The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-06 00:00:00

COMPULSORY CHURCH RATES BILL

In re...ply to Admiral DUNCOMBE,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that at
this period of the session, considering the state of the
public business, it was very material to obtain the judg-
ment of the house on the second reading of this bill, and
to facilitate an expression of its opinion on the subject.
He did not think the occurrence of the commemoration at
Oxford, which would only be attended by a small number
of members of the house, was a sufficient reason for further
postponing the consideration of the bill.
MEDICAL OFFICERS (IRELAND.)
Mr. MACEVOY then rose to move—That, in the
opinion of the house, her Majesty's government should
now adopt the recommendations of the select committee
of ls. 4, which recommended " her Majesty's government
to take into consideration the claims of Ireland to a grant
of the half-cost of medical officers of unions, with the
view of providing for the same in future, as is now the
practice in England and Scotland," fortified as such recom-
mendation is, by the report of the select committee on
taxation of Ireland in June, 180, who repotted that
with regard to the grants for poor-law medical officers
and workhouse schoolmasters, "it would be reasonable
that the same aid should be extended to Ireland as is
already extended to England."
Mr. P. DAWSON seconded the motion.
The CHANCELLOR of theEKCHEQUER said it would
not be necessary for him to trouble the house at any
length, as the statement made by the lion. gentleman who
had moved the resolution (Mr. WEvoy) seemed to be a
very fair one, so far as he could gather its purport. When
last the question was before the house he opposed it. He
had objected to the recommendation of the committee of
1858. because he was under the impression that it was
made after the proper inquiry had come to an end, and
after several members of the committee had
absented themselves. The more important reoommenda-
tion was that of the committee of 184:5, and which was
still under inquiry. It was quite impossible to look at
questions of this kind without at the same time taking
into consideration other questions having reference to the
local rites and to the comparisons of charge in each
country. Upon the whole he thought that Ireland was in
a favourable position as compared with England and Scot-
land, but he did not wish to deal with the statements of
the hon. gentleman in a captious spirit. He did not seek
to escape from the effects of the recommendation of the
committee of 1865. He hoped the hon. gentleman would
nut press his motion to a division, and he felt
that he would not do so when he gave him the
assurance, that although the government could not
renounce their opinions, he was prepared to accede to the
motion. (Hear, hear.) It would, however, be necessary
to cause an Inquiry to be made into the degree of state
control which would be absolutely requisite where public
money was to be given, and therefore the government would
cause an examination to be made into the system of pay-
ment, both to schoolmasters and to medical officers of
unions in Ireland, and that would be entered upon with-
out any unreasonable delay, and after that was done pro-
vision would be made for the payment out of the consoli-
dated fund.
After some conversation the motion was withdrawn.
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.
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Mr. B. COCHRANE moved that an humble address be
presented to her Majesty, praying that she would be
graciously pleased to issue a royal commission to inquire
into the constitution of the Metropolitan Board of Works,
the Office of Public Works, and the Office of Woods and
Forests, with the object of seeing whether some means
might not be devised by which the improvements of the
metropolis might be carried out in a more comprehensive
and economical manner, and with greater unity of purpose.
The hon. member pointed out the various defects and
shortcomings which, in his opinion, marked the local go-
vernment of the metropolis, and suggested, as the beat
means of providing a remedy, the amalgamation of the
departments mentioned in his motion, and the appoint.
ment of a chief secretary and two under secretaries to
carry out the works now intrusted to those boards.
Mr. AYRTON opposed the motion, as likely to aggra-
vate the evils complained of.
Sir W. JOLLIFFE expressed his satisfaction that Mr.
Cochrane had drawn attention to the subject,and although
he was not sure that legislation was necessary, he thought
that some reform in the system for regulating the traffic of
the metropolis might, with the concurrence and approval
of the commissioners of police, be adopted with advantage.
Mr. COWPER said that although the hon. gentleman
who had introduced the motion had dealt with an impor-
tant subject in an interesting manner, it was open to the
double objection that it was inopportune in point of time,
and that the changes which he had suggested were imprac-
ticable. A committee of that house was already inquiring
into the local government of the metropolis, and it would be
neither conformable to the usage of parliament, nor re-
spectful to that committee, to appoint a commission to
investigate the same subject before they had made their
final report. He concurred with all that had been said as
to the defects and deficiencies of the metropolis, and he
was astonished that the inhabitants of London had so long
endured the defective organisation by which its govern-
ment was carried on.
Sir G. GREY said he had given directions that a bill
should be prepared, the principle of which would be to lay
down regulations, which would be applicable to tLe whole
metropolitan police district, with power to the authori-
ties to make subaidiary regulations, to be enforced at par-
ticular times and in particular places. It would also
provide additional police for the metropolis and the City.
He hoped to be able in a few day. to lay the bill upon the
table.

~The motion was then withdrawn.
MESSAGE FROM THE CROWN.—MARRIAGE OF

THE PRINCESS MARY.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought up
a message from the Crown announcing the approaching
marriage of her Royal Highness the Princess
Mary of Cambridge with Prince Teck, and expressing
a hope that the House of Commons, from their attach.
went to her Majesty's person and family, would enable her
ministers to make due provision for her royal highness.
The SPEAKER having read the royal message,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that
it should be taken into consideration on Thursday next.
The motion was agreed to.
COUNTY ASSESSMENTS.
Mr. KNATCHBITLL-HUGISEN obtained leave to
bring in a bill to amend the law relating to county assess.
ments.

HUNDRED BRIDOIN.
Mr. KNATCHBULL-HUGMEN also obtained leave
to bring in a bill to amend the law relating to the repair
of Hundred-bridges.

INJURIES BY DOGS.
Sir C. O'LOGHLEN obtained leave to bring in a bill to
render owners of dogs liable for injuries by their dogs.

PUBLIC HEALTH.
Mr. BRUCE obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend
the law relating to the public health.
On the motion of an 'MEMBER, the house was then
counted, and only twenty-two members being present the
house stood adjourned at 20 minutes to 8 o'clock.

Bairinwavaa ELECTION.—The nomination is
fixed for Wednesday, and the polling on the following day.
Great excitement prevails in the borough, and the eon-
test is likely to be very severe and close. On Monday
evening, Mr. Walter Ragehot, the liberal candidate (the
editor of the Economist). addressed a crowded meeting of
his' supporters, who received him most enthusiastically
A resolution was unanimously agreed to. " That this
meeting, having heard a declaration of Mr. Bagehot's poli-
tical principles, approve of the same, and consider him a
fit and proper person to represent this borough in parlia-
ment, and further pledges itself to use every legitimate
effort to secure his return."
THE GENERAL EXCHANGE BANE (LisrivEn).—The
shareholders and friends of this bank assembled last even-
ing, on the invitation of the directors, at a soiree, held at
the Whittington Club, Arundel-street, Strand, to hear
explanations from the board with reference to the petition
at present pending in the Court of Chancery for the wind-
ing up of the concern. Mr. J. A. Roebuck, M.P., occupied
the chair ; and, after stating the objects for which the
shareholders were celled together, stated that the bank
was in a sound position. It owed no man anything,
and was fully prepared to meet all liabilities. Ile
then called upon Mr. Edmunde, solicitor to the company,
to explain the circumstances connected with the proceed-
ings against the bank in the Court of Chancery. Mr.
Edmunds having made a statement in reference to the
claim of the petitioners, Messrs. Clench, Smith, and Co.,
said he had no doubt whatever that, with the support of
the shareholders, the bank would be able successfully to
contend against the difficulties which surrrounded the
undertaking. The explanation of Mr. Edmund. was con-
sidered highly satisfactory ; and resolutions were adopted
thanking the directors for resisting the claim of the
petitioners, and expressing the fullest confidence in their
management. A vote of thanks to the chairman, which
was carried with acclamation, concluded the proceedings.
ACCIDENT AT GUlLDHALL.—Yesterday evening,
about a quarter past five o'clock, an accident occurred at
Guildhall. The yard is being covered in for the reception
of the Duke of Edinburgh on Thursday next, and a largo
number of workmen are employed in completing the ar-
rangements. One of the cross supports of the scaffolding,
upon which about twenty carpenters and paper-hangers
were at eork, broke short of near one side of the poles,
and threw the whole of the workmen to the ground. Those
who were immediately over the fracture fell from a height
of about 15 feet, hut those who were further off slid down,
and had their falls broken, so that they received but a few
scratches bruises, and shakes. The unfortunate men were
taken to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where they received
ewe, care sad attention.