The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-10 00:00:00

COCKERYOUTE.

' ,
• ,

ei

1 •

1

ROUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY, JULY 9.
Their lordships met at 5 o'clock, and the house was ini•
mediately crowded. The ladies' gallery was quite full, and
the doors were thronged long before 5 o'clock with mem-
bers of the House of Commons anxious to secure places in
their own gallery. The steps of the throne were also com-
pletely filled with prominent members of the lower house,
looonest whom might be recognised Mr. Lowe, Sir R. I
Palmer, Sir William Hutt, Mr. Buxton, &c. The
upper tion beach was occupied_ by Lord Brougham,
Earl of-Ellenborough, Marquis of alhousie, and Lord
Sondes. Zarb Granville and Russell arrived. early, and
were quickly followed by Lord Westbury, with whom both
peers exchanged the most friendly postings. The Duke
of Argyll crossed several times over to the ministerial
side, but at last seated himself in the front opposition
beech. The Earl of Derby entered the house at ten
minutes past five, and at the quarter commenced speaking.
The house was also attended by their Royal Highnesses
the prime of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the
Duke of Cambridge, who entered while the Earl of Derby
was speekinii, and took their seats upon the first cross
bench. on which were also the Marquis of Clanricarde and
Earl Grey. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales
was also present, having a seat in that portion of the gal-
lery usually devoted to distinguished strangers.

STATEMENT.

Lord DERBY, after expressing his personal desire that
the onerous task of forming a new ministry had been
'pared him, declared that a sense of public duty, and a
regard for the great party with which he had acted for
many years, left him no alternative but to attempt to
Garry out the minden with which the Queen had entrusted
Lim. After pointing out the forbearing conduct of the
eouservative party during the lifetime of Lord Palmerston,
as proceeding from the sense of the public service which a
great constitutional party could render to a wise and
prudent minister, he observed that the death
of that eminent statesman had greatly changed
the state M affairs. ♦ new parliament had been
elected, and, contrary to the opinion which had been
=pressed by Lord Palmerston, a Reform Bill was intro-
duced in its first session—a bill lustily and crudely pre-
pared upon the faith that the nominal liberal majority
would insure its sumer. The diaostations which followed
had shown that, notwithstanding the large ministerial
majority, there were many of the ordinary supporters
of the late government who ware not prepared
to adopt the measure in the shape in which it had
been presented to parliament. The late government
had, as he thought, unnecessarily, made the
adoption of the bill in its integrity a question
of confidence, and having been defeated upon one
point, they bad resigned their offices. Her Majesty
having requested him to form a government, he had at
first endeavoured to do so upon an enlarged basis by in-
cluding among the members of the party with which he
acted other gentlemen, who, although not members of the
party, still might, without sacrifice of principle, be enabled
to join it. He had therefore applied to the Duke of So-
merset and Lord Clarendon, and to the late Lord Lans-
downe, to assist him in the formation not of a coalition
government, but of a government upon an enlarged basis,
but his invitations had not been accepted. He therefore
bad been compelled to attempt the formation of a govern-
ment from among the members of the conservative party,
not being able to perceive any leader of the liberal party
who would be more able to carry out the Queen's desire ;
but he had not omitted to invite the assistance of some of
those members of the liberal party who had been instru-
mental in defeating the late government. Those gentle.
men, however, had decided not to take office with him,
although they had promised his ministry an impartial and
independent support. After a brief allusion to the diffi.
oulties of distributing a limited number of offices
among a large number of expectant', and the
difficulty of assigning the desired office to each indivi-
dual, which he quoted as excuses for the necessary sus-
pension of public business, Lord Derby gave a general
statement of the views of his government. In foreign
affairs he held it to be the duty of this country
to maintain amicable relations with all foreign
countries, to avoid entanglement with foreign
disputes, and to abstain front all vexatious
and irritating interference or advice. With respect to the
unhappy war in Central Europe, the government would
maintain a perfect neutrality, but would be prepared, in
conjunction with other Powers, whenever a favourable op-
portunity presented itself, to offer its good offices for the
restoration of peace. Commending the action of the United
States government in relation to the Fenian inroad into
Canada, Lord Derby paid a tribute to the loyalty and devo-
tion displayed by the Canadian volunteers, adding an ex-
pression of his desire that a confederation of all our
North American colonies might soon be accomplished.
Referring to the question of parliamentary reform, he said
he had never been hostile to the principle of such reform,
but he must hold himself and his colleagues free and un-
pledged upon that question. He had assisted in carrying
the Reform Act of 1832, and in 1858, although he could
not admit any pressing urgency, he had been a party
to a measure which was intended to remedy existing
anomalies, and to extend the franchise to classes which
were qualified to exercise it. Ho feared, however, that
those who were most clamorous for reform were those
who now desired to effect still greater changes in our con-
stitutional system, and any moderate measure would
therefore not satisfy the de:a:lnds that were made.
Upon that point, ho repeated, he must reserve a freedom
of action, but there were several subjects to which the at-
tention of the government would be immediately devoted,
including a reform of the bankruptcy laws and an amend-
ment of the administration of the poor laws. With regard
to Ireland, an honest, impartial policy would he adopted,
and, as soon as circumstances should safely allow of such
a course, all exceptional laws in that island should cease.
In his peroration Lori Derby expressed his hope that he,
or failing himself, some other minister, might lead the
country on the path of safe and steady progress, preserving
the just balance of our institutions, which had for centu-
ries been our glory and the source of our happiness and
prosperity.

Earl RUSSELL vindicated his foreign policy. nrging
that he had never needlessly interfered in the affairs of
other countries, or been guilty of empty menace. He re-
verted to the favourable oomlition in which the late
government had left the country, especially in regard to
its financial position, which was owing to the great ability
and industry of Mr. Gladstone. In regard to reform, he
contended that the time was opportune for a measure, that
the measure itself was fair and moderate, and well calcu-
lated to settle for a length of time the question involved,
and that it had failed only from the obstructive course
which had been adopt:id by those who were as much
pledged to reform as the late government. With
regard to foreign affairs (added the noble lord), I believe
the whole country had complete confidence in my noble
friend who lately held the seals of the Forehrn Department.
(Hear, hear.) Under his ability, skill, and experience the
foreign affairs of the country were sure to be conducted
with wisdom. Many difficult questions still remain open
for discussion ; and I can only hope that at no long dis-
tance of time peace may be restored to Europe on satis-
factory terms. For my part, I hope th it out of
the present complications a state of things may arise
more favourable to the freedom of Germany. As far
as I am concerned, I trust the noble earl will
not be interrupted or embarrassed in any negotiations
into which he may have to enter. The noble earl said
very truly that we are not bound by any treaty or obliga-
tion with respect to this particular question—by the trmity
of Vienna, between Austria and Prussia ; or by the treaty
of Zurich, between France, Austria, and Italy. With
regard to the treaty of Idl3 respecting Poland, and that of
lf2, with respect to Denmark—when these treaties were
openly violated we thought it was not consistent either
with the honour or dignity of the country to pass entirely
sub silentio those violations. The noble lord said, and I
said after him, that this was a serious matter, and that
it might lead to serious events ; and the result has shown
that we were not mistaken, because the present war arose
out of the question of ElchLeawig-Holstein. I hope that
the policy of this country will not be so departed from as
that we shall not have an interest in the independence
of foreign states. I trust that if on the present occasion
England' France, and Russia should concur, it will be in
the interests of peace and the independence of Italy,
for, if that question be not settled, we shall have fre-
quently recurring wars. In conclusion, I shall only say
that I hope the principles of civil and religious freedom
will not be abandoned because there is a change of minis-
try: (Hear, hear.)

Lord Elk/U6IIAM hoped the present government
would in concert with France take measures for reducing
those enormous standing armies which were a source of
financial difilettlty to the people, as well as a danger to
the liberties of nations.
The house adjourned at a quarter to 7.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY, JULY 9.
The Brasxes took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE 8U81N1193.

The following bills were read a third time and paned :
Bunhanan's Estate Bill ; Fumes' and Whitehaven and
Furness Junction Railway Companies Bill ; Guardian Fire
and Life Assurance Ooeipany Bill ; Medway Docks (No. 1)
Bill ; and Shrewsbury Bridges Bill.

Mr. GOLDNEY, in the &beetles of the noble lord the
member for West Kent (Lord Holmesdale), moved the
second reading of this bill, observing that the portion of
the estate over which it would permit Sir • Thos. Maryon
Wilson to grant building leases was so situated that the
rights of the public in Hampstead-heath would be in no
way interfered with.
Mr. H. LEWIS moved that the bill be read a second
time that day three months. Sir T. M. Wilson, by the will
of his father, dated in 1806, became lord of the manor of
Hampstead-heath, and proprietor of considerable estates as
tenant for life, and there was every reason to suppose that
the will was a well considered document, inasmuch as nine
codicils were added at different times explaining the extent
of the leasing powers it conferred. It would appear that the
testator jealously and specially guarded Hampstead-heath
from all invasion, by excluding it from any of the leasing
powers granted. In 1829, Sir T. M. Wilson made his firstap-
plication to parliament for power to do that which was not
I authorised by the will, and. since then he bad come ten or
eleventimee with a similar measure, but had always failed,
the highest legal authorities, including Lord Tenterden,
Lord Denman, Lord Campbell, Chief Baron Pollock? and Mx.
Justies Williams, being of opinion that the testator mtended
that there should be no power of granting building leases
upon the Hampstead-heath estates. Now this measure,
which bad been over and over again rejected by parlia-
ment, was sought to be carried through the second reading
on an occasion when it we. understood that the house only
met for formal badness.

W Lord
ENFIELD seconded the amendment.
General DUNNE said that so far from the land to which
thisbill referred being part of Hampstead-heath, the village
of Finchley was between the heath and it. The property
was very valuable, and with the present demand for build-
ings roundLondonitappeared to him that the measure was
one in which the public were as much concerned as Sir
Thomas Wilson. Two railways had been allowed to pene-
trate into the district, and it would be convenient for the
public if the locality, to which easy access had been
given, were built upon. He could understand why the hon.
gentleman, representing the district he did, should object to
a measure which might add many votes to the county of
Middlesex. It was no wish of his that the wills of tes-
tators should be interfered with, but this was altogether
an exceptional case.
Mr. B. HOPE bad no objection to Sir T. Wilson making
as many faggot votes as he pleased.—(a laugh)—but what
they wanted was to save Hampstead-heath, the most
beautiful open ground about the metropolis. Let Sir
Thomas Wilson come forward with a fair offer to cede his
rights in Hampstead-heath to the Metropolitan Board, or
some other authority, getting if he pleased a just price for
it, but it was preposterous to ask the house to discuss this
bill when they were expecting to hear an eloquent address
in another place.
Mr. ADAIR wished before they went to a division that
the house might be put in possession of the real circum-
stances of the case. They would not in any way preju-
dice Hampstead-heath by consenting to the second read-
ing of this bill, and there should in his opinion be some
exoeedingly strong ground made out before the house
decided not to permit a bill to go before a
select committee, where all objections might be fully heard.
It was well known that Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson had
property in the neighbourhood of Hampstead, which com-
prised within its extent Hampstead-heath. That gentle-
man now came forward and asked for power to build over
a certain portion of that property which did not in any
way approximate to the heath in question. Several fields
and a certain portion of the hamlet of West-end interposed
between the heath and the site proposed to be built on.
He hoped the house, under those circumstances, would not
reject the second reading of the bill, but would allow it to
go to a committee up stain, where it was understood
would be present that watchful, not to say troublesome
and meddlesome body, the Metropolitan Board of Works,
who were willing enough, and rich enough, to do their duty
in this instance, and protect the public against any steps
which it night be supposed would prejudice the people.
Mr. T. CHAMBERS said the first question was whether
the measure ought to be opposed in that house or before a
select committee. The bill was opposed on the ground
that it infringed public convenience and public health in
the metropolis. This was the ninth occasion on which Sir
T. Willloll, who had had the greatest statesmen opposed to
him on this question, sought to effect his object. The
opponents of the measure maintained that it was against
the public interests, and the legislature had not thought
proper to deprive the public of the open space it now
enjoyed.
The house then divided.
For the second reading 65
Against it 72-7
THE TREATMENT OF THE POOR.

An RON. MEMBER gave notice that on an early
day he should move for papers connected with the
treatment of the poor in the metropolitan workhouses.
SALMON FISHERIES BILL.

Mr. W. E'WART gave notice that in the event of the
Salmon Fisheries Bill being proceeded with, be should
move its reference to a select committee.
THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.

Mr. W. EWART also gave notice of a motion for the
total repeal of the punishment of death.
THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (IRELAND).

Sir R. PE-EL gave notice that on the 'first available day
when public business could be proceeded with, he should
ask his right hon. friend the es-Chancellor of the Exche-
quer a question with reference to an assurance he had
given the right hon. gentleman the member for Caine and
himself (Sir R. Peel), in the early part of the session, with
reference to any contemplated changes in the constitution
of the Queen's University. He would also take
that opportunity of asking his right hon. friend's
opinion as to that assurance that no steps would be taken,
nor would the crown be committed toany formal act, with-
out the house having a full opportunity of challenging the
government on that question. He should also ask his
right hon. friend whether it was true that a supplemental
charter had actually, in spite of thatassurance, been signed
by the sovereign, and whether it had been sent to Ireland
to be submitted the day after to-morrow to the Senate of
the Queen's University for its approval. Also, if necessary,
he should feel it his duty to move the adjournment of the
house to enable him to call attention to this extraordinary
proceeding. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Lawson has retired from the field. In an
address loaned at 3 o'clock yesterday he says hie
of mimeo do not warrant him in putting the borough
the annoyance and trouble of a contest.

•
4 THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY
EIMER! A L PARLIAMENT. FINCHLEY-ROAD ESTATE RILL ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.
Mr. OOLDNEY, in the absence of the noble lord the --...
e member for West Kent (Lord Holmesdale), moved the
COCKEILKOUTE.
HOUSE OF LORDS.—MormaY, JULY 9. second reading of this bill, observing that the portion of
24r. Lawson has retired from the field. L
the estate over which it would permit Sir Thos. Maryon
Their lordships met at 5 o'clock, and the house "a iniv, Wilson to pant building lessee was so situated that the address joined at 3 o'clock yesterday he says his pro
mediately crowded. The ladies' gallery was '
Suite full, rights of the public in Hampstead-heath would be in no of success do not warrant him in putting the boron
41.. an.,....... thremomi Inn& before 5 o'clock with raer!l- w., interfered ..ith_ the annoyance and trouble of a contest.