The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-02 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUF,E OF LORDS-YESTERDAY.

The Lorin CHANCELLOR took his seat on the wooltack
at five e'el.cek.

THE RIVER SHANNON.

The iilarquis of CLANRICARDE presented a petition
prayi'ag, for an inquiry into the regulations of the river
Shannon.

THE REVISED CODE.

Petitions against the Revised Code were presented by
Lord Portman and the Earl of Hardwicke.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Bradford Corporation Water and Great Northern
Railway (No. 1) bills were read a second time.

The Newry and Armagh Railway Bill was read a third
time and passed.
BLEACHFIELDS ON OMEN AND CHILDREN

EMPLOYMENT) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
MARINE MUTINY BILL
This bill was read a second time.

MUTINY BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
AUSTRALIAN COLONIES GOVERNMENT ACT

AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill passed through committee, and waft reported
without amendment.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time and passed:—
London and South Western Railway (additional powers),
Sou.th Molton Corporation, and Winchester Road.
The West Midland (Merthyr, &c., Lease) Bill was read
a second time.

Several private bills were read a first time.
PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented In favour of a reduction
of the duty on fire insurance; by Colonel French, praying
for an inquiry into the inefficient manner in which the
works of the river Shannon had been executed ty the
commissioners ; from several places against the
Parochial Assessment Mill, in favour of the Consolida-
tion of the Law Statutes ; by .1)1rb 7-Scully, from the
county Cork, praying foi an amendment of the Irish
Poor Law ; by Mr. Bright, 'fttan Efriningltam,
signed by persons connected with the corn trade, praying
the hou'4o to order the collection of agricultural statistics in
England, Scotland, ancl.Wales ; and also from Ashford, in
the county of Kent, for the repeal of the duty on hops.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Mr. B. COCHRANE gave notice that on Tuesday, the
29th inst., he would draw the attention of thehouse to build-
ings erected for the public service during the last 20 years,
and to move for a commission to inquire whether more
economy might not be introduced into the construction of
euch
.buildings in future.

IRISH WORKHOUSE OFFICERS.
Mr. BLAKE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
'whether he intended during the present session to take steps
to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee
of last session on Irish Poor Laws, with reference to grant-
ing superannuation to workhouse officers ?
Sir R. PEEL said that last year the report of the com-
mittee was received, and it was sanctioned by Government
that a bill on the subject should be introduced, but as a
separate bill. He could not, however, say when that bill
would be brought forward.
LUNACY REGULATION BILL.

Mr. PHILIPPS asked the Secretary of State for the
:Home Department when he intended to introduce the
Lunaey Regulation. Bill ; and whether such bill would con
taro any provision for the purpose of facilitating the build-
ing of a lunatic asylum by counties united for that pur-
pose?

Sir G. GREY said that a bill was drawn up on the sub-
ject in accordance with the recommendations of the com-
mittee whiejh sat on the matter. Fie could not say when it
would be, brought forward, as the Government had received
some important communications from the Lunacy Com-
mission which requized consideration.

THE ARMSTRONG GUNS.
Mr. H. BERKELEY asked the Secretary of State for
War whether, adverting to the probability that guns of
much greater calibre must now be placed on our seaboard
forts, and iron-plated ships, Sir William Armstrong was to
have the exclusive manufacture of such guns, or was their
construction to be thrown open to competition ; and, of
wllat calibre was the largest gun corn pleted intended for
practical service as yet made for Government by Sir Wil-
liam Armstrong, and proved without accident to the breech
or bursting ?
Sir G. LEWIS said that the Government had no con-
tract with Sir William Armstrong, but they had with an
iron works company in Essex, which had been appended to
the report of the commission on military organisation. By
reference to that report, it would be seen that if Govern-
ment did not carry out their contract with that company
they would have to forfeit £85,000 for loss of plant. With
regard to the Armstrong guns, there were several under
experiment, including one with a smooth bore, which would
throw 3001b5.; and another with a rifle bore, which would
throw 6001bs. Some of a smaller calibre had been tried,
and found very successful.