The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-10 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES.

POOR RELIEF 111 THE MErROPOLLS.
Thi+ committee met again ou Friday, Mr.
Villiers in the chair. The following members of the com-
mittee were also present:—Lord E. Howard, Colonel Pen.
nant, Mr. Sisley, Alderman Sidney, Lord Stanley, Sir O.
Bowyer, Lord R. Cecil, Mr. Kekewicb, Sir W. Jolliffe,
Mr. M. Manes, and Mr. Ayrton.
Mr. 0. F. Merriman, clerk to guardian+ of North
Surrey School and also to the Wandsworth and Clapham
Union, was examined. He stated there was a book kept
at those houses of the names and religious persuasions
of each inmate, which was kept by the master
or his assistant. This book was laid on the table of
the board ; he thought strangers were not allowed to see the
book ; he was not aware that any application had been made
by any minister of religion to examine that book ; if any
of the ratepayers applied to ascertain the religion of any
inmate he would not give up the book for that purpose,
but would look over the list and give him the desired infor-
mation. There were not any Roman catholic guardians on
his board at present. He heard the evidence of the Rev.
Mr. %phew, who recommended that a register should he
kept at each union school, showing the religion of the chil-
dren, which should be open to the inspection of all duly
authorised clergymen. He thought that • very important
question ; he believed that such a book would lead to
" battles " between the protestants and Roman catholic*.
By Sir G. Bowyer—When• child was sent to the school no
steps were taken to ascertain what its religion was, nor was
the child itself asked any question on the subject. If an
orphan child—say of 10 years, or older—were brought to
the school, the managers would think it their duty to have
the child brought up in the religion of the state„even
though they were aware that the parents of that child were
Roman catholies. _ _

By the Chairman—He thought the guardians would not
object toe creed register being kept at the district schools,
nor to those registers being occasionally corrected.
By Sir G. Bowyer—He thought the guardians would object
to those registers being open to inspection.
By the Chairman—ln the cam of deserted children who
were brought to the district schools they would be entered
as protestant'. He did not think that if a few Roman
catholic teachers were introduced into the district schools
in conjunction with the protestant teachers, they would
work in harmony together. He would consider it his
duty if, my a Chinese child were brought to that school, to
make him a proselyte whenever there was a good uppor
tunity.
Chair' inan—Or any other child?
Witness—Any other child.
By Mr. Bailey—He considered there was nothing unfair
in funds which were contributed by ell classes and creeds in
poor rates and other taxes, in devoting those funds to the
exclusive religious instruction of the national church ; the .
guarding had a duty to perform and did not inquire where
the funds came from. A letter from Rome states that Mgr. Cantimorri,
By Lord E. Howard—He considered there ought to be 'Bishop of Parma, has bees appointed by the Pope, Apo
r
proper provision at the district schools for the religious tolical Delegate Exiaordivary to India, to visit the •
ado.
strection of all the inmates ; but he admitted that in some sins at Bombay, and other countries in the East. MPs
eases quoted by the noble lord, an application made by a Cantimom belongs to the order of tpucine.
priest to see particular children at the Chelsea union was A letter from Cannel says : • The Elector has
reused issued an ordonnance forbidding the commanders of regi-
By Sir G. Bowyer—When a child was brought to a union merits to grant the furloughs usually given in consider Me
no question was asked as to what was the religion of its numbers after spring manceuvres, so that the effective el
puma& • our army now fur exceeds the pence footing. In well-
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TM Rev. Mr. Ackwarth was examined. He said he was informed circles this measure is supposed to be connected
•misisber of the board of North Surrey District School, and with resolutions recently come to at the Wurtzburg cou-
lees an ex-officio guardian for 25 rams of the union. In lemma"
Leiestenhire, where he had resided, the mart perfect • Go' Yrigunri SVCCEBS OF " THORLEY'S GLEANER !"
freedom was allowed to Roman catholic priests to vest the
won—Pre,d
inmates of the workhouse. He did not think a creed "Mawr" of the Srd Jane, were :—Chehweferd BMkel• Amy,
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register would be of nay use, but would lead to frequent
IpswHich. second
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slam ever. 0.14 Lti
= but he would have no objection to each •
being kept if it could be kept correctly ; nor would lacy- tor the As Cup Ascot Sissies will—. aOPredar ve tin the
best all object to that register being accessible to any one .0 of this (Moeda) athersoos, pabSailed at 77. we.gaii,
aa si remonabk hours. I street . price on. peony ; tree by post for et weeks, 10e.—Order
The amaallao adjourned at four o'..dock. Immediately of soy news "gent —tadvertisement. 1