The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-15 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented in favour of an altera-
tion in the poor law in Ireland, and for the adoption in
that country of the system of out-door relief ; from Fins-
bury against the present licensing system, against the
Revised Code, for an alteration in regard to the law relat-
ing to fire insurances, &c.

HOLYHEAD AND KINGSTOWN MAILS.
Mr. STANLEY moved for a return of the names of the
steam vessels actually employed in carrying the mails be-
tween Holyhead and Kingstown since the commencement
of the present contract, with the number of trips made by
each vessel, and the average length of passage from
pier to pier made by each going and returning ; also the
time employed in establishing communication by gang-
way between the ship and the shore, and landing the
mails : and, statement of the time occupied by each vessel
in making the longest and shortest passage each month
during the same period.—Ordered.

GRAVING DOCKS.
On the motion of Mr. LAIRD certain returns in a tabular
form relating to the graving docks were ordered.

MALT.

On the motion of Sir F. KELLY, different returns in
connection with the subject of malt, domestic and foreign,

ere ordered.

MAYNOOTH.

Mr, WHALLEY gave notice that be would postpone his
motion for an inquiry into the constitution of Maynooth
until an investigation that was pending had taken place.

IRISH CONSTABULARY.

Colonel DICKSON asked the Chief Secretary for Ire-
land whether the attention of the Government had Leen
drawn to a representation by the county of Limerick grand
jury to the judge of assize at the late spring assizes, with
reference to the employment and organisation of the police.
Sir R. PEEL said that the attention of the Government
had been called to the subject, and the foreman of the grand
jury in question had stated that the police force in Ireland
was of too military a character. That force had always
been under the control of a military officer, and he consi-
dered that a force amounting to 12,600 should be
under such control. There was nothing now of a
military character introduced into the organisation of that
force. He said there were other representations made by
the grand jury of the county of Limerick on the matter,
but the Government did not consider that they contained
anything to call for the interference of Government.
SPECIE PAYMENTS ON IMPORTS TO THE

UNITED STATES.
Mr. POTTER asked the President of the Board of
Trade whether his attention had been called to the practi-
cal increase of duties on imports into the United States
consequent upon such duties being payable only in specie,
the premium on such specie being likely to be excessive
owing to the gradually increasing depreciation of American
paper currency.

Mr. M. GIBSON said he was not aware of any such
regulation as that alluded to having been adopted.

ALLEGED DESECRATION OF CATHOLIC
CHURCHES IN SICILY.

Sir G. BOWYER asked a question of the First Lord of
the Treasury, regarding certain events which had recently
taken place in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He said
that he was informed that the church in which the corpse
of the Bishop of Amalfi was placed had been broken into by
the revolutionary troops, and the body of the prelate free
quently stabbed. He understood also that certain other
outrages were contemplated by the same revolutionary body.
Lord PALMERSTON said he could only state that her
Majesty's Government had received no information of any
Bort or kind in reference to the event to which the hon.
baronet alluded as being contemplated or having taken
laca• Re entertained some doubt as to the accuracy of
tt°l4fortnation of the hon. baronet as to the events which
hadkeu
cautitao place, and would advise him to receive with
I pe,:isnlap communication as to attempts to be made
Ital 8 Who were under the authority of the King of
y'Rt(llear, and laughter.)
OZTIN TIIE
Sir J. ELP° INDIAN NAVY.
for India of certain r ONE asked the Secretary of State
reductions having been made in the
strength of the force
of
of Parliament, and vhatth Indian navy since last session
as to the future prospect Were the intentions of Government
a and positien of the officers of that
service ?

Sir C. *W OOD
intent said t
was impossible at present to state
what were the ons of the government on the sub-
ject.

IRISH BILLS.
Mr. FOLLARD-URQUHAItT eked
thz Chief Secre-
tary for Ireland, on what day he intendedto
Co into com-
mittee on the poor relief (Ireland) bill ;
he intended to move the second reading of also,
what day
of births and deaths (Ireland) bil'. inistration
Sir R. PEEL said he could not exactly state
on
question
dt.y he would be able to go into the committee in citi
or when ho could move the second reading of the second
bill alluded to. On Thursday next he hoped to make pro-
gress with the Markets and Fairs (Ireland) Bill.
REDUCTION OF THE INDIAN CAVALRY.
Sir M. FARQUHAR asked the Secretary of State for
India, in consequence of his having authorised the Govern-
ment of India to reduce the youngest of the regiments of
cavalry lately formed in Bengal, what would be, in the
event of such authority being acted upon, the position of
the officers and men ?
After some remarks from Mr. Adams, Col. Sykes, and
...
Vansittart,
inflicted the
that though some hardship might be
Sir
C.
W b
OOeDirhe B
the altered
it action referred to, it was unavoidable in
consequence of
CESSION op state of affairs in India.
Mr. GRIFFIT rrEAL
whether IAN TERRITORY TO FRANCE
asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs
wvourto the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs would ende ascertain that there whs no in-