The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-09 00:00:00

Lynn and Ely Railway (Lynn and Wormegay Navi-
gation).
Manchester and Leeds Railway (Alteration of Levels of
Brighouse Branch of the West Riding Union Rail-
ways, and new Line into Leeds).
Midland Railway (Masbrough and Normanton Stations

six separate. distinct, and contradictory interpretative
clauses. (Laughter.) How was it possible that
the House should in a few days be able to master
a mass of confusion like this? He trusted that the op-
position would not be characteribed as a factious one,
when it was considered that all the lawyers in the country
would not be able to master the details of this Bill in a
twelvemonth. _ .

Enlargement).
St. Helen's Canal and Railway (Warrington and Black-

brook Branches, &c.)
Sandwich Haven.
Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks.
Westminster Improvements.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE HEALTH OF TOWNS

Lord J. RUSSELL denied that any charge had been
brought against the Hon. Member's opposition ; all he
had said was that Hon. Members might each for himself
decide whether the opposition was vevatious or not ;
and having said so much, he would have only hoped
that the same forbearance had been exercised by Hon.
Members opposite that had been by the members of the
Government, and that they should not proceed to
argue the merits of the Health of Towns Bill after it
had been withdrawn. While he was upon his legs he
might be allowed to state that he should propose that
the Speaker take the chair at three o'clock to-morrow,
when they might proceed with private business ; he
trusted that the House would then be enabled to take
public business at half-past three, and so get into Com-
mittee of Supply. •
ISLINGTON FEVER HOSPITAL.
Mr. DUNCOMBE said, that as he had given notice
of a clause in the Health of Towns Bill, having reference
to the building of a fever hospital at Islington, and that
Bill having been withdrawn, the only thing that
remained for him was to give notice that he should
introduce to-morrow a Bill for the purpose of obtain-
ing what the clause was intended to do, namely,
to prevent the building of a fever hospital in so crowded
a neighbourhood as Ilington.
DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL.

BILL.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said—Sir, I am anxious,
before the House proceeds with the business before it,
to make a statement with respect to a most important
Bill now standing for consideration—l allude to the
Health of Towns Bill. The House is aware that the
Bill was introduced at an early period of the session.
Although the state of public business would not allow
it to be proceeded with until an advanced period of the
session. The Bill, as the House is aware, was read a
second time by a very large majority, and by a large
majority in Committee the clauses in the Bill that had
been adopted had been agreed to, and thereby the pre-
amble of the Bill had been recognised. But lately, after
proceeding with the more important clauses consider-
able debate had arisen upon each clause, so
that on Monday only two clauses were disposed
of, and on Tuesday only one. There are several
other clauses in the Bill to which it is intended to move
amendments, and which would require discussion. Now,
under those circumstances, when I consider the descrip-
tion of the clauses in the Bill and the discussion that
those clauses are likely to lead to, while I think that
those clauses should be adopted, yet I cannot see that at
this period of the session, and of the present Parliament,
we are likely to obtain the result we aim at
without a very considerable period elapsing.
Ido not wish-to argue the question of what this delay
may be owing to. Some Bills are of that important
nature, such as the Reform Act, the Poor-law Act, the
English Corporation Act, that they require considerable
attention, and it was necessary that a long time should be
taken up in the discussion thereon; another cause may
be that unnecessary opposition has been made for the
purpose of delay; another argument may be that the Bill
in itself is defective.—(" Hear, hear," from Lord G. Ben-
tinck.) All I say is, that Ido not intend to argue
which is the case with respect to this Bill. I
have my own convictions upon the subject.
The Noble Lord opposite may have his opinions
also on the subject, and all I have to
request of him is, filet he will be good enough to allow
me to retain my opinion on the subject.—(Hear, hear.)
I cannot now hope to proceed with the Bill with any
success in the present session of Parliament.—(Hear,
hear.) I may say, also, that there is another more
special reason which applies to the present circumstances.
We are not only now entered into the month of July,
and are advancing towards the middle of the month, but
we are also arrived at a time when the Parliament is
approaching its termination. I believe the House has
now sat for a longer number of years than any Parlia-
ment since the year 1826. No Parliament since that
year has sat so long as the present one, and as we
approach the sixth year of its existence there is naturally
a general expectation of dissolution, and with that ex-
pectation there is of course the usual expense and ex-
citement attendant upon the canvass of Hon. Members ;
and I believe that this is another strong reason
why the Government should come to the conclusion not
to proceed with the Bill.—(lronical cheers.) :But, at the
same time, I would not allow any single word to drop
from me which would at all signify that my confidence
in the principle of the Bill as adopted by the majority of
the House is at all shaken.—(Hear, hear.) The ques-
tion is one which excites the greatest interest in the
country, and no person will deny that it is a subject for
which legislation is required, and therefore it is not to be
supposed that, in dropping this Bill at the present time,
the Government have given up the subject altogether,
and that we shall not insist at as early a period as pos-
sible upon such amendments of the existing law as ma)'
be required. With this statement, Sir, of the reasons why
the Government do not wish to go on with the Bill,
and not wishing to excite any irritating discussion on
the subject, I shall, therefore, move that the order of
the day fer the Committee on the Health of Towns Bill
be read, for the purpose of being discharged.
Mr. STUART was happy to hear the statement of the
Noble Lord at the head of the Government. He be-
lieved that the Bill was a mistake from the beginning to
the end of it, and that it was based upon a false system.
He trusted that the Government wonld consider well
before they brought forward the measure in another
Parliament. He looked upon the measure which the
Noble Lord had most wisely withdrawn as a bait for li-
tigation—(Hear, hear)—and it behoved the Government
to consider whether they could not do something to
make Acts of Parliament more simple.—(Hear, hear.)
He trusted the next attempt at legislation on this subject
would ba of a more simple character, and that, instead of
having an Act with 57 clauses, they would have one with
ten.—(Hear, hear.) Although he deeply regretted the
failure of the Bill on the present occasion, he thought
the :Noble Lord at the head of the Government had
adopted the only course that was open to him.
Mr. AGLIONBY was sorry that the Bill bad been
withdrawn, but at the same time he felt bound to admit
that the Government had pursued the only course that
was left open to them.
Lord MAHON thought the Noble Lord at the head
of the Government had adopted a wise course in with-
drawine the Bill.
Sir W. CL sY was also of opinion that the Noble Lord
had adopted the only course that was left open to him in
withdrawing the Bill.
Mr. HUDSON referred to the statement read by the
lion. Member for Finsbury the other night with respect
to the condition of York. He said that city was as
healthy as any other town in England, as the average
longevity was 32 years, whilst it was c-msiderably less
in Liverpool, Birmingham, and other places. In
Salford the average duration of human life was
26, in Sheffield 22, in Huddersfield 27, and in
Dewsbury 23. If the Bill was necessary for
York, it was equally necessary for London.—(Hear.)
The statement he had read would show that White-
chapel and other districts of London were far more un-
healthy than York. Many rural districts were far more
unhealthy than towns, and the Bill should apply to these
districts as well as towns.
Mr. MACKINNON asked the Noble Lord if he
would give a pledge that he would bring forward the
Bill in the next session.
Mr. W AKLEY advised the Noble Lord to pay the
greatest attention to the statements of the Learned
Gentleman (Mr. Stuart). The lion. Gentleman (Mr.
Mackinnon) had urged the Noble Lord to bring in
a similar Bill next session. He could not join
him in that desire, as he wished the Noble Lord would
bring in a more comprehensive measure than the one
just withdrawn, in which the City of London would not
be excluded.—(Hear, hear.) Before the Noble Lord
brought in another Bill he advised him to institute a
preliminary inquiry, and to consult the various paving,
lighting, and watering boards, of which there were a
great number in the metropolis, none of whom, he under-
stood, had been consulted. If he did this he was sure
he would carry the public with him, and pass such a com-
prehensive measure into a law. He complained that the
judges put constructions upon Acts of Parliament which
when they were passed were never dreamt of.—(Hear.)
In this case they should not give the judges too much
power. It was true, if parties felt aggrieved by the
decision of the judges, they might carry an appeal to
the Lord Chancellor, but he considered that a jury of
twelve men were alone competent to settle the majority
of questions which came before the courts, but espe-
cially in reference to sanatory regulations. To obviate
any differences of opinion they should so simplify the
Bill as to render misinterpretalion impossible, so that a THAMES CONSERVANCY.
child might understand it. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition, signed by
the principal brewers in the metropolis against this Bill,
Mr. HUME urged that the new Bill should be brought
in early next session, and that they should simplify it as and praying the House not to pass it into a law without
much as possible. There was a great difference between giving them an opportunity of being heard against it ;
statute and judge-made law; and therefore they should els° praying for an inquiry into the dues levied by the
take care that the statute law in this case was so clear, Corporation on ships entering the port of London. He
that the judges could not put a different construction should, to-morrow, move the printing of the petition.
upon it from that put upon it by the House. GRANT TO ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Mr. HENLEY deprecated the conduct of Government Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the Roman
in bringing in a Bill with so many clauses almost at the Catholic clergy and laymen of a town in Stafford,
end of the session, and when the Noble Lord must have the prayer of which 80 agreed with that presented by
known that as he progressed with it at that late peliod, the Hon. Member for Northampton, that he should not
he would sink step by step as he proceeded as if he trouble the House by reading it ; it was only necessary
were in a bog. The Noble Lord had failed because he for him to lay it on the table. The Right Hon. Baronet
had attempted too much—(Hear)—he would do far also presented a petition from Leicester to the same effect.
more good if he were to proceed at a slower pace.— Mr. V. SMITH wished to ask the Noble Lord whether
(Hear, hear.) He advised him, therefore, if he intended the minutes of the Privy Council, with respect to allow-
to bring forward the Bill next session to have his ma- ing Roman Catholics to participate in the grants for
chinery well defined and arranged. He thanked the
Noble education, were in so forward a state as to allow their
Lord for his courteous conduct during a trouble-
some opposition.—(Hear, hear.)
ha presentation to the House this session?
Lord MORPETH said he d not consented to the Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who spoke in an unusually
withdrawal of the measure without great regret both on low tone, was understood to say that copies
public and private grounds—(Hear, hear)—but the pro- of the communications which he had bad with
press made during the last twoaddays, and as but two
that it could not be passed through the heads of the Roman Catholics in this country could
clauses were passed on Monday and
botha Tuesday,no duringhe felt
the present session. No doubt,
thethey had con- not, he feared, be presented to the House before the
houses
conclusion of the session. He had bad communications
fined the Bill to the first clauses ofßill—namely, some time ago with the Catholic Institute, who had
those for inquiry—they would doubtlesshah have disarmed communicated on the subject with the different Catholic
much of the opposition which they had to
t 0
00
the charge
He denied that the Government were o
Member bodies throughout the country, whose answers were re-
of wishing to pass the Bill for the purposep of arge
In rehpaldy
toto statet Hon. ceived about a week ago. He believed that they agreed
creating(Mr in most of the propositions which he had felt it his
that the Govern-. duty to make to them; but there were two or three
merit would feel it their duty to bring in points •
patronage.
Mackinnon)
still under consideration, which would come
similar Bill next session.—(Hear.) He would give the under the attention of the Privy Council at their
utmost consideration to the suggestions which had been
made, and that, they would admit, would be no easy task. meeting on Saturday; but he might state
—(Laughter.) He certainly had no wish to exclude the that further communications with the Catholic
city of London, but as he felt that they could not properly Institute would be necessary. It was not the
include the city, from the vast machinery which would be intention of the Government to propose a
required, and from the statements which had been made vote this session for the education of the
to the authorities ; but in the new measure he certainly
children of Roman
should not omit the city of London.—(Hear.) He was told Catholics, but it was their
intention
to
that he must consult all the local boards, and comprise include the Roman Catholics in any
promotion of education which the Go-
Bill of 10 clauses—(Laughter)—whilst the Hon. Member vernment might propose next year.
for Maldon had introduced a Bill somewhat similar, con- Sir DE LACY EVANS
inquired if the minutes,
taining 300 clauses. The utmost consideration would with respect to the Non-conformists
be given by him during the recess to the whole subject,
the table this session ?
which was one ota
f vil and growing irtance.
a Lord JOHN
Mr. NEWDEGATE and Sir DE LACY EVANSm considered was understood to say that
they would.
that there was a strong feeling in favour of a Health of
Towns Bill, and trusted the Noble Lord would bring COLLIERY ACCIDENT
W IGAN AT KIRKLESS HALL
NEAR
forward a comprehensive measure next session.
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said that he did net Mr. FORSTER wished to ask the Secretary of State
wish to disturb the good humour which appeared to for the Home Department whether he had received any
prevail in the House, but be thought that the Noble information from the magistrates or coroner of the dis-
Lord ought, in candour. to have acknowledged that the trict, tending to confirm the charges made against the
delay that had occurred was not owing to any opposition Kirkless Hall Colliery, near Wigan, in respect to the
on the part of that side of the House ; but the House accident at that colliery, on Tuesday the 29th ult.
need not wonder at the delay when he informed them Sir G. GREY said that the Government had sent an
that the 21st clause of this Act proposed to incorporate officer down to make inquiries upon the spot, and an
the whole of six other existing Acts, containing alto- offer had been made on the part of the Government to
gether elapses, and each Aot of which contained the coroner of any &abidance that 17 in their power

In answer to a question,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that his Right Hon. Friend
(the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would, at five o'clock,
on the order of the day for going into Committee on
this Bill, state what had been generally the result of the
financial measures which had been adopted with regard
to Ireland.
TETAMES CONSERVANCY BILL.
Mr. WARD said that with respect to this Bill, owing
to the arrangements of this day, he should be unable to
bring it on till Monday next.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS BILL.
In answer to a question from Mr. NEWDEGATE,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that this Bill would not
be pressed this session, as the Government thought that
a longer time than could be now spared to it ought to be
given to its consideration.
SITTING ON SATURDAY.

In answer to a question from Mr. WAKLEY,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he would to-morrow
state what business he would proceed with on Saturday.
COMPENSATION FOR: DAMAGES (IRELAND).
The House then went into Committee upon the Com-
pensation for Damages (Ireland) BilL
Upon Clause 1 being read,
Mr. HAMILTON objected to the operation of this
clause, as insufficient for the purpose for which it was
framed, and by no means calculated to stimulate the
landed proprietors of Ireland to exertions beneficial to
themselves and to the tenants under them.

Mr. LABOUCHERE said that with regard to the
objections which the Hon. Member had urged, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would, at five o'clock, make
a statement to the House which would bring the whole
question of Ireland under the notice of the House, and
the objections stated could be urged then with more
benefit than at that time.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL hoped that the applications for
damages under this Bill would be made public, so as to
prevent any underhand jobbing, both on the part of the
proprietors and the tenant.
Cluuse I, with some verbal amendments, was then
agreed to.
Clauses 2 to 6 were then agreed to.
Clause 7, with a few verbal amendments, was agreed
to and ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 8 was agreed to.
The preamble of the Bill was also agreed to, and the
report was ordered to be received to-morrow.
POLLING AT ELECTIONS (IRELAND).
The House then went into Committee on the Polling
at Elections (Ireland) Bill.
In answer to a question from Mr. HAMILTON,
Mr. L ABOUCHERE said that he was desirous of
placing the University of Dublin in the same situation
as the universities in Et.gland with respect to polling at

elections.
All the clauses in the Bill were agreed to, with a few
verbal amendments; and, after a short discussion, the
report was ordered to be received to-morrow.
NEW ZEALAND BILL.

On the motion of Mr. HAWES, the order of the day
,or the second reading of the New Zealand Bill was
discharged, and a new Bill brought in, which was read a
first, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow.
CANAL COMPANIES BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed to-morrow.
The House, at four, adjourned until Five o'clock.

The House resumed at Five o'clock.
BRITISH ARMY IN INDIA.
Mr. EWART, seeing the Right Hon. Gentleman the
President of the Board of Control in his place, wished
to inquire if any change was contemplated in the sys-
tem of furlough now adopted with respect to the British
army in India.
Sir J. C. 110BHOUSE said, since the period when
the Hon. Gentleman put the same question to him some
months ago, the subject had engaged the attention both
of the Court of Directors and the Board of Control,
and he had now the satisfaction of informing the Hon.
Member that yesterday a dispatch was sent out to India
by the Court of Directors, containing a plan for chang-
ing the system of furlough in thecivil service. The
Governor-General, upon its arrival, would take it into
his most serious consideration, and when it had bt.en
approved of by him, steps would be taken by the
home authorities fur carrying it out. It had
been thought exredient not to mix the two subjects of
the Civil and Military Board, but he could inform his
Hon. Friend that they bad a plan in contemplation for
altering the system in the military service too.—(Hear.)
LAW OF MARRIAGE.
Sir R. H. INGLIS, i❑ pursuance of notice given,
wished to know from the President of the India Board
whether it was true that a payment was made by the
Government of India in support of the Hindoo temple
of Juggernaut?
Sir J. CAM HOBHOUSE said that the House should
have every opportunity of inspecting the papers upon
this subject ; they were very voluminous, but still they
might serve every purpose which the Hon. Member had
in view, and give him the information he required.
Sir R. H. INGLIS then moved that an humble address
be preseaPd to her Majesty for a copy of any commis-
sion issued to inquire into the state of the law relating to
marriages in the Queen's dominions and in foreign
countries.

SOUTHWARK.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition, signed
by many wharfingers of Southwark, complaining of the
difference between the Customs dues levied on both sides
of the river, and praying the appointment of a Com-
mittee to inquire into the subject. He should call the
attention of the House to the subject next session.
GRANTS TO ROMAN CATHOLICS FOR EDU-
CATION.

Mr. V. SMITH presentedapeiition from the Roman
Catholic clergy and Roma❑ Catholic laity of Northamp-
ton, complaining that Roman Catholics had been ex-
cluded in the grants for the purposes of educa-
tion ; that Roman Catholics comprised a large pro-
portion of the inhabitants in every town of Great Britain;
that, being poor, they were exposed to all the evils
arising from ignorance, and therefore stood more in
need of education at the hands of the State, and pray-
ing that they might participate in the grant for educa-
tion.