The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-12 00:00:00

THIRD READINGS.

The following bills were read a third a time and passed :
—Dundee Churches and Hospital—Charing-cross Railway
—Peebles Roads—Metropolitan Railway—Wrexham
Mold and Coßnah Quay Railway—Londonderry and Lough
Swilly Railway—London and South Western Railway
(additional work)—Carmarthenshire Railway—Tunstall
Railway—Lynn and Sutton Bridge Railway—London and
North Western Railway additional powers)—Corris Rail-
way or Tramroad Midlanc Railway (St. Pancras Branch)
—Weald of Kent Railway—and Midland Railway (Ches..
terfield and Sheffield.)
BELFAST IMPLOVEMENT BILL.

_
The Marquis of CLANEICARDE, in resuming the
adjourned debate upon this gill, went at some length into
the circumstances connected vith the measure, and urged
their lordships not to read the bill a third time before the
petitioners against it had been heard before a committee.
He was unwilling to move the rejection of the bill, and
therefore he preferred moving that the bill be recommitted,
Earl GREY, as chairman of the committee to which the
bill had been referred, said the ratepayers of Belfast had
ample opportunity of appearing before the committee
and giving such evidence as they felt disposed. The
litigation between the promoters and the opposers
of the bill had gone on for over three years, and after the
decision of the arbitrators had teen given it would be un-
wise to disturb the matter. He therefore opposed the

motion.
After a protracted discussion, the bill was read a third
time and passed.
THE BURIAL SERVICE.
Lord EBURY moved an address to her Majesty, pray-
ing for the appointment of a commission to eonsider what
steps should be taken to obviate the evils complained of as
arising from the present compulsory and indiscriminate use
of the burial service of the Church of England. He made
a similar motion last year, when he had cited in favour of
his proposition a petition presented to the Episcopal bench
signed by 4,000 clergymen. In that document the peti-
tioners complained that the almost indiscriminate use of the
burial service imposed a heavy burthen upon the con-
sciences of clergymen, and was the cause of grievous scandal
to many Christian people, That petition was presented 13
years ago, but nothing had since been done. When he made
his motion last year the Archbishop of Canterbury pro-
raised to consult the bishops and clergy, and see whether
any alteration could be made in the law. In the present
session, however, the most reverend prelate had stated that
the bishops and clergy were unwilling to assent to any
change in the law ; while he guarded himself from any ex-
pression of his satisfaction at the exciting state of things.
He understood, however, that the Archbishop was willing
to assent to the appointment of a commission ; and it was
not therefore necessary for him to do more than make his

motion.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY was willing to
consent to the appointment of a commission to inquire into
the best mode of obviating the evils complained of, on the
understanding that they were not to consider any alteration
in the service. He was also willing that the same com-
mission should take into consideration the reconstruction of
the table of lessons.

The Bishop of LONDON thought that it was requisite
that the subject should be dealt with, but suggested that
the house should not agree to an address, but that the
appointment of a commission should be left in the hands
of the Government. He was opposed to an alteration in
the burial service, but thought that the difficulty might
be met as it was in France, by authorising clergymen to
read the burial service under certain circumstances, or
on certain grounds. The clergy generally were indisposed
to any change, but although due respect should no doubt
be paid to their opinion, too much weight should not be
given to it. Upon the whole he would recommend the
Government to take the matter into their own hands, and
appoint a Royal commission.
Earl GR..kNVILLE was not prepared to pledge the
Government to appoint a commission; but he was ready to
communicate with the Archbishop of Canterbury and
Lord Ebury on the subject.
After a few words from Lord REDESDALE,
Lord EBURY expressed his willingness to withdraw
the motion, on the understanding that the Government
would take the subject:into consideration.
After a short conversation the motion was withdrawn.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION
;: (IRE LAND.)

The Marquis of CLA...NRICA.RDE moved for a series of
returns exhibiting the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners of Ireland, from the Ist May, 1861, to the
Ist May, 1864.
PUBLIC AND REFRESHMENT HOUSES BILL.
The report of the committee on this bill was brought up.
. . .

The Earl of DONOUGHMOB,E objected that the till
Tested the power of deciding at what hour public-houses
should be closed in corporate boroughs in the town coun-
cils and not in the magistrates. lie contended that the
latter were the persons who ought to decide, and moved
art amendment vesting the discretion in their hands. He
also objected to the application of the bill to places not in-
corporated, but under the Local Government Act, and
moved the omission of the words which empowered the
governing body under that act, in any place, to fix the
hour for closing public-houses.
Earl GRANVILLE opposed the amendment.
After some conversation the house divided, when there
were—:
Contents
Non-contents
Majority

The amendment was therefore negatived.
The Earl of DONOUGHMORE then moved that the
claufe giving power to fix the hours of closing public-
houses to the town councils of corporate boroughs should
be struck out.

Earl Granville and Lord Stanley of Alderley opposed the
amendment, which was supported by Lord Egerton and
Lord Romney.
Lord BROUGHAM described the working men's dining
room recently opened in the New-cut, and entered into
various particulars with reference to the carte and the
prices of the different dishes; and, amidst much laughter,
recommended their lordships to visit this establishment and
try the dinners.
The Earl of HARROWBY said that if it was right that
a licensed victualler in London should be forbidden to keep
hie house open between one o'clock and four o'clock in the
morning, he did not see why the same principle should not
be applied compulsorily to the country generally.
The house then divided, when there were—
Contents 3l
Nun.contents
As there was thus a tie, the clause stood part of the bill.
The report was then agreed to.
The India Office Bill was read a second time.
The Life Annuities and Life Assurances Bill passed
through committee.
The Summary Procedure (Scotland) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The Lunacy (Scotland) Bill passed through committee.
The Thames Conservancy Bill was read a second time.
The house adjourned at 20 minutes past 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening,
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Ardrossan Harbour—Great Eastern , Railway (Junctions)
—Great Eastern Railway (Metropolitan Station and Rail-
ways)—and Metropolitan Railway (Trinity Square Ex-
tension).

MEETING OF CONVOCATION.
11Ir SHAW LEFEVRE gave notice that on an early
day he would draw attention to the proceedings in Con-
vocation, and ask the law officers of the Crown as to their
legality.
MUTILATION OF MONUMENTS IN IRELAND.
Mr GREGORY asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether he had received information of the mutilation of
ancient monuments at Clonmacnoise, in the King's County,
and, if so, whether the Government would prosecute the
offenders according to the provisions of the act 24 and 2.5
Vie., c.
Sir R. PEEL said he had received no special report on
this subject, but there was no reason to doubt the accounts
which appeared in the newspapers, and instructions had
been given to the law officers to prosecute the offenders.
Tho act alluded to had reference to a totally different sub-
ject. (Laughter.)

THE IRISH CHURCH.
Sir F. HEYGATE asked the hon member for Swansea,
whether he intended to persevere
with his motion on the
Irish Church during the present,v session of Parliament.
Mr DILLWYN said that it
buch a lengthened and important” too late '0 proceed with
this session, and
if he brought it forward it woul(T:lilsixY
opinion of the house, while merely to test the
efEct some practical result. ~..ss object was to
ascertain if the statements on %hied:sire was to
he founded
his views were true or not. Besides it would be
enient for Irish gentlemen to attend ParliamraGetaintetri;
poriod of the session. Under all the circurneentsti
thought it would be advisable not to proceed with circumstances,
ject this session, but he gave notice that on the earliest-
,-iod next session he would submit to the house the
pt. -
same, or a similar motion, on this most important sub.
ject. (Hear, hear.)
Sir F. HEYGATE strongly deprecated this subject
being kept hanging over the house from year to year.
THE TRANSFER OF LAND INLAND BILLS AND
THE CHANCERY (IRELAND) BILL.

In reply to Mr. MONS ELL,
Mr O'IIAGAN said that he would introduce the first of
these bills next week, but that he could not proceed with
the other at so advanced a period of the session. It was
his intention, however, to proceed with it early next ses-
sion.

CAPTAIN EDWARDS' CLAIM.
Sir A. HOOD asked the Secretary of State for India,
whether he had laid upon the table of the house the papers
concerning Captain Edwards' claim (011 db); according

to the address of 22d April; and, if not, what is the
reason of the delay, and when he will lay them upon the

table of the house.

Sir C. WOOD said he could not be respo i! !fe for the
printing of the papers in question within a glv al time.

WATER SUPPLIES•
Mr. FERRAND called the attention of the house to pro•
ceeeings which had been adopted by water x( rks companies
to obtain the sanction of Parliament to their schemes, the
means used to obtain water supplies, the effect upon the

localities irom which they are taken, and to the great

danger to which the lives of the people residing in the vi-
cinity of their store reservoirs are continually exposed ;
a'ad to move for copy of Mr Leathes's report to Mr
Rawlinson after he had inspected the Bradford reservoirs.
Having referred to the catastrophe at Bradford and others
of a similar character, he said this was a subject of the

greatest importance, and one that imperatively de-
mauded legislative interference. He denied that in
the statements he had previously made in reference to

this matter he had, as the Home Secretary asserted,

been guilty of exaggeration. He contended that it was most
disgraceful that companies should be allowed to con-

struct these reservoirs without adequate precaution for the
protection of life and property in their neighbourhood, and
that Parliament had not exercised proper vigilance in

sanctioning such schemes, He described the Bradford
reservoir as a gigantic engineering job, and said that it had
not only failed to supply the inhabitants of the locality
with a sufficiency of spring water, but actually produced a

dearth of that necessary of life in the neighbouring districts.

The diversion of the water from these districts had a most

injurious effect, and engendered malaria by depriving the
valleys of a proper cleansing by the action of the water.
Notwithstanding these facts, boards of health had no autho-

rity to remedy the existing defects, and he thought these
boards should be empowered, on the report of a medical
man, to interfere and enforce the steps for the preservation

of the public health.
Sir G. GREY said it would be quite impossible for the
Government to undertake the responsibility of a general

inspection of the reservoirs throughout the country. Were
they to do so the owners would be relieved from the respon-
sibility which at present rested upon them. If any reser-

voir ;as in such a dangerous state as to excite alarm legal

proceedings might be taken against the owners by indict-
ment. With regard to any future water bills, he thought

the committees to which they were referred should insist

upon the insertion of stringent clauses for the security of

the public.
Mr W. E. FORSTER was of opinion that the Govern-
ment ought to appoint a commission to consider the whole

subject.

THE DANO-GERMAN QUESTION.
Lord PROBY, the Comptroller of the Royal House-
hold, brought up and read her Majesty's reply to the
address of the house in reference to this subject, and

expressed her pleasure that honourable members
were satisfied with the policy of not interfering by arms in
the affairs of Denmark, which she had deemed it advisable

to adopt.
Lord PALMERSTON, in reply to a question by Mr D.
Griffith, as to the meaning of an expression used by his lord-

ship relative to the course which might be adopted in the
event of certain contingencies arising in Denmark, said
that the best answer he could give was that, so far as her
Majesty's Government were informed, they had reason to

believe that there was no intention of attacking Copen.
hagen.

Sir W. JOLLIFFE called the attention of the house to
the memorial of Sir Francis Bond Head to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, presented on the sth of June last,

and moved that, in the opinion of this house, the great but

unrequited services rendered by Sir F. Head, when Go-
vernor of tipper Canada, in the years 1837 and 1838, called
for the favourable consideration of her Majesty's Go-
vernment.

Mr CARDWELL fully admitted the distinguished ser-
vices of Sir F. Head, and stated that his case, in common
with that of other colonial governors who had memorialised
tho Treasury, was under the consideration of the Govern-

ment, and that at an early period next session he proposed
to make a communication to the house on the subject.
Sir J. PAKINGTON trusted that, as Sir F. Head had
saved the province of Canada to the British Crown, his irre-
sistible claims would be recognised by the Governrlient.
Sir F. SMITH observed that generosity and justice alike
required that some satisfactory provision should be made
for Sir F. Head.
Mr ADDERLEY remarked that the losses of the rebrls
in Canada had been made good, whilst Sir F. Head had
for many years been deprived of public employment.
After a few words from Mr. A.NGERSTEIN, the motion
was withdraTn.

The house then resolved itself into conircitlec of supyly.
Sir R. PEEL proposed a vote of £316,769 for the pur-
poses of national education in Ireland. In doing so, he ex-
plained in detail the expenditure of the Board, and stated
that the reports of the inspectors on convent schools would
be published in the course of a few days, and he believed
that they would on the whole be found satisfactory.
After considerable discussion the vote was agreed to.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Mr WALPOLE then moved the vote of £92,127 for the

British Museum, and in doing so he callea the attention of

the committee to two valuable acquisitions made by the
trustees during the past year. The first was a most impor-
tant collection of human and animal remains, weapons, &c.,

discovered in the South of France. This cost .£l,OOO. The
trustees had also purchased a beautiful bronze lamp, found
upon the site of Julian's palace at Paris; and, since the
estimates were brought in, they had secured for the Museum
some fine works of art from Naples, including a statue of
Mercury, an ancient equestrian statue, and other objects of

great interest. He did not wish at the present time to enter 1
upon the question whether the different collections should I
be kept together, or whether they should be divided. He
d,eEired, however, to express his opinion that, whether the
Government removed the natural history collection to South
Kensington or not, the matter ought to be finally deter-
mined by next session ; and if the Government came to the
conclusion that the collections should be kept together, he
would suggest the expediency of purchasing all the houses
in the immediate neighbourhood of the Museum, all of which
belonged to the same landlord.
Mr AYRTON thought that if anything could reconcile
one to the anomalous nature of the present vote, it was the
conciliatory manner in which it was proposed by the right
hon. gentleman opposite. But he considered the vote should
be proposed on the undivided responsibility of Government.
He thought it would be desirable if arrangements were car-
ried out by the trustees for opening the British Museum
from seven 'Jr eight r' _lock in the evening until ten, in
order to 'suit the convenience of the great bulk of the inhabi-
tants. The suggestion of the right hon. gentleman for
purchasing the ground round the British Museum from the
Duke of Bedford was worthy the attention of the Govern-
ment, and he did not think they could no anything better
than to sell the site at Kensington and apply the proceeds
to the purchase of the ground round the Britiish Museum,
(Hear, hear.) Kensington was cut off by a large unbuilt
area from the bulk of the population of the metropolis, and
it was the most inconvenient place that could be found in
the whole metropolis for a museum. He had read all the
charters, and he saw nothing in them to prevent the Govern-
ment from selling the site of Kensington. (Hear, hea::)
Mr LOCKE thought it strange the hon. member should
have made the same speech to-night which lie had made
last year. The hon. member spoke as he was always in
the Tower Hamlets. Ho believed "ale hon. member never
visited Kensington-gardens—'uever rode in H yde-park ;
for if he had gone to those places ho would have found they
were crowded every Sunday, and if theliensingtun Museum
and the British Museum were open on Sunday, they would
be crowded He would not mind the charters, for they
were stiff things to read ; but this he would say, that the
Government were bound by the terms of the trust to de-
vc.e the site at Kensington to purposes of science and art.
Mr WHITE would not go into the question of the ex-
pediency or non-expediency of removing the natural history
collections at the British Museum ; but he thought if the
museum were opened at night it would be of great advan-
tage to the public.
Mr H. LEWIS brought before the committee the hard-
ships of the rule which prevented the attendants at the
museum, whose hours at this season of the year were from
9 till 6, leaving the premises during the whole of that time,
except upon the special permission of the principal librarian,
The hon member referred to numerous letters which he had
received on the subject, but declined to name the writers.
Tho CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
rule adopted at the British Museum was in strict conformity
with that of other establishments. While admitting that
the House of Commons was a court of appeal for all griev-
ances, he could not help asking whether this particular
grievance ought not to have been, in the first instance,
submitted to the governing body of the museum.
Museumw
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After some further conversation, the vote was agreed to.
The Chairman was ordered to report progress, and the
house resumed.

INLAND REVENUE STAMP DUTIES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
lONIAN ISLANDS STATES' ACT OF PARMA-

MENT REPEAL, &c., BILL,
This bill was read a second time.
MILITARY PAY BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
EXPIRING LAWS CONTINUANCE BILL,
This bill was read a second time.
ISLE
OF MAN HARBOURS ACT AMENDMENT