The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-26 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

lIOUSE OF COMMONS—THIS DAY.
The SPEIXER took the chair at twelve o'clock.
INNS OF COURT BILL.

Sir G. BOWYER, in moving the second reading of this
bill, explained the present state of the law, and the remedy
he proposed to apply. Benchers of the inns of court exer-
cised a very important jurisdiction of a criminal nature,
could refuse to call a student to the bar after he had kept
all the regulations, and could debar a man even though he
were a Queen's counsel. He thought the benchers were
too numerous a body to deal satisfactorily with such matters,
and it was his object to provide a more satisfactory tribunal.
He proposed, instead of cases being heard by the whole
body, the benchers should have the power to select judicial
committees for the determination of all cases, and to those
committees he proposed to give all the powers of a court
of record. He proposed by the measure to prevent the
exercise of the high penal powers they now possessed ex-
cept at the instance of one of these judicial committees.
He also altered the present mode of hearing cases, and he
(Sir J. Bowyer) thought that the case of the late Mr.
Daniel Whittle Harvey showed most conclusively that
somo alteration was necessary. That case, it would
be recollected, was heard in private ; there might,
however, be cases where such a proceeding might be
necessary, but the bill provided that if both parties concur
the inquiry might be heard in private, but if this arrange-
ment was•not assented to on both sides, then the case was
to be heard in open court. Such an enactment he had em-
bodied in his bill, and, feeling certain that the measure
would be highly effective, he confidently moved its second
reading.
Mr. ROEBUCK seconded the motion, because he consi-
dered the bill a good one, and one that would meet with
public approval.
Mr. LOCKE said no case had been 'made out calling for
the passing of this bill. It was admitted that everything
had gone on right up to the present time, but it was thought
that some day something might occur when somebody
'might be dissatisfied. He considered the object of the bill
was in effect to refer the power at present exercised by the
benchers to a select committee. (Hear, hear.) The third
clause he thought highly objectionable. There had been
no petitions presented in favour of the bill, and the two
hon. members who had spoken in praise of the measure
were the only voices he had ever heard in reference to the
bill. He should therefore move that the bill be read a
second time that day six months.
Mr. NEATE seconded the amendment.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, as far as his per-
sonal feeling was concerned, he was not disposed to offer
any opposition to the bill passing the stage of a second
reading, but he must reserve to himself the right of moving
amendments to it in committee. He thought that some
other day than a Wednesday should be selected for the
next stage of the bill, because many of those who could
give assistance to the hohse were unable to attend. He
did not think the case of Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey was
at all an argument in favour of the introduction of this
bill.

Sir J. BOWYER said he should be quite ready in com-
mittee to assent to the alterations his hon. and learned
friend the Attorney-General might think it desirable to
make.

The amendment was by leave withdrawn, and the bill
was read a second timo and ordered to be committed
to-morrow.

METROPOLITAN TOLL BRIDGES.

Alderman SALOMONS moved the second reading of
this bill, and said it was intended to refer the measure to
a select committee. The bill proposed to give the Metro-
politan Board of Works power to treat for the throwing
open to the public the bridges of Waterloo, Vauxhall, and
Southwark. It was absolutely necessary that something
should be done, because the increased value of property on
the north side of the Thames rendered the task of obtaining
lodgings by the working classes extremely difficult. The
throwing open of these bridges would enable those classes
to seek homes in the southern part of London, and that
something effectual would result from the deliberation of
the committee, because nothing could confer greater faci-
lities and advantages on the working classes than allowing
them free access to the south of the river.
Sir G. GREY said the object sought to be attained by the
bill was very desirable, namely, the throwing open, toll
free, the bridges in the metropolis, but the great question
was who was to pay for such an arrangement ? He should
not object to the second reading of the bill on the under-
standing that the bill be thoroughly investigated in com-
mittee.

Mr. LOCKE said he objected to the measure as it
present stood, because his constituents were selected for
increased tax. He dissented from the bill, as it proposed
not only to levy a tax of a penny per ton on coals, to-
gether with a general rate throughout the metropolis, but
the extra provision that the parishes situated in close
proximity to the bridges should pay an extra rate. There
were other matters in the bill that he very much objected
to, but he should not oppose the bill going to a select
committee.

After a few remarks from Mr. JACKSON, the bill was read
a second time and referred to a select committee.
LOCOMOTIVES ON ROADS BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.

A lengthy discussion ensued, which resulted in Mr.
Holland undertaking to make provisions for the regula-
tion of the locomotives in the metropolis and other large
towns, such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool.
The bill passed through committee with amendments,
and was ordered to be reported.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPLEMENTAL (No. 2)

BILL.
The house then went into committee on this bill,
and the whole of the clauses were agreed to without
amendments.

POLICh SUPERANNUATION BILL.
This bill passed through committee.

LAND DRAINAGE SUPPLEMENTAL BILL.

This bill passed through committee.

The reports on the Mortgage Debentures (Stamps) Bill
and the Land Debentures Bill were brought up and
agreed to.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
THE WATERWORKS BILL.

Mr. 110EBVCK gave notice that, on the second reading
of this bill, he should move that it be referred to a select
•
committee.

EXHIBITION OF REFORMATORY CHILDREN.
Mr. T. MILLER asked the Secretary for the Home De-
partment whether his attention had been called to a pro-
posed exhibition of Reformatory children to be held at the
Agricultural Hall, Islington, on the 25th of May next, and
whether it met with his sanction and approbation ?
Sir G. GREY said his attention had not been directed
to the matter until the hon. member placed his question on
the paper. That morning he received by post a printed
paper, which stated that it was to be an exhibition
of the products of industrial schools ; and it stated
further, that a thousand of these children would attend
and perform pieces of music on successive days. Ho
agreed with what he understood to be the feeling
of the hon. member, that it was highlykinexpedient
that children should be exhibited in the way proposed.
He had addressed a letter to Mr. Turner, one of the in-
spectors, who said that no children from the reformatory
schools would be allowed to attend, and that only the chil-
dren of industrial schools were contemplated by the pro-
moters of the movement.

Mr. MILLER—From the Middlesex Industrial Schools.
Sir G. GREY said they were not reformatory schools
under the control of the Government.

OBSOLETE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.

In reply to Mr. HADFIELD,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he did not think he
should be able to introduce a bill this session.

GREENWICH HOSPITAL.

Mr. CHILDERS moved for leave to bring in a bill to
provide for the better government of the Greenwich Hos-
pital, and the more beneficial application of the revenues
thereof. The hon. gentleman explained for the future
the hospital would be devoted exclusively to the use of
infirm seamen, and to those in want of temporary medi-
cal assistance. The income of the institution was
about £154,000, and the management of that fund
would be distinct from that of the management of
the expenditure. The latter would be placed under the
guardianship of the House of Commons, and a comptroller
would be appointed to arrange the estates which would be
vested in the Board of Admiralty. He estimated that there
would be a surplus of £13,000 a year after the payment of
expenses, pensions, ex., and that stun it was proposed
should be allowed to accumulate.
Mr. LIDDELL and Sir J. HAY gave their general approval
of the scheme.
After some observations from Admiral WALcoTT, leave
was given to bring in the bill.
Mr. E. P. BOUVERIE moved for leave to bring in:,
bill to amend the Union of Benefices Act.
After a short discussion, in which complaint was made
that no application had been given of the specific object of
the bill.
Mr. BOUVERIE gave an explanation which did not
tend to conciliate opponents of his bfll, involving the
taking down a particular church and the mode of disposing
of the site. . _

The motion was ultimately agreed to, and leave was
given to bring in the bill.
Mr. BARING moved for leave to bring in a bill to
amend the
.Salmon Fishery Act of 1861, explaining rea-
sons which rendered necessary an amending act and its
main provisions.

After a few observations by Mr. LYGON leave was given.
Leave was likewise given to introduce a bill for conso-
lidating in one act provisions frequently inserted in acts
relating to metropolitan and other railways.
On the motion of Lord am), the Roads and Bridges
(Scotland) Bill was read a second time.

Mr, 1141iEBY moved the second reeding of the Charit-