The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-20 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY gUMMITTEE.

THE CASE OF MR. HENRY STONOR.
When this committee reassembled yesterday,
Merivale, of the Colonial-office, reappeared in the wit-
ness-box, and was re-examined by gr. Moore as to his cer-
tainty of having alluded in conversafion, eitherwith the Duke
of Newcastle or with Mr. Roberts to " that affair of Mr. •
Townley." Witness said he bad a nost distinct recollection
of using those words, but he col" not say to which. He
rather thought it was to his GraCE but as be received no
reply, he concluded that he had notbeen understood. At the
same time he believed at the moment that he was alluding to
a thing that was well known. He had no doubt now that
the observation had escaped the duke's attention.
Mr. Moore thou stated that Mr. Eyston, solicitor, of Gray's.
inn, wished to be heard on behalf of Mr. Stonor, but the com-
mittee declined to entertain the application.
' The next witness was Sir Riehard Bethell, the Solicitor-
General. The hon. and leaned gentleman was brought up
from the House of Lords, where he was at the time pro-
fessionally engaged, and appeared in the witness-box in his
full-bottomed wig and gown. He said that about the end of
last year Mr. Stonor wrote him a letter, stating that he
was a candidate for a vacant judgeship at Melbourne. Wit-
ness had previously had some professional intercourse with
Mr. Stonor, and had formed a general opinion of his capa-
city. Witness was at first surprised that Mr. Stonor should
be a candidate for the place in question, as his previous prat.
tice had been more that of a chamber counsel than of one
who could look for a judicial appointment. He therefore
wrote Mr. Stoner a letter, desiring to have some further in-
formation in the matter. Mr. Stoner replied that, under
the special circumstances of the colony, it was deemed ex-
. pedieut to appoint a gentlemen who was familiar wi
atth con-
veyancing -
and the law of real property. Upo th
gave the estimonial which was before the committee. He
bad, at the time, no knowledge at all of Mr. Stonor having
• been reported against by a committee of the House of Coin-

mons,
The room was then cleared, and the members of committee
afterwards separated. The inquiry is at an end ; the com-
mittee will only meet once more to consider their report.

ELECTION FOR HERTFORDSHIRE,

The nomination of the candidates to supply the vacancy
occasioned iu the representation of the county oft Hhe elate mem-
rts by the
melancholy death, by drowning, of Mr. Halsey,
ber, took place yesterday. There are two candidates in the
field- Mr. Puller, who came forward at the last general elec-
tion upon Liberal principles, when he was defeated, and Mr.
Abel Smith, juu., whose father represented the county for
several years upon Conservative principles, toe county the
same tone of politics. The hustings were erected iu a field
near to the railway st +ton, but, iu consequence of the candi-
dates having mutually agreed not to have any flags or music,
the proceedings of the e ection had a very
tame appearance,
and very different to those formerly presented upon the occa-
sion of a contested county election. Indeed, but for a few of
the Blue, or Conservative party, having, as it was stated,
contrary to the request made to them, brought a few banners,
a p.xsou would hardly have known that au election was
going on.
Toe writ and the other formal documents having been read,
Captain TOWNSEND then proposed Mr. Puller, as a fit and
proper person to represent the county in Pa•liameut.
LIONEL Antos, Esq., seconde'l the nomination
W. H. Bmina, Esq., proposed Mr. Abel Smith.
S. H. HEATIICOTE, Esq., seconded the nomination.
Each of the candidates having addressed the electors,
A show of hands was taken, which was declared to be in
favour of Mr. Puller.
A poll was demanded on behalf of ,Ir. Smith, which was
fixed to commence ou Monday next at 8 o'clock, and finally
close at 5.
A motion of thanks to the High Sheriff, proposed. by Mr.
Putaxa, and seconded by Mr. SIIITD, and carried unanimously,
concluded the proceedings.