Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-07-06 00:00:00

TUE SERPENTINE

Sir Minto Farquaher asked the First Commissioner of
Works, whether he proposes to carry out the intention of
his predecessor in office, as expressed on the Bth of last
March, by taking .a vote in the estimates for the purification
of tlw Serpentine daring the Autumn of this year.

Mr. Fitzroy said, it was intended to include the vote in
the estimates of the year.

TUC GALWAY CONTRACTS

Mr. Baxter asked the First Lord of the Treasury, if the
attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to
-the contract entered into with the Atlantic Steam Navigation
Company, to carry mails between Galway and the United
States, and whether they consider it advisable, in the interest
of the public, that the contract should, under certain
conditions, be cancelled.:,
Mr. Gladstone said, that•no decision was arrived at in
this matter, which had occupied the earnest attention of the
government. It was thought advisable that the whole series
of. contracts, which. extended over many years,. and 'bad

grown in

o a sys

tion of Parliament, for the purpose of regulating future
proceedings, not with any reference to the present. ' He
should, therefore, on Thursday, move for the appointment
of a select committee to examine into all these contracts,
whether for steam or telegraph considerations, with a view
to _improvement and further arrangement of the entire
tivstelt.

CLERK OP THE COUNCIL IN CAN. DX

Mr. Gregory moved for a select committee to inquire into
the arrangements under which Mr. G. Rylands was induced
to resign the patent -office-of:Clerk of the Council in Canada;
whether that step was taken under a distinct guarantee of
the'Lord High Commissioner (Lord Sydenham).; and, if so,
whether that guarantee had been fully and fairly carried out
by the Imperial Gnvernment. He contended there was a strong
case against the officers of the Crown in Canada, owing to
the manner in which Mr. Rylands had been treated, and the
long injustice to which he had been subjected. It was the
opinion of eminent counsel that a petition of rights could
be maintained against the Crown. The traditions of the
Colonial Office, as acted upon in many instances, were pro-
ductive of 'sovereign injustice. It was, at least, a case for

Inquiry.
Mr. C. Fortescue entered into the circurnqanc

case, showing that the arrangements under which Mr.
Rylands claimed, in vacating one office and accepting
another, were made by the Colonial Government with the.
sole view to the political interests of the colony. He con-
tended that the Canadian Legislature, would have
acted more fairly if it had entered the claim,
but the Imperial Government was, under the circumstances,
absolved from all responsibility. Chief Justice. Carter had
made an award in favour of Mr. Rylands which he had
accepted, but which the Canadian Legishiture 'reduced by
one-half. The other half was paid by the Imperial Govern-
ment. The case after this award rested upon different
grounds, and now the questiOn was re-opened, on the ground
that the award was insufficient. The Imperial Government
had already gone beyond their duty in their generosity
towards Mr. Rylands, and he should consider it equally
unfair to the public, and impolitic, if the matter were re-
considered by the 'Legislature of this country. A committee
for the purpose of obtaining more money for Mr. Rylands
would be ineffectual, and for clearing his character it would
be u.,.,eless, as there was no imputation upon it,
Gia a division the motion was negatived by 235 to 20. '

ItAILWAY Alt B ITRAT

Colonel W. Patten obteiucd leave to introduce
enabling railway companies to settle their differ with
other companies by arbi'mtion.

?OWItII OP IMPRISONMENT,

Cob.,;ion io moving for leaie to bring is a bill linaitin

the power of imprisonment, aml for small debts, exercise
by the County Court Judges, olieerred that this power was
used as punishment, and not as satisfaction off the debt, ii
&
in Superior Courts. This power• required limitation, and
was not contemplated by the Act of Parliament.
Mr. Malin reprobated the use made by many of the
County Court Judges of their powers of imprisonment,
some of them having issued 700 in one year. The mis-
chief arose from the absence of a bar, which could exercise
a sufficient control upon the judge. This power of imprison-
ment ought to be carefully guarded, and only permitted in
grave cases. Eighty day's imprisonment was too long a
term, and ought to be materially abridged.

Mr. Millie Cochrane thought that the bill would be
wholly inadequate to put a stop to the tyranny of the

County Court Judges

Mr. Henley observed, that the condition of debtors im-
prisoned by the courts, was nearly as bad as that of felons.
The effect was, that the debtors had to be maintained bi
the country, and his family by the parish
Mr. Clive said, that tl

roduetion of the bill

government would not oppOse

)e said that, according to a return he held in

adds, the number of committants for non-appear-
-e those for fraud were but 69. Leave
:ven to bring in the bill.

Llnce WE

Mr. Palke mov(

RTFLR CORPS

1 the following resolution

—" That this

House will on Tuesday next, resolve itself into a committee,
to consider upon an humble address to Her Majesty, praying
that she will be graciously pleased to give directions, that

the necessary arms, accoutrements,
furnished to Volunteer Rifle Cores,

and ammunition, be

54, as well as to Artillery Corps
in maritime towns, and to assure Her Majesty that this
House will make good the same." The arrangements for
forming Volunteer Corns were by no means sufficient, and
ought to be further regulated and enlarged.
Captain Jervoise seconded the motion.
Mr. H. Berkeley urged the government to take the matter
in hand, and to furnish the arms and clothing. He trusted
per training grounds would be provided, and care
Id irregular hand-

Act 44, G

111, Ca

taken tnavoid