The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-25 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM CHARTER.

In answer to a question from Sir E. WILMOT,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the
Judges having decidel in favour of the validity of the
Birmingham Charter, he thought that a Pail ought to
be introduced to remove all doubts as to the right of the
Corporation to appoint a Court of Quarter Sessions,
and to settle the disputes at present subsisting between
the towns of Birmingham and Warwick relating to the
gaol. Ho had not yet had an opportunity of conferring
with the Ministers on the subject, but he should cer-
tainly advise the introduction of some such measure.

Colonel WOOD presented a pet: Lion from the pre-
sent and the ex-officers of the Poor-law Guardians of
the county of Brecon, praying that the powers of the
Commissioners may not be extended.
Mr. AINSWORTH presented a petition from the
inhabitants of the borough of Bolton, signed by 6,000
persons, against the New Pour-law Bill.

Mr. ROCHE presented a petition from the county
of Cork praying the House to reject Lord Stanley's
and to adopt Lord Morpetla's Registration Bill.
Mr. LYTTON presented petitions from the coun-
ties of Waterford, Tipperary, and Meath, in favour of
Lord Stanley's Re4istration Bill, and against that
brought in by the Givernment.

Mr. H. -GRATTAN presented petitions from
places in the counties of Meath and Dublin in favour
of the Government Registratio❑ Bill.
Mr. J. GRATTAN presented similar petitions to
the same effect from the county of Wicklow.
Mr. A. YATES presented two petitions from Car-
low to the same effect.

S+ Mr. CHALMERS presented a petition praying for
the abolition of patronage in the Kirk of Scotland.
Lord MORPETH presented a petition from 22,000
inhabitants of Liverpool, in favour of the Noble Lord's
Irish Registration Bill, and against the measure of
Lord Stanley. Also petitions from several parishes in
Ireland to the same effect.
SOUND DUES.
Mr. HUTT gave notice that on Tuesday, the 9th
I\larch, he should call the attention of the House to
the tolls and customs levied at Elsincur by the King of
Denmark on all ships and cargoes under the name of
Sound Dues. The Hon. Member also gave notice,
that on Friday he should move for the minutes of
evidence taken before the Select Committee on the
Hull Docks in the course of last Session.
Mr. W. ELLIS gave notice that in Committee on
the Poor-law Continuance Bill, he should move an
amendment, empowering the guardians of the poor to
administer out-door relief to persons over sixty years of
age in certain cases.
On the order of the day for resuming the adjourned
debate on the second reading of the Registration of
Parliamentary Voters (Ireland) Bill being read,
Mr. HAMILTON said, that he wished to put a
question to the Noble Lord the Secretary for the
Colonies. Though he (Mr. Hamilton) knew that
the Assistant Poor-law Commissioners, under the
second section of the Poor-blw Act, had the power
to bring parties before them and examine them, be
trusted he should hear from the Noble Lord that he
did not sanction the Assistant Poor-law Commissioners
in those inqusitorial proceedings of which he (Mr. Ha-
milton) complained. However, as there was au impnr-
taa discussion before the House, he would not occupy
the attention of Hon. Members, but read an extract
from a letter on the subject which he had just received
from a Magistrate in the county of Buckingham. The
Magistrate in question was not an Ultra-Tory or a Ra-
dical—either of whom might be supposed to be inimical
to the Poor-law Bill—but he was a most intelligent
Magistrate. The question which he wished to put was,
"concerning the powers of the Assistant Poor-law Com-
missioners to examine privately, on oath, into matters
cognizable by the common law of the land, and hear wit-
nesses on oath without allowing legal advisers to the par-
ties." The Hon. Member then proceeded to say that he
trusted the Noble Lord would not suppose that he was
now putting an irrelevant question. It was one, he
thought, which affected all the poor classes of her Ma-
jesty's subjects. The Hon. Member concluded by read.
ing the extracts from the letter to which he had alluded.
Lord J. RUSSELL, who was indistinctly heard, said
that with respect to the power of the Poor-law Commis-
sioners to take evidence on oath, that power was given
them by the Act, and it was therefore unnecessary for
him to give any other answer. With respect to the
propriety of exercising that power, he might, with equal
propriety be called upon to discuss any other provision
of the Bill by way of question.—( Hear, hear.) It
seemed to him that there might be certain questions in
which it would be proper for the Commissioners to exa-
mine in this manner. Whether in this particular case
there had been any abuse of power he was unable to
state, not knowing the circumstances which, perhaps,
on the discussion of the Poor-law Amendment Bill, the
Hon. Gentleman would state to the House.
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS (IRELAND)
BILL.

Lord STANLEY said he would postpone his Bill
until Friday next, not with any intention of then bring-
ing it forward, but of then announcing when ho would
do so.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BILL.
In answer to a question by Sir E. SUGDEN,