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

SECOND READINGS.

The following Bills were read a second time, and
ordered to be committed:—Argyle Canal—Newbart (or
Gravenor's) Estate—Paterson's Estate—Piekernell's
Estate—Wingfield's (or St. Aubyn's) Estate.
YORK AND NEW CASTLE RAILWAY.

On the motion of Mr. HUDSON the report on the
York and Newcastle Railway (Main Line Improvement,
&c.) was further considered and agreed to.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lords' Amendments to the following Bills were
considered and agreed to:—
Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Wisbech
to Sutton-bridge, &c.)
Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Burntisland Pier,

_
&c.)
Kilmarnock Police and Improvement.
Midland Railway (Erewash Valley, &c.)
HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of
Supply, and Lord Morpeth moved a resolution autho-
rising the Treasury to make certain advances.
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK would oppose the mo-
tion unless the Noble Lord would state the sum required.

Lord MORPETLI could not state the exact sum re-
quired. The course pursued by the Government was
the usual one.
Mr. HUDSON opposed the resolution, and would
divide the House upon it if he stood alone, unless some
specific sum were mentioned.
After some observations from the CHANCELLOR
of the EXCHEQUER, _ _

Mr. BANKES considered a subject like the present
ought not to be discussed at the present time, and he
would ♦ote for the adoption of any course that would
postpone the vote.
Mr. HUME supported the resrdution. Nothing was
more likely to lessen the poor-rates than to improve the
sanatory condition of towns. There could be no doubt
the provisions of the Bill would have that effect, and he
thought, therefore, that the House ought to do nothing
to weaken the effects of the Bill.

Captain PECHELL supported the resolution, be
cause it would do away with the supposition that his
constituents would be saddled with the expense of in-
spectors and other officers. Ilis constituents were in
favour of the Bill, provided they were not to be saddled
with expenses.
Mr. SPOONER would be compelled to vote against
the motion of his Right Honourable Friend the
Lord Mayor of York if he persevered with it.
Mr. G. PALMER opposed the resolution.
Mr. HENLEY also opposed the resolution.
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK proposed to limit the
expenditure to 20,0001.
The Earl of LINCOLN supported the proposal of
Lord G. Bentinck. Although he did not think it would
remedy the evils complained of in the Government
measure. He was sure that the sum to be granted by
the Treasury ought not to exceed 20,0001.
Lord MORPETH thought that, if the suggestion of
the Noble Lord was a3opted, it might have the effect of
limiting the usefulness of the Bill.
Mr. HUME objected to the naming of a specific sum,
because he was sure if a certain sum was named the
commissioners would spend the whole of it. He was
content to leave the matter in the hands of the Go-
vernment.
After some observations from Mr. W. MILES,
Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but no division
took place, the resolution being agreed to without it.
The House then resumed, and the report on the reso-
lution was ordered to be received to-morrow.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee on
the Health of Towns Bill.
On the 20th clause being proposed,
Captain PECHELL objected to the latter part of
the clause with respect to the election of commissioners.
Mr. HUDSON still entertained the strongest ob•
jections to the Bill, because corporate towns were
bound to accept its provisions, while towns
that were not corporate were not. He had
no doubt, if the constituents of the Honourable
and Gallant Member for Brighton were compelled to
accept of the provisions of the Bill, he would be found
in opposit;on to it.
After some discussion, the clause, with some verbal
amendments, was agreed to, and ordered to stand part
of the Bill.
On clause 21 being proposed,
Captain PECIIELL moved the following amendment:
—That after the word " electing," the following words
should be inserted—" the said town commissioners
every ratepayer sh ail have and be entitled to give one
vote and no more in respect of the property for which he
is qualified to vote at such election, and that for the pur-
pose of conducting the election."
After a few words from Lord MORPETH,
Mr. JOHN STEWART said, that great doubts had
been expressed by the judges as to the proper construc-
tion of the Clauses Consolidation Bill, and the principle
which prevailed in that Bill, namely, the incorporation
of the principle of general measures into particular Acts,
was the same in this Bill. He thought, therefore, that
it should not be hurried through the House, but that
they should give the matter that due deliberation which
the importance of the subject demanded.
Mr. HENLEY said that the Clauses Consolidation
Bill had been hurried through an inattentive House,
and this Bill was to be carried through in a similar
hurry, They would require to frame another Bill to
explain the 250 clauses in this Bill.—(Laughter.) He
should like to hear from the Attorney-General his de-
finition of " ratepayer" under the operation of this
clause.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL denied that the pre-
sent Government were accountable for the system of
legislation complained of by Hon. Members. The sys-
tem was by no means a new one, but had been in opera-
tion for many years, and was deemed convenient for the
public. The sense of the clauses could be easily ex-
plained by reference to the Companies Clauses
Consolidation Act.
A personal discussion arose between Mr. WAKLEY
and Mr. HUDSON, in consequence of the Hon. Member
for Finsbury reading a letter from Dr. Laycock, of
York, which stated that the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor
of York knew nothing of the sanatory condition of that
city; that he had not assisted the poor, and that his only
communication with them had been many years ago,
when he officiated as a Methodist exhorter.

Captain PECHELL ultimately withdrew his amend-
;neat, the further consideration of the clause being post-
poned.
The House then resumed, the Chairman reported pro-
gress, and the consideration of the remaining clauses
were postponed till Thursday, at twelve o'clock.
The House then adjourned till Five o'clock.

The House resumed at Five o'clock.
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS presented a petition from
Liverpool, against any alteration in the navigation laws.
On the motion of Mr. T. DUNCOMBE, the following
returns were agreed to :—Return of all papers, reports,
communications, and correspondence among the Post-
office authorities relative to the dismissal of Robert
Grapes, late a general post letter carrier in the General
Post-office ; showing the grounds of such dismissal,
with a copy of the order read to Robert
Grapes on Saturday evening, the 3d day of
July, by Thomas Boydon, the assistant inspector,
announcing such dismissal; also, a copy of the remain-
ing charges brought against the Superintending Presi-
desit and the Inspector of letter carriers by the said
Robert Grapes, the correspondence between Robert
Grapes and the Post-office authorities relative thereto,
with the reason why the further investigation of such
charges has been discontinued by Mr. Peacock, solicitor
to the Post-office ; also, a copy of the evidence given
before Mr. Peacock during the late investigation of Ro •
ben Grapes' charges, with Mr. Peacock's report thereon.