The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-08 00:00:00

NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Mr. BRAND a new writ was ordered to
be issued for the election of a member for the borough of
Great Grimsby, in the room of Lord WORSLEY.
ACCIDENTS IN COAL MINES.
Petitions were presented praying for the adoption of mea-
sures calculated to secure the better preservation of life in
collieries.
THE CURRAGH OF KILDARE.
Col. DUNNE gave notice that on Friday next he would
move for a return of the number of prosecutions of tres-
passers on the common known as the Curragh of Kildare,
and the particulars connected therewith.
ABOLITION OF CHURCH RATES.
Sir J. TRELAWNY gave notice that he would move
for leave to introduce a bill for the abolition of Church
rates. (Hear, hear.)
CONSTANTINOPLE,

Mr. FREELAND gave notice that he would move for
the production of the report of Lord Hubbard and Mr.
Foster on the subject of their mission to Constantinople.
THE BLOCKADE OF THE AMERICAN PORTS.

On bringing up the report of the address in reply to the
Royal Speech,
Mr. GREGORY drew attention to the blockade of the
American p,,,rts, a subject which he contended was on the
lips and in the minds of every one. During the recess
he had written to Lord Russell on the subject and received a
reply from his lordship to the effect that, with respect to
whether the blockade,tin the event of its not being efficient,
would be recognised by the Government, he had given no
instructions to Lord Lyons. His lordship said, also, that
he believed there would be no difficulty in the mat-
ter with the Government of the United States. Ho (Mr.
Gregory) was convinced that the blockade was a mere
paper blockade. He should take an early opportunity of
bringing the whole-question before the house, and if his
figures were correct, it would be found that the blockade
was not efficient.

THE TRENT AFFAIR.
Admiral WALCOTT spoke in terms of praise of the
loyal spirit so recently exhibited by the inhabitants of
Canada, and the conduct of the Government in the affair
of the Trent.

Mr. BENTINCK agreed with the hon. member for
Galway (Mr. Gregory) in the necessity for bringing for-
ward the subject of the blockade, but he considered at pre-
sent that any interference by this country on the subject
would be a departure from the policy of neutrality.
MOROCCO.
Mr. D. GRIFFITHS drew attention to the affairs of
Morocco. _

The Address was then agreed to.
HIGHWAYS.
Sir G. GREY moved for leave to bring in a bill for the
better Management of Highways in England, and explained
that the principal object of the bill was to establish high-
way district boards.
Mr. BARROW opposed the bill, as tending to deprive
parishes of authority in local matters, and as being gene-
rally uhpopular.
The motion was then agreed to, and, later in the evening,
was read a first time.

DECLARATION OF OFFICES BILL.
Mr. HADFIELD moved for leave to bring in a Bill to
render it unnecessary to make and subscribe certain de-
clarations as a qualification for offices and employments.
After some discussion, the house went into committee,
and leave was given to bring in the bill.
KITCHEN AND REFRESHMENT ROOMS
(HOUSE OF COMMONS).
Col. FRENCH moved the appointment of the following
hon. members, as a standing committee, to control the
arrangements of the kitchen and refreshment rooms, in the
department of the r Sergeant at Arms attending this
house :—Colonel French, Mr. Hume, Mr. Dalglish, Mr.
Monckton Mines, Mr. Roupell, Viscount Bury, Colonel
Dunne, Mr. Monson, Mr. Onslow, and Mr. FitzGerald—
three to be the quorum.
The motion was agreed to.
WHIPPING.

Mr. HADFIELD obtained leave to bring in a bill to
abolish punishment by whipping for offences committed by
criminal prisoners, and to amend so much of an Act for the
more speedy trial and punishment of juvenile offenders as
relates to the whipping of offenders.
POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL. -
Mr. HENNESSEY moved for leave to bring in a bill to
amend the relief of the poor in Ireland.
Sir R. PEEL said that he had announced his intention
of bringing in a bill on the subject.
After a few words from Colonel FRENCH, and Mr. HEN-
NEssEY,the motion was agreed to.

Some'bills were read a first time.
The house then adjourned at 25 minutes to 6 o'clock.

A ROBBERY CLEVERLY 'DEFEATED.

An attempt at burglary was made a few nights since on
the house of the cure of the commune of Bourcq, near
Vouziers (Ardennes), during his temporary absence from-
home, but the thieves were defeated in their plans by the
courage and coolness of a female, Mme. Chamont, his house
keeper. During the day two rather suspicious looking men
called, under pretext of seeing the eure, to ask him whether
return that night.
he would accept a part of the donation accorded to poor
was absent, inquired
wouldthe cure
the church, but were
Mme. Chaumont heard some
reTehhfl veryerys churches,
hdaalso
sparticularly andaAskasked
o being
etpinemrgwmi
persons approach the back door and endeavour to open it,
tolddhinse permission
gihohenrt that
t:oltehnav
but as they could not do so, she heard one of them say,
;o to the window and I will get in by standing:on
dders." The housekeeper felt very much alarmed,
standing at some little distance from the village,
id not lose her presence of mind, and running
the kitchen, armed herself with a thick stick and
When she returned she found that the thief had
pane of glass, and was endeavouring to get
the window. Mme. Chaumont opposed him, but
several blows on the arm from a heavy instrument.
mado use of the spit. The first thrust was harm-
did not penetrate his clothes, and he threatened
• her if she did not allow him to get in. She then
Ire violent thrust, which went deep into his body,
II to the ground with the spit still sticking in the
'he weapon was drawn out by his accomplice, and
off. Mme. Chaumont then called for assistance,
.al of the inhabitants of the village arrived. The
found in the garden, and traces of blood were seen
little distance.