The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-24 00:00:00

ADULTERATION OF WINES,

Sir JAMES LAWRENCE asked the Chancellor of the
Exchequer if wines of a superior quality were adulterated,
with the knowledge of the officers of the customs, in the
docks ; and, also, whether the officers of the customs had
received instructions to afford every facility for such
adulteration, provided the owners declare that it is for the
purpose of fortifying the wines.

Mr. LOWE said his attention had not been called to the
matter, otherwise than by the question. He found that
no adulteration took place with the cognisance or permis-
sion of the Customs ; they had not given any orders on
the subject, but the owners of the wines had the privilege
while they were in bond of fortifying them— (a laugh)—
which was necessary, and in case of wines becoming
clouded, to fine them.

Sir J. LAWRENCE said he: should move for a return of
the quantity of alcohol and other spirits used in the
docks.

THE UNIFORM OF VOLUNTEERS

Captain DAWSON-DAMER asked the Secretary for War
whether he had considered the necessity of forming a
second arsenal in a central position in England, such as
Cannock Chase ; and, also, whether all volunteers, with
the exception of the artillery corps, should be clothed in
scarlet.
Mr. CARDWELL said no provision had been made in the
estimates for another arsenal. As to clothing volunteers
in scarlet he had already said he did not think it desirable
to interfere with the present arrangement.

IRISH MAGISTRATES.
Colonel STUART KNOX desired to know from the Chief
Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Robert B. Daly,
auctioneer and publican, had been appointed to the Com-
mission of the Peace for the borough of Drogheda, and
on whose recommendation ; and whether the rule now in
force for preventing the appointment to the magistracy of
dealers in spirits is now'set aside, and on what grounds.
The hon. member prefaced his question by a statement,
in which, however, he was constantly interrupted by cries
of " order." •

Mr. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE said that as he was
responsible for the appointment of the gentleman referred
to by the hon. member, he would answer the question.
He gave the license from his own knowledge of Mr. Daly,
fortified by high authority—(laughter)—and he certainly
had no reason to believe at the time that Mr. Daly was a
publican, nor had he any reason to believe so now. He had
since ascertained that Mr. Daly, who, a few years ago, was
Mayor of Drogheda, was a member of a large grocery
establishment, both wholesale and retail, and that
he also held a wine license. He was in no other sense a
Publican, and he did not even hold that license now,
having transferred it sometime back to a member of his
family. He (the speaker) might also state that three
Years ago, Mr. Daly was offered a commission of the peace
for the borough by the lord-lieutenant of the county, but
he was not appointed, because it was considered that the
number of acting magistrates was excessive, which was
not the case now. He might also inform the
douse that this respectable gentleman had been honoured
with the confidence of his fellow citizens by being ap-
pointed to a variety of local offices, one of which was re-
Inarkable, for, although he was not a member of the
Established Church, he was elected a member of the select
vestry. (Hear.) It might be added that the paragraph
Which had filled the hon. member with consternation had
been withdrawn, and that the newspaper in question had
since followed it by a highly complimentary article. (Great
laughter-)