The Express.
London, England, 1868-04-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAT, Aram 20.
Is the Holm of Coststoxs, yesterday, on the
order of the day for going into committee of supply,
Mr. Smozzrrr celled attention to the conduct of
the Secretary for India in reference to the Madras
Irrigation Company and the East India Irrigation
and Canal Company. The former company he
said obtained a concession from government which
guarantees them interest at the rate of 5 per cent.
on a million of capital. The capital had been all
expended, and the late Secretary of State had
advanced the company 600,000/. The works had
yielded no profit, and the ultimate lose to the
government he estimated at two millions and a
quarter sterling. The East India Irrigation and
Canal Company had raised their capital without a
guarantee. The Governor-General of
Ferolndiawte a
despatch to the Secretary for ding
that the government should purchase the stock of
the company at par, with 50,0001. bonus. That
was kept secret fur some time, but at length it was
made known, and the stock,which was previously at
25 per cent. discount, immediately rose to par, and
the company, thinking that more might be squeezed
out of the government, declined the offer. He
moved a resolution condemnatory of this policy of
the Indian government.
Sir S. NORTHCOTE justified the course which bad
been taken by his predeoessor in office and by
himself. The Madras irrigation works could not
have been completed if the advance of 600,000/.
bad not been made, and the offer to purchase the
East India irrigation works was made on condi-
tion that the concession to construct works in
Behar should be surrendered, andthis was insisted
upon because the company had not the means of
constructing the works, and the concession pre-
cluded the government from constructing them.
After a few observations from Mr. J. B. SMITH,
who expressed an opinion that irrigation works
should be undertaken by government, and not by
private individuals,
The motion was withdrawn.
Mr. WATKIN moved for a select committee to
inquire into the condition of Ceylon and the
action of its government. He said the planters
and the natives complained that they were taxed
to pay for troops which were kept there, not for
the defence of the island, but for imperial pur-
poses: They also complained of the system of
taxation, and of the abolition of the old law which
provided for a system of irrigation.
Mr. ADDERLEY denied the necessity for a com-
mittee, and said the real complaint was that
Ceylon had been called upon to make her full con-
tribution to the cost of the troops kept there.
Mr. CHILDERS urged on the government, if they
would not grant a select committee, the policy of
sending out a commission to inquire into the state
and government of Ceylon.
The motion was negatived.
The house then went into committee of supply
on the civil service estimates, and several votes in
class 1, comprising public works and buildings,
were agreed to after a discussion extending
over several hours. In the course of the discus-
sion a point of some importance arose as to the
order of proceedings. Mr. Serjeant Gaaelee
moved that the vote be reduced by 15,000/. but
the Chairman ruled that, as there had been an
amendment moved for the reduction of an item,
it was incompetent for any member to reduce the
whole vote, and this decision he supported by re-
ference to tho fourth resolution, regulating the
procedure of committees.
Mr. AYRTON pointed out that this ruling prac-
tically deprived the house of its power over the
estimates, as there might be a vote amounting to
millions, and if an objection had been made to an
item of Si.,hat would preclude the committee
from making any reduction in the total amount.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER on the
other hand, submitted that if Mr. Ayrtun's view
were the right one, it would be possible to take a
vote of the committee on the same subject twice.
Mr. AYRTON intimated that he should move to
alter the resolution.

The Boundary Bill was read a second time.
The Petty Sessions and Lock-up Houses Bill
and the Prisons (Compensation to Officers) Bill
passed through committee.
The Titles and Lend Consolidation (Scotland)
Bill and the Ecclesiastical Buildings and Glebes
(Scotland) Bill were respectively read a second
time. _ _

-----
The house adjourned at half-put 12 o'c'ozic.

THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LEAOL'E.—The four.
teenth annual meeting of this society was held last evening
at the Freemasons' Hall, Sir Joshua Web=ley in thechair.
Mr. Morrell, the secretary, read letters from Mr. John
Crawford, Sir John Horning, Mr. F. Harrison, Dr. Barton,
Dr. Carpenter, and others, apologising fur their absence,
and sending donations to the league fund. The Chairman
expressed his gratification at seeing so large • meeting, as
it Showed him that the principles of the league were
making great p The bigotry and prejudice by
which the league had bees heretofore opposed were ra-
pidly giving way before the progress of liberal opinion
upon religious questions, and he looked forward to the
speedy triumph of the objects for which be and they had
so long worked, the opening of the museums ' and art
galleries to the people on the Sunday afternoons. Mr.
Morrell then read the report, congratulating the mem-
here on the progress made by the league in public
opinion, which had been materially assisted by the
reports of the artisans sent over by the Society of Arts to
the Paris Exhibition last year. In those reports • com-
plete refutation was given to the assertion of the Sabha-
tarian party, that the workmen on the continent are
compelled to work on Sundays, and that the rule was
seven days' work for six days' pay. The groat benefits ex-
perienced by the Paris workmen from the museums and
similar institutions being open to them on the Sunday
bad been clearly shown in those reports. The last season
of the bands in the parks had been very successful, and
with the sanction of the Commissioner of Public Works,
the next season would commence in May. The Sunday
excursions of last summer hnd been a great success, end
would be resumed on the 3rd of next month. The league
had sustained • loss in the death of Mr. Etches, of Derby,
the largest shareholder in the Crystal alsee, and
one of the most strenuous supporters of its
Sunday opening. This gentleman, however, bad
left his 30,00 W. stock) in the palace company
to be devoted in promoting its being opened
on the Sunday. During the year 1,630 persons bad wit.
scribed to the funds of the league. The total income of
the year had been 5811. Os. lid. and the expenditure
:44/., leaving a balance of ft. Os. lA. Mr. James Hey.
wood, F.R.S., moved the adoption of the report, which
was seconded by Mr. Eldridge, and carried. Mr. H. Slack
moved, " That this meeting rejoices to witness on all sides
the progres of liberal sentiments on religious questions,
and believes that the time is not far distant when legis-
lation will no longer be directed to enforce conformity to
the views of any theological stet." Mr. B. Langley seconded
the resolution, which was supported by Mr. N. D. Con-
way, and carried. The committee and officers for the
ensuing year having been elected, a vote of thanks to the
chairman concluded the proceedings.
RAILWAY AND OTHIE BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMINT.
—Yesterday the proceedings of the committees and exa-
miners upon railway and other private bills now pending
in parliament were resumed after the Easter recess. In
the House of Commons, Mr. Palgrare, one of the exami-
ners of standing order proofs, held • court, and trans-
acted the following business. In the nnop ease* of
the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction way and the
Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway (petitions for
additional provisions), the examiner declared that the
standing orders were not to have been complied with. In
the unopposed cases of the Tower Subway Bill (Lords),
_
and the Uibridge and Rickmanaworth Railway Bill
(Lords), it was decided that the standing orders which bad
sot been previously inquired into had been complied with.
In the unopposed cases of the Pee River Company Bill
(Lords) and the Lewes Water Bill (Lords), the examiner
decided that no standing orders which bad not bees pre-
viously inquired into were applicable. The examiner then
proceeded with the consideration of the opposed Electric
Telegraphs Bill, and declared the standing orders to have
been complied with.
GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL, CALEDONIAN-ROAD,
N.—The committee have received the handsome sum of
C. 51 , proceeds of a dramatic fete by the Holloway Volunteer
Fire Brigade. 81,000 shillings are now being raised to
open the new building, with trcbtt the number of free
bids. for the sick poor. Stamps are gratefully received by
BP.E•KPAST.EPPS'S COCOA.—The very agree-
able character of this preparation has rendered it • general
favourite Invigorating end ntstaining. with a refined and
grateful flavour duslopedhy the spedal mode of preparation
applied, this cocoa is seed as their habitual beverage for
hula sat by thoesands who never before used come,
It Is made simply by pouring bolilugacSFr or lank an
the preparation as sold In Unlinedd This Cocoa
was originally introdnced by JAIIII2I Er and Co., the
Homompathic Cheruisty tint tablishcd In this country, with
the view of providing for thosel under treatment an attractive
and perfectly reliable preparation. The increased oomumption
.onsequent on Me adoption by the general public, has In no
curee been allowed to interfere with that, elaborateness to
whit it spay be aski to have owed its Ent success --lAdvL)