The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-28 00:00:00

THE COURT

The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the
Princess Royal and the Princess Alice, and attended by
the Hon. Mary Bulteel, Major-General Bouverie, and
Captain Du Plat, visited the Z3ological Gardens in the
Regent's-park on Tuesday morning. Her Majesty and
the Prince, with the Prince of Wales and the Princess
Alice, honoured the Princess's Theatre with their
presence in the evening. In attendance were Lady
Churchill, Lord Waterpark, Major-General Bouverie,
and Captain Du Plat.

APPROACHING ROYAL VISIT.—MS Majesty the King
of the Belgians intends to leave Brussels the week after
next, in order to visit her Majesty and his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert. It is said that his Majesty's sojourn
will not exc?ed six days.

The Queen and his Royal Highness the Prince Consort
have signified their intention to dine with his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge on Friday next, at the
royal duke's residence at St. James's Palace.

REPRESENTATION OF SLIGO.—Mr. Knox, the conservative
candidate, has withdrawn his pretensions for the representa-
tion of Sligo in favour of Mr. Huddlestone, the eminent
barrister, who first became known to the electors from hav-
ing been professionally engaged in connection with the
petitions complaining of former returns for that borough.
DESTRUCTION OF A CHURCH BY Flux.---During the night
of Saturday. the church of St. Paul, Over Tabley, near
Knutsford, was completely destroyed by fire. The fire
was first discovered about twelve o'clock, at which time the
roof of the chancel end had fallen in, and by one the whole
fabric was a mass of flames. Nothing but the bare walls
are now standing. The origin of the fire is supposed to
have been in connexion with the heating apparatus. The
church, which had been open about a twelvemonth, was not
insured.
SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL.—WEEILLY REPORT,
FEB. 27, 1856. —ln patients :—Discharged : cured, 14 ;
relieved, 1; at own request, 2 ; irregular, 0. Dead, 2 ;
entered, 18 ; under treatment, 71. Out patients : cured,
49 ; entered, 45 ; under treatment, 50. Treasurer, James
Houghton, Esq. Visitors, Rev. J. Robberds, and S.
Martin, Esq. Honorary chaplain, Rev. D. T. Barry,
B.A. Physicians and surgeons for the week, Dr. Cameron,
and Mr. Minshull. House surgeons, Mr. Charles Royston
and Mr. R. C. Garland.

LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT.— (Before Mr. Com-
missioner Perry.)—lN RE J. CRIPPIN.—The bankrupt
applied this day for his certificate. He was supported
by Mr. Dodge, and Mr. Evans appeared for the assignees.
His Honour said that there were two circumstances in the
case which called not only for censure but some punishment
at the hands of the court. The first of these was, the
making by the bankrupt of a settlement on his wife at a
time when he knew that his affairs were not in a position to
justify him in doing so, and the second, the fabrication of
two vouchers for the receipts of the Rock-ferry, of which he
was one of the lessees, within a certain time. There was
no proof, it was true, that those vouchers did not represent
the correct amount of the receipts, but nevertheless the
circumstance could not be overlooked. On these grounds,
the certificate should be suspended for twelve months,
without protection for the present, and should be of the
third class.

DISSOLUTIONS OF PARTNERSHIP.—P. Morgan and I
Marsden, Macclesfield, Cheshire, machine makers. J. H.
Blakenay and S. Owen, Huyton, Lancashire, chemists. J.
Lee and W. Lee, Great Bolton, Lancashire, cloggers. J.
Bolton and E. Bolton, Yeadon, Yorkshire, cloth manufac-
turers. B. Smith and Jane Smith, Manchester, licensed
victuallers. John Lund, L. Lund, E. Lund, G. T.
Lund, and Jonathan Lund, Heywood, Laecsshiro, cotton
spinners, so far as regards G. T. Lund. H. Taylor and A.
Webster, Manchester, manufacturers of laces. W. Barton,
E, Barton, and J. ll:Scott, Sheffield, Yorkshire, merchants.
R. M. Bouch and A. Bouch, Liverpool, general warehouse-
man. T. H. Barker and J. Purchon, Leeds, Yorkshire,
auctioneers. J. Kelly and T. W. Waters, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, 'bookbinders. H. S. Butterfield, J. Butterfield, W.
Butterfielu, H. I. Butterfield, and F. Butterfield, Keighley
and Bradford, Yorkshire, and New York and Philadelphia,
United States, worsted manufacturers, so far as regards H.
I. Butterfield and F. Butterfield. M. Stephenson, sen.,
G. Stephenson, T. Stephenson, M. Stephenson, jun., and
E. Stephenson, Ossett, Yorkshire, manufacturers, so far as
regards M. Stephenson, jun.

•••

I IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY
The SYEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock.

PRIVATE BILLS.

The following private bills were read a second time:—'
The Pournemouth Improvement and Pier : Mid-Sent
Direct Railway (Bromley to St. Mary's Cray) ; and Ludo
Diocesan Church Building Society Bills.

PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented against the Borough II
County Police Bill.
Mr. MOWBRAY presented a petition from the corporation
of Purham in favour of the Police Bill.
Mr. O. STANLEY gave notice that to-morrow he would:,
ask the government whether the board of officers appointed,
to inquire into Sir J. 31‘.1•Tei11's report would be an open or
closed court

COUNTY AND BOROUGH POLICE BILL.
Sir J. WALMSLEY asked the Secretary of State for the;
Horto Department, on what day the government scalp
proceed with the Police (Counties and Boroughs) Bill.
Sir G. GREY said, that he intended taking it on Monday
provided the army estimates progressed sufficiently on Fridal
to allow him that day; if not, he would then name a day °>l'
wh;ch he would proceed with it.

CONTRACTORB' DISQUALIFICATION REMOVAL BILL.
Mr. MniiiiELL, on moving the discharge of this order,
dwelt upon the unfairness of excluding members of the
house from the fair field of competition in contract;
offered by the Government. At the same time he found
that there were so many objections to the bill that be begged
to withdraw it, more especially as Mr. Ricardo had gived
.
notice for a committee for a full inquiry in the whole WO'
of contracts.

Mr. T. DuNcomna said that if this bill had beet'
persisted in he ehould have moved that it be read iw
sacond time this day six months. He had now much more
pleasure in seconding the motion for discharging the order.,
So long as the bill was got rid of he was not very
particular about the means by which it was accomplished'
Slaughter.)
Mr. WALPOLE said it was necessary for the house to
keep itself clear not only trom corruption but from the
appearance of corruption. He approved of the eOlllll
adopted in withdrawing the bill, and drew a dietiocue-
between simple contracts entered into with the Governmelt
departments, and contracts thrown open to public cogr

petition.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought Mr. Mitc
• heU
had exercised a sound discretion in withdrawing the
It wag not desirable to make any alteration in the existiq
law relative to contractors, and if the bill had been persieth
in he should have toted against the second reading.
thought the Parliament of 1783 acted wisely in passing t"..:
act which it was now proposed to repeal. That law ig'w
certainly open to two objections : Ist, that the 11
was sometimes inoperative in consequence of evasion ;
2ndly, that sometimes a member entered into a contracio
and forfeited his seat unknowingly. There was some fore!:
in each of these objections. but they would apply to eui.
penal laws; and he did not see that they were importan
enough to warrant any alteration in the law. Clear, bearir
The right hon. gentleman pointed out the manner in whie
loan contractors were not liable to the act of 1783,
,311
expressed an opinion that the decision of the comn3ltter
appointed last session to inquire into the matter was a Or°

red one.
Arer some remarks from Mr. WALrov, Mr.
Mr. HADF.ELD, Mr. Efaxint, and Mr. NEWDEGATE, the
bill was withdrawn.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE QVAL/FICATEON RIM
Mr. COLVILLE, in moving the second reading of this o't
said he wished to extend the qualification of justices Of tp:
peace to persons possessing £3OO a year in personal prorti:
or who were in receipt of pensions to that amount from tow"
government or the East India company. He would all,
enable county court judges to act as magistrates in virtue er
their office. He was aware that persons not possessed o;''.
landed property could by a sort of hocus pocus arranger:oll.4
become 'notices of the peace, namely, by obtaining fr°,7.
some friend a rent charge to the extent of £lOO a year, tu"
amount required by law.
Mr. DEEOES thought the hon. member had failed to giLl
an adequate reason for so important change—that Of 613:e
stituting personal instead of property qualification for IP
magisterial office. At present, it was not necessary that
property of a magistrate should be in the county in which
he acted, but it was clear that a magistrate who had a Pr„7;
perty qualification would be much better acquainted w",
the matters with which he would have to deal than
gentleman having £3OO a year, or a pension, who wen,
down into the country to enjoy himself, and who had 0°
real interest in the county. The bill would greatly increal
the difficulties of lord lieutenants, who were greatly presse
by gentlemen desirous of being placed in the commission 0'
.the peace.
Sir G. GREY thought there were many cases in which
iG
would be advantageous to extend the qualifications of
gistrates. At present it was not necessary that a gentler:o;
should have property in the county for which he acted a! _
magistrate, and lord lieutenants in malting their selection
looked for residents. He did not pledge himself to the
details of the bill, but believing that there should be elia
extension of the qualification, he should not oppose the scale

reading.
give lord
Mr.bEVELYN objected to the bill, which would
lieutenants a power which they might exercise very rrditii:
dicially towards the counties, more especially when a 13'°
tical pressure was put upon them.
Mr. KEIL SEVMER said there were many persons 103(f
had £lOO a year in land whom he should be very sorry t,°,l
see acting as county magistrates. Ile thought the bill
absolutely necessary, for we were a locomotive people, 5'34
it frequently happened that no magistrates were to be fa%
to conduct the petty. sessions. Some persons objected t_
clerical magistrates, but he could assure the house that IP
many districts they were the only persons who could be
found capable of acting.
Mr. BASS approved of the bill, and saw no objectio°l
respectable solicitors being admitted to the commission by
the peace. He would not admit as magistrates persons Were
practised at petty sessions as solicitors, but there A,
many conveyancing solicitors who were eminently qualid;
Mr. RICE said he should support the bill under s°ll3
modifications.
Mr. Hth ADFIELD did not see why solicitors Bho-
ba
excluded from the magistracy ; but he would not Per93o
them to practise in the Courts in which they ado' ly
magistrates. The profession of a solicitor erninerltfia
qualified him for the discharge of judicial dirties °"be
he could see no valid reason why they should
excluded.
Mr. BANBES thought the bill would require much CO1";
sideration in committee. The duties of the magistirtielo,
could not be too often discussed in that house, and ;iv
one who acted in that capacity would be jealous of stlie.
investigation. If attorneys and solicitors were to
of
excluded, it must be done in a manner which would 0
cast any reflection upon that important body. (ue-4r,
hear.)
Mr. T. DIINCOMBH thought solicitors would be emiuenflig
qualified for the magistracy, more particularly in seal%
disputes between masters and men. Whenever work
went before stipendiary magistrates they were
satisfied with the decision, which was not always the e'
with county magistrates. Again, in poaching cases, tbt,
county magistrates decided in their own favour, a tempta-
tion that ought to be removed.
rto
Mr. W. EWART said, that in Scotland there wa9,er
property qualification for the magisterial office, and he ii_ne.or
found that it occasioned any difficulties. He was in fame,
of the admission of solicitors to the discharge of such (NY-to
If such an office as sheriff in Scotland could be extended

England, he believed it would be of great advantage•imuse
Mr. LASLETT thought the only ohject of the -1"; be
should be to obtain efficient county magistrates, anuoo
thought solicitors well qualified, especially those ecl
merely practised in Chancery suits, and who were pesge-„s he
of large fortunes. With regard to clerical ma 2 istrategho
was enabled to say, that in the districts with °fere
he was most intimately acquainted, if clergym2o ;oft
disfranchised, there would be no magistrates at all. ('
hear.)
Mr. MuNTz agreed that when matters were br°l4l

o vi
before stipendilry magistrates their decisions jti
genera-1v satisfactiry, but at the same time he Iva gee
favour of an unpaid magistracy, and he would rather
the county magistracy extended than have recourse
stipendiary magistrates.
The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to
committed on April 16.

ANNUITIES BILL. ria
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the se-,enc'es6
reading of this bill. Ile had no doubt as to the c trree7be,
of the decision of the committee of last session ; lleverti;rlo-
less he could not shut his eyes to the fact that g—vrere
men of great weight and authority in that house ovlf
subject to the present state of the 'law, and it was viae
right that they should be cleared. /I° „ the
unwilling to press the house to any decision °n .elf
principle of the liability of loan contractors prelliruc.To'secl
or without duo consideration. The course he Prnireving
to take was to introduce in committee a clause r,ei'
the subscribers to the existing loan, simply declar'vr; tbio
eou-
they should not be liable to any penalties under the or
tractor's Act. That course could not be held to thr"vif lot
reasonable doubt upon the decision of the committeeZture'
session, while it would provide satisfactorily for mouldpro-
If the house was prepared to take that course he
t
pose the clause in committee.
The bill was then read a second be
time, and ordered °
committed.

CONSOLIDATFD FUND BILL. wag read
The Consolidated Fund (£1,631,005 ls. 5d.) Bill -
a second time.

EXCHEQUER BILLS FUNDING BILL
This bill was read a second time.

COURT OP CHANCERY (IRELAND) EMT,
_04.1;11
On the motion of the SOLICITOR GENERAL for I" 00'
it was agreed that the committee on this bill shalllc)apd
of seventeen members (instead of fifteen as suggeste's:r 1.
that Sir Fitzroy Kelly and the Solicitor General
Bethel]) be added to the committee. the
This being the whole of the business on the par"'
&cue adjourned at ten minutes before two o'clock.