The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-25 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Agra and Masterman's Bank Bill was advanced a
stage.

The Glasgow City and Suburban Gas Bill was read a
second time.

The Dingwall and Skye Railway Bill, and the Leaming-
ton Gas Bill was read a third time and passed.

ILLEGAL DETENTION IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.
The Earl of MALMESBURY called the attention of the
house to the illegal detention of the late Mr. Docknall in a
lunatic asylum at Sedgefield, and moved that all the docu-
ments in reference thereto in the possession of the Home
Office should be produced. From inquiries he had made,
ho could vouch for the accuracy of the brief narrative
he would submit to the house. It appeared that in 1863
the late Mr. Docknall, a respectable bookseller, who had
formerly been a clerk for 17 years in her Majesty's service,
opened a shop in Chester-le-street, Durham, and was
for some time engaged there in business. Through what
he understood was a conspiracy between the wife of the
deceased and a gentleman, Col. Johnson, the deceased was
taken to a lunatic asylum at Sedgefield. Only one medical
man's certificate was obtained, while the law required two,
and it was stated that Col. Johnson had not examined the
deceased. After five days detention the deceased was dis-
charged, it being proved that he was not insane. He was
advised to bring an action against Colonel Johnstone, and
laid damages at £5,000. Owing to the pressure of business
before the court, he was unable to have his case heard, and
ho applied in vain for redress to the Home Office. These
circumstances operated on the mind of the deceased to
each an extent that he committed suicide by taking prussic
acid last October. The noble lord then read a correspon-
dence between the father of the deceased and the Home-
office, as well as affidavits in support of his statement, and
said that the conduct of Col. Johnson was most repre-
hensible, for he had committed a most illegal act while in
the discharge of his official duties. His lordship proceeded
to state that the deceased had been treated with great cruelty,
having been taken away from his home forcibly while he
was at dinner. It appeared also that Col. Johnson had
offered £BO as compensation to the deceased, thereby ad-
mitting that he had been guilty of an illegal act. He thought
he had made out a case for inquiry into this matter, assuming
that Col. Johnson was not reprimanded for his conduct.

Earl GRANVILLE contended that the Home-office had
not acted improperly in the matter, and was understood to
say that the documents in question would bo produced.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY contended that the sub-
ject should be rigidly inquired into, for here was a case in
which a magistrate had stated what was false, and acted in
violation of the statute law by affirming that he had made
an inspection of the deceased.
The Earl of DERBY agreed with the noble lord
(Shaftesbury), and he could not see why the Home-office
had abstained from an inquiry into the subject.

Earl RUSSELL said he did not know whether Colonel
Johnson had been communicated with, but he thought the
facts should be laid before the Lord Chancellor.
After a few words from Lord MALMESDURY and the LORD
CILLNCT.LLOR the motion was agreed to.
The Felony and Misdemeanor Evidence and Practice
Bill, the Consolidated Fund (£175,650) Bill, the Elections
Petitions Act (1848) Amendment Bill, and the Dublin In-
ternational Exhibition (1865) Bill were read a third time
and passed.

Other bills were advanced a stage, and their lordships
adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The Srziuun took the chair at the usual hour.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Brighton, Hove, and Preston Constant Service Water,
Crystal Palace District Gas, Great Eastern Railway
(Bishop Stortford Railway Purchase), Bolton Improvement,
Bristol Joint Station, Leicester Lunatic Asylum and Im-
provement, Limerick Embankment and Reclamation,
Liverpool Improvement, and West Worthing Improve-
ment.

The Belfast Borough Bill was read a second timo.

LAYARKSHIRE COUNTY PRISONS BILL.

On the motion for the second reaAng of this bill,

Sir E. COLEBROOKE took objection to the motion,
and moved as an amendment, that the bill be read a
second time that day six months.

Lord ELCHO seconded the amendment.

After a short discussion,
The LORD ADVOCATE said he intended to bring in
a bill that evening which he thought would render the
present bill needless.
Tho house then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment 95
Against it
Majority —s6
The bill was oonsequently lost.
PETITIONS.

Mr. Cox presented a petition from certain Indian offi-
cers praying for redress.
Mr. HADFIELD presented petitions in favour of a reduc-
tion of the mileage duty.

Mr. HUBBARD presented a petition against the Bank
Notes Issue Bill.

Mr. BRADY presented petitions from different places in
Leland praying for an alteration of the law with regard to
landlord and tenant.

Mr. S. FITZGERALD presented a petition from certain
Indian officers praying for redress.