The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-16 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS-(THIS DAY.

The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.

Mr. CHEETHAM presented a petition from Bowden
against the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Mr. GIBSON presented a petition from Aylesbury
in favour of the County Rates Expenditure Bill.
Mr. MIALL presented a petition from Rochester
praying for the adoption of an ocean penny postage.
A number of petitions were presented against the ad-
mission of Jews into Parliament, and against the May-
nooth grant.

RYE It LECTION COMMITTEE.
Sir .1. PAKINGTON intimated to the house that two
members of this committee, which had met in pursuance
of the act, reassembled to make further inquiries into
the election at Rye, had absented themselves, and as
the act required that the committee should reassemble
for further inquiry within 14 days, and as the holidays
were coming on, the consequence would be that the com-
mittee would lapse entirely. Under these circumstances
he had to move that three be a quorum of this com-
mittee.

Sir G. GREY thought it would be a hazardous course to
excuse the absence of two members without reasonable
cause. The best mode would have been for the com-
mittee to have reported to the house that two members
were absent, and then it would have rested with the
house whether they would excuse those members or not.
Mr. HUME agreed with the right hon. gentleman
that members ought not be allowed to absent them-
selves.

Sir J. PAKINGTON said that he had the highest
authority for stating that the committee was no longer
an election committee, but merely a select committee.
After a few words from Mr. E. DENNISON and Mr.
BOUVEIIIE,

The SPEAKER said that, having consulted the coun-
sel to the Speaker, he was of opinion that after it had
once made its report the committee ceased to be an elec-
tion committee, but was reduced, in all respects, to a
common select committee. It must, therefore, proceed
according to the ordinary rules. It was evident that it
was the intention of the act that the committee should
consist of the same members, and he thought it
would be very dangerous if the house were to inter-
fere to reduce its number. It appeared to him that
the only mode was to order the attendance in their
places on Friday next.
Sir J. PAKINGTON then withdrew his motion, and
the two absent members were ordered to attend in their
places on Friday next.
COUNTY RATES AND EXPENDITURE BILL.
On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Sir J. PAKINGTON moved as an amendment, that
it be committed on the 13th of April next, with a view,
as he explained, of giving the county magistrates time to
consider it at the quarter sessions, which were shortly
about to be held over all the counties.
Mr. M. GIBSON objected to the amendment, on the
ground that the quarter sessions had had sufficient time
and opportunities to consider the measure.
Mr. EGERTON supported the amendment.
Mr. R. PALMER pointed out that there were many
alterations in the bill since it had last been before the
country, which the county magistracy had had no oppor-
tunity of considering. He did not think that any time
would be lost.

Lord PALMERSTON objected to the postponement,
on the ground that it was neither a new bill, nor were
they now at the last stage of the bill.

(LEFT, SITTINCI.)

ELECTION COMMITTEES-(THIS DAY)

SOUTHAMPTON-DECISION.

The committee assembled this morning, at eleven
o'clock ; Mr. Henry Herbert in the chair.
The Chairman intimated that, after ten days' inquiry,
the committee felt competent to come to a decision upon
the case without further evidence; but they had no
wish to prevent the sitting members being called as wit-
nesses if they desired to be examined.
Mr. E. James said as some personal charges had been
made against them they were desirous of clearing them-
selves from an imputation in reference to their conduct
at the election.

Sir Alexander Cockburn and Mr. Wilcox were then
called, and they both positively denied having been
guilty of any corrupt practices, asserting that their posi-
tive instructions to their agents were that the election
should be contested upon the fairest principles.
The room was then cleared, and on the readmission
of the reporters,

The Chairman said, the committee had unanimously
come to the resolution—that Sir Alexander Cockburn
and Mr. Wilcox were duly elected for the borough and
county of Southampton at the election in July, 1852,
and that they were of opinion that there were strong
grounds for believing that George Warren and Samuel
Mastern, in giving evidence before the committee, had
been guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury, and that the
chairman be directed to move in the house that the Attor-
ney-General be ordered to prosecute those persons for
the said offence.

Mr. Sergeant Kinglake applied for costs on the part
of the sitting members, on the ground that the allega-
tions in the petition were vexatious and frivolous.
The Chairman intimated that the committee enter-
tained a strong opinion against allowing costs.
Mr. Alexander opposed the application.
The room was cleared, and after a few minutes deli-
beration, the committee said they had come to the reso-
lution that there was no reason for giving costs in any
matter arising out of the present case.
The committee then broke up.

MALDON.
Mr. Hawkins this morning proceeded to sum up the
case on behalf of the petitioners.

NEW WINDSOR.
Mr. Power summed up the case for the petitioners,
and the committee then adjourned until to-morrow.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Gladstone
had a dinner party on Monday at the official residence
of the Right Hon. Gentleman in Downing-street. The
guests included Lord Robert Grosvenor' M.P., Lady
Fanny Hope, Lord Courtenay, the Hon. R. Cavendish,
Sir Stephen R. Glynne, and Mr. W. Harcourt, M.P.
In the evening Mrs. Gladstone had a soiree, at which
were present Viscountess Canning, Lord and Lady
Lyttleton, Mr. H. Herbert, M.P., and Mrs. Her-
bert, Sir John and Lady Young, the Right Hon. J.
and Mrs. Stuart Wortley, the Hori. Mr. and Mrs. J.
Percy, the Duke of Argyle, Earl Granville, Colonel
and Mrs. Malcolm, Colonel and Miss Mure, Sir
Edward Dering, M.P., Mr. G. Vernon' M.P., Lord
and Lady Alferd Hervey, Mr. Henry A. Court, M.P.,
Mr. R. Phillimore, M.P., and Mrs. Phillimore, Lord de
Tabley, Sir John Johnstone, M.P., Miss Johnstone,
the Right Hon. E. and Mrs. Cardwell, Mr. Bruce,
M.P., Mrs. and Miss Milnes Gaskell, Mr. and Miss
Brigstock, Mr. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., and Miss
Seymour.
PRESENTATION OF A SNUFF-BOX TO MR. SANDS.—The
present lessee and manager of the Theatre Royal Drury-
lane has more than once evinced his gratitude to various
members of his company in a very substantial manner ;
and we have now to record another instance of his
liberality. A few days ago we noticed the appearance of
Mr. Sands, "the man who walks upon the ceiling."
This gentleman is not only a wonderful performer in his
way, but "a very good fellow" to boot ; and his generous
conduct towards the theatre has induced Mr. Smith, the
manager, to present him with an elegant though slight
testimonial of esteem, in the shape of a chased silver
snuff-box. The presentation took place in the presence
of the company, and both the bestower and the receiver
were warmly applauded during the few brief remarks
they made on the occasion. The box bore the following
truthful inscription :—" Presented to R. Sands, Esq., by
E. T. Smith, lessee of the Theatre Royal Drury-lane, in
token of friendship for his liberal conduct and astonish-
ing performance during the season 1853." The chasing
of the box represents " Mazeppa on the Wild Horse;
and since Mr. Sands is the proprietor of an extensive
equestrian establishment in New York, perhaps no more
appropriate design could have been selected.
THE MAIL SCREW PACKET AUSTRALIAN.—It is im-
possible to describe the chagrin and disappointment of
the passengers at the delay and annoyance, to say nothing
of failing of confidence, from these repeated mishaps.
One gentleman, an American, has come 3,000 miles out
of his way to take passage in an English mail packet,
the fame of which, for comfort and punctuality, had
reached the centre of the Continent of America. His
expressions of disappointment are most lamentable, as
are, in fact, those of the majority of the passengers,
numbers of whom have called at our office to-day re-
questing that their grievances might have publicity, as
they allege their complaints are received by the officials
of the company with an indifference and hauteur which
is very much like adding insult to injury. An electric
message was received at the dockyard yesterday after-
noon, granting permission for the Australian to be taken
into dock for examination and repairs, and for which
purpose she will go up harbour this day. —Plymouth
Mail.

HOLYHEAD HARBOUR.—Another of those melancholy
• accidents which have of late been so frequent at the new
harbour works, Holyhead, has just occurred, by which
two lives have been sacrificed. In consequence of the
damage done during the late gale, an old "tipping " had
been adopted instead of the usual one, which had been
rendered ineffectual. Two loaded waggons and an
engine were proceeding on this line with the usual num-
ber of men; when the stage gave way, and all were
precipitated into the sea. Boats from the harbour were
instantly sent to to their assistance. All but the stoker
were rescued ; of these one breaksman, named Peter
Wynne, was taken up insensible, and died soon after.
The stoker is supposed to have been buried beneath the
staging. A diver was sent in search of the body, and
drags were employed, but they have hitherto employed,
but they have hitherto proved of no avail.
ELOPEMENT.—We regret to hear that the beautiful
and accomplished wife of a wealthy gentleman resident
in this neighbourhood, and well known in sporting
ircles, left her home on Wednesday evening last, in
company with a gallant captain in one of the regiments
stationed here.—P/rnowth. TiOte4.

The following bills were considered and agreed to :
Blackburn Gas, Dudley Gas, Sunderland Gas, and
Whittle Dean Waterworks.
The Staines, Wokingham, and Woking Junction Rail-
way Bill was read a second time.
Mr. ELLIOT presented a petition from Selkirk against
tests imposed upon Scotch professors in universities of
Scotland.