The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-10 00:00:00

JULY 10 186,,5.
TEIE StjN, LONDON TUESDAY .EVF,PLING.

THE BEER BILL OF LAST SESSION.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE.

The committee of inquiry into the operation of the
Sunday Beer Act, passed last session, resumed their
proceedings to-day, by adjournment from last Thursday ;
Mr. H. Berkeley in the chair.

The first witness called was the Hon. Mr. Norton.
He stated that he had acted as a police magistrate for
25 years, in which capacity he had had great experience
of the operation of the Beer Act of last session. He
had been called upon to adjudicate upon these eases
which called in question the legal meaning of the word
traveller. Two of these cases were of persons
who had arrived by train from London to
Sydenham, and it became a question whether they were
travellers, or not, within the meaning of the act. They
produced their tickets, and, not being known in the
neighbourhood, he held that they were bond fide tra-
vellers, and discharged the information. In one of
those cases the person charged had walked from Syden-
ham to London, and from thence back to Sydenham,
when within a mile of his own house he became weary,
and called into a public-house, in which instance he (Mr.
Norton) held him to be a traveller. He had never had
much difficulty personally in defining the term traveller,
which by Dr. Johnson was stated to mean a "wayfarer ;"
and the latter word was defined by the same authority
as being a person who had travelled sufficiently far from
his own house to prevent his obtaining refreshment there
within a reasonable period of time. He was of opinion
that a person going from London to Hampstead or from
Hampstead to London was a traveller.
By Mr. Gregson—The term bones fide traveller was
not used in previous acts of Parliament having reference
to public-houses ; merely the word traveller, and there-
upon arose the question of the meaning of the Legisla-
ture.

The Chairman—Do you consider a person travelling
for a distance out of London and returning thence by
train and demanding refreshment in London was a tra-
veller within that meaning ?
Mr. Norton—Most decidedly.

By the Chairman—Do you not consider the discre-
pancies in the decisions of magistrates on this point were
a great grievance to the public ?

Mr. Norton—l do think it is a very great grievance
indeed. I very much doubt whether we should have had
any disturbances like those occurring in Hyde Park had
it not been for the operation of this bill ; and the fact of
its having in the first instance taken the people so com-
pletely by surprise.

By the Chairman—He thought the great mistake in
legislating for Sunday bad been that of confounding the
sober man with the drunken man. Whilst he was an
advocate for Sunday being observed as a day of rest,
yet he thought an opportunity ought to be afforded to
the poorer and industrious classes, whose only day it
was of enjoying some recreation.

By Mr. Villiers—He was an advocate for opening the
grounds of the Crystal Palace on Sunday, but not the
palace itself, because it would involve the employment
of so many persons on Sunday. He thought the ope-
ration of the act of IS4B, which closed public-houses
from 12 o'clock on Saturday night until 1 o'clock and
Sunday only was far more beneficial in its opera-
tions towards the object in view than the last bill. At
the same time, he did not differ from the Government
so much for legislating on Sunday as with the hours
they had fixed upon for the regulation of the sale of
drink. Ho was, therefore, of opinion that the public-
houses shculd be closed between the hours of 3 and 5
on Sunday afternoon, in order to afford the publican an
opportunity of attending divine service.
The CHAIRMAN—Do you not think the present act
tends to excite a very strong feeling on the part of the
people against the upper classes.
Mr. Norton—Most certainly.

The Chairman—Do you not consider that if the public
had been consulted on the subject of this bill before it
was passed that they would have expressed a most de-
cided opposition to it ?

Mr. Norton—l have no doubt the people would have
held up their bands unanimously against it.
Mr. Hardwick, the magistrate at Marlborough-street,
was next examined.

In reply to the Chairman, he stated that he was an
advocate for allowing public-houses to remain open from
one o'clock on Sunday until twelve at night, for the con-
venience of those who went out of doors for fresh air,
and also might when from home require refreshment.
With regard to the definition of the term bona fide tra
yeller, he thought any person who went to such a dis-
tance from home, either for business or amusement, as
reasonably to need refreshment, was entitled to the be-
nefit of that designation.

Sir W. Jolliffe—Your opinion then is that public-
houses might be opened' from one o'clock until twelve
at night on Sundays, without detriment to the public
morals.
Mr. Hardwick—Certainly.

By Mr. Villiers—He did not think that drunkenness
had increased during the last few years in London. On
the contrary, he thought the evil had diminished ; at
all events it had by no means kept pace with the increase
ofthe population. Under the operation of the act of 1848,
he never heard a publican when charged with persons
being found in his house say in defence that they were
travellers. That term had only been made use of since
the new bill came into operation.

By Mr. Scholefield—ln his opinion, the tendency of
the Beer Act was to create feelings unfavourable to the
upper classes on the part of the working classes, in con-
sequence of the facilities at the disposal of the former to
obtain refreshments of all kinds at any hour on Sunday.
By Mr. Gregson—He was very much in favour of
places of public recreation of an instructive or harmless
character being thrown open to the people on Sunday,
inasmuch as he was disposed to think that large num-
bars would be drawn to them from the public-houses.

By Mr. Villiers—He did not think that the opening of
the Crystal Palace on Sunday would shock the religious
feelings of the great mass of the community, though it
might have that effect on certain sections. At all events
a great distinction must be drawn between such harmless
places of resort, and such as were of a similar character
to the theatre.

Mr. Long, of Marylebone Police-office, was next called.
He said he had given the decision upon the first case
which arose under the new act, and had placed a more
extended construction upon the term bona fide traveller
than some of his brother magistrates had since done—
the case to which he referred being that of a
person who went from Holborn to Hampstead,
and obtained refreshment. Ho objected to the
absurdity of the idea of a man engaged on busi-
ness only being held to be a traveller ; for, he thought,
if a person went to church in a morning, and probably
intended to attend divine worship in an afternoon, he
could tot more rationally employ the afternoon than
by enjoying a stroll in the country, at which tune he
(Mr. Long) was of opinion he ought to be permitted to
obtain refreshment.

By Mr. Villiers—ln the absence of other public resorts
of a different character the public house offered great
temptations on Sunday—and he saw no objection what-
ever to the throwing open of places of public recreation,
such as scientific institutions, the parks and the like.
Mr. Scholefield—But at the same time whilst public-
houses offer the temptation you allude to to some people
do you not think that to others, to whom the day is one
of rest and recreation, and who require a public-house
for that purpose, the opening of these houses on Sunday
is a great boon ?

Mr. Long—Yes, I do.
By Mr. Villers—He had no doubt the real cause of
the dissatisfaction felt generally with regard to the
measure was the extension of the time during which
houses were to be closed on Sunday afternoon. Formerly,
under the old act they were closedfrom 3 until 5, during
the hours of• divine service, but the extension of the
time until 6 seemed to be the grievance. Every addi-
tional restriction in this respect tended to produce dis-
content.

Mr. Ffarnn3ill said that generally he agreed with the
views expressed by Mr. Norton. He was favourable to
public-houses being open from one o'clock until twelve
at night on Sunday.
The room was then cleared, and the committee re
mauled in consultation for about three quarters of an
hour.
On the readmission of the public,
Mr. Taylor, Clerk of the Westminster Police Court,
was called and examined. He said that during the past
year drunkenness had diminished ; in fact offences gene-
rally had been fewer than they usually were during
periods similar to the last twelve months, commercially
speaking. Formerly there were many instances of spi-
rituous liquors being sold in unlicensed houses, but not
Po many had transpired of late, owing, probably, to the
difficulty of detection arising from the fact of the police
being prohibited from visiting suspected places in plain
clothes.
The committee adjourned shortly before 4 o'clock un-
til Thursday next.

A RUSSIAN SPY IN THE FRENCH CAMP.—On the
occasion of the truce on the 9th of June, for the bury.
ing of the slain, a Pole, bolding an officer's commission
in the Russian service, whilst in conversation with a
French military officer, was recognised by the latter as
one who had three nights previously visited the French
camp in a British uniform, and been invited by the
French officer to his tent, where he was regaled with a
glass of absynthe, a fact which the Pole did not for a
moment deny, but boasted of it aq a feat of daring.

3"q31,....
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c.)/.1,„› ,

UN OFFICE, Seven, o'Clock.

RE-OPENING OF THE

BOMBARDMENT

OF

was carried, it would injury manufactories over the
whole country, would have the effect of depreciating tbe
value of land in the country, and especially in Cornwtra..
Mr. ADDERLEY then withdrew his amendment.

ViscGunt EBRINGTON defended the present drain
age of London, and trusted 'that no measure would
be brought forward which by its stringency would
have the effect of putting a stop to the drainage as it at
present existed, and thereby :ender matters far worse
than they were at present. The best mode to promote
the health of a neighbourhood was first to purify houses,
next streets, and then rivers.

Mr.
COWAN thought that great latitude ought to be
given on the subject of allowing poisonous matters to
flow into rivers and streams, as it would, no doubt,
greatly impede manufactures and agricultural improve-
ments.

After some further considerable discussion the amend—
ment was withdrawn, and the clause, ns originally pro
posed, was argeed to.
Clauses 25 and 26, relative to penalties against guts
companies and their recovery were subject to much dis-
cussion.

Sir B. HALL, defended the clauses, the amount of
penalties ha.ving been taken from the "model acts" of
Parliament.

Mr. CHIMBE RS said he thought there was a faulty
principle and pram ice connected with their mode of legis-
lation, partaking t oo much of what he called "scissors and
paste." By that s' vstem, whether the acts be good or bad,
some person was se t to work to search out public and private
acts, and to select , such clauses as could be out out and
pasted on paper, i tnd a bill of 150 clauses produced. Ho
roust admit his igsi orance of the "model acts" referred to.
He thought those: clauses, which enforced a penalty of
2001. on a gas core pany for not complying with this act,
and 201. a-day for the continuance of the nuisance com-
plained of, too stri ingent.
Sir. B. HALL said that the " model acts " were
those passed in 1:845 and 1847, relative to gas acts,
water acts, improo .7ement of towns, and the establish-
ment of police fot 'es. The penalties above named were
always introduced into gas compauile acts.
After some reta arks from Lord LOVAINE and Lord
EBRINGTON,

Mr. J. WGR:i :GOR gave notice that on the bring-
ing up the report: he should move that the penalties
should "not exce e d" that amount, giving a discretionary
power to the trible nals before whom the complaints might
be preferred to ay. oid such penalties as they might think
commensurate to I offences committed.

The clauses we r e ultimately agreed to as proposed in
the bill.

Clause 27 was r 6 lso agreed to.
On clause 2S, s% Which relates to the removal of nuisances
arising from man o factures and trades,
Mr. DILLWY moved a proviso, that it should not
extend to the sin( ) thug of metals.

Some consideralble discussion took place on the clause,
the further consideration of which was postponed.
The house then resumed.
BA :RON ROTHSCHILD.

Mr. WALPOI E gave notice that ho should move
that Baron Roths;llhilil be allowed to appear before the
London Writ Coi nunittee either in person or by counsel.
The house then., adjourned.

The house resu flied at six o'clock.
CENSURE: OF THE GOVERNMENT.
Sir E. B. LYITTON gave notice that on Friday, on
the house going into committee on supply, he should
move that, in the opinion of the house, the conduct of
the Government with reference to the recent Vienna
negotiations had 'been such as to shake the confidence
of the:country in the present Ministry.
[LEFT SITTING.]

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM REAR-

AD MIME DUNDAS.

(From this Evening's Gazette.)

Despatches, of 'which the following are copies or ex-
tracts, have been received at this office from Rear-Ad-
miral the Hon. R. S. Dundas, Commander-in• Chief of
her Majesty's ships and vessels on the Baltic Station.
Duke of Wellington, at anchor off Tolboukin
Lighthouse, July 2, 1855.
The Arrogant] arrived here from the neighbourhood
of 131orko on the 28th ultimo, and returns to-day to the
same station. I have directed Captain Yelverton to
extend his examination of the coast as far westward as
Lovisa ; and I beg leave to direct their Lordships'
attention to a report, herewith transmitted, which I
have this day received from Captain Vansittart, of the
Magicienne, through whose activity and zeal, with tho
aid of the Ruby gun-boat, a large number of vessels,
laden with granite blocks, have been successfully de-
stroyed in Werolax Bay.
Her Majesty's ship Magicienne,
Off Nerva Beacon, July 1.
Sir,—l have the honour to report that, in obedience
to orders received from Captain Yelverton, I left the an-
chorage of Biorka on the 28th of June, with her Ma-
jesty's ship Magicienne under my command, and Ruby
gun-boat, in search of a number of vessels said to be
freighted by the Russian Government, to carry blocks of
granite, and in the neighbourhood of the Island of
Lukar.

Having arrived off the Island of Kyskykyla the same
evening, early on the 29th I proceeded in her Majesty's
gun-boat Ruby, and boats of her Majesty's ship Magi.
cienne, under the First Lieutenant H. B. King, to the
very end of the bay, looking well in about the Island of
Lukar, and in boats ascending some little distance up
the River of Kyskykyla, finding only four vessels, which
being both new and empty, I left unhurt.
The following morning, the 30th, I proceeded with
her Majesty's ship Magicienne and Ruby gun-boat, to
the next large Bay of Werolax, where anchoring her
Majesty's ship Magicienne at the entrance, I proceeded
to the very end of bWerolax Bay, a distance of about
nine miles, where I found a large granite quarry with
near two hundred men at work, who at our approach
went off.

Anchoring the Ruby, so as to command the whole
place with the boats, I had the various vessels at anchor,
consisting of thirty large galiots, boarded.
Twenty-nine being laden with granite blocks, I had
them destroyed by fire.

With the exception of three or four rifle shots being
fired upon us, which were quickly returned by rockets
and rifles, we met with no resistance.

The head of Werolax Bay was evidently the rendez-
vous for the granite vessels, as, with the exception of
one, all their sails were unbent, colours and papers se-
cured, and most of their vessels were slung and buoyed,
so as to be ready for scuttling if discovered, which many
had commenced doing on the present occasion.—l have,
&c., (Signed) NICHOLAS VANSITTART,
Captain.
Rear-Admiral the Hon. R. S. Dundas, C. 8.11

Her Majesty's Ship Arrogant,
off Biorka, June 25, 1855.
Sir,---I have the honour to acquaint you with my pro-
ceedings since the 18th instant.
On the 20th I anchored at Rotsinshalm, and took im-
mediate steps for blowing up the fort, which was accom-
plished on the following day.
On the afternoon of the 20th I made a careful recon-
naissance of Kotka, in the Ruby, and discovered at the
back of the island, where I had not been before, large
government buildings, with barracks fit to contain about
5,000 men, stables, storehouses, and hospital, all of
which I destroyed. Tho buildings had evidently been
very recently occupied. I met no troops except a few
Cossacks, who retired on our approach.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) H. R. YELVERTON, Captain.

THE LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING.)

WAR DEPARTMENT, JULY 5.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders for
the appointment of the following officers, of her Majesty's
Land and Naval Forces, to bo ordinary members of the
Military Divisions of the first, second, and third classes of
the Most Honourable Order of the Bath respectively.