The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-25 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

At four o'clock the SPEAKER took the Chair.—The Deputy
Usher of the Black Rod summoned the House to the House of
Peers, to hear the Royal Assent given by Commission to several
Bills (for Which see the Lords' Report).
EQUITABLE LOAN BILL.
Mr. PETER MOORE moved the third reading of the Equi-
table Loan Bill.
Mr. ROBERTSON opposed the Bill, on the ground of the
general impolicy of encouraging these kind of Companies.
The House then divided, when the numbers were—
For the Bill - - - 39
Against it - - u 12
Majority in favour of the Bill - —27
Mr. H. Su MN ER presented a petition from the-Court of Re-
quests in Southwark against the County Court's Bill.
Mr. LAmn-roN presented a petition from certain persons
against the Isle of Dogs Collier Docks Bill.

ST. CATHERINE'S DOCK.
Mr. MANNING presented a petition from the London
Docks Company against the St. Catherine's Dock Bill, praying
thatithe Bill might be re-committed in order that the petitioners
might have an opportunity of opposing the 13111.
Mr. C. CALVERT stated that it was his intention to have
moved that the petition alluded to by the lion. Member (which
we could not distinctly hear) should be referred to a Committee,
but in consequente of meeting with a Gentleman on his vr,ly
to the House,who told him it was not desirable that there should
be a House, and thus the day for making the motion was lost.
He also complained of the conduct of some Gentlemen in the
Committee who voted against him, although they had not at-
tended the discussions in the Committee.
After a few words from Mr. IVILBRAHAM, the petition
was brought up annead.
Mr. MANNING then moved that the St. Catherine's Dock
Bill be re-committed.
Mr. C. CALVERT supported the motion.
Mr. IIEATHCOTE thought that the Bill had been suf-
ficiently considered, and that it was unnecessary to re-com-
mit it. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

WILBRAHAM thought the preamble of the Bill was
clearly proved by documents on the table of the House.
Mr. H. SUMNER contended that there was great neglect
on the part of the London Dock Company,and that a very strong
case ought to be made ought before the Bill should be re-com-
mitted. He defended the conduct of the Committee.
Mr. HUME believed that the St. Catherine's Docks, though
they might come in competition with other Docks, would be
ultimately beneficial to the public. He thought, however, that
in fairness and justice the House should allow the London
Docks Company to be heard, and that the Bill should be re-
committed.
Mr. GRENFELL said the House should be careful not to
do injustice, which it would do if they re-committed the Bill.—
The London Dock Company deserved nothing from the favour
of the House. They had hitherto acted in a very vexatious
and uncandid way. Last year they came before the House in
forma pomperis, complaining that the low rates charged by
them allowed a division of only 4i per cent., and yet they had
this year reduced the rates-en wine and spirits 30 per cent., and
on tobacco 50 per cent. They were interested parties, and de-
served no particular favour from the House. •
Mr. MABERLY supported the motion for re-commitment.

111 r. TRANT made .tisingle remark in a low tone of voice.
Mr. JONES censured the conduct of the London Dock Com-
pany, and thought they thould be the last persons in the world
to complain of unfairness.
Mr. S. NVORTLEY briefly opposed there-commitment.
The House then divided on the question—
For the Re-commitment - - - 20 .
Against it - - - - - 91
Majority against the Re-commitment . —7l
Mr. LABIBTOH presented a petition from Stockton, for a re-
peal of the Window Tax.—Ordered to be printed.
A Message was received from the Lords, asking permission
for Sir J. Newport to attend as a witness before the Commit-
tee of the Lords on the State of Ireland, which permission was
granted.
Mr. Wxna presented a petition from the Inhabitants of
Cheltenham, for a repeal of the Window Tax.—Ordered to be
printed.
Sir R. SHAW presented a petition from the Chamber of Com-
merce of the City of Dublin, for the reduction of the duties on
Fire Assurance.—Ordered to be printed.
THE CATHOLIC CLAIMS.
Mr. B. COOPER presented a petition from the Rural Dean
and Clergy of Gloucester, against the Catholic Claims. The
Hon. Member said, there was an indisposition in the House to
receive petitions from the Clergy.
Mr. HUME denied that there was any such indisposition.— I
The meeting at which this petition originated, was very infor-
mal. Only seven Clergyrpen attended, and only two of them
signed at the time. The petition was afterwards sent round
to obtain signatures. He was glad to see this sort of petition
presented.
Mr. B. COOPER explained, that it was not the petition of
the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester, but from the Rural Dean
and Clergy of the Deanery of Gloucester.
Mr. PEEL said the Petition did not profess to be from the
Dean and Chapter. He reprobated the mode adopted of insti-
tuting such rigid scrutiny into the history of petitions. Some
one must originate them, and then they must be sent about for
signatures.
The Petition was then brought up, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. GROSSET presented a petition from Chippenham against
any further concessions to the Roman Catholics.—Ordered to
be printed.
Mr. SYKES presented a petition from Kingston-upon Hull,
praying a revision of the Corn Laws. The Hon. Member
begged to impress upon the minds of his Majesty's Ministers
the necessity of giving their serious consideration to this most
important subject. Ordered to be printed.
Mr. NORTH presented a petition from Newry in favour of
the Stock Provincial Banking Company in Ireland.
Mr. S. WORTLEY brought in a Bill for the better prevent-
' ing fraud in the Manufacture of Cutlery Articles in England.—
Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on the
21st of April.

BANKRUPT LAWS.
Mr. COURTENAY gave notice that he should to-morrow
move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Bankrupt Laws.
Mr. PLUNKETT presented a petition from the Protestant In-
habitants of the Town of Newry, in favour of the Catholic
Claims.—Ordered to be printed.
Sir J. NEWPORT presented a petition from the Chamber of
Commerce, against any alteration in the Laws relating to the
Butter Trade.—Ordered to be printed.
ILL-TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.
Mr. R. MARTIN rose, pursuant to notice, to move for
leave to bring in a Bill to anvid the Act for preventing the ill-
treatment of animals. There were certain omissions in the law
which he was anxious to supply, and he also proposed to make
the offence punishable with greater severity. What man could
hear of a horse's eye being maliciously knocked out, and not
think that the crime deserved a higher punishment than a fine