The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-15 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

IHOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

The resignation of Mr. Edwards, Reading Clerk and
Clerk of Private Committees of the House of Lords, was
received and accepted.
AUGMENTATION OF SMALL- BENEFICES.
The LORD CHANCELLOR presented returns re-
lative to the augmentation of Small Benefices Bill.
The total sum received by the sale of certain livings
in the gift of the Lord Chancellor had amounted
to £113,129. The sum received during the last year
had been £57,329. The condition of the money market
had not been very favourable to the disposal of advowsons,
as only 24 out of those offered for sale had been disposed
of, but there was constant inquiry for them, and he had no
doubt but that the greatest benefit would in the end result
from the passing of the act.
The Earl of DERBY asked if the noble and learned
lord could tell the average number of ,years' purchase
generally paid for the living.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said the returns were so
made out as to show that.
CASE OF MR. IRVING.

Lord CLEMENTS moved that an address be presented
to her Majesty for a copy of the correspondence relative to
the case of Mr. Henry Merlyn D'Arcy Irvine, a justice of
the peace in Ireland, who had been dismissed from
the magistracy, and also relative to the police and
their insubordination to the authority of the magistrates ;
and relative to the disrespect shown by the Under Secre-
tary of the Lord Lieutenant to the magistracy, by enter-
ing into correspondence with subordinate officers of police,
upon subjects which should have been addressed to the
magistrates. The noble lord, in moving for the return,
read extracts from a correspondence he had had with cer-
tain police officers relative to the state of personal safety
in Donegal.
The motion was agreed to.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The standing orders were declared to have been com-
plied with in the case of several private bills, and some
private bills were read
_a first time.

PETITIONS.
Colonel Duxlkr presented petitions from the King's county-
against the arbitrary powers conferred on the Irish consta-
bulary of entering private premises.
service, Colonel SYIEEE! presented a petition from officers en-
gaged in the India setting forth certain grievances
of which they complained, and praying for their redress.
Sir J. SHELlEYpresented a petition from bankers and
other persons in Westminster, praying for a reduction of
the duty on fire insurance.
FOREIGN BILLS OF EXCHANGE. ' •
Mr. MOFFATT moved for a return of the amount re-
ceived for stamps on foreign
bills of exchange under the
Act 17 and 18 Vic., c. 83, for the respective years 1860 to
1864 inclusive (in continuation of Parliamentary paper No.
196, of session 1864).—Ordered.
IMMIGRANTS AND LIBERATED AFRICANS.
Mr. MOFFATT moved an address for return showing
the number of immigrants and liberated Africans admitted
into each of the British West India Colonies, as well as the
places from whence they were introduced, from the year
1843 to the end of the year 1856, and in each year since
the Ist day of January, 1857, to the end of the year
1864. Similar return for Mauritius; and return of the
number of those who have returned from each place in
each year to their own countries, and (as far as can be
ascertained) the amount of earnings remitted through Go-
vernment agency in their behalf (in continuation of Par-
liamentary Paper, No. 201, of Session 1864).—Ordered.
NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Mr. BRAND, a new writ was ordered
to issue for the election of a member for the borough of
Lancaster, vacant by the decease of Mr. Samuel Gregson.
GROUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE.
Sir J. SHELLEY gave notice that he would ask a ques-
tion relative to the ground between Bridge-street, West-
minster, and the Palace Yard.
WOODS AND FORESTS.
Mr. A. SMITH gave notice that he would move for an
enquiry into the constitution of the board of Woods and
Forests.

THE RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Mr. ROEBUCK asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
if it was the intention of the
.Government to institute any
and what inquiry into our railway system, with a view to
future legislation, shouldsuch legislation appear practicable
and advantageous?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was
aware of the motive which prompted the question of the
hon. and learned member, and he would furnish him with
as full information as he possibly could. It was the inten-
tion of the Government to recommend to her Majesty the
appointment of a royal commission to inquire into this
subject, but simply with reference toi the economical ar-
rangements connected with railways n regard to the con-
veyance of minerals and otherarticles. It was not intended
to interfere with the policy of railways, which had as much
right to be exempted from interference as.any other inte-
rest. It was in no way proposed.n to compromise Govern-
sguskiect. of the house
attention
proposed by the Go-
vernment,tmh een
difficulty
ffio re theutaynhdoo
fuhs ho impressed
legislationa n y p proceedings een
this
the i

TAXE'S LEVIED ON BRITISH SHIPPING.
Mr. CLAY asked the Under-Secretary of State for
Foreig,nAffairs whether it was intended any longer to permit
her Majesty's Consul General at St. Petersburg to supple-
ment his salary by a tax, known as agency money, levied
on British shipping, and received by him as agent for the
Russia Company.
Mr. LAYARD said that papers laid on the table last
evening, and distributed that day amongst members, were
quite explanatory on this subject. The gentleman in ques-
tion could not be deprived of the emoluments alluded to
without receiving a remuneration, but it was intended by
his noble friend at the head of the Foreign-office not to
allow the tax in question 4o be received in future.
Mr. CLAY asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether he could give any information as to the progress
of the inquiry promised by him into the taxes levied on
British shipping by, or in the name of, the Russia Com-
pany.
Mr. M. GIBSON said that from inquiries made at St.
Petersburg, and a report from the British Ambassador,
there on the subject of dues, it appeared that the mer-
chants at St. Petersburg were in favour of the present
system, and that, consequently, interference would be in-
jurious on the part of the Government. There wafino