The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-17 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented by Lord HOTHAM and
Mr. W. PATTEN, and other hon. members, against the
sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath.

RETURNS.
TREASURE TROVE.

On the motion of Sir J. C. JERVOISE, a return was
ordered of all objects coming under .the denomination o
Treasure Trove.

SUGAR.

On the motion of Mr. CRAW FORD, an address was agreed
to for copies of a memorial on the subject of the sugar
duties, addressed by the Chambers of Agriculture and
Commerce of the Mauritius to the Secretary of State for
the Colonies in the month of December, 1862 ; and of the
despatch of the Governor of the Colony forwarding the
same.

NEW WRIT-NORTHERN DIVISION OF LAN.

CASHIRE.

On the motion of Mr. BRAND, a new writ was ordered
to be issued for the northern division of Lancashire, in the
room of the Marquis of Hartingtos, who had accepted the
office of one of the Junior Lords of the Admiralty.
TURKEY—BELGRADE.

Mr. GREGORY gave notice that shortly after Easter
he should move for copies of all communications received
at the Foreign-office in 1862 with respect to the bombard•
ment of Belgrade ; also for certain information with respect
to financial reform in Turkey ; and that be should call at-
tention to the condition cf that country.
EDUCATION.

Mr. WALTER, gave notice that he intended to postpone
his motion on this subject to the first day he could secure
after the Easter recess.

INDIA.,

Capt. JERVIS asked the Secretary of State for India
whether the Government had determined to appoint a ruyal
commission to inquire whether the guarantee given to the
officers of the late East India Company's army by Parlia-
ment, by Act 21 and 22 Vic., c. 105, and 23 and 24 Vic., c.
100, had or had not been departed from ?
Sir C. WOOD replied that her Majesty, on his recom-
mendation, had directed the appointment of a commission,
which would comprise members of both Houses of Parlia-
ment.

Col. SYKES inquired whether the testimony of officers
who offered themselves fer examination would be received
by the commission ?
Sir C. WOOD said that would depend upon the com-

mission.

Mr. FARQUHAR asked if the commission would be
composed of other persons besides members of both houses
,of Parliament ?
Sir C. WOOD replied that he had already intimated that
the commission would " comprise" members of both
houses.
Colonel SYKES desired to ask his hon. and gallant
friend the member for Harwich, whether, after the state
nient of the right hon. baronet the Secretary of State for
India, he intended to proceed with his motion?
Captain JERVIS said as at present he did not quite
understand the exact nature of the commission, he should
proceed with his motion to-morrow night.
FIRES IN THE METROPOLIS.
Mr. PEACOCK asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he would bring in his bill upon
the subject of fires in the metropolis before Easter ?
Sir G. GREY intimated that last year the Fire Insurance
Companies expressed a desire to be relieved of the expense
of maintaining the London Fire Brigade, and he believed
the document in which that determination was conveyed
had been laid on the able of the house. He had been in
communication with the fire offices, and hoped to be able
to make an arrangement with those bodies satisfactory to
them and the public. It was not improbable that he should
be able to introduce a bill on the subject before Easter.
CAST•IRON GUNS.
Mr. KINNAIRD asked the Secretary of State for War,
which of the several plans proposed for rifling the existing
cast-iron service guns had been reported by the Ordnance
Select Committee to be the best : whether the Government
intended to introduce the improvement into the service
without delay; and whether the report of the Ordnance
Select Committee on this subject will be published ?
Sir G. C. LEWIS replied that he would be happy to
produce the reports whenever his hon. friend thought proper
to move for them. At present the Government is not dis-
posed to give effect to the report of the committee. If,
however, it was intended to use such guns, those of the
gentleman reported in favour of would be used.
TOBACCO.
In reply to Mr. CRAWFORD,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
was happy to, be afforded an opportunity of allaying the
apprehension which prevailed in the trade on the sub-
ject of the new rates on tobacco. There was no
intention to apply to tobacco a rule analogous
to that used with respect to wine three years ago. Such a
plan would be utterly impracticable, and the Government
would be as much opposed to it as the trade possibly could
be. The rule he had laid down was to meet special cases,
in order to counteract special processes adopted to produce
an artificial dryness. It was necessary, too, to guard
against the possibility of a contraband trade in the Chan-
t nel Islands.
ENDOWED SCHOOLS (IRISH CHURCH).
In reply to Mr. WALroLE,
Mr. DILLWYN said he purposed deferring his motion
with respect to endowed schools to the end of April or the
beginning of May. That with respect to the Irish Church
he should postpone until the 2d Tuesday after Easter.
LONDON COAL AND WINE CONTINUANCE
DUTIES BILL.
In reply to Mr. Chnwronn,
Mr. COW PER said it would not bo possible fur him to
bring on this bill this evening.
DETECTIVE POLICE IN POLAND.
Mr. lIENNESSY desired to ask the question of the
right hem. baronet the :-.ceretary of State for the Home De-
paituteut, of which he had privately given him notice,
namely, NI bather the two detectives had not sent Sir R.
Mayne a letter not comprised in the papers published, and
whether he had sent a reply ; that letter, he believed,
sought for further leave of absence; also the exact date the
police went to Warsaw, and when the Russian authorities
said they no longer needed their se.vices, and when they
returned home; also the name of the gentleman referred to
in the correspondence but not mentioned.
Sir G. GREY replied that he was not aware of the name
of the gentleman adverted to; indeed he had no know-
ledge of him whatever. The police were not both detec-
tives, as one of them was a superintendent of the A divi-
sion. He believed they left England on the 6th of August,
and returned in the first week in October; but they would
have retained sooner save for the illness of one of them.