The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-10 00:00:00

PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said since the first
reading of the bill steps had been taken in the House of
Commons to appoint a royal commission to inquire into the
whole subject, and the two questions that now presented
themselves to their lordships was whether they should wait
till the royal commissioners made their report, or whether they
would proceed with the present bill or a more elaborate one.
He believed the report of the Commission would be that the
punishment of death would be retained, and, further, that
there would be a recommendation to strengthen the hands
of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. How-
ever, he would move the second reading of the bill, leaving
it to their lordships to say whether they would go on with
the present measure and amend it in committee.
Earl GRANVILLE said he thought it would be both
anomolous and unusual for one branch of the legislature to
proceed a ith a measure like that now before it whilst the
other was about to engage in any inquiry which would per-
haps be attended with the most important results. Under
such circumstances he hoped the noble earl would with-
draw the present bill.
The Duke of ARGYLL thought that the errors that
had been committed in exorcising the royal prerogative
arose not so much from the administration of the law as
from the state of the law itself. He thought some amend-
moot was absolutely necessary.
After a few words from Lord REDESDALE,
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said after such an
expression of opinion he would withdraw the bill.
COMMON LAW PROCEDURE (1853) AMEND-
MENT ACT (IRELAND),
This bill was read a second time.
kThe Promissory Notes and Bills of Exchange (Ireland)
Bill passed through committee.
The Customs and Inland Revenue Bill also passed
through committee.

The Naval and Victualling Stores Bill was read a third
ime and passed. •
COLONIAL GOVERNORS.

The Earl of HARD WICKS moved for the production of
any correspondence which may have taken plane between
the Colonial •office and the governors of colonies with respect
to retiring allowances.

The motion was agreed to.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. WATKIN took the oaths and his seat on his election
for Stockport, in the room of Mr. Kershaw, deceased.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Garstang and Knot End Railway Bill, and the
Nottingham Gas Bill, were read a third time and passed.
Lord R. CECIL gave notice that on this day month he
would renew his motion on the subject of the manner in
which the private business of the house was conducted.
THE WAR WITH ASHANTEE.
Sir J. HAY asked the Secretary of State for the Colo-
nies whether it was true that war had been commenced
with Ashantoe ; whether precautions had been taken to
meet the drain of life which must ensue in so deadly a cam-
paign ; and whether a largely increasing expenditure may
be looked for in consequence in the Gold Coast Colony.
Mr. CARDWELL said that in the course of last year a
war broke out between the Government of Ashantee and
the tribes in the neighbourhood friendly to us, which was
still going on. Reinforcements had been sent out to our
allies, and every precaution was taken for the health of the
soldiers who had been sent out to the scene of warfare, and
the object which the Government had in view was to pre-
vent a continuance of the hostilities by rigorous measures.
PROVISIONS AT BERMUDA.
Mr CLAY asked the Under Secretary for War whether
any information had been received respecting the excessive
demand for, and consequent high price of, provisions and
accommodation at Bermuda; and, if so, whether her
Majesty's Government intended to mako a colonial allow-
ance for officers on duty in that island
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said that Government
had received a communication from the commanding officer
at Bermuda as to the price of provisions there, and direc-
tions had been given that the officers should have provisions
for themselves and their wives at contract prices, but it was
not considered necessary to make any such allowance as
that alluded to.
CLAIMS OF INDIAN OFFICERS.

Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary of State for India
whether he would lay upon the table his proposed despatch
relative to the claims of Indian officers, reported upon by
the late Commission, previous to the issuing of any warrant
by the Crown bearing on that question, so that the house
might have an opportunity of considering the plan therein
proposed before a final decision should have been come to ?
Sir C. WOOD was understood to say the course sug-
gested was not in conformity with Parliamentary practice.
THE COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.

Rord R. CECIL salted the Vice-President of the Com-
mittee of Council on Education when the " Supplementary
Rules" recently issued by the Committee of Council would
be laid upon the table, and whether he would consent to
defer the operation of those rules until they had been laid
upon the table ?
Mr. BRUCE said that the rules referred io had been
some time in operation. and could not now be deferred.
THE NEW NATIONAL GALLERY,
Mr, C. BENTINCK asked the First Commissioner of

Works whether he intended, upon Thursday next, to move
the estimate for the erection of a new National Gallery at
Burlington House, and whether he would state the terms
upon which the National Gallery in Trafalgar-square was
proposed to be given up to the Royal Academy.
Mr. COWPER said that he did not propose to move the
estimate in question on Thursday. With reference to the
other part of the question of the hon. member he thought
it was necessary to deliberate before coming to a decision.