The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-28 00:00:00

INDIA.

In reply to a question from the Earl of ErzErrnortou
Lord WO DE HOUSE said that no official information
had been received from India in reference to the orders
given as respects the disposal of the dead.
Sir Charles Wood had received a private note from
which it appeared that an order had been given, with the
sanction of the Governor-General, to discontinue throwing
dead bodies into the Ganges. Arrangements had been
made to burn the bodies of those whose friends were
too poor to do so themselves. It would be a great sani-
tary improvement. He further said that no resolution had,
been come to to change the seat of Government from Cal-
cutta to the upper provinces.
PUNISHMENT OF RAPE BILL.

On the motion that the bill do pass,
Lord WODHHOUSE moved an amendment to one of the
clauses, the effect of which was to make the punishment of
whipping those found guilty under the act discretionary
with the judge, and not compulsory.
After a short discussion their lordships divided, when
there appeared—
For the amendment

Against it
Majority
The amendment was then agreed to, and the bill plumed.
THE REGIUS PROFESSORSHIP OF GREEK

(OXFORD) BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of this bill.
[Len airrxxo.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Evening.
The SrEAKEIt took tho chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Bedford and Cambridge Railway, Ely, Haddeuham, and
Sutton Railway, Greenwich and South Eastern Docks,
North Cheshire Water, Portmedoo and Beaver Pool Bridge
Road, and the Scarborough Valley Bridge.
ROYAL COMMISSION.
' —•-

Colonel CLIF;0111c the Yeoman Uaher of the Black
Rod, summoned the members to the upper house to hear
the Royal assent given by commission to several bills, for
which see Lords report.
MEDICAL OFFICERS IN INDIA.

In reply to Colonel SYKES,
Sir C. WOOD said that he bad received no circular from
head-quarters addressed to British Army Medical officers
in India, calling for volunteers for the new line corps and
brigades of Royal Artillery, and he was not aware that there
was any such docztnent in existence.
THE STATUE OF RICHARD COEUR DE LION,
In reply to Mr. HAWKEY,
Mr. COWPER stud that the sculptor had sent in his
design for the bas-reliefs for tbo bAso of the statue, and it
was still under consideration.

STANDARD OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Mr. LOCKE asked the President of the Board or Trade
whether any communications have been received by her
Majesty's Government from the Astronomer Royal and
Comptroller General of the Exchequer as to the urgent
necessity for an adjustment and reverifiNition of
the Exchequer standards of weights and measures;
and, it so, the date thereof : Whether any steps have been
taken for °fleeting such adjustment and reveritication ; and
if so, when the same will be completed: Whether any
representations have been made with a view of re-
laxing the law against tradesmen for small de-
viations in their weights and measures until the
standards have been adjusted and reverifled. And,
whether it is the intention of her Majesty's Government to
submit any bill to Parliament this session in reference to
the present state of the law relating to weights and mea-
sures. •
Mr. M:GIBSON said that a communication had been
received on the subject from the Astronomer Royal in 189.
Since then a report had been made by the committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the reverification of the national
standard of weights and measures, and the subject
was under consideration, but up to the present time
no instructions had been issued on the subject. With
regard to the last question, it was not considered advisable
to introduce any bill imposing pains and penalties for
infringement of the existing law.
ROYAL COURT IN JERSEY.
Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH asked the Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether he had any objection to
produce the correspondence between himself and the Lieu-