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

COURTS OF BANKRUPTCY IN IRELAND.

Mr. CAIRNS moved for returns of the name of every
commissioner in bankruptcy in Ireland appointed under the
statutes 6 Will. IV., c. 14, and 1 Viet., c. 48, or either of
them, with tho date of the appointment and the amount
of salary ; and of the name of every officer (other than a
commissioner) connected with tho Court of Bankruptcy in
Ireland, and appointed under the same statutes, or either
of them, with the date of the appointment, the amount of
salary, and the duties of the office. Also returns of the
number of commissions of bankruptcy in Ireland issued
since the act 6 Will. IV., c. 14, came into operation, specify-
ing, in a tabular form, the total number in each year; the
number in each year attributable, by the residence of the
bankrupt, to each county in Ireland; and the number out
of each yearly total is which a final dividend has been
made ; of the total amount of assets divided among credi-
tors in each year under commissions issued since the act 6
iVill. IV., c. 14, came into operation; of the number of
commissions superseded in each year by reason of a compo-
sition having been accepted under the 151st section of the
act 6 Will. I V., c. 14 ; and of the number of days in each
year on which every commissioner appointed since the act
6 Will. IV., c. 11, came into operation, has sat for despatch
of business, the places where the sittings have been held,
and the hours of the day during which the sittings have
been generally continued. Also returns of the specific fees
which by any statute, or any order or practice of the court,
are required or authorised to be paid under each commission
of bankruptcy in Ireland; of the total amount of fees
which have been paid in each year since the act 6 Will. IV.,
c. 14, came into operation, specifying what portion of such
fees has been paid in to the. " bankruptcy awl compensation
fund account," and showing the disposition made of fees
which were not so paid in ; of the amount to the credit of
the "bankruptcy and compensation fund account" at the
balancing thereof, in every year since 1836, with the total
payment out of the said fund during the year preceding ;
and of the amount now standing to the credit of the same
fund, with the charges on or sums payable out of the sumo,
a respect of salaries or otherwise.
SELECT COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE.

Mr. EWART rose to move for a select committee to in-
quire whether the constitution and action of the select com-
mittees of the house might not be improved by generally
diminishing the number of members composin.c such com-
mittees, and by making provision for their giving more
undivided attention to subjects submitted to their considera-
tion than they are able to do under the present system.
He thought that the select committees were unfortunately
constituted, as it constantly happened that one member
was sitting on several of them, and it was not possible fur
him to give his attention to them all. It was also the
habit to place certain members on all the select committees.
For instance, his hon. friend the member for Montrose was
scattered over a great many of them, and they were
generally filled by the most distinguished members on both
sides of the house to the exclusion of young members,
who, if they were mixed with the more experienced mem-
bers, might have their talents beneficially exercised. lie
thought the number of members on select committees might
be reduced. The number used to be 36, and he (Mr.
Ewan) had made a motion by which they were reduced to
15; and he thought that nu-nber might be further reduced
to 9, except in particular cases. The uncertain mode of
choosing members for select committees was also objection-
able, and he thought that they might be nominated by a
kind of committee of selection, as was done in the case of
other committees. He only threw out these suggestion s; but
he was sure inquiry was desirable, and with that view he
made his motion. . . . .

I Board of Health, and to inquire into the operatson of the
Tidal Harbour Commissimers, and to report wii, rim a"
inconvenience or any benefit had resulted from the mode of
proceeding in regard to private bills adopted by tfo..e com-
missioners respectively, and whether the earns took( with
advantage ho extended to other chases of private ! winces.
Mr. W. PATTEN objected, first that it would almost
impossible to get a committee at this period of 105 year,
and, secondly, that the board of Trade was deco is, teeea
tigatiag the principal points cumplain,l of by Lie hon.
member. Ile (Mr. Patten) admitted, however, that this
present system required alteration, and would at the proper
time urge the subject on the house.
Mr. WHALLEY expressed himself satisfied with this
solution of the question, and withdrew his motion.
NATIONAL GALLERY.
Colonel MURE nominated as the select commit ee oaths
National Gallery—Col. :Shire, Mr. Labouchere, I .rd
moor, Mr. Stirling, Mr. Mikes, Mr. Multiage, Ewart,
Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Baring Wall, Mr. Raikes Liu rie Mr.
Hamilton, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Marsh3ll, Sir Willis” Mules.
worth, and Mr. Charteris.

Sir J. PAKINGTON drew attention to the fart that alit
committee, with two or three exceptions, had all hem
chosen from the ministerial side of the house,
Mr. W. PATTEN suggested the addition of :.r
Egerton. . . . .

Colonel MURK explained that those gentlemen ad been
selected who had token snot interest in the ein •• n, and
that several hon. gentlemen on the ether se. had de-
clined to serve.

Alter some conversation the nomination of the nmittc•
was postponed till Thursday.
Mr. C. BERKELEY gave notice that on th t• day he
should move that it, be an instruction to the e.•!, ntee to
enquire into the expenditure that had taken p! ein the
purchase of pictures.
THE RAJAH OF SARAWAK.

Mr. W. PATTEN (in the absence of Mr. 1), :nmond)
moved for n copy of a despatch dated the 6th of ,v ember,
1862, from Sir J. I'akinfmn to Sir J. Brooke.

DANK '01: ENGLAND.

The SOLICITOft-oEN 7;4 for yeti:, ns front
the Bank of England of the numbers of writs in stringaa
lodged during the last five years; the number, of duns
that h :re bt.,n warned oil; and tho numbers of i.i =Cone
arising on sucii warnings ; and of the uumlxr .it .aeounte
of stock ; and how many or the average, as near -, can be
readily ascertained) are in the names of two or mar.: holders.
Agreed to.
IRISII MUNICIPALITIES.

Mr. FORTESCUE moved for returns, with r. spent to
all towns in Ireland which were included in schedules
H and I of the Irish Municipal Corporations A d, 3 & 4
Vic., c. 108, and also all other towns mot so inch. ed, but
possessing town commissioners under the act 9 (ice.
c. 82; stating the income and expenditure of the t• con com-
missioners, under the several heads, pursuant to *he act 3
& 4 Vic., c. 104, a. 137, for the year 18.5'; where
the town possesses no property or income, stating
the fact; and, where the property of the former c • potation
has been transferred to " municipal eommission.••••," or to
the board of guardians, under the act 3 and 1 VI. C. IA
a. 15, 16, 15, and 19; statiag the amount so tr...isferred,
and now vested in such '4 munic:pal commissioners," or
guardians of the poor. And, with respect to towns
under the act 9 Geo. IV., c. 82, stating the numb:— of town
commissioners in each, the date of the last elect; lief the
town commissioners, and whether or not a poll o is taken

at such election; the number, designations, ands. erica of
all officers and servants of tho town comrni,sion,r. in each
town ; whether or nut an extraordinary rate h.., ...er been
levied under the power given by the act 9 Oro. IV., c. 82,
s. 45; and the number of persons in each such 1.,..rn occu-
pying houses valued to the poor rate at 51., 8/., and 201. re.
spectivels.
Agreed to.
FOREST OF WIIICHWOOD.

Mr. WILSON obtained leave to bring in a bill fir
afforesting this forest.