The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-17 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 16.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool-
sack at Five o'clock.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from an in-
dividual, complaining of the Tithe Commutation Act.
The Noble and Learned Lord also presented a petition
from Mr. Robert Owen, praying their Lordships to ap-
point a Select Committee to inquire into the plan he
proposed to adopt for the improvement of the condition
of the people of Ireland.
CONFERENCE.
Ldrd JOHN RUSSELL appeared at the bar, and
requested, on behalf of the Commons, a conference with
their Lordships, ou the resolutions adopted by their
Lordships with respect to the reception of Bills.
The LORD CHANCELLOR informed the Noble
Lord that their Lordships had agreed to the conference.
The following were the Noble Lords composing the '
conference:— The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of
Radnor, Lord Monteagle, Lord Sidney, Lord Strafford,
the Earl of Wicklow, Lord Colville and the Earl of
Redesdale. Their Lordships having, retired for a few
minutes, returned, when
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE stated that the Com-
mons had agreed to the resolutions proposed by their
Lordships.
DRAINAGE OF LAND (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This Bill went through CommitteTe.
VAGRANTS (IRELAND)
PUNISHMENT OF
BILL.
A conference with their Lordships having been re-
quested by the Commons with respect to this Bill,
the above-mentioned Noble Lords were appointed for
the purpose.
On their return,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE reported that the
confereace on the part of the Commons was conducted
by Sir G. Grey, and that the conference left with them
their reasons for disagreeing with amendments which
their Lordships had inserted in the Bill.
A vast number of Bills were brought up from the
Commons, the titles of which were read by the Clerk
at the table; the whole of them having been brought up
under the new rule—namely, by list. Of course, a con-
siderable saving of time was the result.
MUSCLE FISHERIES (SCOTLAND) BILL.
Lord CAMPBELL moved the committal of this Bill,
and explained the nature of it, and defended its pro-
visions. He said, under the present law persons poaching
on oyster beds rendered themselves liable to twelve
months' imprisonment, and that the present Bill would
simply assimilate the law with respect to muscles to that
of oysters. Muscles wero now most inadequately
protected.
Lord :BROUGHAM opposed the Bill on the ground
that a person who simply fished up a mussel or who
fished for one ineffectually, would render himself liable
to most severe punishment, far more severe than the
nature of the offence required. Snails and cockles,
which he had been blamed for calling a mixture of
leather, salt, and sand, and as wanting in his apprecia-
tion of the fine arts—(Hear, hear, and laughter)—
were a respectable class of society, and he really
was at a loss to understand why they should not be pro-
tected.—(Renewed laughter.) Why, the Lord Advocate,
from whom the Bill had emanated, by his anxiety to pro-
tect muscles would be entitled to have a muscle embla-
zoned on his banner at the next election.—(Laughter.)
It was quite ridiculous to frame such stringent
promises for the protection of such unimportant
property. Why, if a boy on his way to school
took a muscle out of the water and ate it with his knife,
he would be branded as a felon. He hoped the Bill,
therefore, would not pass.
Lord CAMPBELL said fisheries were granted by
the Crown to the persons who held them, and surely
they ought to have that protection at the hands of the
law which other property, such as fowls, &c., enjoyed.
Their Lordships then went into Committee on the
Bill, and the clause having been agreed to, the Chairman
reported the result to the House.
HOLYHEAD HARBOUR BILL

On the motion for the third reading of this Bill,
Earl POWIS objected to the motion.
The Earl of AUCKLAND supported the third read-
ing of the Bill.
After some observatiois from Lord MONTEAGLE,
The Bill was read a third time and passed.
NEW ZEALAND (No. 2) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed.
DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed.
PUBLIC WORKS AND DRAINAGE (IRELAND)
BILL.

This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed, after a short discussion.
CANAL COMPANIES BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed.

THE MILITIA PAY BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed to-morrow.
COPYRIGHT (COLONIES) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed.
CONSTABULARY FORCE (IRE LAND) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time and ordered to be
committed to-morrow.
LONDON BRIDGE APPROACHES FUND BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed.