The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-13 00:00:00

THE ALARM AT CHESTER.

Colonel FRENCH—I wish to put a question to the
Hume Stan etary as to a statement in the morning papers
that sou men took possession yesterday of Chester Castle ;
that alarm was to great that the inhabitants were sworn
in at special constables,. and that that alarm extended to
the goverment. a regiment of Guards having been sent
down by special train last night. Will the right hon.
gentleman let us know what truth there is in thews state-
ments. and what reason there is for supposing the move-
ment to he Fezin.n ? lam informed that it really was
nofaing hut a collection of roughs to witness a prize fight
that was coining otf in the neighbourhood. (Laughter.)

Mr. WALPoLE said that on Sunday morning lie re-
ceived a communication that there was unusual ex-
eiteineat among those who were believed to be Feuians
in Lie, moot, end that there was none apprehension
that a mavement was about to be made. He sent
down agents specially to inquire into the truth of these
statements, and on Monday morning he received a tele-
gram from toe Mayor of Chester, stating that the town
was full of strangers believed to be Fenian.. and it was
apprehended that they were about to attack the castle for
the purpose of obtaining possession of the anus and ammu-
nition kert there. As additional troops were naked for,
le e;reed that a company should be sent from Man-
chester. Further on in the day he received a report from
r. gentleman be had sent down, who infonnisl him
that there had been a meeting of Fenians, who had
resolvol to attack the town of Chester on Monday
iitorniog. Yesterday he received further telegrams from
the mayor Mating that there were altogether 1,3(10
stran;er. in the town, and that more troops were re-
: pored. He at once telegmphed to General Gordon and
to the mayor, asking for further information. Th.. reply
i of the Mayor, received at 1 o'clock in the morning, was
I that there were 1.:0) strangers in the city, and that all
i the local means of prevention were at an end. Upon this
WO of the Guenl, were despatched to Chester. At 4
o'clock be received a telestra. m from °anent' Gordon, who
did not take so gloomy a view of the affair as the mania-
. pal aathoritie., and thought that it was not necessary to
met d additional troops. He (Mr. Walpole) did not know if
it was a Fenian outbreak, except that the circumstances
pointed in that direction.
Mr. C. FORTIS` CUE wished to know whether there
was any information as to what was the conduct of those
straitrers in the town. Did they threaten the castle, and
were they named'

Mr. WALPOLE—I have received no information up to
the pr.seat moment, whether they were annul or not.
Mr. 0. STANLEY—I wish to ask whatwasthe military
fore- for the „manta Chester castle on Friday Lot.
Er. WALPOLE—I hope the house will not press for
that information until to-morrow.

Mr. 0. STANLEY said he would give notice o a quo:i-
dol' on t'oe subt.
Lord ELCHO-1 think it right, as lam in possession of
a te:e4r.uu from Chester from Lord Grosvenor, who went
down yesterday afternoon, he being in command of the
Chester troop of yecumnry, that I should inform the
house of its contents. It arrived about 4 o'clock this
terno.n, and is to the following effect :—" Was serious
information saved the town—all right now."
(Cheers.)

CHURCH RATES.
Mr. HARDCASTLE obtained leave to introduce aLOI
for the abolition of church rates.

ARTISAN., AND LABOURERS' DWELLINGS.

Mr. TO/MESS nifved for leave to introduce a bill to
provide better dwellings in towns for artissus and
labourers. The ni.-asure was similar in character to the
bill which he had introduced last session. On that mat.
aloe it was referred to a select committee, who reported,
and the measure be now advocated was based on that re-
port. and remained as the house and committee left it.
Mr. WALPOLL said that in the general object of the
bill be for one uost heartily concurred, but he wished to
guard himself from expressing an opinion on that part of
it containing an Laportant provision relating to the pro-
perty and rights of individuida, which required to be care-
fully looked into. With that qualification be should be
happy to give Lis support to the bill. (Hear, hear.)
After some discussion, leave was given to bring in the
bill.