The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-24 00:00:00

and the governors had no power to punish convicts in pri-
sons, nor to employ them out of prison. A bill passed last
session commuted transportation in many cases, and the
consequence was that when he (Sir J. Young) last visited
Ireland there wore upwards of 4,000 convicts of whom the
authorities could not dispose, likely to be let loose upon the
country, and considerable apprehension was felt in Ireland
on the subject. There were only one or two prisons in Ire-
land where the separate system could be carried on, and it
was proposed, under this bill, to make Spike Island available
by employing 1,000 convicts on the fortifications. The re-
mainder would be accommodated at Philipstown, Mount-
joy, and other prisoners, amongst others a new one to be
built for women, and another for juvenile offenders. It
was proposed also to have moveable iron houses, and to
employ a portion of the prisoners on public works. A gen-
tleman who had had much experience in carrying out the
convict sytem at Bermuda, formed one of a commission
now employed in making inquiries, and as a first step
they recommended the passing of this bill. There was
not a single provision which was not in force in every con-
vict prison and depot in England.
Col. DUNNE would not oppose the second reading, but
trusted that there would bo no unnecessary augmentation
of the various prison staffs in Ireland.
After a short conversation, the bill was read a second
time.

PUBLIC REVENUE AND CONSOLIDATED FUND
BILL.

On the order of the day for resuming the discussion on
the consideration of the report,
Mr. WILSON suggested that the bill should be allowed
to piss through its present stage without opposition, anti
that the adjourned debate should be taken at another op-
portunity, when the Government would fix a time at
which the subject in debate might be fully discussed.
Mr. I. BUTT recommended the hon. gentleman to di-
vide his bill into two parts, to pass that against which
there was no objection, and to leave the other part to be
dealt With next year. With a view to put himself in per-
fect order, he should move the adjournment of the debate.
Mr. WILSON said that it would be impossible to follow
the course suggested by the hon. and-learned member.
Mr. NAPIER disputed the correctness of the hon. mem-
ber's view of the case, and went into the merits of the bill
amidst the loudly expressed impatience of the house.
Mr. V. SCULLY and Lord NAAS pressed for a post-
ponement, whereupon,
Mr. WILSON said he should refer the further conside-
ration of the bill till Monday.
Mr. I. BUTT gave notice that on Monday ho should
move that the bill be recommitted.

VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT (MAURITIUS) BILL.
Mr. F. PEEL explained that the object of the bill was
to render valid all decisions given by the judge of the Vice-
Admiralty Court at the Mauritius during the time ho was
not acting under a regular commission from the Govern-
ment.

The bill was then passed through committee.
The Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes Bill was
read a second time.

SUPPLY.
Sir J. GRAHAM said that, notwithstanding the lateness
' of the hour, he hoped the house would go into committee
of supply in order to vote a sum of 20,0001. fur the ex-
penses of prisoners of war, as there was no mode at present
of meeting those payments. There was now an opportunity
of purchasing a prison in the county of Sussex, at a mode-
rate price, exceedingly well calculated for the reception of
prisoners of war. At the close of the last war the cost of
prisoners was nearly 1,000,0001. per annum. There were
then three great prisons devoted to that purpose, but since
that time they had either been pulled down or transferred
to othlr uses, and at this moment there was no public
building applicable to this particular purpose. He only
asked for the sum of 20,0001., of which 5,0001. was in-
tended to be applied to the purchase of the gaol at Lewes.
He (lid not anticipate any objection to that vote, and it
would expedite the public service if the house would con•
sent to go into committee of supply. (Hear.)
The house then went into committee of supply.
Admiral WALCOTT suggested that some of the Queen's
ships lying in ordinary should be used to receive prisoners
of war.

Sir J. GRAHAM said that there were now several ships
at Sheerness which were being prepared for the reception
of prisoners of war, and he had confident hopes that before
the end of the year they would have inmates to fill both
the gaol and the ships,. (Laughter.)
The vote of 20,000/. was then agreed to, and the house
resumed.

DUBLIN CARRIAGE BILL.
This bill went through committee.
POOR-LAW BOARD CONTINUANCE BILL.
This bill was read a second time, and ordered to be corn.
witted on Friday next.
UNION CHARGES CONTINUANCE BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
• PORTLAND, &c., CHAPELS BILL.
This bill passed through committee, and was ordered to
be read a third time on Monday.