The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-13 00:00:00

PUNISHMENT OF RAPE BILL.

The Marquis of WESTMEATH moved the second
reading of this bill. He had been induced to bring forward
the bill in consequence of a case that had occurred at the
last assizes held at Sligo, where the present law had been
found totally inadequate to punish the perpetrators of the
outrage.

Lord RAVENS WORTH did not think the imposition
of the additional punishment of flogging would remedy the
evil of which the noble marquis so justly complained.
Earl GRANVILLE was understood to assent to the
second reading of the bill.

Earl GREY thought something ought to be done to in-
duce the judges to better regulate the discretion with which
they were invested by the law. In some cases the punish-
ment inflicted appeared quite inadequate to the offence com •
mitted.
After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR and
Lord CRANWORTH, the bill was read a second time.

CHARITABLE ASSURANCE ENROLMENT BILL.
This bill passed through committee, and was reported,
with amendments.

THE CASE OF GEORGE HALL.

The Earl of CAItNAILVON moved that an humble ad-
dress be presented to her Maj est y for copies of correspondence
relative to George Hall, convicted of murder at the War-
wick Assizes and respited on the 13th of March. The
noble earl said he did not object to the decision of the Secre-
tary of State itself,but to the mode in which it was arrived at,
In this case the Secretary of State had stated that a par-
ticular thing should not be done, and yet within. a fort-
night, without the slightest intention, the exact thing to
which he had objected was done.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took on himself all the
responsibility of the decision as to the disposal of Townley
after his removal to a lunatic asylum. He has also been
consulted by Sir G. Grey in the case of Hall, and taking
only the legal view of the evidence he had advised the deci-
sion announced in the first communication to the Birming-
ham magistrates. But he, nevertheless, felt glad that Sir
G. Grey subsequently revoked that decision on other than
legal grounds, as there were, no doubt, circumstances
in
the case that in general opinion reduced the murder to
homicide of the degree of manslaughter, and the execution
of the criminal would have shocked the community. Every
allowance should be made for the peculiar position of a
Secretary of State who succeeded to the office with all its
traditions and rules of proceeding that had grown up in a
long series of years. He exercised a power that under the
present system must be considerably affected by personal
disposition. A stern man would probably resist a pressure
to which one of gentler temper would yield. The preroga-
ive of the Crown must of course be maintained unimpaired,
but he wished the Secretary of State could be assisted in
his decisions by some authorised body that could act on
more distinct principles. The whole subject was difficult
and important, and deserved the serious attention of the
Legislature. As to the motion, he would give Lord Car-
narvon every information on the ease, but the communica-
tions to him were almost private letters which it would not
be expedient to publish.
Tho motion was withdrawn, and their lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Blockley and Barnbuty Railway Bill was read a
third time and passed.
NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Colonel TAYLOR, a wit was ordered
to issue for the election of a member for the borough of
Deviza, in room of Mr. Addington, now Lord Sidmouth.
FIRE INSURANCE.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY gi4ve notice that he would

draw the attention of the houso at an early period to what
he considered an injustice in regard to the tax on fire insu-
rance.

THE SUEZ CANAL.

Mr D. GRIFFITH asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether the Sultan had recently ordered the Pacha of Egypt
to discontinue to supply forced labour to the works of the
Suez Canal, and whether her Majesty's Government would
support the Sultan in that determination ?

Lord PALMERSTON explained that forced labour was
not recently resorted to in reference to the construction of
the Suez Canal.

BUSINESS OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY;
Mr. MURRAY asked the Attorney• General whether he
intended to introduce this session an) bill to carry into
effect the improvements in the management of the business
of the Court of Chancery in the Accountant-General's-
office, as recommended by the report of the Chancery Funds
Commission, and in other respects to carry into effect the
other recommendations of the commissioners ?
The ATTORNEY-GE NTERAL said that he could not
promise, on the pert of the Government. that any alteration
would be made in the law relative to this subject during
the present session.