The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-04 00:00:00

her Majesty for her own use and enjoyment, or whether
for the puss of giving it over to some one else.
Mr. CHILDERS could not give any better explanation
than the Chancellor of the Exchequer had given the other
evening. He might remark that the object of the clause
was to place at the disposal of
phoe.rhtlesty en additional
residence to those she already possessed-
The The house then went into committee upon the bill.
Upon clause 3,
Mr. BEACH expressed a hope that in granting sporting
rights over the New Forest the residents in the locality
would have priority.
Mr. CHILDERS could not give any promise on the sub-
jeet, but reminded the hon. member that the Commis-
sioners of Woods and Forests did not deal harshly with
the persons in the neighbourhood of the crown estates.
Upon clause 6,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained in reference to
the alarm which this clause had created among gentlemen
interested in foreshores, that it would make no differ-
ence whatever in the law on that subject, and was really
nothing more than an interpretation clause. He, however,
intended to propose certain alterations in it to remove the
doubts which were entertained as to its effect.
The clause was then amended and agreed to.
On clause 26,
Mr. AYRTON gave notice that at a future stage be
would move the insertion of a proviso to the effect that
her Majesty should not have the power to grant the use of
any of these estates except in conformity with the act of
her accession.
The clause was agreed to, as were also the remaining
clauses.
On the motion of the ArTOBICHT-GENEHAL, a clause
was added to provide that nothing in the act should extend
the powers of the crown over the foreshores so far as the
rights of private parties are concurred.
On the motion that the bill be reported to the how,
Mr. BOUVERIE called attention to the great improve-
ment it would effect. Hitherto there had been a great
controversy between parties with local interests and the
Commissioners of Woods and Forests. The latter thought
they were trustees for the crown, and that they were
given them to make money, and not for the public advan-
tage. The result of this transfer to the Board of Trade
would be that the Board of Trade would administer the
property, not for the purpose of making a revenue for the
crown, but for the benefit of the public.
Mr. CHILDERS said he concurred in what had been said
by the hon. gentleman. Since the act of 1541 the Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests had no alternative but to
manage the estates for the purpose of revenue.
DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
CONVICTS' PROPERTY BILL.
On the motion that the hoes.) go into committee on
this bill,
The ATTORNEY -GENERAL said the object of the
bill was to abolish a law under which the property of
felons was subject to forfeiture. The time had come for
this change. Last year a bill was introduced for the pur-
pose, but it sought to impose duties on the Treasury that
were inconsistent with their other duties, and consequently
it was necessary to recast the bilL The first great object
of the measure was to abolish the old law of forfeiture,
subject to proper regulations ; at the same time it was
proposed to retain forfeiture in cane of public offices and
franchises, and to give power to the courts tocondemn such
persons in costs. The rest of the hill was to regulate the
administration of the property. In drawing this bill the
present law of France had been closely followed. Until
lately in France there was a punishment known as civil
death, which was the consequence of crimes which, in this
country, were visited with death or penal punish-
'neut. That law placed the property of crimi-
nals in the same ',coition as if they were dead.
The bill provided for the management of the property of
convicts sentenced to death or to penal servitude. The
crown would retain the power of restoring to the
owner property acquired by criminal moans, and power
would be given to the governor of any of our foreign pos-
sessions to appoint an administrator to manage the pro-
perty of convicts, and apply it to the use of those depen-
dent on the convict ; and power was given to appoint a
curator to manage the property of the ordinary class of
convicts, but without power of alienation unless specially
authorised.
Mr. BEACH said he thought it was a proper and right
bill, and was only carrying out a principle already recog-
nised, by which they permitted convicts to earn money
while they were in prison.
Alderman SAIAMONS approved of the principle of the
bill, but thought the definition of " convict" should be
amended.
Mr. BARNETT also approved of the bill, but suggested
that the accumulation of the property of convicts during
the time they were undergoing their sentence should be
applied by government towards the expense of their main-
tenance.
Sir C. O'LOGHLEN thought the bill should be extended
to persons convicted of misdemeanour.
The house then went into committee, and on clause 5,

AL76:(3l6Ciiiiimuvea to omit Words so as to mile
the measure apply to misdemeanants in cases where the
prisoner had been sentenced to penal servitude.
Mr. AYRTON concurred in this suggestion.
The ATTORNEY-GENKRAL opposed the motion on
the ground that the measure was one of relief, and that it
ought not to be made an occasion for extending disa-
bilities.
The amendment was therefore rejected.
The bill then passed through committee and the house
resiuned.