The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-19 00:00:00

was to bring before the committee a particular patent,
and as that was not a matter on which the House
of Commons should be called on to inquire, he should
oppose the motion. (Hear, hear, hear.) He had no
doubt from what he had heard that the patent
was an ingenious one, but if it could be made
available, it was for the trade to take it up. The
examples of the small arms and postal communications
did not apply in the present case. With regard to the
general expense of printing, he admitted it was excessive,
but that was owing to the number of returns on all sub-
jects which members asked for. (Hear.)
Lord NAAS protested against the doctrine that the
house was on no occasion to appoint a committee to in-
quire into a particular invention. (Hear.) He believed
that great public good resulted from the inquiry of the
postal committee. He had seen the invention referred
to, and it seemed to be capable of useful application. The
*whole of the trade were opposed to the inventor, and it
was in vain fora single individual to contend against them.
Mr. LUCAS said that the hon. gentleman W (Mr. 11-
eon) and the right hon. gentleman (Mr.V. Smith) having
admitted that the printing department was in an unsatis-
factory state, and that inquiry per se might be desirable,
they had no right to turn round and say that they would
oppose the motion because his hon and gallant friend re-
ferred to one particular invention which might promote
economy and reduce expenditure. The fact of there be-
ing such an invention only gave greater weight to the
arguments for inquiry which was admitted per se to be
desirable. (Hear.) He had seen the invention in ques-
tion, and without pronouncing on its merits, he would
merely say that he never saw a series of improvements
from which greater benefits might be hoped. (Hear.)
Mr. HADFIELD would support the motion. It seemed
to him that a committee of inquiry in this case was fair,
just, and reasonable. The hon. gentleman would leave
the Government to select the committee themselves.
Lord SEYMOUR would oppose the motion, on the
ground that the House of Commons was not the place
for trying the merit of inventions. If this invention was
good, why did not the trade take it up ? Why did not
the hon. and learned gentleman take it up himself, if he
expected so much advantage from it ? (hear.) These things
ought to be tried on mercantile and commercial princi-
ples, and not by a committee of the House of Commons.
If it were an available invention, let the printer of the
house adopt it, and then they would have the benefit of
it. They had a committee on postage stamps, which
ended in their paying 4,0001. to the inventor as compen-
sation, for which the whole mercantile community was
laughing at them. It was said that the invention would
be an admirable thing for the Bible Society. If so, let
the Bible Society try it. But the House of Commons
would be lowering its character if they attempted to in-
vestigate the merits of these inventions. (Hear.)
Mr
. G BEENE replied, still enforcing the advantages
of his invention, but more with the view to publicity
than compensation. If this committee were granted,
he should be prepared to show that a saving of 25,0001.
a year might be effected in the public printing and sta-
tionery departments of the country, and after that as-
sertion he thought the house would be wanting in its
duty if it refused this inquiry.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the motion 56
Against it 32
Majority —24
The motion was accordingly agreed to.
IRISH LOIN FUND SOCIETIES.

Mr. P. URQUHART moved for a select committee
to inquire into the management of the loan fund societies
in Ireland.

Sir J. YOUNG said there would be no objection to
the motion. The subject, however, was not one with
which the Government had, properly, anything to do ;
he added that there had been grave doubts as to
whether these societies were beneficial or the reverse,
and he hoped the committee would consider the princi-
ples of the system.
After some observations from Mr. F. FRENCH and
Mr. F. SCULL;
The motion was agreed to.
NAVAL MEDICAL OFFICERS.
Sir J. WALMSLEY (on the part of Mr. HUME)
moved for the following returns :
MEDICAL OFFICERS (BLACK SEA. AND BALTIC).—
Return of the number of medical officers serving in her
Majesty's ships of war in the Black Sea, and the
number required to complete the war establishment
of such ships. And similar return of the ships in the
Baltic.

ARKY.—Return stating the date of the first com-
mission of the Hon. Lieutenant-General George Anson
in her Majesty's service, and the dates of his promotion
to the several subsequent commissions, distinguishing
the time of his regimental duty in each rank ; and
abstract of the number of officers superseded in her
Majesty's and the East India Company's service by
Colonel Anson's appointment to be major-general, and
also of the number of major-generals of each service
superseded on his appointment as lieutenant-general.
RIBBONISM IN IRELAND.
Lord NAAS moved for copies of the correspondence
that had taken place between the Irish Government and
the magistrates of the county of Donegal relative to the
liberation on ticket of leave of Miles Sweeny, a man
convicted of a ribbon offence in 1851. He entered at
some length into the case, in order to show that a dan-
gerous criminal had been returned, with bis sentence
unexpired, into a district greatly disturbed by ribbon.-
ism—a remission which the ignorant people mistook for
a pardon.

Sir J. YOUNG assented to the production of the
papers, and added that Government had no evidence
that, the manhin que:4ion had been convicted of a rib Lon
offence, and that his release had taken place after refer•
ence to the medical officers of Spike Island and to the
judge who had tried him.
The motion was agreed to.
The Indian Appointments Bill was read a second
time.

The Spirits (Ireland) Bill was read a second time.
Tne Medical Graduates (Ireland and Scotland) Bi
was read a second time.

The house adjourned at half-past 11 o'clock.

BAIL Wily INTELLIGENCE.

'MADRAS.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, New Broad-street; Major-
General D. Sim in the chair.

The report stated that the construction of the line pro-
ceeds steadily and well under the system pursued of
letting the work in small contracts, such as the natives
can readily undertake ; and the cost thus far has fallen
within the estimates. The earthworks of the first 50
miles may be considered as completeted and ready to
receive the permanent way. The bridges are also far
advanced towards completion. Although considerable
difficulty has been experienced in obtaining tonnage suf-
ficient for the conveyance of the permanent way mate-
rials from this country, a considerable supply of them
has already arrived at Madras, and the quantity required
for the first 50 miles above referred to will be delivered
there before the end of the year. The laying
of the permanent way has been commenced. The
erection of the terminal and other stations on the line
is in progress. A quantity of machinery for the work:
shops about to be erected has been sent out as welt
as some materials for the rolling stock of the railway,
and sontracts are in course of execution for six locomo-
tive engines. The works on the line beyond Merril to
Veniembady are begun, and will be actively pushed for-
ward, the completion of the railway to this point from
Madras being deemed the first object to be accomplished.
Detailed surveys of the section beyond Beypore an
Paulghaut and of the Moroor Pass are in progress
Mr. Bruce's report fully confirms the opinions the board
entertained of the facilities for forming the line afforded
by the nature of the country, and the favourable char-
acter of Zthe pass from Vaniembady to Bangalore, as
well as of the Moroor Pass to Salem. A bill to enable
the company to increase its capital, and to enter into
further contracts with the East India Company, re-
ceived the Royal assent on the 2d ult. Warrants for
the interest accrued to the 30th ult. on the amount paid
up have been issued to the shareholders.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said, the works were proceeding satisfactorily, but not
so rapidly as they had anticipated. This was not to be
.regretted, as the engineers were enabled to examine the.
country, and to ascertain the requirements of the dis-
trict before constructing the line. These were advan-
tages which compensated for the delay that had occurred,
but he thought by this time next year 70 miles of rail-
way would be open for traffic. They would proceed
with the works on the section of the line from the west
coast at Beypore, to Paulghaut about 40 or 50 miles in
length, #Rhile the surveys were be.ug made at the inter-
mediate' Faces for the-re lnder ofl the line.Majof Comm remarked that the r ort
companied with a statement of accourts was not ac-
The Min— HAN said the accounts would be published
once a fir, and not lialf-yearly.
The report was adopted.
After a short discussion respecting the best wood for
sleepers, and the means adopted for preventing the at-
tacks of the white ants by creosoting and other ni
the proceedings concluded with a vote of thankateoatnhe
chairman and directors.

BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN
Mr. AGLIONBY reported from the sub-committee that
the new works power to construct which is sought by
the bill are to be executed by an existing company out
of funds which they are at present authorised to raise.
The length of the main line of railway is 17 miles 6 fur-
longs, and the length of the branch 5 miles 6 chains, It
is intended to cross roads on the level. The steepest
gradient on the line is lin 101. The estimated cost of
the proposed lines of railway is 180,0001., and the quan-
tity of land required 210 acres. The committee are satis.
fled of the fitness, in an engineering point of view, of
the proposed lines of railway.

THE LATE DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON SAFFRON-HILL.-
SUFFERERS —At a late hour last --
DEATH OF ONE OF THE
night, Cornelius Bards, one of
the unfortunate men who
were buried beneath the
debris caused by the falling of
two houses on Saffron-hill o
St. Elrtholornew's Hospital, after the most excruciating
pain, from the injuries he recdived on that occasion ; the
other two, men, wile were also injured, and are inmates
• 0- favourably.
of the-same institution, are progressin,,
Axbrain REBEL.—The gentleman alluded to in the
following Paragraph from the Roscommon Messenger was
on :
• surrecti
wounded in the arm at the Ballingarry
in
at" Wet feel extreme gratification at being in a position to
hat Idr: Dillon has received permission to return
to Ireland. This announcement wag communicated to
him by the British Ambassador in the United States,
and was conveyed in terms as complimentary to Mr.
Dillon as creditable to the Ministry. The favour so gra-
ciously extended was as unexpected by the object of it
as it was unsolicited on his Part. Mr. Dillon's brilliant
success at the American bar leave,' it doubtful whether
he will
to hinu avail himself of the favour so generously extended