The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-09 00:00:00

PAROCHIAL ASSESSMENTS BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill, resuming at
clause 7, which, after some conversation, was agreed to.

On clause 8,
Some discussion took place as to whether a quorum of
three members on a committee of board of guardians would
be sufficient to discharge efficiently the duties delegated to
them as the administrators of the poor-law.
Mr. VILLIERS said he would consent to the introduc-
tion of words to the effect that the number of members con-
stituting a committee should not be less than one-third of
the members of such committee.

The clause with this amendment was agreed to.

On clause 9,
Mr. A. TURNER, said that he considered this clause
most objectionable, as it gave the board of guardians unli-
mited power in the appointment of any number of surveyors,
and opened the door to great extravagance. He concluded
by moving the omission of the clause.
Sir L. PALK opposed the clause. If it was intended to
secure an uniform and accurate valuation of parishes it
should be effected by some well considered measure. He
would support the amendment.
Mr. BRUCE considered this objection applied to
clause 14, instead of the present clause.
Mr. BARROW said he felt bound to support the clause,
because the guardians being ratepayers would necessarily
attend to their own interests.
Lord HENLEY opposed the clause on the same ground
as the hon. member the mover of the amendment, as tend-
ing towards the increase of the parochial expenditure.
After some conversation, in the course of which Mr.
VILLIERS said he would consent to such a modification
in the clause as would meet the views of the hon. members
who objected to it, and on that condition the amendment
was withdrawn.

The clause, with the modification proposed, was then
agreed to.
On clause 10, which related to the keeping of the
minutes of the committees of the boards of guardians, _

Mr. HENLEY considered that there should be words
introduced in the bill so as to make the chairman of the
committee responsible for the signing of these minutes, in-
stead of the quorum, which tended to divide the respon-
sibility.
Mr. VILLIERS said that there were no such words in
the present Poor-law Act, but be consented to an alteration
in the words of the clause, observing that all that the
framers of the bill required was to secure a correct record
of the proceedings.
Some discussion took place as to whether the penalty of
£5, which was imposed on the clerk of the board of guar-
dians for not giving a copy of the minutes when required,
but the clause was agreed to.
On clause 11,
Sir L. PALK said he objected to the clause, because

made a valuation of parishes compulsory instead of being
voluntary.
Mr. VILLIERS said that the object of the clause was
merely to obtain a correct account of the proceedings of the
different assessment committees.

w.
The clause, with some alterations, was agreed to.
On clause 12, which gave the asseosment committee the
power to impose penalties on Poor-law Guardians, which
would have the effect of substituting paid officials for the
discharge of duties now discharged by officials who were
unpaid.
Mr. VILLIERS consented to some amendments, and
the clause was agreed to.
A long discussion took place on clause 13, which had
reference to the present mode of valuation, and some verbal
amendments were agreed to ; after which the chairman was
ordered to report progress.
The house suspended at five minutes to four o'clock,
and resumed at six o'clock.
KINGDOM OF ITALY.
In reply to Mr. MAGUIRE,
Lord PALMERSTON said that her Majesty's Govern-
ment had received information from our ambassador in St.
Petersburgh to the effect that the Russian Government had
come to the determination to recognise the independence of
the kingdom of Italy, and that a messenger had been sent
off to communicate that decision to the Italian Government.
There was also mason to believe that the Government of
Prussia intended to follow the example of Russia.
NAVAL AND MILITARY TRAINING IN
SCHOOLS.

Lord ELCHO moved the following resolution :—" That
the physical, moral, and economical advantages arising
from a system of physical training had been clearly shown
in evidence before the Royal Education Commission; and
that it was expedient, for the increase of the bodily as well
as the mental aptitudes of children for civil, industrial, as
well as possible military service, that encouragement and
aid should be given for the extension of the practice of sys •
tematised gymnastic training
naval drill as now practised in' and for teaching military and
the district half-time schools
for orphan and destitute children, and in other schools for
pauper children." The noble lord mentioned the interest-
ing and important fact that boys so trained in pauper
schools in the neighbourhood of London proved themaelvee