The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-17 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 17, 1863.

In the House of Lords yesterday,
The Earl of DERBY asked when the Government
intended to fulfil their promise of laying on the

table of the House a list of the measures theyiu

tended to produce before Easter, or whether they
intended to produce any measures at all. At pre-
sent their lordships were brought down, night after
night, to do nothing. If the Foreign Secretary
were in his place, he should ask for the Brazilian
papers. He trusted that Mr. Christie had acted
without sanction.

Lord GRANVILLE said it was not unusual to have
little to do in that House so early in the session.

One measure would shortly be introduced—the
Noxious Gases Bill. With regard to the papers

relative to Brazil, he could only say that they would

shortly be produced.
Their lordships adjourned soon after five.
In the House of Commons,
New writs were ordered for Chichester and
Bandon.

Mr. BENTINCK gave notice that he would to-
morrow (this day) ask whether the Government
had any official information relative to the defeat
of the Federal blockading squadron off Charleston
by the Confederates, and, if so, how that event would
affect the legality of the blockade of that port.

In answer to Mr. Smollett,
Sir C. Woos said that negotiations were going
on with the Madras Irrigation Company, but until
_ _

the decision of the Madras Government he could
give no further information.
In answer to Mr. Locke,
Mr. COWPER said that the Queen's Prison had
been given to the Minister for War as a military
prison.
In reply to Mr. Hopwood,
Sir G. GREY said that the Government had not
prepared any bill on the subject of Church-rates.
Mr. LAYARD, in answer to a question from
Colonel Sykes, said that the Government had heard
a report that the Russian diplomatic authorities in
China had entered into arrangements with the Tar-
tar Government, but they pnt no faith in it. He
had no information that French troops were acting
in concert with the Imperial army of China, though
individuals might probably be employed there.
The resolutions of Post-office Savings Banks and
Customs' Acts (Tobacco Duties) were reported.
The Births and Deaths Registration (Ireland)
Bill was read a second time.

The Illegitimate Children (Ireland) Bill, and the
Drainage of Land (Ireland) Bill, passed through
committee.
Mr. CowPEn moved for leave to bring in a bill
for constructing a new thoroughfare between
Blackfriars-bridge and the Mansion .house. The
present means of communication from east to west
were most inadequate, and what was absolutely re-
quired was another distinct thoroughfare from
the centre of commercial activity to Charing-
cross and Westminster-hall. The street had
been considered, in connection with the
northern_ embankment of the Thames. The Royal
Commission which considered the question of em-
banking the
Surrey side had reported strongly in
favour of
anembankment from Westminster to
Vauxhall-bridge. That was, however, too exten-
sive a work to be carried out
at present, but part of
it was urgently needed. The next improvement
necessary was the raising of the valley of Holborn-
hill. After giving further details of the proposed
improvements, prominent among which was the
widening of the Poultry, he added that he proposed
to continue, the coal duties for another ten years—
from 1871 to 1881.
Mr. LOCKE said the idea of the Government was
not a new one, having been suggested by the cor-
poration of the City. He thought the estimates
would prove inaccurate, and objected to the means
proposed for raising the funds.
After some further discussion, Mr. HARVEY
LEwis suggested that the bill should be withdrawn.
Lord PALMERSTON said there was no necessity
for postponing the introduction of the bill. It WAS
true that the improvements were restricted to the
City, but they concerned the whole metro-
polis. If any one
questioned the need of a new
street,
let him take a cab at Charing-cross and drive
to the Bank.
He quite admitted the desirability
of the southern embankment, but they had already
begun the northern one which this street was
wan t-ed to complete, and let them finish one thing at
once. He believed there was no substantial differ-
ence between the engineers' estimates.
Leave was granted.
Mr. WYLD moved for returns of the sums of