The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-27 00:00:00

POLICE RATE.

Lord DUDLEY STUART wished to put a question
to the Right Hon. Gentleman the 11c,me Secretary with
regard to the metropolitan police. By the Police Act
the Government was authorised to advance 95,0001. out
of the Consolidated Fund towards the maintenance of
the metropolitan police force, whenever the metropolitan
parishes should have paid a sum equal to 6d. in the pound on
the rating towards their maintenance. In 1847 the ma-
gistrates of Middlesex had re- assessed the county at
7,700,0001., instead of 6,200,000/, which had been the
assessment previously ; consequently 35,0001. more was
levied towards the police rate, under the new assessment,
before the Government could advance the 95,000/. In
answer to representations made to the Goverment on
this subject, it had been stated that it was the intention
of the Government to introduce a Bill authorising
it to make the advance when the rate should be
fivepence in the pound, instead of sixpences.—(Bear.)
He wisEed to ask his Right Hon. Friend, although cir-
cumstances may have made it necessary to impose this
burden on the rate-payers of Middlesex during the last
year, whether it was likely to bo permanent? He trusted
that en explicit arise er would be given to this question,
in order that the irritation which had been excited on
this sul.jeet might be allayed.
Sir GEORGE GREY said that the sum drawn from
the Consolidated Fund for the support of the police fore:,
was 90,000/. usually, and last year it was 98,000/.
When this force wns first instituted a rate of eight-
pence in the pound was levied. That was sub-
sequently reduced to divepence, but afterwards in-
creased to sixpence, in the hope of increasing the funds
so as to miss a surplus. Last year circumstances bad
occurred which compelled an increase of the force, a
proceeding which was conceived to be necessary nut
only by the Government., but by the whole of the metro-
polis. The expenses had consequently been increased,
and however severe the pressure might be felt, he was
assured that his Noble Friend would see the reasonable-
ness of it. In some future time he anticipated that a
surplus would be created; but he thought that it would
be unfair that the rate-payers should reap all the advan-
tage. At any rate ho could hold out no present hope of
a reduction of the imposition.
THE NAVY ESTIMATES.
In reply to a question from Mr. lIUMB as to the time
for taking the Navy-Estimates,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he was desirous of deferring the consideration of
the estimates in the Committee of Supply till the Ist of
May, but it might come on to-night.
Mr. HUME said that this was no sufficient answer to
his question. He thought that it was hard, not to say
injudicious, on the part of Government to oblige lion.
Members to enter into the consideration of the esti-
er o
f upon
the
timates at eleven o'clock at night, when there had been
theno
subject.opportunity
lie was awoatr.
aware
consideringthat
the Chancellor
Exchequer had a notice on the paper, and he thought
that considering the debate to which that motion might
give rise, it was, to say the least, unfair to force the con-
sideration of the navy ecimates.
Lord J. RUSSELL begged to remind his Hon.
Friend that this was only a vote on account, and such as
was usually allowed to pass , without discussion. On
Mends), night he propoi, d to take the third reading of
the Rate in Aid Bill; and it was quite impossible for
him to say to what discussion it might 'cal, and con•
eele at
hrraite
tdhoenG, hoevetrrnumsteendtthhaadt hinis
alniyonw. Fayrietnadkenn-otuhlde
sidering that without this vote the public service could
notnot feel
House by surprise.

THE FEELING IN THE COLONIES.
Mr. DISRAILI presented petitions from Canada,
from Jamaica and other colonies on a variety of subjects
chiefly praying for the restoration of the protection to
their produce.
THE PALACE COURT.

Lord DUDLEY STUART wi:heciiOlnquire whether
any measure had been token for the abolition of that
great grievance to the metropolis. He trusted that some-
thing had bee done to remedy the evil of such a crying
abuse.—(Hear, hear.)
The AT TORNEY-GENERAL said that he was in
communication with the Lord Stowa:d of her Majesty's
Household, without whose authority nothing could be
done; but be had reason to believe that an alteration in
the constitution of that Court, or by its abolition, would
speedily be effected.—(Hear, hear.)
SUPPOSED APPOINNTMENT OF MR. REY-
NOLDS, JUN., SOLICITOR OF THE MINT IN

IRELAND.
Mr. BATESON wished to ask whether there was any
truth in the report that a young gentleman under age,
the son of Mr. Reynolds, a solicitor for Ireland, had been
appointed solicitor for the Mint in that country.
he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—No,
Sir.—(Great laughter.)
(The Chancellor of the Exchequer was proceeding to
some further observations when he was restrained; but
as soon as the laughter which had convulsed the
House had subsided he rose, and stated that the
officers of Solicitor for Ireland and Solicitor for
the mint in that country had been consolidated, and
that he believed that young Mr. Reynolds was not com-
petent to take the position of a solicitor. He had cer-
tainly recommended him to be appointed to the situation
of a clerk in the solicitor's office, Rnd he believed that he
was so appointed.)—(Hear, hear.)
PAPERS FROM TILE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.
Mr. URQUHART wished to asked the Noble Lord
the Secretary for the Foreign Department, what was
the reason why the papers which he had promised in
part six weeks ago bad not sooner been laid on the table
of the House.
Mr. URQUHART said that the Noble Lord had not
answered his question and stated the reason of the delay.
Lord PALMERSTON said that he had not presented
these papers owing to a difficulty in getting them loge
ther; but a 3 soon as he could procure them from the
hands of the printer, they should be laid on the table of
the House.
Lord PALMERSTON said that he had promised the
papers in part, that is, abstracts from them; but circum-
stances bad so transpired that he was enabled to give
them in foto; and of course it was clear that more time
was required to give the whole than only a part of the
decunicnts.—(tlear,liear.)
. SICILIAN AFFAIRS. _

Mr. BANKES wished to ask whether the Noble
whether he had received any information respecting the
progress of affairs iu Sicily ?
Lord PALMERSTON had not received any ouch in-
formation.