; the guarantee in that ease
extending to 500,0001. No arrangement had been made with
respect to Madras.
Sir R. PEEL wished to know if any act was necessary to
give effect to these arrangements 1
Mr. C. LEWIS apprehended that the East India Company
already had power to enter into such arrangements.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to know if it were not the fact that
the matter had been brought before the East India Company
three years ago, and that they had declined to listen to the
proposals made to them? He would only say, ?meeting
the conditions now entered into, that he understood they
were of such a nature that it would be totally impartible to
raise the money in the English market.
Mr. C. LEWIS said he believed the terms offered by the
I East India company were conaidered liberal, including, ea they
did, a guarantee of 6 per cent. He was not aware that any
obstruction had ever been offered to these projects by the
East India Company.
In reply to • question from an Host.
Mr. C. LEWIS was understood tusay that in the case of
the Peninsular Railway Company the terms were net yet so-
-4
ASSISTANT BARRISTERS (IRELAND).
Mr. F. O'CONNOR wished to know whether the appoint-

ne
cir.a.AKLEY said that the right hon. gentleman stated
that he should nominate the committee on Monday. Would
he proceed to nominate it as now constituted, or would he
remainder and remodel it, so as to satisfy the noble lord
and ethers, and propose the names on Monday ? He
(Mr. Wakley) begged to give notice that he should move
that the name of Mr. Hunt: be added to the committee.
Mr. lIUME said his name wu en the committee, and he
bspee sone other would be substituted, for he saw no ad-
vantage in inquiry.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had
lei= notice of the names he should propose, and it was for
the house to nominate the committee. He should call on
the house to do so on Monday, and he should propose the
names of which he had given notice.
MARTIAL LAW IN IRELAND.
Au Hon. Minims begged to ask the right hon. gen-
tleman the Home Secretary, whether he had received any
',ports front the military authorities in Ireland, recommend-
lag the proclamation of martial law in the disturbed dis-
tricts ?
Si, G. GREY said he could only girt the fame answer
publicly to the hon. and gallant member which he had given
privately—that the reports of the military officers, which
were communicated to the commander-in.chief in Ireland,
transmitted by him to the commander-in-chief in this coun-
try, and by him communicated to the Secretary of State,
were strictly confidential, and he should be guilty of a great
impropriety if he answered any such question. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.)