The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-22 00:00:00

BIPERI AL PARMA ‘l, EN F,

HOUSE OF LORDS.-THURSDAY.

The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.

The Settled Estates Bill and the Wages Arrestment
Limitation (Scotland) Bill were read a second time.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY then moved the second read-
ing of the Ecclesiastical Courts Bill, and in doing so said
he did not intend to press the bill further during the
present session, and his reason for moving in the matter
now was t) have an expression of opinion froth' their
lordships as to the principle of the measure, which was
that the present ecclesiastical courts were such as called
loudly for reform.
A discussion ensued, the general opinion being against
many of the provisions of the bill, but the Lord Chan-
cellor said it was the desire of the Government that a
measure founded on the principles of the bill should be
submitted to Parliament.
The bill was then read a second time.
The Gas and Water Facilities Bill and the British
Columbia Bill passed through committee.
On the bringing up of the report of amendments on the
Married Women's Property Bill, Lord Brougham moved
the striking out of the word " married" in the first clause of
the bill, making its provisions applicable to women gene-
rally.—After a short discussion, the amendment was re-
jected.—An amendment by Lord Romilly to secure to mar-
ried women all sums left them by will to the extent of not
more than £2OO was carried on a division, the numbers
being 29 to 17.
On going into committee on the Judicial Committee
Bill, Lord Cairns said that they could get barristers of 15
years' standing fit to sit as judges in the highest court of
appeal for £2,500 per annum. They ought at once to re-
duce the salaries of the whole judicial bench by one half.
—The Lord Chancellor said at present the members of
the judicial committee of the Privy Council gave their
services gratuitously. He felt certain competent persons
could be had for the sum set out in the Act. The bill
then passed through committee.
Their lordships then received the report of amendments
on the Tramways Bill. The New Zealand Loan Bill and
the Curragh of Kildare bill passed through committee.
On the motion for appointing the committee on the
University Tests Bill, Earl Granville asked the noble
marquis what he proposed doing in the committee. It
was most important to know whether it would be possible
to pass the bill during the present session.—The Marquis
of Salisbury said he proposed to call evidence and prose-
cute the inquiry most thoroughly ; upon which Earl
Granville said it appeared then to be the intention of the
noble marquis to destroy the bill for the present session.
—ln reply to the Earl of Kimberley, the Marquis of Salis-
bury said he had already five witnesses waiting for exa-
mination.—The committee was then appointed.
Their lordships then adjourned at 10 minutes to nine.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THIIRSDAY.
The Speaker took the chair at five minutes to four
o'clock.

NEW MEMBER.

Mr. Goldsmid took the oath and his seat for Rochester.

VENEZUELA.

Mr. EASTWICK asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, whether it was true that a Prussian man
of war had lately visited La Guaica, and that in conse-
quence of that visit, or subsequent to it, the Government
of Venezuela have paid Prussian claims to the amount of
50,000 dollars ; and, further, whether information has
been received at the Foreign Office that the United States
Government are about to send ships of war to La Guaica
to enforce the claims of American subjects.
Mr. OTWAY said there was no information at the Foreign
Office of the payment of any money to the Prussian
Government. Prussia was not a creditor, and, therefore,
had no claim on the account referred to.
If any claim existed, it was for the de-
tention of vessels, as some Prussian vessels
had visited the place. With respect to the United
States, Mr. Fiske had complained of the unpunctuality
of the Government, and had intimated that vessels of war
would be sent to shew that they did not approve of such
unpunctuality.
Sir J. PAKINGTON wished to know whether any steps
were being taken to obtain payment of the English
claims.

Mr. OTTWAY said the Government were taking all the
steps they could do diplomatically to obtain a settlement
of the claims due to England.

THE VACANT JUDGESHIP.

Mr. GEORGE GREGORY asked the Attorney-General
whether it was intended to complete the Court of Appeal
in Chancery by filling up the vacancy caused by the death
of Lord Justice Giffard.

Mr. GLADSTONE, in the absence of the hon. and learned
gentleman, said it was the intention of the Government
to fill up the vacancy.
NEUTRALITY OF LUXEMBOURG.

Sir HENRY BULWER LYTTON asked the First Lord of the
Treasury, whether he had received satisfactory assurances
from the Governments of France and Prussia relative
to their respecting the neutral condition of Luxem-
bourg.

Mr. HEYGATE said he wished to include Belgium in the
question.
Mr. GLADSTONE said he hoped to be able to answer
the question successfully, and 'at the same time to
include another country, viz., Holland. He had to
say that both parties to the quarrel had made known
their intention to respect .the neutrality of the countries
mentioned as long as they observed strict neutrality on
their part.