The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-20 00:00:00

SUPPLY.

Mr MASSEY brought up the report of the committee
of supply.
On the vote of £3,000 on account of the Ashantee war
being read, Sir H. IV ILLOUGHBY wished to know
whether the vote of the local expenses of the
Ashantee war was not for money which had been
already expended. He should also like to know
what the intentions of the Government were with respect
to the fature. He thought it was absolutely necessary
that some check should be placed upon colonial governors
in granting public money, and it would be important to
know whether the vote now before the house would cover
the whole of the Local Government expenses already in-
curred.

Mr. F. PEEL said the vote properly belonged to the
Colonial .office, and in the absence of his hon. friend, the
under secretary for that department, he could not give a
positive answer on the subject. He believed that the vote
was to cover expenses already occurred. Governors of
colonies could not, except in important and exceptional
cases, pay advances from the Treasury chest.
The report was then agreed to.
WAYS AND MEANS.

Mr. MASSEY brought up the report, which waif
agreed to.

ARMY AND NAVY EX.PENDITURE.

Sir H. WILLOUGHBY made several objections to the
manner in which the army department was conducted in
reference to our estimates.
Mr CHILDEktS entered into some detail in reference to
the navy expenditure. The estimates had been increased
by two causes; first, by the transport of troops to Canada;
and, secondly, by the New Zaaland war,
Gen. PEEL thought the excess of the estimates was
un avoid able.

The report was agreed to.
PUBLIC WORKS (MANUFACTURING DIS•

TRICTS) ADVANCES BILL.

The report of this bill was agreed to.
IMPROVEMENT OF LAND ACT (1364) BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES BILL.

On the order for going into committee on this bill,
Mr AYRTON thought the bill should be sent to a
select committee. It applied to Chatham, Portsmouth,
Plymouth, Colchester, and other places, and if it referred
to soldiers he should have no objection to it. The bill pro-
vided for informations without oath, and was of a very in-
quisitorial character. He thought that such a bill should
not pass without further evidence and investigation.
He could only characterise the bill as one for the propa-
gation of immorality and vice. He thought it disgraceful
on the part of the authorities of the army and navy to be
obliged to introduce this measure, which was, in effect, one
to make the wants of the army superior to the law of the
land.

Sir M. PETO defended the bill, and said it was one which
would be attended with the best results, and for years he
did not think that Parliament had entertained a subject so
beneficial to the army and navy as the one now before them.
The motion had been considered in the kindest and most
careful manner, the great object being to reform and make
useful those which were a pest to society.
The house then went into committee on the bill, and the
various clauses, with some verbal amendments, were agreed
to. The bill as amended was then reported to the house.
The sitting was shortly after suspended.
The SPEAXER resumed the chair at six o'clock.
EDUCATION.

Lord PALMERSTON said on Monday next he should
move, with reference to the report upon education, that
the resolution of the house, of the 12th of April, be re-
scinded.
In reply to a question from Mr WYLD, _ _

INir I,S:YARD stated that the Government had received
information that Prussian troops had fired upon the Nor-
wegian mail-steamer at Frederickahaven, in Jutland ; but
it was not stated that there were English passengers on
board, or that the vessel was landing passengers. The
explanation of the circumstance was that the Prussian
forces had mistaken the steamer for a Danish vessel engaged
in the landing of troops.

Mr WYLD said there were several British subjects on
board, who were placed in the utmost jeopardy by the
Prussian fire.

A question from Sir J. WALSH elicited from Mr CARD..
WELL that it was intended by the new Government of Canada
to mature a measure for settling the constitution of the
privinces by the application of the Federal principle to
Canada itself, and the introduction into the uuion of the
maritime provinces of the western. territory. When these
measures were matured they would be communicated to
Parliament.

In answer to l‘rr S. FITZGERALD,
The Marquis of HAIMNGTON said that two cow-
panitis of a British regiment had been despatched, from
Hong Kong to Japan, and that the total British forces in
the latter country, irrespective of marines, was now SOO
men. .