The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE.

In reply to Mr. W. EWART,
Mr. LAYARD said there was no general custom of audit
of the Foreign Office accounts, because they were very cora-
-1 plicated, and because only a small amount of money, about
.£35,(100, was actually expended by the Foreign Office on
special missions, telegrams, &c. These accounts ought to be
audited every year, but they were not generally so, because
they were always in arrear. The Foreign Office accounts
were last audited in March, 1864. The auditor for the Fo-
reign Office accounts was the permanent Under Secretary of
State, the accounts being made up by the chief clerk,
audited, and then presented to a baron of the Exchequer,
and certified by the chief clerk to be correct. That system
had long been in force in the Foreign Office, but they were
desirous of having them audited by the Audit Office, if any
satisfactory plan could be devised for the purpose.

THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS BY AiINES AND
FACTORIES.

In reply to Lord R. IIoNTAou,
Sir G. GREY said that a commission possassing engi-
neering and chemical knowledge had been appointed to
inquire into certain river basins in the district in which
the principal mining and manufacturing operations were
carried on, with a view to inquire into the best means of
remedying the pollution of such rivers. There was no
objection to lay on the table the names of the commission,
and a copy of their letter of instructions ; but it was im-
possible to say when their report would be made.

PAYMENT OF POLICE DOING DUTY IN PUBLIC
BUILDINGS.

Lord R. MONTAGU asked the Under Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether the police constables on
duty in the Houses of Parliament, palaces, and public
buildings, have been removed from the first to the third
class, and, if so, for what reason; whether constables who
have been in the force for as long as 20 or 30 years are
similarly treated; whether they are prevented from con-
tributing to the extra pension fund ; whether their reduc-
tion from the first to the third class will affect the amount
of the pension which they will receive ; and what class of
certificate those who have been reduced from the first to
the third class will receive for many years' service in the
Government offices and other public buildings.
Mr. G. BARING said that recently there had been an
increase of pay in the police. The constables employed in
the Houses of Parliament, palaces, and other public build-
ings had not had their pay increased, because they received
an allowance of 7s. a week in addition to their pay of one
guinea, so that they were really better paid than any other
constables, except those engaged in special service. Those
at present employed would be allowed to continuo to sub-
scribe to the extra pension fund according to their pay
and allowance, but those appointed after a certain date
would only contribute according to their scale of pay.
Certificates were granted according to the conduct of the
constables, and not according to the rate of pay, and
therefore the certificates would not be affected by the rate
of pay.
MORTALITY ON BOARD COOLIE TRANSPORTS.

Mr. KINNAIRD asked the Secretary of State for the
Colonies whether his attention had been drawn to the
great mortality that had recently occurred among the
coolies, in their transport to Demerara, and especially on
board the ships Clarence and Earl Russell ; and whether
anything could be done to sender the passage less destruc-
tive to life, or so to regulate the emigration as to hinder
persons being embarked who are not in sound health.
Mr. CARD WELL said that his attention had been drawn
to the case of three ships, tho Altha3, the Clarence, and the
Earl Russell, which sailed from Calcutta to British Guiana
between November and January, on board of which consi-
derable and unusual mortality occurred. There was an
examination by the colonial authorities at British Guiana
in the case of each of these ships, and they reported that
there was nothing to find fault with in the ships' provi-
sions, or in the conduct of the masters and surgeons. The
Government attributed all the mortality to the deposit of
matter left by the inundation caused by the cyclone at Cal-
cutta, which did such serious injury to the emigrants to
British Guiana. He believed an incptiry was going on into
that subject at Calcutta. With regard to the general mor-
tality, he was glad to say that it had been of late years
constantly declining, and was now not large.
POOR LAW BOARD CONTINUANCE BILL.

In reply to Mr. HrnnEuT,
Mr. VILLIERS said he hoped to bring in the above bill
qn Thursday.
SEPARATION OF THE PROVINCES OF NEW
ZEALAND.
In reply to Lord R. CECIL,

Mr. CARDWELL said he had not the promised report
of the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of a petition
from Auckland, praying for the separation of the Northern
Province from the other provinces of New Zealand. The
final decision of her Majesty's Governthent on the subject
would not be given until that report was received; but, as
at present advised, they saw no reason to give any en-
couragement to such a proposal.
ROMAN CATHOLIC LOTTERIES.
Mr. NEWDEGATE asked whether the attention of the
Attorney-General had been called to the large circulation
of lottery tickets for the disposal of various articles. He
had received them for the disposal of horses, carriages,
and other things, in aid of Roman Catholic objects.
(Laughter.) They had been circulated through the rail-
way companies, until they refused to allow their servants