The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-17 00:00:00

PRACTICE BILL.

Lord CHELMSFORD moved the second reading of this
bill, the object of which he stated was to introduce into
criminal trials the same practice as regarded the addresses
of counsel which prevailed lin civil suits. When the sub-
ject came before their lordships previously his noble and
learned friend (Lord Wensleydale) proposed an amend-
mont to the effect that the judge should decide re-
specting the course the counsel for a prisoner should take
in case he considered the evidence did not warrant a sum-
ming up, a course which he felt bound to condemn.
Lord CRANWORTH said he considered that, in allow-
ing the prisoners' counsel to have the right of making two
speeches, there would, in many cases, be a great waste of
the public time.
The LORD CrIANCELLOR expressed himself in
favour of the assimilation of the procedure in criminal and
civil cases, and he did not apprehend that, generally
speaking, any inconvenience would arise to the public
from the adoption of that course.
The Bill was then read a second time.
BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY (IRELAND)

ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
The committee on this bill was appointed.
BRITISH KAFFRARIA BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION BILL.

This bill was read a second time.

JOINT BOUNDARY OF TURKEY AND PERSIA.
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE inquired of her
Majesty's Government respecting the joint boundary of
Turkey and Persia, and moved for papers relating to the
construction of the official map of that frontier. He said
that her Majesty's Government had endeavoured, from
time to time, as far as in their power, to prevent hostilities
between the two Powers. In 1857 negotiations were en-
tered into with the view of preventing an effusion of blood,
but difficulties of no common character interposed to pre-
vent the object of the friendly mediation of this country
being carried out. It was then determined between the
Persian and British commissioners to place the mat-
ter on scientific grounds, by the construction of a
map of the boundary in dispute. They had to con-
tend with the difficulties arising from the• making of a
map embracing territory from Mount Ararat to the Persian
Gulf, inhabited by barbarous and nomadic tribes. At
length, the British and Persian Commissioners, acting
under the instructions of their respective Governments,
and attended by engineers appointed by the Ottoman Go-
vernment, commenced their operations, which were sus-
pended by the breaking out of the Crimean war. An attempt
had been made to induce the Russian Government on
scientific grounds to allow the work to proceed, but with-
out success. He understood, however, that a portion of
the map had been finished, and was very satisfactory.
Earl RUSSELL explained that the negotiations com-
menced in 1843 ; that a treaty was prepared for the settle-
ment of the question in 1847, and a commission appointed
to define the boundary, but great difficulty and delay had
arisen. He believed, however, that the negotiations would
be concluded by the end of the present month.
The Earl of HARROWBY brought under notice the
effect of the revised code of regulations of the Committee
of Privy Council for Education, dated the Bth of last
nionth, in reference to the education of children under six
years of age. One of the alterations thus introduced had
given rise to considerable inconvenience, by requiring that
the public grant for these children should depend upon the
report of the inspector as to the general conduct of the
school, and the attendance on the day of examination. The
attendance, however, on any particular day depended upon
the weather and other exceptional circumstances, and he
thought it was unwise and unjust to regulate the grant in
that way.

Earl GRANVILLE said there was no change in the
system with regard to the special point referred to ; the
passage in the revised code which had given rise to the
misapprehension being the result of a clerical error.

A short conversation ensued, and their lordship&
adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
SIGNATURE TO PETITIONS.

A report was brought up from the select committee on
public petitions, stating that there was reason to believe
that a number of the signatures attached to petitions in
favour of the motion of Azeem Jah were forgeries.
Mr. C. FORSTER vindicated himself from the charges
which had been made against him by Mr. Hennessy on
Tuesday evening, of having taken an unusual and partisan
course in bringing the matter specially before the house at
that particular time.

Mr. COX said he had presented petitions on the subject,
believing that all the signatures were genuine. He should
like to know what course members were to take to test
the genuineness of signatures to the petitions they pre-
sented.

Mr. HENNESSY said he had not the slightest inten-
tion of making any personal reflection on' the hon. mem-
ber for Walsall (Mr. Forster) in the observations he ad-
dressed to the house on Tuesday. He was of opinion then
that if the matter was mentioned at the particular moment
it was it would prejudice the debate. He was of that
opinion still, but he hoped the hon. gentleman opposite
would acquit him of any intention of imputing personal
motives to him. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. J. SHELLEY thought that some decisive steps
should be taken in the matter in order to prevent the right
of petitions being tampered with.
Tho report was then ordered to lie on the table.
PETITIONS.

Mr. MUNDY presented a petition in favour of the re-
peal of the malt tax.

Mr. BAZLEY presented a petition in favour of the aboli-
tion of duty on fire insurances.

Mr. Commis presented a petition from Yorkshire in
favour of the repeal of the malt tax.
Colonel SYKES presented petitions from certain Indian
officers praying for a redress of their grievances.
Mr. NEWDEGATE presented a petition in favour of the
:veal of the malt tax.

Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from the Chamber of
Commerce of Sheffield, praying for an amendment in the
law of partnership.

Mr. Alderman SALOMONS presented a petition, priying
for a repeal of the duty on fire insurance.
Mr. LocKE presented a petition from the Board of Works
of St. Olaves, Southwark, in favour of a repeal of the duty
on fire insurance.

Mr. S. FITZGERALD presented a petition in favour of an
amendment of the laws relating to coal mines.

OATHS OR DECLARATIONS.

Mr. COLLINS moved an address that there be added to
the return relative to oaths, addressed for on the 13th
March, a return of each declaration now required to be
taken by any of her Majesty's subjects in the United King-
dom, stating by what classes each such declaration is re-
quired to be taken, and of all declarations that have been
abolished or altered since the Ist January, 1829.
The motion was agreed to.
THE PATENT-OFFICE.
Mr. HODGSON gave notice that. on an early day he
should ask whether the Government would lay on the
table of the house the report of Mr. Hindmarsh with re-
spect to the Patent-office. In tho event of refusal, he
should take an opportunity of bringing the whole subject
under the consideration of the house.
DOCKYARD ARTIFICERS.

Mr. FERRAND asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
why the men in Devonport Dockyard were not paid in
money for the extra hours they worked instead of getting
holiday time in lieu thereof ; and what number of hours'
extra time the men worked last year, and what holidays
they were compelled to take in lieu thereof ?
Lord C. PAGET said the artificers in the dockyard were
paid for overtime in money, but when they asked for a
holiday they had the option of making up for it by work-
ing extra hours on the following day. There were cases
where some of the men were kept for tidal work ; they
were allowed to remain away a corresponding number of
hours next day. As a rale, all extra work was paid for in
money.

ARMSTRONG AND WHITWORTH GUNS.
Mr. H. BAILLIE asked the Under-Secretary of State for
War whether, in the competition which had been carried
on between Armstrong and Whitworth guns, they have
been tested by oblique firing.
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said arrangements for
firing were left to the committee reporting upon the matter.
The experiment to which the hon. member had referred
had not yet been tried, but he believe it was about to be
made by those in charge of the subject.
RECRUITING FOR THE ARMY.
Mr. O'REILLY asked the Under-Secretary of State for
War whether, since the year 1829, any orders or instruc-
tions had been given by the military authorities to officer s
charged with the duty of recruiting, not to take Irish or
Roman Catholic recruits for either the Guards, Artillery,
Cavalry, or any other branch of her Majesty's military
service
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said no such orders
had been issued either from the Horse Guards or the War-
office.