The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-03 00:00:00

MERTON COLLEGE ESTATE DILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
Mr. HADFIELD presented petitions from a total
abstinence society in favour of the Rcer Act of last

session.

Mr. BROTFIERTON presented a petition from Black-
burn against the Accidents on Railways Bill.

SUPPLY.

Mr. FITZROY brought up the report of the com•
mittee of supply.
Sir F. BARING obj,Tted to the proposition for re-
tired allowances, considering them far too large, and
totally uncalled for. It was true that many officers had
done great service, but he could not see the necessity of
rewarding them so liberally.
Sir D. NORREYS considered the proposition for re-
t;red allowances totally uncalled for, and one which never
ought to receive the sanction of Parliament.

Mr. MACARTNEY deprecated the unjust way in
which retiring allowances were made ; men that had
performed perhaps some of the most important offices of
the State were rewarded by the mere nominal allow.
ance, while others who had done little or nothing for the
good of the country were rewarded Jar beyond their
deserts. These were facts that gave great discontent to
the country, and was calculated to bring any Alinistry
that siipp,rted them into contempt. He was in hopes
that in another session the right boo. halt the member for
Portsmouth would bring forward some specific measure
on this important subject.
Mr. WILSON defended the Treasury minute, believ-
ing that it had not been made without due considera-
tion as to the operation of the Superannuation Act. It
only applied to persons who were incapacitated by age
or ill health for performing their duty. All that had
taken place had been done with the full authority of an
Act of Parliament, with a large consideration for the
public interest. By the payment to the parties of about
£2.000, upwards of £ll,OOO would be saved to the
public.
Mr. F. FRENCH contended that gross injustice had
been dine to many- parties, which ought to be remedied,
The proposition wee then agreed to.
Some other objections were made to the bringing up
of the report, which, after some discussion, were with-
drawn. _ . _

. The report was then agreed to, and the house went
into committee on

THE LUNATICS ASYLUM (IRELAND
ADVANCES) BILL.

On clause 1,
Colonel DUNNE moved an amendment to the effect
that a certified copy of the returns to the governors of
such asylum shall be sent to the grand jury of
each of tee associated counties connected with the
a,,ylutn, and if any difference arose as to the cost of the
erection, enlargement, or construction, &c., of such
buildings to be referred to the Lord-Lieutenant, who
shall appoint a commission unconnt cted with the Board
of Works to examine and report ther eon. lie complained
of questions of this importance being brought forward at
so late a period of the session that it could not be pro-
perly discussed, and when most of the Irish members
bad left.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE%qUER said he
had no objection to the first portion of th e amendment,
but considered the latter uncalled for.

Mr. M'CARTNEY supported the amend naent.
Mr. F. FRENCH hoped the lion, and gal %ant gentle.
man would not press his amendment. He ti'xought the
words, " not connected with the Board of • Works"
tended to cast a slur on that department.
The amendment was withdrawn, but ultimately the
first portion of the amendment was agreed to, a nd the
clause amended.
On clause 6,

Colonel DIiNNE moved another amendment, to the
effect that the commissioners for this act should not ,be
the Commissioners of the Board of Works, but ulti-
mately withdrew it.
The other clauses of the bill were agreed t), and the
bill passed through committee.
[LEFT SITTING.]

ADULTERATION OF FOOD.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE (THIS DAY.)

The committee, which adjourned from Wednesday
until tc-day, at half past 12 o'clock, bad not formed a
T 10712116 when our report was despatched. Mr. Schole-
field, the chairman, was, however, present.
The witnesses in attendance were Dr. Leithby, of
the London Hospital, who brought with bim a large
number of specimens of adulteration in drugs, confec-
tionery, &c. ; and Mr. J. Postgate, M.R.C.S., of Bir-
mingham, whose examination is not yet concluded.

RUSSIA AND TUE WESTERN POWERS.

The following is the Times Paris correspondent's
letter, dated yesterday, 6 p.m.:—
" The fact I announced yesterday of the departure
of General Letang for Vienna is confirmed. He
leaves Paris this evening. The reason I assigned
For this journey is also confirmed ; it is in conse-
quence of a communication received from the Em-
peror of Austria addressed to the Emperor of the French,
and following close on the letter which was addressed by
the Empress Dowager of Russia to the Archduchess
Sophia. It is of course difficult to ascertain the contents
of a private communication addressed by one Emperor to
another, hut there are certain indications which lead one
to suppose that they refer to propositions contained in
the letter to the Archduchess. It is believed that the
terms of the letter of the Empress Dowager are more sig-
nificant and more important than I supposed ; and
though I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the statement
that Russia now expresses her willingness to accept the
propositions of the Western Powers, as interpreted
by them on the limitation question, it is, nevertheless,
extremely probable, from all I learn, that she appears
to be much more reasonable than hitherto. We have
had, however, sufficient proof of the bad faith of that
Power, as well as of the timidity and not over-honourable
conduct of Austria, not to be extremely cautious of
opening any new negotiations.

SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLE.—The remainder of
the submarine telegraph cable required to complete the
communication to Algiers, via Corsica and Sardinia, has
just been shipped from the manufactory at Greenwich.
It is 162 miles in length, containing six conducting
wires, and weighing 1,250 tons. It will be laid from
the southernmost point of Sardinia to the coast of Africa,
near Algiers, and is regarded by the parties connected
with the undertaking as the commencement of a line to
India and Australia, via Malta.
COMMODORE HENDERSON.—We hear from Port Royal
that Commodore Henderson, the second in command of
the 'West India station, has sent to the Admiralty his
resignation in consequence of continuous ill-health.
Lord John Russell has been detained in London by
parliamentary business, and is not likely to arrive at
Edinburgh before Saturday. His lordship intends to
reside for some time in a hon3e he has procured for the
season on the banks of the Turnrnel, in Perthshire.
The Emperor and Empre-s will, it is said, take up
their residence at the Chateau of Villeneuve-l'Etang,
while awaiting the arrival of t'ae Queen of England.
A letter from Berlin states that the Ministers of
France and England, the Marquis de Moustier and Lord
Bloomfield have obtained leave of absence from their re-
spective Governments, and are about to quit that city.
A letter from Constantinople states that Omer Puha
is 00 the best terms with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,
and that he has more than once breakfasted with him
during his recent stay at Constantinople.
The Earl of Yarborough, we are happy to learn, is so
far recovered from his recent attack of paralysis as to be
able to take carriage airings.
The litclependance Beige states that the English Go.
vernment has Fent, through our Minister at Brussels,
the sum of 25,600 f. towards the restoration of some
funeral monuments in the church of Waterloo.
WOOLWICH ARSENAL.—The charge of Woolwich
Arsenal, hitherto undertaken by portions of the various
t.oops in garri,on, has been handed over to the police
I force, in consequence of the increasing reduction in the
i Wintery departments there.