The Express.
London, England, 1858-07-30 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 80, 1868.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BILL.
Oa Or order of the dsy for the oosaideradas of the Gem-
mem' remona for dimgreeing with the smemilinente sods by
tie Lords In the Government of India Bill the veriana
aialeAzaerats were docused at some length. Their lord-
ships resolved not to Insist on their amendments on clauses
27, 28, 29. 30, and 32, but to insist on their amendment on
kireleting to the admisaion to the scientific branches).
The Art Union Indemnity Bill was read a third time and

' The Reformatory Schools (Ireland) Bill *es read a third
time.

The Draughts on Bankers dot Aziendspit 801 was read
• third time •nd passed.
The New Writs Bill was reed • third Amend pawed.
Their lordships adjonmed at • quarter .pest 9 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS..—TauIaDAT, il/LT 29.
The house met .t lour o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Lords' amendments to the Electric Telegraph elm-
pany's 8111, the_ Clyde Navigation Bill, end the Warrington
and Stockport Railway (Capital) Bill were considered, and
agreed to.

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Colonel FRENCH_presented a petition from the eldest
surviving son of the King of Dade, prating that the trial
of the King of Oude might be conducted according to the
forms of Roglieh law; and another petition fur an Inquiry
by cohimiasion, or otherwise, into the rights of the petitioner
anved thern rights of his lathes. under the tasty with Mrs Indian
esteit.
en
VOTE OP THANKS TO MAJOR-GENERAL SIR J.
OU fRAIR AND ME. HALLWAY.
the SPRAYS& essionieleil to the beers Mee he had
received a private Weer from Lord Ceasing, dated Alla-
habad, 1 Ith May, 1858, ecoonnting for the delay in not
soknowledeing the vote of thank, of the Howe of Commons
'whales to Sir J. Outram and Mr. Halliday. The right hon.
gentlemen then read the letters of acknowledgment, which
were similar to those reed the other evening in the Howe of
Lords.

NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. LAURIE gave notice of a motion for next session for
a committee to inquire into the practicability of affording
greater facilities for hearing in the Hoare of Commons. and
for enabling the press to rep at the debates more correctly.
FERNANDO PO.
Mr. STAPLETON inquired of the tinder Secretary of
Stale for Foreign Affair., whether he wee in receipt of intel-
ligence to the effect that a Spanish governor of Fernando Po
had issued • proclamation forbidding schools, and prohibit-
ing say union from going to any church or chapel except •
Roman catholic one P And further to ask, whether E'er-
sand° Po, which wan an English military stall= from 1827
till 1834, was now recognised by England as part of the do-
moinioos of the crown of Spain P
Mr. S. FITZGERALD roped that the latter part of the
hoc. member's question prooreded on a misoonoepuon of fact.
Fernando PO was not • British military elation from d 827 till
1834, nor bad we ever possessed jurisdiction or authority
there. It was recognised by England as belonging to the
crown of Spain, having been ceded to that power by Portu-
gal in 1778, under a treaty. It was true that Lord Pal-
mouton and Lord Aberdeen lad both been in treaty with
the Spanish government for the purchase of the Wand, it
having been considered of some importance to this country
is currying on operations for the suppression of the slave
trade ; but no arrangement for that purpose had ever been
concluded. With regard to the second question, he was In-
formed that on the 27th of May last the Spanish governor,
who had only recently arrived in the island, issued a pro-
clamation stating that the Roman catholic religion, being
the established religion of the island, would be the only one
in which public worship would be tolerated, that no
schools would be permitted except such as were in ton-
na:km with the Roman catholic church, and that all
persons who were not catholice mutt confine their worship
mad religions observances to their own bosom.. It was under
the consideration of her Majesty's government what steps
they should take in consequence of this proclamation, which
appeared to be contrary to the previous proclamation of 1843,
which second to all persons their individual property and
religion so long as they conformed to the laws of the island.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Mr. JOHN LOCK E inquired whether any information had
reached her Majesty's government in respect to the Mama-
we elate of the copies of Exchequer standards of weights and
measures coed by inspectors and lest and annoyance juries;
and, if so, whether it was their intention to adopt any means
to enforce a periodical adjustment of the lame?
Mr. Secretary WALPOLB had made inquiries, but could
And no much information se the bon. member referred to.
Under the Costrtabulary AM the chief constables were en-
trusted with the ditty of meartaining the proper standard for
weights and measures is their respective counties. In Ltd-
eseterahire the chief constable had within • period of eighteen
months regulated end stamped 18,000 weights and measures,
end during that part of the year 1807, during which the
police had acted, they bad proceeded against 1,605 persons for
offences ',Jost the Weights and Measures Act, and of that
number 17665 hed been convicted.
_ _

la the House of Conuacme, tlieLords' Amendments of the
Public Health Bill, after an ineffectual attempt by Mr. T.
Doacombe to atop the farther progicee of the measure, were
ooneitk red.

The Lords' amendments of the Lunatics (Scotland) Aot
Amendment Bill, the Medical Practitioners Bill, the Joint-
Stock Banking Companies Bill, the County, &c., Property
Conveyance But, the Legitimacy Declaration Bill, and the
Cotiyhold Acts Amendment Bill were likewise considered.
Thu order for the acuund reading of the Muter.,
klorigageee, &c., Bill was discharged, and the bill sith-
drown.

3 VILDIUtr BENEVOLENT 1118TITUTIOR

Yesterday afternoon the eleventh annual naesthsg
of the supporters of this valuable Limitation was MY at the
London Tavern, Bishopegate-street, for the purpose of re-
ceiving the report for the pest year, and for the Anion of
treasurer, directors, and auditors fur the year ensuing. Mr.
Aldermen W. A. Rosl, president, occupied the chair.
The fizatrrnir read the report, of which the following is
an abstract "In presenting to their friends and supporters
the eleventh repeat of the progress etas Buibiers' Benevolent
Institution the directors beg to present their warmest thanks
to their kind patrons, and to inform them, notwitheianding
the adverse circumstance of great commercial difficulties
amongst all classes during the poet year, and which so
heavily and continuously effected the building interest, they
have the satisfaction of stoner; that the friends of the institn-
tke have bean 'maintained without diminution. At thinnest
time there are numbers applying for the relief granted by this'
charity who, after pasting their former years in either '
com-
parative or positive prosperity, are now from misfortunes
which no prudes°e on their part could avert reduced in old
age to want and poverty, when incapable of competing with
their younger brethren through fading energies and strength ;
and it ie gratifying to reflect that by the combination of the
many for the relief of the few so much sorrow may be alle-
viated and eo much benefit conferred. The directors there-
fore earnestly 'noesl to the generous and the charitable for
the means to enable them to relieve a large proportion of the
present applicants by elecing them at the next or rubes-
event elections. The subscriptions and doeations received '
during the past year amount to 1,185/. 15e., and the stock
purchased to 3001. Three per Cent. Consols, 2501. to the
relief fund, and 501. to the building fad, making
the total sum now invested 6,1001. stock, 4,1001.
for the relief fund, end 2,0001. for the building fund. The
tenth annual ball, held In February last, under the soperhi-
Madsen of the honorary secretary, Mr. Joseph Bird, pro-
duced a profit of 931. 10a., and new subscriptions and dona-
tions to tho amount of 19/. 19a., making a total of 112/. 19e.
An election of pensioners took place in May last, when ten
were elected, one male and one female from fourteen candi-
dates, and during the pest year six pensioners hare died, and
one withdrawn from the funds of the institution by his rela-
tives in March last. The income of the institution is now
about equal to its expenditure, and considering the nature of
the struggle all commercial classes have had to maintain
during many years pest, a fair inference may be deduced that
the Builders Benevolent Institution has realised to its
founders and supportersall the benefits they might reason-
able have expend.'
The CHAIRMAN having moved the reception of the report,
it was unctuously tarried.
The election of the officers for the ensuing year was
then completed, with a unanimous vote of thanks to the
gentlemen respectively who bad kindly consented to under-
take the duties for another year.
Mr. T. COZENS (the founder of the institution), in con-
formity with& notioe of motion respecting the adminion
of a candidate for the benefits of the institution under 615
yearsof age, said that he thought all purposes would be an-
swered by the exercise of a discretionary power, even sup-
posing the candidate to be only 50 instead of the extended
age of 6.5, as in two or three instances he knew persons at
the age of 60 well capable of doing something fora living.
He thought that under such circumstances that portion of
the rule should be expunged. He moved that the former
part of rule 3, sec. 1, should be altered and read thus :
" That persons are eligible to be admitted as ceadidates for
the benefits of this Institution from 60 to 65 years of no."
Mr. STIRLING seconded the motion, which was unani-
mously carried.
Mr. 0. Bran (treasurer), in accepting the office for another
year, regrettedszesedingly the small attendance of sup-
porters. He thought they could not be so flourishing as
they ought, or, if they were, be felt there must be some-
thing wrong ; and he was surprised at not seeing some of
whatmight be considered the large builders present on this
ocomien. Hello* to have seen more supporters of the in-
finenthd building nude present on this occasion.
Mr. Cosine thought that the leading men of the trade
were satisfied with the ability and conduct of the institution.
However se their worthy tree/arse desired full meetings,
be could tidy say, " It was • long lane that had no turnings,"
and, while they continued to do good to their fellow•creatures
with their humble means, he had no doubt others would
oorne forward and assist them in their undertaking.
Mr. OWTHWAITH was sorry to bear the despoading tons
of the treasurer, but be thought he was labouriog under
misapprehension. The influential portion of the trade were
so confident and satisfied that they thought It unnecessary
to attend, but relied upon the prudence and discretion of the
officers. lie hoped that be (the treasurer) in another year
would come forward with a better face.

Yr. H nears (tha ryTeliclhe ;oust remind the trea-
surer! that they had done that during the past year which
be believed any other charitable institution had bean unable
to do—the maintaining of their tends without any dimhm-
tion; and he was glad to say that this year was not wore*
than the last.

The CHAIRMAN said it appeared to him that the *SWIM
considered that nitre was not proper justice done, and that
others rhould give some share of attention to it. He did not
believe, however, that his friend knew so much of public
charities as himself. He must not complain while they gave
him the ability to assist. He must forgive him for saying
that he thought it unwise to despond. He should always be
cheerful and kind; and when they did come fnr the purpose
of co-oper_ation, he must treat them kindly. He (the chair-
man) believed that this remark of the treasurer was only a
whip to rally them. Ho was of opinion that there ware no
grounds of complaint, and that the present condition of the
institution wes a sutiect of oongratulation. (Hear, bar.)
Mr. Blatt raid he should take the advice of the worthy
alderman, and would not grumble any more. (Laughter.)
On the motion of Mr. RICHARDSON, a vote of thanks was
accorded to the chairman, and the meeting separated.