The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-17 00:00:00

MEETING ON MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES.

A general meeting of the magistrates of the
county of Middlesex was held yesterday at the Sessions.
house, Cleritenwell-green ; Mr. Hrtar POVICALI• in the
chair, and there was a very full attendance of magistrates.
On the presentation of the report of the committee of
accounts and general purposes, Mr. Kemabesd took occa-
sion to draw the attention of she court to the subject of
the salaries of coroners of the county, which bad recently
been rained by the court, taking as their basis for doing so
the average number of inquests held for five years. The
salaries settled by the court, however, had been further
increased by the Home Secretary. The result of all
them raising, would be to bring_ up the salarieseof the
coroners to about 12,0001. He contended that Dr.
Lankester had held inquorts that were unnecessary for the
purpose of bringing up this average. In the case of the
ice accident in the Regent's-park all the bodies were
together under one roof, and it would be supposed that
one inquest would have been sufficient. Dr. Lankester,
however, held thirty-eight Inquests, which would go in
aid of bringing up the average on the next occasion.
It would be impossible to keep up with the expenses of
the county if such things as were now done at the Home-
office were to continue. Mr. Turner said be hoped that Mr.
Kemahead would move for a committee, and that some
measure would be introduced into parliament on the sub-
ject. The report was then received, and the matter dropped.
On the motion to "consider so much of the report from
the visiting justices of the House of Correction at Cold-
bath-fields, laid before the court on the last coon =
as recommends Use extension of the number el
catholic prisoners who may be assembled for religious in-
struction on week days, and the allowance of • celebration
of a Roman catholic service on Sundays to such a member
of Roman catholic prisoner, as can be conveniently brought
together, and who do not object to attend," Mr. Serjeant
Payne moved, pursuant to notice, " That with regard to
so much of the report of the visiting justices of the House
of Correction at Coldhatb-fields, presented to the aloud on
the last county day, as proposes to allow the celebration of
mass by a Roman catholic priest within the prison, the
court is decidedly of opinion that there is no authority
for such a proceeding, and that it cannot be allowed.
Mr. Dixon seconded the amendment. Mr. Alderman
Salomon said it was the duty of the court to take care of
the religious instructios of criminals committed to their
care, and if he had twenty hands he would hold them up
against the amendment. Mr. Cox also opposed the amend.
ment, which was supported by Mr. Dixon and Mr. Wood-
ward. Mr. Sergeant Bellasis strongly advoimied the
adoption of the report of the committee, stating that the
essence of the Roman catholic religion was the celebration
of the mass, and this was already allowed in several other
prisons. Mr. Healey said they were protestant., and they
protested against the errors of the church of Rome, and
therefore he was opposed to having mass in their prisons.
After some further discussion the chairman put the ques-
tion, when there appeared for the amendment, 32 ; ag.iinat
it, 31 • majority, L The amendment was then put ae an
original motion and agreed to.