The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-26 00:00:00

COUNTY COURTS.

Lord BROUGHAM reported from the judges of the
county courts that those courts had been most success-
ful in saving litigation, and in enabling persons to re-
cover debts due to them.
POOR LAW UNION CHARITIES AMENDMENT

BILL.
This Bill, on the motion of Lord CAMPBELL, was
read a second time.
MILITIA PAY BILL.

This Bill passed through Committee.
TRUSTEES RELIEF BILL.
/his Bill passed through Committee.
CORPORATION OF LONDON BILL.
Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from cer-
tain persons praying to be heard by counsel against
this Bill.
Lord CAMPBELL said this Bill reflected the highest
honour on the corporation of London, and he hoped it
would pass into law during this session.
Lord REDEBDALE considered that the Bill was a
public Bill, and should be treated as such, and not as a
private Bill.

- Messengers from the Commons brought up certain
Bills, and their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 25.

(Contived from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
MARRIAGES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES FACT.

LITATING BILL.

On the motion for the consideration of the Lords'
amendments to the Bill,
Dr. NICIIOLL said, that considering the importance
of this Bill, and the results which might arise from en-
couraging marriages in foreign countries, he trusted the
Noble Lord would pause before he proceeded with this
Bill, and at any rate that he would delay its passing for
the er,esent session.
Lord PALMERSTON said that in many places
abroad the British residents were numerous, and he
trusted therefore that the Honourable and ...earned
Member did not desire that they should not be married
at all, for if an insuperable bar were to be placed
before such unions, who could say what the consequences
might be?—(A laugh.) There appeared to be great ob-
jection to allowing marriages to time place in the am-
bassadors' houses. There were no ministers in several
of those places, and in some it was quite impossible to
obtain a minister's assistance; it was therefore neces-
sary to construct a meant for validating marriages
abroad, and none seemed to be better than those which
had been devised and embodied in this Bill.

Ti:e Lords' amendments were then agreed.to, and the
Bill was passed.
ADMIRL.LTY JURISDICTION IN THE
COLONIES.

On the motion that the House should go into Com-
mittee on this Bill,
Captain PECLIELL complained that he had yester-
day bren led to believe that this Bill would be postponed,
but to his surprise it had passed through its second read-
ing. It seemed to him to provide neither more nor
less than a pleasure excursion for any one who had
committed an off, nce on the high seas round the whole
of the West Indies, in order that they might be com-
fortably tried in England.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained that the
Bill did not necessarily provide that a person committing
an off:ince on the high seas should be sent to England,
but in some of the colonies there was no Admiralty ju-
risdiction whatever ; and the Bill only, therefore, de •
crud that when a prisoner arrived in a colony where
there was no such jurisdiction, that he should be re-
moved to another where there was a means of trying him.
The SPEAKER the❑ left the chair, when the first and
second clauses were passed without observation.
On the third clause being proposed,
Mr. ROEBUCK objected that it gave far too large
powers to the tribunals in the colonies• It provided
far that of which the Attorney-General had just spoken.
Mr. ANSTEY also objected to the clause. _

Tne ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he conceived
that the objection would be met by inserting words
which would require the prisoner to be sent to England,
wherever there was not an opportunity of securing an
impartial and fair trial in the colonies. He thuught
that would obviate the objection.
Mr. ANSTEY—Not at all.
The ATTORNEY• GENERAL would at any rate
morn such amendment on the clause.

Mr. ANSTEY said that would be entrusting by far
too large a discretion to the several governors of the
various colonies, whose delinqu-ncies the Colonial-office
was always ready to cover. The clause provided that
the deposttions taken in the colonies should be received
as evidence when there was no opportunity for cross-
examination. This was evidently unjust. and neither
snore nor less than a covert attack on the liberties of the
Channa islands.

After a conversation plrticipated in by the Attorney-
General, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Hume, and Mr. Acstey, the
clause was withdrawn, and the House then resumed.
CLERGY RELIEF BILL.

On the motion that this Bill be read a third time,
Mr. HAGGITT rose to move that the Bill be read a
third time upon this day three months. He was very un-
willing to do anything that might have the appearance of
interference with religious liberty, but he opposed this
Bill with much less reluctance when he considered
the late period of the sesion at which it was
attempted to be passed. He believed he was right
in stating that there was not a single University Member
in town. The Bill was liable to many objections. It
reduced bishops from official authorities to mere minis-
ters of the law, and left them no exercise of their own
judgment, but tied them down to act merely as by Act
of Parliament. He was not, however, entirely opposed
to the general purpose of the Bill, but more especially to
the manner in which it was proposed to be done.
Mr. BOUVERIE said that the Bill had been very
fully considered in a Select Committee, on which the
Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for the University
of Oxford, and the llon. and Learned Member for the
-University of Dublin had sat. lie believed that this
Bill proposed a readier way of remedying certain
grievances than any other measure could do.
After a few words from Mr. A. J. B. HOPE and
rt,r. Nlcuom., the amendment was withdrawn.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BILL

This Bill was read a third time and passed.
PROTECTION TO WOMEN BILL.
Mr. SPOONER moved that this Bill be read a third
time.
After a few words from Mr. ROEBUCK,
Mr. ANSTRY moved, as an amendment, that it be
read a third time this day three months. The Bill was
unjust in its details and would be ineffectual in accom-
pliallaing the end which the lion. Member (Mr. Spooner)
had in view in introducing it.
Mr. HENLEY would like to know how the costs for
carrying on prosecutions under the Bill would be pro-
vided for.
Mr. SPOONER said the costs would be in the dis-
cretion of the judge, as in ordinary cases of felony, but
he (Mr. Spooner) had no objection to any modification
on that point, and he would agree to the words "com-
pensation for loss of time " being left out of the Bill.
The House then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment... 22
Against it• " ..•
Majority
•••65
agtanst th° amendment —43
The amendment was therefore lost.
On the question that the Billbeoarstett:ad a third time,
Mr. HUME thought this
on morality was a great mistake. Hera to legislate
that certain Right Rev. Prelates should sewtoalltie tstueiiglelefxoos-trf
ample to their own families than by bringing in a
this kind. He thought that this was an unfit subject
legislation, more especially as most of the clauses in
the Bill had been introduced into it within the last 48
hours, which precluded their being maturely considered
by Hon. Members.
Mr. ROEBUCK said he wished to say a few words of
warning to gentlemen on the opposite side of the House
before this Bill was read a third time. Hon. Members
themselves might yet be made the victims of conspiracies
under this Bill, and be brought before the public under
the most painful circumstances, not because they
were, guilty, but because they were exposed to
odious charges from parties actuated entirely
by motives of cupidity; and so she hears 4 of
_dim

who were near and dear to Hon. Members might be
wrung, simply because the House of Commons, in pass-
ing this Bill, had yielded to a species of cant which was
as dangerous and mischievous as vice itself.—(Hear.)
Mr. SPOONER briefly replied.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
BANKRUPTCY LAW CONSOLIDATION BILL.
On the motion for the House going into Committee on
this Bill,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he feared, at this
period of the session, he would have to ask the House to
take this Bill in some measure upon trust, after the im-
mense labour which had been bestowed upon it
by the Select Committee appointed to consider its
merits. The Bill as it now stood was only a con-
solidation of the laws relating to bankruptcy.
The Committee had taken care that the consolidation
which they proposed, and which was embodied in this
Bill, would not interfere with decisions of the courts, and
he had forsaken some of the duties of his profession in
order to attend the Committee. A class of traders were
anxious to have introduced in the Bill persons who
were not, under the existing Act, traders ; and another
class, opulent merchants in the city of London, wished
to have the power of debtors making arrangements with
their creditors without the intervention of the court.
These improvements would be introduced into the Bill;
and in moving that the Speaker leave the chair, he
simply asked the House to give them due credit for the
arduous labour which the Committee had undergone, in
order to render the measure efficient.
Mr. STUART complimented the Committee and sup-
ported the Bill, believing that it would be beneficial to
the commercial community.
Sir J.GRAHAM gave the Committee full credit for
the earnestness of their labours, but at that late period of
the session, he thought without giving the House full time
to consider the Bill, which contained no less than 278
clauses, the Government would not act well to the com-
mercial community. He approved of consolidation, but
consolidation ought not to be made the excuse for material
changes. If changes were to be made in the law, they ought
to be stated seriatim. In the schedule which they were
called upon to adopt, he found that the whole of certain
Acts were to be abolished, and the parts of others. They
could not deal with a subject of more importance.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL intimated that be
should in Committee point out the nature of the altera-
tions referred to.
The House then went into Committee.
Clauses up to 124 were agreed to, with a few verbal
amendments.

Clauses 125 to 136 were passed, after a conversation
in which the Attorney-General, Mr. Spooner, and Mr.
Stuart respectively took part, the point being whether
the settlement made upon a man's daughter befere any
proceedings at law were taken against him would be
valid, and which was settled by the assertion of the
yr
Attorneye-Gweeeneraa lv atlhe as tb, ecooonr
sdiidnegr a
tt lawanancltheeqreucto;
equity,
marriage
Oughttobe a bar; so the clause was allowed d
to remain
as it stood.
Clauses 137 to 159 were then passed with little ob-
servation.
On clause 160 being: proposed, which directed the
mode in which the oath of a bankrupt should be
taken at his last examination, Mr. Page Wood ob-
jected, but the Attorney-General explained that the
oath had reference to the balance-sheet, which the bank-
rupt did not himself prepare. Mr.. Page Wood cited an
instance in which a man had been imprisoned three
years and a half, because he objected to take an oath.
Sir J. GRAHAM remarked that the oath had refer-
ence not to the balance-sheet only, but upon the accounts
which had been made up by the bankrupt, on which the
balance-sheet was founded.
Mr. PAGE WOOD said all that he wanted was, that
the power of imprisoning a man should be left to the
Court, and he felt so strongly on the subject that he was
compelled to divide the House.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL made an appeal to the
Hon. Gentleman not to press this matter to a division,
and said that it was eminently necessary to get the Bill
through Committee to-day.
After a discussion, in which Sir JAMES GRAHAM, who
wished the House to sit half an hour beyond the
usual time, but which was rebutted by the intimation
of Mr. BERNAL that the standing order would pre-
vent that, a compromise was come to, and the clause
was amended, so that the power to impose an oath would
be left in the discretion of the court.

Clauses up to 197 were then agreed to.
On clause 198 beino. read,
Sir JAMES GRAHAM objected to the authority
given by this clause to the Bankruptcy Judges.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the clause
was supported by all the chief merchants of the city of
London. _ _ _

After some further discussion, the consideration of
this clause was postponed until the bringing up of the
report.
'The remaining clauses were then agreed to, as were
also the schedules, with the exception of clause 256, the
consideration of which was also postponed.
The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and the report
was ordered to be received to-morow.

BANKRUPT LAW CONSOLIDATION (COLLEC-
TION OF FEES).
The report on this subject was received, and leave
given to bring in a Bill founded upon it.
Sir GEORGE GREY presented a petition from the
miners and colliers of the county of Durham, describing
the dangers of their calling, and praying the House to
pass a measure tor their relief.
The House then adjourned at Six o'clock.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, and SOUTH
COAST RAILWAY.
The usual half-yearly general meeting of the pro-
prietors of the London, Brighton, and South Coast
Railway Company was held yesterday, at the Bridge-
house Hotel; Mr. Laing, chairman of the board of direc-
tors, in the chair.
Mr. J. F. BucKroN, the secretary, read the report,
from which we make the following extracts:—
" The accounts for the half-year ending 30th June,
1849, are subjoined, and show the following results:—
" CAPITAL ACCOUNT.—The amount of capital raised
up to the 30th June, 1849, is 7,065,0671., consisting of
Loan capital ... .Z 1,411,837
Preference share capital ... 1,037,596
Ordinary share capital ... 4,615,634

£7,065,067

" Of this amount the whole will receive interest or
dividend out of revenue except 65,6991. expended on
the Thames Junction Line, which was not opened until
the 2d July, and 73,4241. expended on the Eastbourne
and Hailshava Branches, from the Ist January to the
14th May, when those branches were opened. The in-
terest on the capital expended on the London- bridge
station enlargement is charged to revenue, the object
being considered not directly productive, though it will
be indirectly beneficial by saving expense, and affording
increased facilities for the traffic. The capital expended
on the Bricklayers' Arms goods station also receives in-
terest out of revenue for the whole half-year.
" The amount of additional capital expended during
the past half-year is 129,9111., or 120,3191., after de-
ducting the proceeds of land and old materials sold. Of
this, the largest item of expenditure, amounting to up-
wards of 35,0001, has been for the London-bridge sta-
tion enlargement. The sum of 150,000/. has been stated
as an estimate of the probable cost of this enlargement,
but this emount was, of course, little better than a vague
approximation, until steps had been taken to purchase
the requisite property. The agreements for these pur-
chases being now nearly completed, the directors are able
to repeat their expectation, that 150,0001. may be taken
as the probable cost of land and works for constructing a
station capable of accommodating any amount of traffic
that can be anticipated.
" The outlay of capital for the other objects specified
in the statement of October, 1848, hxs been nearly com-
pleted; and as further progress is made towards the
final closing of the capital account, the directors find
themselves enabled to repeat, with increased confidence,
that the limit of 7,200,0001. will not be exceeded. The
sum of 186,901/. is required to be raised by loan, sup-
posing the remaining 6 per cent. stock not to be issued,
in order to bring the capital up to this amount of
7,200,0001.; and a resolution, authorising the directors
to raise this sum, will be submitted to the proprietors.
"The Parliamentary powers of the company would
authorise the raising of a further sum of 240,930/. be-
yond this limit by shares or loans; but the directors
pledge themselves that no capital shall be raised beyond
7,200,0001., unless for some specific object, beyond the
ordinary working and maintenance of the present system
of lines, and for which the previous sanction of the pro-
prietors has been distinctly asked and obtained.
" One object of this sort which the directors now wish
to bring before the proprietors is the erection of cottages
for the workmen in the company's employment at Brigh-
ton. There are in all upwards of 600 men employed at
Brighton, where lodgings are excessively dear; and it
would be a great boon to them to obtain comfortable cot-
tages from the company at a rent which, while moderate,
would give an ample return on the capital invested.
The company are already in possession of land well
adapted for the purpose of building a large number of
cottages, on which a safe and ample return would be
secured. This, however, is not so much the object as
the benefit which would accrue to the men themselves,
and indirectly to the company, by encouraging good and
steady workmen to remain in their service. As the
construction of a sufficient number of cottages might in-
volve, however, an outlay of about 30,0001., the directors
have not thought it right to take any steps until the mat-
ter had been brought distinctly before the proprietors.
" RETENUE ACCOIINT.—The gross earnings of the
half-year, compared with those of the corresponding
half-year of 1848, show the following results:—

Half-year Half-year
ending 30th ending 30th
June,lB4B. June)] 849.
Average number of Miles open for Traffic 159 ... 164
Number of Miles run by Trains :
Passenger Trains ... 446,944 ... 398,139
Goods Trains ... .. 105,095 ... 98,109

Total ... ... ... 552,039 ... 496,238

....£194,805 £214,062
Gross receipts ... •
and Hail.lham Branches,
" The additional mileage()o
t. 7 jrniaiits of the
iiessofsingl Eastbourne
olinn,opene
d
ontheenititrhelyMoayw,insgo
tothatth
the increase
of 19,
on
2571. is
almost
the
development
of
traffic
existing lines, and to the increase of goods traffic con-
sequent on the opening of the Bricklayers' Arms station.
" The receipts on the Croydon and Epsom line having
remained nearly stationary during the year 1848, the
directors have thought it right to try the experiment of
attracting traffic to the line by reducing the scale of
charge for periodical tickets, increasing the number of
third class trains, and issuing
London at reduced rates. Theyexcursion tickets from
are happy to say that
this experiment has thus far proved successful; the re-
ceipts on this line showing an increase of 13 per cent.
over the corresponding period of last year (irrespective
of the race traffic), since the date of the alterations.
" The Croydon and Epsom Line affords such peculiar
..Almtwo IQ; itiburMill 001.49A.cet itlictkox t)a9rt yam.