The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-31 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

ROUSE OF LORDS—LAsT EVENING.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
IMPERFECT VENTILATION IN MINES.

Lord KINNAIRD said that in moving a bill on this
subject, he would ask permission to depart from the
usual practice in introducing it, by making a few observa-
tions on the first reading. When a bill for the regulation
of mines was introduced into the House of Commons it was
limited to collieries, and no provision was made for the
health of those engaged in the metalliferous mines of the
United Kingdom. A royal commission was appointed in
1862, of which he was chairman, to inquire into this sub-
ject, and that commission had taken great pains in their
inquiry, and had succeeded in obtaining very valuable in-
formation. The inquiry disclosed a most fearful state of
matters in reference to the miners employed in the metal-
liferous mines, whose mortality, it was ascertained, was
very much in excess of those employed in collieries.
That mortality was not attributable to working under
ground, because the men• employed in collieries were a
most healthy class. The cause of the ill-health of
those engaged in working in the metal mines
arose from the fact that there had not been provision
made for the ventilation of these mines, which was ren-
dered imperative in coal mines in order to prevent explo-
sion, an apprehension of which does not exist in regard
to metal mines. Those employed in the latter mines
were subject to bronchitis, and other diseases, which in
most cases proved fatal, and a man of 50 of that class was
considered old. Every assistance had been afforded the
commissioners in prosecuting their inquiry, and it was
admitted by all acquainted with the subject that
legislation in reference to it was indispensably neces-
sary. He was aware that secret legislation would
be attended with some difficulty, and mining interests were
of great importance. He did not consider the adoption of
the principle of local inspection would be attended with
advantage, because the interests of metallurgic mines
necessarily fluctuated, and at present mines were depressed
by the state of affairs in America, so that some suspicion
existed with regard to a local inspector making reports
that might operate injuriously on the interests of persons
possessing property in those mines. He considered that
the Board of Trade should have the power to deal with this
question ; and there was already a collateral agency in exist-
ence that would co-operate—the registry and inspection of
mines. He concluded by moving the first reading of a bill
for the inspection of metalliferous mines, and said he would
defer going into further detail until the second reading of
the bill. The bill was then read a first time.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Athlone and Ennis Junction Bill was read a third
time and passed.
PRIVATE BILLS COSTS BILL.

Lord HOTTGHTON, in laying on the table the report of
the amendments to this bill, made a few remarks explana-
tory of its provisions.
After some observations from the LORD CHANCELLOR
and Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY7
Lord itEDESDALE moved the insertion of a clause
providing for the costs awarded against promoters of bills
being paid into court, but after some discussion the noble
lord withdrew the amendment.

The report was then received and agreed to.
COLONIAL NAVAL DEFENCES (AMENDMENT)

BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
THE PRISONER PELLIZZIONI.

Lord HOUGHTON asked her Majesty's Government
whether, if Serafino Pellizioni, now lying in prison
under respite from her Majesty, was arraigned for
a fresh offence, care would be taken that he should have
all the opportunities and advantages of defence that he
would have if he were at liberty.
Earl GRANVILLE was understood to say that he was
not in a position to give the information required.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that every opportu-
nity would be afforded the prisoner of defending himself.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING.
The SPEAKER. took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed:
—Helston Roads, King's Lynn- Docks and Railway,
London and South Western Railway (Kensington,
&c.), Lynn and Sutton Bridge Railway, Beddgelert Rail-
way, Dorking Water, Furness Railway, Hammersmith
and City Railway, Tyldesley with Shakerley Local Board.
OGMORE VALLEY RAILWAYS (No. 1) BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. GREAVES moved the rejection of the bill on the
ground that it had not passed the standing orders of the
House of Peers.
Mr. VANCE seconded the motion.
After a short discussion the amendment was withdrawn,
and the bill read a second time.
MIDDLESEX INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL.

Sir GEORGE GREY moved that the Standing Order
193 be suspended, and that the Middlesex Schools Bill be
committed to a select committee of ten members, five to be
nominated by the House, and five by the committee of
selection.—Agreed to.

NEW WRITS.

A writ was ordered to issue for the election of a member

for the County Louth in the room of Mr. Bellew, who,
since his election, has accepted the office of one of tho
poor law inspectors in Ireland.
On the motion of Col. TAYLOR, a writ was ordered to
issue for the election of a member for Evesham in the
room of the late Sir H. Willoughby.