The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-04 00:00:00

RIGHTS OF NEUTRALS.

Mr. CARNEGIE asked whether, in the existing state
of affairs in America, it was contrary to international law
to consign arms, ammunition, or medicines to the ports of
a
Quebec, Nassau, Matamoros,nd Havana; and whether a
vessel containing such articles, and bound to any of those
ports, would be liable to condemnation by a prize court.
The SOLICITOR. GENERAL said he should have
thought, after the recent numerous discussions, that
anybody might have answered that question for him.
self. He had only to say that the four ports men-
tioned were all neutral ports, and no bona fide consign-
ment to any of them would be liable to seizure. At the
same time that was only an abstract question, and the con-
test generally raised was as to the consignment being bona
fide ; but he was not aware that the prize courts of America
had laid down any new doctrine upon that point.
SEIZURE OF GROWING CROPS (IRELAND).
Sir H. BRUCE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether he would introduce this session a bill on the subject
of the seizure of growing crops in Ireland.
Sir R. PEEL said he would move to bring in a bill on
Monday next.
THE BENGAL MILITARY FUND.
Major HAMILTON asked the Secretary of State for
India if, in pursuance of despatch to the Governor-General
of India, dated Dec. 27,
1862 (No. 482), her Majesty's Go-
vernment were prepared to guarantee payment of pensions
to widows and orphans of subscribers to the Bengal Mili-
tary Fund at the rates now paid.
Sir C. WOOD said he had no doubt that payments under
the Widow and Orphan Fund would be secured, but those
were private funds under the management of officers who
were members of the service, and who were responsible for
the management or mismanagement of them.
PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND).
Sir H. BRUCE asked the Secretary to the Treasury
whether their lordships would sanction the Commissioner
of Public Works in Ireland advancing to the town commis-
sioners of Coleraine moneys for the improvement of the
navigation of the Bann, under the provisions of their Act
obtained this session; and whether they would sanction a
free grant of part of the money for the same purpose, it
being for the completion of a great work executed by the
Board of Works in Ireland.
Mr. F. PEEL said the Board of Works in Ireland had
not yet made any application to the Treasury for their sanc-
tion to a loan, and the Government had no authority to
make grants of money for the purpose mentioned.
UNION RELIEF AID ACT CONTINUANCE BILL.
In reply to Mr. TOLLERACRE,
Mr. VILLIERS said he would not object to postponing
the second reading of this bill until after the deputation had
waited upon him on Wednesday next, but the hon. gentle-
man must understand that he was responsible for the delay.
CANADIAN FRONTIER DEFENCES.

Col. ANNESLEY asked the Under-Secretary of State
for War whether the Government hadreceived the report of
the commission sent out last year to in u 7
einto the frontier
defences of Canada; and it so,
whole
whether it was their inten-
tion to carry out at present theor any part of the re-
commendations contained in that report.
The Marquis of HARTINGTON ;aid the p ort had
been received, but it referred to a matter which was
as
much
one ut
eb he
one for the considereion of the Colonial Government a
Home Government, and until some action bad been taken
by the Colonial Government, he was not sure that the Home
Government would feel justified in taking any proceedings.
THE EXHIBITION BUILDING SITE.
Ccl. FRENCH, in the absence of Mr. Gregory, asked the
Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners or
1851 were to be paid the sum of £120,000 for land at Ken-
sington before the Government were in clear possession of
the land.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
£67,000 had been voted by the house to clear off certain ob-
ligations, and the Government had no power to apply any
further sum until after a vote of the house. The proper plan
%%eared to be to pay the money out of the balance of the
1„ of the commissioners for the transfer of the land when
the deeds were completed.
In re ply toAFFAIRS OF JAPAN.
Mr. LAIABICe°IFHILANE)
a the papers upon this subject would