The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-13 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS; FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 13, i 866:

rated in blood. Her clothes were not particularly disor-
dered. There was no appearance of her having
straggled. Some of the wounds, he believed, were inflicted
after she fell on the pound. Some of them had no doubt
bees inflicted while she was erect. There was a little
blood on the leg of s. table in the Owe, but he saw no
blood smeared about.
Edward Kipp*, warehouseman to Mesas. Bevington,
was then examined. He said that he left the premises
on Wednesday night at 10 minutes t 8 o'clock. Mrs.
Million saw him out as usual U. called her down
lfireawhistlint up a pipe. There were two or
t gas inners then alight. He was positive
that the burner over the door was then alight.
He did not see anyone loitering about. He bad gone round
the warehouse and noticed nothing. The gaslight over
the door could be turned out by means of a tap within
I reach of the hand, in the lobby. A stranger would hardly
see the tap. But there was a stick there by
which a stranger could have turned out the light. He
knew nothing about the missing crow-bar.
Police-constable Stephenson said that the gee was not
alight over the door when he was called by Elizabeth
Lowe, but there was a light in the interiorof the building.
He did not nutice a light being over the door at 10 o'clock
when he first went on duty.
The Coroner then adjourned the proceedings for a fort-
night.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE HACKNEY AND
STRATFORD JUNCTION RAILWAY.

Last evening an alarming accident occurred on et
the junction railway connecting the main line d the North t
London Railway at Hackney Wick, Victoria-park, with 817
the Great Eastern lines at Stratford, by which nearly 20 et.
persons were more or less injured. The tragic is carried on
by independent trains taking up passengers from the North Ist.
London trans at Hackney-wick denim, and is worked by et
the North London Railway Company. The five minutes st;
past 7 o'clock train lea evening left the station for Strat- St.
ford with, it is said, some 30 or 40 passengers, the train con St
-
'Wing of three carriages. On quitting the station, the St.
pointsman proceeded to shunt it on to the down line 84-
St.
in accordance with the usual practice ; the engine bad at.
passed safely over the points when the signalman unfortu-
nately let go the lever, but, recovering it, attempted to gt:
shunt the carriages also ; it, however, was too late, for the St.
Srst carriage, • long composite one with break van attached t
to it, had been thrown off the rails, and was ploughing up St.
the permanent way, where it shortly fell over on its side, Est
and was dragged a considerable distanoe before Bt
the engine-drives could pull up, the buffets of to
the engine smashing in • portion of the car is
-
riage, which was full of passengers, the larger number 10
women and children. The whole of them were thrown in a to
heap, and it is needless to add that their state of catering
from terror and excitement was most painful. Smythers, St
the guard in the break department of the carriage, st
who had • very narrow escape from being crushed St
to death, on extricating himself, immediately mounted
on to the side of the carriage and exerted himself to St
(1,-ag out of the window its inmates who were scream- Si
ing for help. The noise caused by the accident v
attracted the attention of the company's servants at the
station, as well se the people residing near the line, who 71(
at once proceeded to the spot, and with the aid of some 1.1
ladders all the passengers were soon extricated. For Si
-
tunately, none of them had sustained any serious injury, 8.
though much bruised and knocked about. One female
was removed in an insensible state to the hospital, and it g
is doubtful if she will recover from the shock her system 8
has sustained. Owing to the accident the traffic on the
line was stopped for the remainder of the evening. 8

ELECTION COMMITTEES.-( THIS DAY.)

NOTITNGHAM.

The committee appointed to try the merits of the
petitions against the return of Sir R. Clifton met again
this morning at 11 o'clock ; Mr. Adair in the chair.
Mr. Price, Q.C., resumed his address on behalf of Sir R.
Clifton. He denied that there had been such violence and
disturbance on the day of polling as constituted a riot. If
there had really been a riot, and the voters were interfered
with in recording their votes, it was the duty of the sheriff
to have adjourned the poll
The Chairman remarked that there was no evidence of
any application having been made to the sheriff for that

Pure.
. Price said there wade no doubt that if rioting had
been resorted to by Sir It. Clifton's supporters, such an ap-
plication would at once have been made, seeing that the
mayor and magistrates were kept well informed of all that
took place, and that they were active partisans of Messrs.
Paget and Morley. He contended that all the disturbance
which occurred arose from the packing of the polling
booths by Paget and Morley's party, and from the exas-
peration of Sir R. Clifton', supporters at finding themselves
thus debarred from exercising their right.
[Left speaking.]

it 1100
It 1100
IL 100
It. 1100
It. 1100
It. 1100
It. 100
It. 'llOO

SHARE LISTS-(THIS DAY.)

Own o'CLocw.
There in little demand to-day for British railway
securities, and prices generally exhibit a drooping la
tendency. Great Western, London and North •
Western, Midland, and Lancashire and Yorkshire •
stocks have declined Ito per cent. South Eastern
and Great Eastern,owever, have improved 4.
The settlement will be completed this afternoon.
London and North Western stock is quoted •
120 to ja;stle3reat Western, b 74 to 58 ; Midland,
1224 to ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 120-itatotel;
Great an, 39 7-8 to 404 ; South sa
lox
734 to ; Caledonian, 1274 to f, ex div. ;
Metropolitan, 1334 to 4; Great Northern, 1204 u
to 1214 ; ditto A, 1364 to 1374 ; and London, a
Chatham, and Dover, 29 to 30.
Grand Think of Canada Railway stock is steady, 11
at 29} to 301, but Great Western of Canada shares •
have receded 10e., viz., to 16 to 4.
li
ORDINARY SHAR,PIS AND STOCKS. l,Ol
Ski Pt I I"WAYB I ClYVeng Ces I 811:171":

Brtstol and Exeter

Caledonian
Gambian
Cork and Bandon
Cornwall
Dublin and Bellaatlanc
Dundee, PerthA Abd Jn
But London Bo:rip Cart

90 92
127 128
55 65
13 15
3 6
67 70
70 72

,Great _
011::gow and S. Western
Great Eastern Ord. St.
Do. K. And. Stk., No 2
Northof Scotland
Great Northern
Do.a
.1 A rec. no div. tut-
Do.B 1 Wei). a IspeldS
Do. New Ira at 26 pm.
Do. Ord. Def. Div. Stock
fit South di West (Ire )
Great Watery
Do.litottrEal.Onalltk
Do. South Wales .
Do. W. bfid.—Oxford

-10 lb as
116 117
314 404
e 7
..

391 4,7

in in dial
137 138

Do. Do.E Newport
Do. Do._
_perei

57 59
90 41
$4 36
100 102
1204 121
92 a
ea al

Laleikshir;&
Loa, Brleitp, ok 8. Coast
London, i!tltamADo•

Do. Meil:tea. Alijaa.
London & North Warta
LondoniliouthWedern
Man. (Mei &Lincoln&
Metropolitan

124 121
92 98
ft 64

Do. New
Do. Extension
Metropolitan District
Do. do. do.
Do. &St John's•wood
Midland

lit liitti p
1 11 pm
92 92

11
121
pail
92 94

Do. & Derby
Mid Went
North British

Do. Edhi.,Perth,Dand.
Y. Fastena—Barwick
Do. G. N. E. Pure
Do. Leeds
Do. York
Do. Carlisle
Do. Stock &Darling
Do. do., 1216041
North London
Do. do., 1964
Do. do., 1865
North Staffordshire
N. et & Western Jul
Scottish Central
Scottish N. 2, Aber. 81k
Scottish Midland

671 684
26 27
1081 ice;

71 72
1061 10%
359 We
10 11 pm
12! 124
1 ?Pm
lbi %Mx
73 76
108 112
150 152
67 09
112 114

49 61
73i 741
8 9
140. 143.

100 lO3 Pral

61 63

-
130

as 7}14

120i3

110 t
991
1621 Ti

1321;

78} I

counflAL 00VIRNMINT

.6°.ct,iB.
Op.et.,.
De.
CU. 00y.6 p. e., 187741.
,000 Do. Operet,Feb.dAue.
,000 Do. 6 peretliar.etSei
.. Do, 6peret..Jsn.&.l
.. Do. 6 wet. Ina. Moe
Capeof O Hope6per.lB73
,808 Do. '10.1960.1900
,808 Do. do. 188040
Do. do. 180091
Do.6p.c.dp.tOet.
Ceiolon, Nov. 1868, 6 p. et.
1878, d 0...
1,000 Do. 1172 d 0...
Mauritian 6 par eL, 187 a
1, Do. 1878
1,000 Do. 1882
1,000 Do. 1
5, Nana/ dor. 6 per cont..
D,OOO New BranedovAlpeeen.
D,OOO New South Wales Goy..
5,500 6p. cent., 1871 to 1876
6,000 Do. 6p. c.lBBB to 1802
New Zealand 6per cent.
Do. 6per oent
... No Scotia 6p. c., 187 d
5, Qneendand Gov. 6p. et.
D,OOO B.Aast, Gov. 6 p. ct,1868
0.000 Do. 1878 and upwda
5,000 Vie.Gov.6p. c. Jan. July
Do. 6p. et. Aptilttoe.

98 98
91 96
91 96
78 80
77 80
101 104
102 106
102 106
102 104
91 93
102 104
106 108

914*

102 104
10$ 106
103 106
106 106
106 102
01 90

100
100
di 100
100
1 100
100
100
100

92 96
87 93
93 96
78 99
97 90
88 100

106 107

101, 108 i

WI-

FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
South Austrian and Lombardo-Venetian, 141 to j.

PREYHRENCS SHARKS.
Great Western—Original Prefer. 4i per cent., 90.
wr cent. Stock irredeemable, 98.
North Britt 5 per cent., No. 1 101.
North Hutern—West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway,
79 to 81.
South Demon Annuities, 10e., 9f.

Atlantic TelegralsilEjus.), (mama (muse 8 per east,
Australian Mortgage Land and Finance (Limited),
Credit Racier and Mobilier e/ Itmesad .
Ditto, New, 141.
Crpetal Palace, 371, 4.
Ebbw Vale, 17.

Fore-street.Warebonse (Limited), 121.
General Credit and Finance el London (Limited), 4, 1.
Imperial Marc. Credit Assoc. (Limited), 2e, I.
International Financial Society (Limited), Si, 1.
London Financial Association (limited), 15i.
Madras Irrigation and Canal (all paid), 17.
National Discount Company (Limited) 131:
Overend, Gurney, and Co. (United), 151, 1, 15, I.
Warrant Finance (Limited), 5.

MONEY MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

Oxa o'Ctoci.
The English funds opened this morning at a de-
cline of 4 per cent., but the present quotation for
money is the same as yesterday, while that for the
account is only 1-16 worse. Foreign stocks, which
were also dull, are now better in sympathy, and
the same remark applies to several other depart-
ments of the Stock Exchange. The amount of
business generally, however, is limited, attention
being much occupied with the settlement of the
fortnightly account, which will be concluded this
afternoon.

The demand for money to-day has somewhat in-
creased, but the supply is still very large. The
charge for the best paper is 5 7-8 to 6 per cent.,
with exceptional business at si. The rate for short
loans in the Stock Exchange is 4 to 5 per cent.

The Bank of France return shows this week a

lecrease of 44,0001. in the coin and bullion, and of
160,0001. in the bills discounted.
A firm of " jobbers" has stopped payment in the

Stock Exchange to-day, owing to considerable losses
in foreign stocks. Their existing liabilities, how-

ever, are small.

Consols are now quoted 86/ to I for money,
and 86 5-16 to 7-16 for the account (May 9).
In the foreign stock market there is a demand

for Turkish Bonds of 1862 and 1866, which have
risen I. and 11 per cent. respectively. Mexican have
also improved I, and Italian of 1861 are inquired for.
The prices are as follows :—Greek, 12i to
_l3 ;

Mezican, 24 to j ; Spanish Passive 25 718 to 20i ;
ditto Certificates, 157-8 tolfik ;Purllib, 1862, 62 to
64 ; ditto, 1865, 331 to ; Brazilian scrip, 3,)
to 3 dia., ex div. ; and Italian, 1861, 53, to
54. _ _

American securities are lower. 5-20 Bonds are
quoted 671 to 68 ; Erie Railway shares, 54 to bt ;

and Illinois, 78} to 791.
International Financial shares are now quoted
/to it dis. ; General Credit, par to prem. ;
London Financial, 4} to 41 dis.; Imperial Mercan-
tile, to 2 7-8 dis. ; Credit Fonder and Mobilier,
17-8 to 2/ prem. ; Overend, Gurney, and Company,
to pram. ; and National Discount, 81 to prem.
The Champion of the Seas has arrived from Mel-
bourne, with 64,5001. in gold ; and the Robert
Henderson, from New Zealand, with 13,6001.
The Master of the Rolls has this morning con-

firmed the appointment of Mr. Harding, as official
liquidator of the Joint-Stock Discount Company.

An appeal was asked for by Mr. Linklater, on
behalf of five shareholders, holding 350 shares.
The bulk of the quarterly advances made to the
discount establishments have now been repaid to
the Bank, and the rest vtillbe liquidated during the
next few days. The total is understood to be below
the average, and, as this means that the discount
market, so to speak, was indebted to the Bank in a
less amount than is usual at the turn of the quarter,
there is a prospect that a proportionately large
amount of money will remain available for
immediate employment, thus obviating the
necessity of borrowing from the Bank.
The fall in Turkish stocks yesterday was pro-
moted by the statement in the Levant Herald that
the Commission on the Budget estimates the de-
ficit at about four-and-a-half millions sterling.
The Herald, however, does not give this in a posi-
tive form.
With reference to the Venezuelan Six per Cent.
Loan of 1884, the General Credit Company are in
receipt of advice. from their agents, Messrs. H. L.
Boulton and Co. dated La Guaira, 24th March,
of duties collected and remitted on account of this
loan, as follows :—Per statement No. 47, from
Ciudad Bolivar, 49'2 dols. ; No. 48, 157 dols. 36c. ;
No. 49, 10,049 dols. Mc. ; No. 70, from La Guaira,
17,061 dols. 87c. ; No. 71, 13,741 doll. 44c. ; No.
83, from Porto Cabello, 19,751 dols. 62c. ; No.
84, from ditto, 10,887 dols. 27c. ; total, 72,141

dole. 10c.
Only a trifling amount of gold, viz., 2,0001., was
sent into the Bank yesterday.
About 452,5001. in Australian gold is now on the
way to England, of which 150,0001. is due. The
following are the particulars :—Young England,
51,0001.; Damascus, 54,0001. ; Norfolk, 75,5001.;
Chariot of Fame, 34,500/. ; Mediator, 17,0001. ;
Suffolk, 78,500/. ; Donald M'Kay, 18,000/. ;
Macduff, 119,0001. ; Royal Standard, 4,5001. ;

and Swiitsure, 50/. -
It has transpired that Mr. Josif Perez, one of the
partners in the well-known house of Pinto, Perez,
Ashley, and Spanish merchants, who failed
on Saturday last, Co.,as obtained advances to a large ex-
tent on duplicate bills of lading, and has disappeared.
A warrant has accordingly been issuedfor his appre-
hension. It is understood that the liquidation of
the estate of this house will be very unfavourable ;
according to some estimates, the distribution to
the creditors will not be more than ss. in the
pound.
A private letter from Paris' after referring to the
extreme depression which has latterly prevailed on
the Bourse remarks that " a declaration of war
between Austria and Prussia would possibly be of
service to the Bourse, and after a day or two prices
would be better than they are at present."
In the matter of the appeal respecting the ap-
pointment of an official liquidator of the Joint-
Stock Discount Company (Limited), the Master of
the Rolls has announced that he will give his deci-
sion to-morrow.
The North Eastern Railway traffic return shows
this week an increase of 6,0311 over last year ; the
Lancashire and Yorkshire an increase of 6,764/. ;
the Great Western an increase of 4,6921. ; the Great
Northern an increase of 124/. ; the Great Eastern
an increase of 2,5361.; the London and South
Western an increase of 1,307/. ; the Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire an increase of 2,013/. ;
the North British an increase of 1,5201. ; the
London, Chatham, and Dover, including the
Metropolitan Extension and branches, an increase
, of 2,334/. ; the Metropolitan Extension an increase
of 593/. ; and the Kent Coast an increase of 4401.
The Stock Exchange Committee have appointed
Tuesday, the 17th inst., a special settling day in
the shares of the following undertakings, viz. :
Frederick Symons and Co. (Limited)
Metropolitan Railway Ware- }To be marked in the
housing Company (Limited) Twice a Week List.
Worcester Coffee Company (Lim )
Luckimpore Tea Company of I Not to be mwked.
Assam (Limited)
Pestarena Gold Mining Company l Consideration of quo-
(Limited) I tation postponed.
A special meeting of the British and Canadian
Telegraph (Northern Line) Company is called for the
26th inst., to approve a bill now before parliament
for conferring further powers on the company.
The annual meeting of proprietors of the
National Provincial Bank of England is called for
the 10th May.
A general meeting of the Singapore Gas Com-
pany (Limited) is convened for the 27th inst., when
a dividend is to be declared.
Subjoined is Messrs. Culverwell, Brooks, and
Co.'s report of yesterday's hide sales :
At the seventh series of hide sales for the year a mode-
rate inquiry was experienced, but prices were in some cases
rather MEWL East India—Ox and Cow—Calcutta : The
business transacted was only to a moderate extent, chiefly
for the home trade, prises occasionally ruling in favour of
buyers. The analysis of the sales is 89,993 Calcutta new
parcels, and 19,279 brought forward from former sales, in
all 109,722 hides ; of which 87,541 were sold. Feat India—
Buffalo realised fully late rates, to an advanoe. Leather—
East Indian brought about previous prices. Australian
generally receded Id. per lb. Salted Hides—Australian
were in fair request, at about last sales' prices.nfx
realised late rates. West India brought falryricee.
all bought in. Gibraltar t fali• perces.
Drysalted Hides—Penang realised late Irsbea-
' were chiefly bought hi. Mauritius beeaod. prev.ions prices.
' ltiseeUaneoeep pelts realised high Fore. Kart-
/ gareo skins brought advanced rotes. Bark—Mimeos was
only partly sold. Valonia bought in.
The return of the Bank of England for the week

31

,iaon e ding Wednesday, April 11 compared with that
f the previous week, shows the following changes :
issue £28,363,140 Decrease $232,696
'on active 22,045,355 Decrease 287,260
the deposits 4,067,018 Decrease 3,636,893
Other deposits
Government securities in
banking department 10,644,264 Decrease DO" i
Other securities in banking
department 19,383,831 Demers 2,711,966 '.
OMR and bullion in both
departments
Seven day and other bill 471,824 Increase 27,967
The Rest 3,178,002 Decrease 710,389 ,
Notes in mom
Total reserve (note* & Gain)
in banking department 7,188,763 Incense 269,431
This return shows the effect of the payment of the
dividends, which commenced on Monday, the 9th.
The decrease in the government deposits has been
made up by the increase in the private deposits,
combined with the repayment to the Bank of c
2,711,9561. of advances on private securities, and
the result is an addition of 269,4311. to the reserve
notwithstanding the draught for the dividends. t
Under the circumstances, this is an unusual
they'and
satisfactory feature. There is a decrease in
coin and bullion to the trilling extent of 17,8291.
which sum, together with the equivalent of the
162,0001. of foreign gold sent into the Bank during
the week, appears to have been distributed •
amongst the receivers of the dividends.

BANE OF ENGLAND.
An Account pursuant to the Act ith end Bth Vie., c. $l. for the
week ending on Wednesday, the Iltb day of April, Mt

Notes tamed

.. C 28,363,140

438,363,140

BAILING D 1
Proprietors' Capital 414,563,000
Best
Public Deposita (in-
cluding Ischeti
Say. Banks. Com-
mit of Nstinaal
_ .

oOvernisent debt 011,015,100
Other securities 3,9134,11110
Gold cola and bsl-
-
13,11811,10

Lt 3,363,10

Debt, --and Dit
Accoards) 4,067.018
Other Deposits 14,966,004
Seven day and other
BIM

rAIIIIII/IT.
Oovernment
(Including
Dead Weight An-
nutty;
Other Securities
Note
Gold mud Silver
Cola

437,215,645

/137,21b,848 ,

W. MILLER, Cbtef Cashier.

Tnu RBDAY Evinnta.

4c

-IMPEttUt-

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THIIISDAY, Area
Their lordship( met it tel o'clock.
PRIVATE BILLS.
the Medway Docks BM, the Southern Railway Bill, the
Grange and Cartmel District Om and Water Bill, the
Caithness Railways Rill, and the Downs Docka Bill were
read a third time and Tamed.
ATFORNZYB AND SOLICITORS (IRELAND) BILL
Lord CHELMSFORD moved the second reading of this
measure, the abject of which is to assimilate the law re-
'Mingo° :Monter and solicitors in Ireland to that in this
moan
The .
OHANCELLOR would offer no opposition to
the amend reading, but he might have *maim to suggeet
some amendments in conmatttee.
The Marquis of CLANRIOARDE said that in Ireland
a judge refused to listen to an attorney in chambers, and
the result was, that the cost of motions was three times as
much as in Ragland.
The bill was read a second time.
EAST INDIA. birurARBLLL.Y FUNDS, he., TRANSFER

Earl DR GREY moved the second reading of thiatmeesure,
the object of which is to transfer certain funds to the
government fee the purpose of enabling it to pay certain
railions which it had taken upon itself.
The bill wee read a second tame.
COUNTY COURTS BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second rending
of this bill, which bad come up from the Commons, its
object being to abolish the office of treasurer in the
county courts, and to provide for the direct accountability of
the registrar to the Treasury. The attention of the govern-
ment having been drawn to the subject by some recent
cases of defalcation, they had come to the conclusion that
the present machinery wan unnecessary. The office of
treasurer bad in fact been introduced into the Count,
Courts Act merely because it had existed in some of the
old courts, such as the Courts of Conscience and the
Courts of Request. The bill would also abolish the office of
high bailiff, whose worst was done almost entirely by sub-
ordinates, and who received emoluments varying from
7001. to 8001. a year for a mere sinecure. The measure
would involve a saving of 34,0001. a year.
The bill was read a second time.
Their lordships rose at twenty-five minutes before seven.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THUBSDAY, APRIL 12.
The Sr took the chair at a quarter to 4 o'clock.
REIGATE ELECTION PETITION.
The members of the committee appointed to try the
merits of the petition against the return for Reigate were
sworn at the table.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time :—Cambridge
'University and Town Water Bill ; Crofthead and Kilakar-
sock Extension Railway Bill; Dement and Shotlay Bruise
Road Bill ; Dryclough Shaw, and Rochdale Roads Bill
Ere Valley Railway Bill ; Frome Gas Bill ; Huddersfield
Water Bill ; Hull and Hornses and North Eastern Railway
Bill ; Kingabridge Railway Bill ; London and North
Western Railway (New Lines) Bill; North Eastern Railway
(Leeds and Wetherby Branch) Bill ; South Staffordshire
Water Bill ; Stafford, Churchbridge, he., Roads Bill ;
Stockton Gss Bill ; and Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's
Quay Railway (Additional Capital) Bill.
The followiag bills were considered and ordered for third
reading :—Aldrington, Hove, and Brighton Gas Bill, and
Bridgaorth, Wolverhampton, and Staffordshire Railway
8111
TOTNES, THE BOROUGH OF.
Mr. BOUVERIE gave notice that on Tuesday next he
would move an humble address to her Majesty, praying
that a eonimission might be issued to inquire into pre:-
time of bribery, which had been proved before a committee
to prevail in that borough at the last election.
THE BMDISTRIBDTION OF SEATS.

Mr. MARSH gave notice that on Monday next he would
ask the Chanoellor of the Exehequer whether the go-
vernmen t bad quite determined upon a measure in regard
to the redistribution of seats ; and also whether certain
boroughs would be amalgamated, whether some would be
totally disfranchised, and whether some would be partially
disfranchised ; and he would also ask whether it was the
intention of the government to keep their views from the
house till after the division upon the second reading of the
Franchise Rill. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.)
THE HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION ACT.
Mr. MAGUIRE gave notice that on Friday, the 20th,
be would call the attention of the government to the
onions inoonvenience arising from the exercise of the
powers conferred by the Habeas Corpus Suspension
Bill. (Hear, hear.)

THE REBELS IN CHINA.
In reply to Col. Svcr.s,
Mr. LAYARD said—l have to state.that, from informs•
than received, the consul at Souchang appears to have been
very much alarmed at about the commencement of last
winter, that some armed rebels were in the neighbour-
hohd of the city, but there is no reason to
believe that any attack was made upon the
city. As to there having been a rebel force of 80,000 in
the proximity of Hankow, I have to state that it appears
thit some peasants took refuge near that city. The Eu-
ropeans went out to see them, and instead of there being
80,000 rebels there were only eight persons on horseback
with begs ; a shot was fired at them, and then they
dropped their begs and rode away. In the begs there
were found eight women. (General laughter.) Since that
tithe there has been no further attack upon the city, and
there were no rebels prowling about it. I have to inform
my hon. and gallant friend that his friends the Taepings
have been in the last battle with the imperialists almost
exterminated. No suggestion has been received from our
minister at Pekin, or through hint from the consuls, that
the cities ought to be better defended.
THE CATTLE PLAGUE COMMISION.
Sir J. C. JERVOISE asked the Vice-President of
the Committee of Council on Education when the third
report of the cattle plague commission would be published.
Mr. BRUCE said about the end of this month. The
commission were engaged in making investigations which
necessarily required much time.
CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.
Major DICKSON asked the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer whether he would be prepared during the present
mission to bring in a bill to amend the laws relating to
corrupt practices at elections. as a part of the entire scheme
for amending the representation of the people.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCREQUER.—In 'newer
to the question of the hon. and gallant member, I have to
say that I do not think that her Majesty's government
will be in a position to consider with advantage the course
winch they may think it right to pursue with regard to
corrupt practices at elections until after they have learned
the results of all the inquiries before the election com-
mittees of this year, and therefore I do not anticipate that,
considering the ordinary duration of the session, it will be
in our power to prosecute the subject this year. At the
same time I do not give an absolute negative, because the
subject depends entirely upon time and circumstances.
(Hear, hear.)
CAMBRIDGE ELECTION COMMITTEE.
Mr. Lowe, Sir J. Fergusson, Ms. Goldrwy, and Lord
Henley, having presented themselves at the table to be
stream as members of the above committee,
Mr. BOVILL called attention to the absence of Mr.
Coleridge. the fifth member nominated. Having quoted
the standing order, which provided that any member
absent under such circumstances, and not having been
prevented attending by some sudden accident, should at
once be taken into custody by the Serjeant-at-Arms, the
hoot and learned member proceeded to read a communi-
cation which he had received from Mr. Coleridge, to the
effect that that hon. and learned member hoped to arrive
in town by the 6.20 train, and that be had started for town
the moment he received the Speaker's summons. He bad
left town to attend circuit, being at the time unaware that
he 'had been struck for en election committee.
Mr. BOVILL came to the table, and swore to the truth
of the statement he had made ; and
The SPEAKER ordered the other members of the com-
mittee to stand beck, and not to leave the house until
after 6 o'clock. (Laughter.)
BOROUGH OF GREAT YARMOUTH.
Mr. MOWBRAY asked when the report of the com-
mittee on the Great Yarmouth election would be printed,
and gave notice that be would move for an address to the
crown respecting the corrupt practices which were proved
to have prevailed in the borough at the last general
election.
THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.
Om the order of the day for the second reading of the
Representation of the People Bill,
The CHANCELLOR of the Eseitmersit and Mr. BRIGHT
rose together to present petitions; the opposition called the
hon. member for Birmingham to order, and
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proceeded
to present petitions from several places in favour of the
government measure. The name of one of the places,
" Ranishottom," created considerable hilarity on the op-
position benches.
Sir F. Camestitt presented an immense number of pe-
titions from the West Riding in favour of the MIL Mr.
Bas ter presented three from Manchester, including ono
front the working classes with 73,000 signatures, and ex-
pressing the " warm approval" of the petitioners.
Petitions to the same effect were presented by Yr.
Lsentax from Nuddersield, and by Yr. Rugg from
places in North Derbyshire.
Zr. BRIGHT presented a petition in favour of the bill
from Birmingham, signed by 44X-I6 persona, and he would
take the liberty of stating to the house what the pet:Wow=
wished to oosonsunioate. They were of opinion that a
meth greater number of the industrial assess should be
enfreaehised than was proposed by the government bet
hut as through its means a great number of the middle
are working slams would be admitted to share in the