The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-01 00:00:00

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SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Olock.

1-MPEI-itAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(THIS EVENING.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the wool-
sack at five o'clock.
SECOND READING.
The Dursley and Midland Railway Bill was read a
second time.

THIRD READINGS.
The following bills were read a third time :—Glossop
Gas, Monmouth . Railway and Canal, Sheffield Gas,
South Eastern Capital, Bridport Railway, Ratcliffe Gas ;
and Leeds, Bradford, and Halifax Junction.
The Earl .of HARDWICKE moved for returns re-
specting the cost and conveyance of letters and news-
papers to An,stralia.
Lord BERNERS presented several petitions from
Gloucestershire praying for the closing of public-houses
On Sundays.
The Earl of EGLINTON presented a petition from
Scotland against the Maynooth grant.
Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY presented several
petitions against the payment of church .rates.
THE FLOATING BATTERIES.
Earl TALBOT begged now to ask the Minister of
War the question he had given notice of last night, with
respect to the floating batteries, namely,as to who was the
inventor or designer.of these floating batteries, and also
whether any experiment had been made to test their
strength, and also their applicability for the service for
which they were intended ?
Lord PANMURE paid he was unable to inform the
noble earl who the inventor of the plan was. The merit
of the project had, however, been tested, and the Go-
vernment being satisfied with the result had authorised
the adoption of the plan.
The Earl of HARDWICKE said the answer of the
noble lord opposite was most unsatisfactory. The float-
ing batteries were the most unsightly vessels he had
ever seen. He had been to Wool wich that day, and
the opinion he had formed as to their capability was
most unfavourable. The noble earl then proceeded with
a scientific criticism of the project, with a view of show-
ing that the vessels were deficient in that most necessary
quality—the power of flotation—and were consequently
unequal to the functions for, which they were intended.
Earl GREY complained of the conduct pursued by
the noble earl, and condemned the practice of dig-
cussing such questions in that house. The Govern-
ment were wholly responsible for the works they
were undertaking in connection with the war, and he
therefore considered that their movements shoiild
not be hampered by any scientific descriptions and cri-
ticisms of this character
The Earl of DERBY could not think that his
noble and gallant friend deserved the attack that
had been made upon him. The gun-boats were
now constructed and muld be seen by anybody •
therefore he did not think in this case any harm could
come of this discussion. If it was with a view of prevent-
ing the facts reaching the enemy the house might rest
assured that the particulars with respect to the floating
batteries were well known to the Emperor of Russia.
The subject then dropped.
JURISDICTION OF THE STAN
BILL.NRY COURT
AMENDMENT A
On the motion of the Lard CHANCELLOR their
lordships went into committee on this bill.
The clauses were agreed to.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY BILL.
This bill 'with amendments was reported, and was
ordered to be recommitted this day fortnight.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
,The Earl of SANDWICH in presenting a petition
from Huntingdon, praying that the law with respect to
the burial of the dead might be amended, begged to ask
her Majesty's Government whether any inspector bad
been sent down to examine and report upon the state of
the burial grounds and vaults in that county
?
The Duke of ARGYLL said the notice the noble
earl had place:l upon the paper was so indefinite that
there was no member of her Majes•y's Government in
their lordships' house that evening that could answer it.
Under these circumstances ho hoped the noble earl
would repeat this question on another occasion.
'Alter, a few observations ,from the Bishop of
CHICHESTER, the subject dropped.
Lord VIVIAN rose to move for a return of the num-
ber of men and horses sent or to be sent' as reliefs or
reinforcements to the cavalry now in the Crimea ; regi-
ments or squadrons from regiments now in this countr
their
y
to be employed on this service, the of
embarkation, the name of the transports in
which these reinforcements have been, or are to be
sent out, the return also to state whether the sailing
trona the steam-vessels. The noble earl in moving for
the return entered at some length into the state
.and
number of the cavalry now in the Crimea.
Lord HARDINGE in reply to the observations o
in f the
ehe
noble earl said, the number of cavalry at present t
Crimea amounted to upwards of three thousand men.
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) Their lordships might rest
perfectly satisfied that there was at this moment
at home a very efficie.nt force ready to be sent out when-
ever they might be required.
Lord PANMURE said he must object to the return,
as it would be productive of no good results.
After a short converoation, the motien was with-
drawn.
In answer to the Earl of DERBY,
The Marquis of-LANSDOWNE said the explanations
of the proceedings at the Conference at Vienna would
be laid before their lordships at the earliest possible
moment.
Their lordships adjourned at 20 minntes.past six.

44C
250

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING,
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.-
Mr. DEASEY was introduced, and took the oaths
and his seat for the cuunty of Cork.
The following bills were ordered to be considered :
Ashton-under-Lyne Gas and Water, and the Birmingham
Gas.
On the motion for the second reading of the Dublin,
&c., Roads (No. 2) Bill,
Mr. COGAN moved an amendment that it be read a
second time that day six months. •
Mr. MACARTNEY seconded the amendment.
Mr. VANCE supported the bill.
After a short discussion, in which Mr. Vincent Scully,
Lord Naas, Mr. Grogan, Mr. Isaac Butt; Capt. Megan,
and Mr. Keogh took part,
The amendment was negatived without a division,
and the second reading was agreed to.
The New River and Trustees of the River Lea Bill
was then read a second time.
ARMY COMMISSIONS, &c.
On the motion of Mr. LAYARD, returns were
ordered of all commissions 'granted in the army since
the commencement of the war ; stating in each case the
name of the person to whom granted, the regiment, and
reasons for such commission being granted without pur-
chase. Return of officers who have received certificates at
the senior department of the Royal Military College at
Sandhurst, and have not been subsequently employed on
the staff of our army during the last 20 years ; stating
which of the above officers are on full service, and
which are on halt pay. Return of the names of-all
the officers who have been or are now eniployed in
any capaCity on the general staff stf the army in the
Crimea, or on any private staff since the commencement
of the war, stating the dates of their commissions, fny
past services, and any staff employments on which
they may have served before : Return of all prothotions
. in the army, with and without purchase, made since the
commencement of the war ; stating the names, previous
rank, date of promotions, and time and nature of services
in each case, and the regiment from and to which the
promotion took place. •
DESPATCHES FROM LORD RAGLAN.

In reply to Mr. WARNER,
Sir C. WOOD said he had yesterday given nearly
verbatim, the whole of the despatch received yesterday
from Lord Raglan ; but a despatch was received to-day,
which stated that the Ruasiau force between the 13elbek