The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-20 00:00:00

DISTURBANCES IN IRELAND.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY begged to call
the attention of the House to a matter of some import-
ance, with a view to ascertain whether the Government
had any knowledge of it. As there was now before this
House a Bill affecting Ireland, he did think it would be
desirable to clear the matter up. It alluded to the pre-
sent state of Roscommon, and contained statements
which could scarcely be believed. The Noble Marquis
then read a statement from a document he held in his hand,
from which it appeared that the system of eviction of
tenantry was sadly on the increase in Ireland. It was
stated in a journal published in Roscommon a few days
ago—although he did not believe the truth of the whole
of that statement—that a certain lady had dispossessed
no less than four hundred tenants a few weeks ago,
and who were consequently plunged into the
greatest distress, without the slightest means of
shelter. That lady and her husband had, on the
authority of the same journal, dispossessed upwards
of 2,000 human beings within the last two years. Now,
although he (the Marquis of Londonderry) could not for
a moment believe that the statements were, on the
whole, correct, although they were printed in very
large letters, yet he did think that if the Government
had any power of preventing those most cruel evictions
they ought to do something in this particular case.
Public notice, in his opinion, ought to be taken of this
matter. Every one must feel that no country could be
properly carried on when such cruelties were per-
mitted. He therefore wished to 'know whether the
Government had made any inquiry into the circum-
stances, and, if they had, whether they had any objec-
tion to lay the information before their Lordships ?
Earl ST. GERMANS said that the Noble Mar-
quis had been kind enough to give him notice that
morning of his intention to put that question. In re-
ply, he (the Earl of St. Germans) had to say that the
Government had received no information whatever
of the circumstances ; indeed, it would be very difficult
to obtain any information, inasmuch as there were no
names given. It appeared to him, however much they may
deplore this extraordinary exercise of power, it was im-
possible for the Government to prevent it. But at the
same time if they should obtain any information, he on
the part of the Government, would be most happy to fur-
nish it.
Earl CLANRICARDE said that the case appeared so
horrible, that he thought it deserving of notice. It was
quite possible to arrive at the particulars of the case,
if the names of the parties could be obtained, because,
if any parties had been ejected, there must have been
some previous process at the Court of Quarter Sessions,
or the Baronial Courts, in which case there would be a
record, and after the particulars were obtained he should
be most happy to move that a Committee of that House
be appointed to take into consideration the amendment
of the present law of landlord and tenant.—(Hear.)
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said that he had
not the experience or abildity of the Noble Lord oho
had just spoken, and not being connected with the
south of Ireland, he did not prosecute his inquiries into
the matter. Ile thought that in stating the case to the
House, and in calling the attention of the Government
to the subject, they would make necessary inquiries, and
report to the House what measures they would adopt to
put a stop in the time coming to similar proceedings,
Earl CLANRICARDE said that he might be mis-
taken in mentioning thatinformation might be had from
the Baronial Courts—certainly information might be re-
ceived from the Sheriff's office.
The Earl ST. GERMANS said that the Government
did not desire to conceal any of the facts. All he had
said was, that it was not in the power of Government, if
these proceedings were legal, to put a stop to them.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH said, that if the
Noble Marquis who had brought forward the circum-
stance wore in the habit of reading the Irish newspapers,
he would be aware that they did not always confine
themselves to the truth,—(Laughter.)

Lord STOURTON postponed the motion for certain
returns of which he had given notice, in order not to in-
terfere with the very important question on Ireland,
which came on on Monday fire.
MIN ESTERS' MONEY.

Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from the
magistrates and town council of Cork, praying for the
abolition of Ministers' money.
CHARITABLE TRUSTS.

The NAME and LEARNED LORD alsO
,presented a
petition from certain bookbinders against the Charitable
Trusts Bill.
MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from the
guardians of Lord Forbes (as we thought) and the
Viscountess Forbes, against the above railway, which
threatened to destroy the property of Castl> Forbes.
ALTERATIONS IN THE RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Lord KINNAIRD said that he would propose, on
Thursday next, that a Committee be appointed to take
nto consideration the best means of introducing one uni-
form system in the management of railways, and
of securing the fulfilment of the provisions given
by the Act of Parliament under which the com-
panies have obtained their powers; and by which greater
accommodation and safety may be secured to the public.
Secondly, to take into consideration the best means of
avoiding extravagant expense for obtaining Acts of Par.
liament by bona fide concerns, and of preventing
the formation of schemes got up for the purposes of spe-
culation. Thirdly, to consider what legislative measures
can be framed for the protection of individuals from the
injuries they may sustain by the laying dawn of lines
through their property, without the ruinous expense of
opposing them in Parliament. He knew cases where
individuals had been so interfered with by railways, and
their solicitors and agents had told them it would be
better fur them to submit to the injury than to go to the
expense of obtaining redress in Parliament.
POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS.—REFUSAL OF
PAPERS.
Lord BROUGHAM said, that in the case of a Com
mittee formed to inquire into the operation of the Irish
poor-law circumstances have occurred to which he felt
it necessary to call the attention of the House. The
Committee was obstructed in its proceedings by a wit-
ness refusing to produce papers and answer ques-
tions, being forbidden by the order of the
Poor-law Commissioners to disclose to the Com-
mittee the contents of certain documents. It
was so monstrous a thing, that he could hardly
have believed it, had he not seen Mr. Gunston, the Poor-
law Commissioner, also the letter in which he asks per-
mission of the Poor-law Commissioners to produce to
the Committee the correspondence. Mr. Gunston told
him that he could not find the answer to the letter, but
he assured him that the answer expressly forbid him
to produce the papers.
Lord CLANCARTY said the witness certainly did
object to produce the papers before the Committee, and
lie thought it a fit subject for inquiry, and it had been his
intention to bring the circumstances under the notice of
the House, had he not been anticipated by his Noble
Friend Lord Brougham. Mr. Gunston had refused
to produce the papers, but had now not obtained per-
mission of the Poor-law Commissioners ; but he cbjected
that the House should be dependent on the permission
of any public body for the papers necessary to
carry out the inquiries. He had thought that the
Committee ought to have noticed the circumstance by
some special report in their general report, as he looked
with great jealousy on the manner in which the Poor-law
Commissioners had interfered, as there was au Act of
Parliament which laid down the manner in which the
duties should be discharged.
Lord BROUGHAM said, though the papers were pro-
duced to-morrow, an offence against their privileges had
been committed, as those who had refused to produce
them had prevented their inquiry from going on to-day.
The Poor-law Commissioners should be told that it was
at their peril that they refused to pi-educe these papers.
They had no right to refuse to produce them. Mr.
Gunston said ho had had their permission to do
so ; but they had no permission to withhold them.
If the Committee required these documents, they might
report to the House, and obtain an order for their pro-
duction. He was anxious to keep their privileges in as
small a compass as possible compatible with the proper
carrying on of the business entrusted to them, and he
would not consent to forego any privilege of an inquisi-
torial character which was necessary.
The Earl ST. GERMANS inquired if the papers re-
ferred to were " private and confidential ?"
The Earl of CLANCARTY said they were, but that
nevertheless they contained the instructions of the Poor-
law Commissioners to Mr. Gunston.

Lord MONTEAGLE also considered that no public
body had any right to refuse the production of papers
required by Parliatnent. The House was not only left
without information, but by having only a portion of
the information they required, was in a worse position
than if they had none at all.
Lord CLARE said he was a member of the Committee;
that Mr. Gulston stated that he was forbidden to pro-
duce the papers by the Poor-law Commissioners.
Lord CAMPBELL said he apprehended there must
be some mistake in this matter, as Mr. Gunston would
not have been so ridiculously absurd as to luve re-
fused those papers.—(Hear, hear.) The Commissioners
were bound to produce all papas that were necessary
to facilitate this inquiry ; and it was for the Committee
to decide what papers were and were not necessary, and
not for the Commissioners. This was the most important
public inquiry that had been instituted for some time,
and the retire every facility- should be afforded it.
Lord BROUGHAM said that Mr. Ganston wrote a
letter to the Poor law Commissioners to know whether,
if he should be called upon to produce certain papers, he
should do so ; and the answer was, that the papers were
private and confidential, and should not be produced.
He would not have said so much upon this case
but that he was already cognizant of a defi-
ciency of judgment by those Commissioners in refe-
rence to Mr. Parker's case. He had defended
the Poor-law Commissioners when they deserved de-
fence ; and, therefore, he now warned them to attend
more to the letter and the will of Parliament, and to do
their duty without fear of the newspapers.—(Hear,
hear.) That was the charge he made against them, for
they had avowed their fear of the press.—(Hear, hear.)
The Earl of CLANCARTY presented a petition from
the medical practitioners of the county of Clare, praying
for the repeal of the present law affecting their pro-
fession.

CORN-LAWS.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented three petitions,
from certain landed proprietors of the county of Devon,
against the present measure. The same Noble Duke
presented a numerously-signed petition from the yoemen
of Norfolk, who complained that in the event of the
present measure of the Government passing, they
would be subjected to great injustice by the
operation of the present Act of commutation
of tithes, which fixed the sum of money
to be paid for tithes upon the septennial
average of the price of corn, and the Government pro-
posed that at the end of three years all protection to the
landed interest should cease. They therefore prayed
that, in the event of the present measure becoming law,
their Lordships would introduce an Act to authorise the
taking of the average price of corn either yearly or half
yearly, instead of septennially, as reqiired by the present
law. The petition was numerously and respectably signed;
and if he might prophesy, ho would say that if the un•
fortunate measure of Government should receive the
sanction of their Lordships' House, many thousands of
petitioners would hold the same argument ; and he
(the Duke of Richmond), for one, did not see bow the
argument could be got rid of.
LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY.

The Marquis of CLANRidiRDE-1161.;,5, I have
here two petitions to present, to which I beg to call your
Lordships' attention. These petitions refer to the
London and York Railway Bill, now in this House. The
one petitioner prays for a revival of the Committee
which sat upon the Bill last year, and the second
petitioner prays for the appointment of another Com-
mittee to inquire into the validity of the subscription
deed of the Company, or rather into the admis-
sibility of the new subscription contract. My
Lords, the paints which these petitioners raise, are
points of law rather than of fact, or indeed of anything
else ; and under such circumstances, and considering
the legal character of the points raised,
that your Lordships ought to appoint a Committee to
hear the matter in these I certainly think
points argued by counsel.
It appears from the petitioners themselves, that a
considerable number—some hundreds of persons,
who subscribed the last subscription contract, are
not of the parties who have subscribed the new one; and,
my Lords, I doubt very much that they are re-
leased; I doubt very much that they can be legally
released from the engagements entered into when they
signed the old deed. There is anotheripoint, also, to
which I would wish your Lordships' attention,
namely, that the parties signing the new contract claim
to come before your Lordships as the proprietors of de-
posits paid by the former subscribers. Now, I think, that
it will be a question whether any such transfer can be
legal, or even received by your Lordships' House as such,
inasmuch as it implies an evasion of the Stamp Act.
These, my Lords, I apprehend are points which ought to
be clearly seen into by your Lordships. I, therefore, beg
to give notice, that I shall to-morrow move for a Com-
mittee to inquire into the subject matter of these petitions.
I shall fix on any day on whisk we can have fiie attend-
ance of the Noble and Learned Lord (Brougham) whom
I do not at present sea in his place, as I consider it
highly essential that he, with other Noble and Learned
Lords, should hear the matter argued. If not a technical
objection, I think that the new subscription
edeerediol
butught
whether your Lordships will
not
amended to b e admitted. d
cirri
tliioen
o f contractaiidueme
number
mayer
of names,tany be
allow a large.matter
The number of
names to be withdrawn, is another
peti-
tioners are James Tyler, against the London and York
Bill, and George Pryme, who prays to be released from
the engagements entered into under the former sub-
scription contract.

Lord BE bioNT—What have we to do with the
subscription contract of last year? We have only to
do with, the subscription deed now before your Lord-
ships House. As for the transfer, there is nothing in
that; there is no transfer. How can there be a transfer
from that which does not exist? The subscription con.
tract of last year is just so much waste paper.
The Marquis of CLA.NRICARDE —Precisely so;
and it is into the validity of the new Subscription
deed that the petitioners pray that your Lordships
shall appoint a Committee to inquire. The present
promoters of the London and York Railway came be-
fore your Lordships as the very same parties who ac-
quired their Bill before the House of Commons last
year, and thus they will in the ordinals course be re-
lieved from all preliminary proceedings. That, my Lords,
is precisely the point I wish to hear argued by counsel,
and the reason why I intend to move for the appoint-
ment of this Committee. Surely, my Lords, in a matter
of this magnitude, the time necessary to hear two mode-
rately short speeches on either side will not be considered
thrown away. The question is, in my opinion, an important

and very necessary one for your Lordships to decide be-
fore proceeding further with this Bill.
Lord BEAUMONT—My Lords, the promoters of'
this Bill for the London and York Railway were allowed,
by an order of your Lordships' House, to resume Rae
situation in which they were placed immediately before
the prorogation of Parliament lest session, on condition
that they produced this session a new contract deed.
That was the understanding at the close of last session.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY—My. Lords, I per-
fectly concur in the opinion which has been expressed
by a Noble Lord opposite in the course of this discus-
sion. He considered, as I do, that it would be impos-
sible for the promoters of this Bill to come before your
Lordships' House with the same contract deed as that
which they had last year. There may have been many
deaths since then, and many sales of shares may have
taken place by those who subscribed the original sub-
scription deed between the date of their signature and
the present session of Parliament. But, independent of
these circumstances, there is an end of the contract of
last year.
Earl GREY—My Lords, Ido not think the present is
a fitting occasion for the discussing. this subject ; but I
will still say that I think- it quite necessary that the pro-
moters should produce to your Lordships an entirely
new contract deed. I consider the old one is perfectly
invalid, and the same person who signed the deed of
last year could not be found to sign one of thAe year.
Many of those persons may be dead ; others may have
removed ; and others, again, have in all probability dis-
posed of their shares. I, therefore, think that it is quite
necessary that a new deed should be produced.
Lord MONTEAGLE —My Lords, I quite concur in
what has fallen from my Noble Friend. There can be
no doubt that the original contract deed must be in-
valid, in consequence of deaths, removals, and shares
having been disposed of; the promoters therefore ought
to be called upon to produce an entire new deed,
and should not be allowed to adopt the old one in the
present session. It will be in the recollection of many of
your Lordships, that the contract deed of list year was
challenged, in consequence of its having been stated that
malpractices has been resorted to in getting up that deed.
A Committee was, in consequence of this, appoint:al to
examine into the subject, but the prorogation of Parlia-
ment, as your Lordships will remember, prevented that
Committee from proceeding and making their report.
The contract deed, which was introduced into Parlia-
ment by the promoters of this Bill, contains only two
hundred and eighty names out of the whole number that
originally signed it. The numbers who had signed the
deed previously were twelve hundred. The present
deed is a substitution of an entirely new instrument in
the place of the old subscription contract. Your Lord-
ships will not fail to bear in mind what is intended by
the standing orders of this House. The intention of
those orders is this : they state " That whereas,
by the lateness of the session, it is not pos-
sible for Parliament to perform its functions
with reference to all the railways submitted to
the consideration of the House ; and it therefore con-
sents to allow parties promoting Railway Bills to
stand in as favourable a position as if the session had
been protracted." In short, my Lords, that Bills only
partially proceeded with last session should be taken
up in the ensuing or the present session, at the point
where they were discontinued. By this it is evident
that parties would obtain great advantages, because they
would not be compelled to commence entirely anew
in the next session or this, and because they would
be saved from the additional expense that would
thereby be incurred. But if, my Lords, parties are to
be allowed to substitute a different intrument to the

one partially proceeded with, thus protecting themselves
from the charges which might be brought against them,
whether true or false, and consequently putting them-
selves in a better condition to obtain the sanction of
Parliament to their measures, it would be an injustice
to the competing interests. You did not intend to do
that. If such a proposition had been suggested, this
House would not, I am sure, have acceded to it. It is
true you might have said " We will not allow your Bill
to stand over, unless your deed is produced in the same
state as when discontinued in this session." But it is
evident that upon the face of it, it was only allowed to
stand over upon that understanding,

The Duke of liICIIMOND—My Lords, in my opinion
the appointment of a Committee would he very useful,
because I consider that the matter should be fully in-
vestigated. But suppose, my Lords, that the old deed
had been altered—suppose that fresh parties had put
their names to the subscription contract, your Lordships
must bear in mind that those persons who originally
signed the deed did so upon the understanding that theßill
should be passed during the last session ; and as it was
not passed, I think the parties who originally signed that
deed might have withdrawn their names from the origi-
nal- contract into which they had entered, upon the
ground that the Bill did not pass during the period in
which they expected it would have received the sanction
of Parliament. They may possibly havo lost money in
railway transactions, or they may perhaps have found it
inconvenient to fulfil the engagements into which they
had entered. My Noble Friend (the Marquis of Clanri.
carde) must consider that if a man can be held liable for
the payment of ten thousand pounds this session, which
he only contracted to pay if a certain Bill received the
sanction of Parliament during the last session, it would
be an act of serious injustice if a man was to be held re-
sponsible by the law for the fulfilment. Such contract,
although I do not think that the law courts would so
decide, I should think a case of extreme hardship. As I
never held a single share, I cannot be considered by
your Lordships as speaking ether than as a disinterested
person on the subject. Besides, your Lordships should
bear in mind, that owing to the great number of railway
projects which have been brought forward since last
session, some of the pirties who originally signed the
subscription deed might think proper to withdraw from
the railway under consideration, and invest their money
in some of the new projects which have been brougl
under the notice of Parliament this session.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE—I shall not
detain your Lordships for any length of time, by enter-
ing into a discussion of the question raised by the Noble
Duke (the Duke of Richmond.) It will be a question
whether you can recognise these deposits, because it is
not exactly clear whether they have been in a legal
way, or whether they are those of transferees or as-
signees, because they cannot show your Lordships the
proper stamped documents with respect to the transfer.
This, therefore, is a point which will be argued hereafter,
and I shall not detain your Lordships any further.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY—When the contract
comes to be considered by the Committee, they will
have to ascertain the legality of the deposits. (Hear.)
Lord REDESDALE—I must protest against the way
in which matters were carried on during the last sea-
-1 sion with regard to the different railway Bills which
came before your Lordships—viz , the bringing before
your Lordships railway Bills which were hung up from
the previous session. Your Lordships will recollect
that I stood alone last session to protest against that
system of hanging up Bills as one that was highly unjust.
It is utterly impossible to treat this petition fairly.
This question was decided bY the Standing ' Orders
Committee last year, and in all probability this London
and York Railway Bill would have been thrown out on
account of the condition of the contract deed. That
question has not been tried this year, and the parties stand
now in a more favourable position than they did last
year. Unquestionably it would be a great hardship for
them not to have been permitted to have carried on their
Bills last y"ar, inasmuch as the session commenced later
than usual, and a considerable quantity. of the time of the
House wasconsumed in the consideration of the railway
Bills. Ido hope, however, that the example which we
have now before us will induce us to prevent other parties
as much as possible from entertaining the hope that they
will be allowed to hang up their Bills and proceed with
them in their partly advanced state instead of preferring
new Bills to the House.

Lord KINNAIR,D—This, I conceive, is a most impor-
tant matter as regards a line of railway to be called
" The Direct Northern Railway," the promoters of
which, I trust, will be fortunate enough to meet with
the favourable consideration of your Lordships. Now,
it is well known, that but for the fact of a new contract
deed being in existence, an amalgamation would have
taken place between these two companies. The Direct Nor-
them is a new company, and we should therefore extend
to them some favour. If this new contract deed should be
declared invalid, an amalgamation will, in all proba-
bility, be the result, and then you will have to consider
two lines, the beat of which can be adopted without in-
jury to either interest. There can be little doubt that
the Direct Northern is the line best adapted for the
wants of the country, for it is the naosptxeed,eirutehtceetdrelaifnoteremf,rumoem
the much
less metropolis
expense
thanto Ythoer
rival anld can
line.
eb e e
.I h
o
fairly considered.
w as occupied
LoLrdors,dthwatiitAhiialKectittim_L
will beeafsat
for the greater part with the consideration of railway
Bills; and an enormous sum was spent in the prosecu-
tion of this project, and I believe that the result of an
inquiry would be satisfactory to the Committee, and I
think that it will be found that this matter has been con-
sidered in a manner highly creditable to the parties con-
cerned. That I believe,
consequence an inquiry made by my Lords, to be the result of
Well now,
mthe other House of Parliatent.
ot that at it would Lords, much delay having occurred
in
the opposition offered to this
scheme, under such
beene eircumstances I cannot but think
u se great
to permit
injustice
Parliament had refused ad
rei
proceed-
ings as would secure to the promoters
osfu ctohline thproject
t
the same advantage and the same benefit as were ex-
tended to other projectors during the last session.
And, my Lords, I cannot therefore go the length
of the Noble Lord on the cross benches (Lord Redes-
dale), when he holds out a hope that no such proceed-
ings as the promoters in question pray for will be per-
mitted. But, at the same time, Jam quite ready to say,
that where it can be avoided, Parliament should
not sanction this mode of proceeding. It would, how-
ever, unquestionably be a most inconvenient course ;
and I believe it to be a course very disadvantageous to
the public interests if this Parliament say that they will
not entertain a scheme, merely because it comes before
them precisely in the form in which it left Parliament
the preceding year. My Lords, I believe that there are
scarcely any schemes of this description -which are not
capable of some alteration and improvement—(Hear,
hear)—and I think it is not dealing fairly with the public
interests if we resolve that no alteration, however desir-
able, shall take place for the better carrying ont of the
promoters' projects.—(lltar, hear.) I think it is not just
for this House to say that, because en alteration or an
improvement is made in a Bill in progress through Par-
liament, they shall therefore forfeit all the advantages to
which they would be otherwise entitled. My Lords, I
have no doubt that similar cases to the present must
arise—(clear)—and I only trust that Parliament will
give their full and careful consideration to this matter—
(Hear)—and that if any course does present itself by
which justice can be done to the parties, and at the
same time to the public, I hope your Lordships will
adopt it.—(Hear.)
Lord BEAUMONT—I am certainly of opinion that
if 'your Lordship defer proceeding with this Bill for

si

The Earl of DALHOUSIE was glad to accede to any
proposition which would remedy suck an evil.
The Bill was then read a second time, aad the report
was ordered to be brought up to-morrow ; the House
then adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
THURSDAY, MARCH 19.
The following Petitions for Railways were reported, and the Bills
ordered to be brought in isy the undernamed Hon. Members :
Surrey Iron Railway Company (Dissolving)—Mr. Kemble, Mr.
Antrobus, and Mr. Trotter.
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley—Viscount Ingestre, Mr.
Muntz, and Mr. Spooner.
Bristol and Birmingham (Gloucester and Stonehouse Junction).—Mr.
Hudson and Mr. Phillpotts.
Edinburgh and Bathgate—Sir J. Hope and Mr. W. Ba
Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands Junction —Mr.Oswald, Mr. Den-
nistoun, and Mr. W. l3aillie.
Glasgow Southern Terminal—Mr. 13otiverie and Mr. P. Stewart.
Leeds and Thirsk (Knaresborough Branch Extension)-31r. 0. Dim-
combe, Sir G. Cockburn, and Mr. Aldam.
Scottish Midland Extension —Viscount Duncan and Mr. Duncan.
Horbury Bridge and Calder Railway—Mr. Beckett and Mr. Aldan].
East Dereham and Norwich—mr. Bagge, Mr. Chute, & Mr. B. Smith.
Shrewsbury and Herefordshire—Mr. W. G. Gore, Mr. Hughes, Mr. '
Ackers, and Mr. J. Bailey, jun.
Midland, Barnsley, Sheffield, Dewsbury, Leeds, and Bradford—
Viscount Merpeth and Mr. St.ansneld.
Northumberland and Lancashire—Sir. Ord, Mr. Granger, and Mr.
Watson.
Buckinghamshire (Tring to Banbury)—Marquis of Chandos and Mr.
Tancred.
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate—Mr. Mangles and Mr. Wall.
Worcester and Porthdynllaen —Mr. Clive and Sir W. Wynn.
West London Improvement and Extension—Colonel Allioll and Mr.
Mangle..

RAILWAYS.

The Committee of Selection have nosninateci the following Select
-Committees on Railway Groups :
A Committee consisting of—Mr. Hawes, Mr. Wilshere, Viscount
Chelsea, Viscount Bernard, awl Sir R. Howard, to whom they have
referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 4 of Railway Bills, viz, :
Great North of Scotland,
Perth and Inverness,
Inverness and Elgin Junction,
Banffshire,!
Morayshire,
Alford Valley,
Deeside,
Great North of Scotland (Eastern Extension),
Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin,
Strathtay and Breadalbane.
The Select Committee to meet on Monday, March 30, at twelve.
A Committee consisting of—Mr. Sotheron, Mr. Entwisle, Earl of Shelburne, Mr. A. Hope, and Captain Vyse, to whom they have re-
ferred the Bills comprised in Group No. 8 of Railway Bills, viz. :
North British,
Caledonian (Leith Junction),
Caledonian (Hid-Lothian Branches),
Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton (Extension and Branches),
Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric,
Carnwath and West Linton,
East Lothian Central Tyne Valley,
Edinburgh and Peebles,
North British (Hawick Branches),
_North British (Carlisle Extension),
Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Amendment.
Theo Select Committee to' eet on Monday, March 30, at twelve.
Renthick, Mr. Tancred,
mmittee consistin and Sir of—Mr. G. W. Hope, Mr. Ross, Lord IL
,got, to whom they have referred
the Bills comprised in Group 20 or Railway Bills, vlz. :
Staines and Richmond Junction,
Staines and Henley (No. ),
Staines and lienley (No. 2),
London and Windsor,
Windsor, lough, and Staines Atmospheric,
London, Hounslow, and Western,
London and Brighton (Wandsworth Branch),
Mitcham and South-Western,
Grand Surrey Junction,
Richmond (Kew Branch),
London and Brighton and London and Croydon Consolidation,
Surrey Iron Railway Dissolving.

The Select Committee to meet on •Monday, March 30, at twelve.

A Committee consisting of—Mr, Labouchere, Sir J. Duckworth,
Sir W.3folesworth, Colonel Verner, and Colonel Rawden, to whom
they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 29 of Railway
Bills, viz.:—
Midland, Syston to Peterborough (Deviation and Branches),
Rugby and Stamford,
Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham,
Rugby and Huntingdon.
The Select Committee to meet on Monday, March 30, at twelve.
A Committee consisting of—lion. W. Cowper, Sir J. M`Taggart,
111 r. A. Oswald, Mr. M. J. Blake, and Mr. Gooch, to whom they have
f Trcl the Bills comprised in Grom !No. 31 of Railway Bills, viz.:—
Great Grimsby and Sheffield (Humber Ferries),
East Lincolnshire,
Great Grimsby, Louth, Ilorucastle, and Midland Junction,
Lincoln, Wainticet Haven, and Boston,
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Extension (Ye. I),
Hull and Lincoln Direct,
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Extension (No. 2),
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Extension (No. 3),
1111,11;1TH (Newark is Gainsborough).
The Select Committee to nwet on Monday, March 30, at twelve.
. .

Select Conunlttee on G.;•oup No. If,
Lord Brooke di,,ellar,;el; lion. O. Duneonthe selected, and added
to tlw Committee.

SECOND READINGS OF RAILIVAY BILLS.

MONDAY, MARCH 23.

Banffshire.
Birtningharn, Wolverhampton, and Dudley (Stour Valley Line).
Alpitil4liaiti, Wolverhampton, and Dudley- (Birmingham, Wolv(r-
-..-- ha/4Am-, rikl Dudley Lines).
•clildlana thrthplxf Oakham Canal).
• \ Ifttthi7hurtEhl- 4Vl'rent to Nuneaton).
'-:.' 241dlan (LAYc...khOlSivannington Bailway AlteratiOn &It ram:lois).

lrtrnent has just been established by
raoa the game plan as the statictio.l depart" 'de.

.
:,tatistiVallAteTial
thi Ent' tr.tliti C T
of,r4e

'nch reasons as have been alluded to, and if your Lord-
ships continue receiving these objections, you will never
have a road from London to York. Such objections
may be continually brought forward, and the Bill may
never pass in consequence of the delays which may take
place.
The petitions were ordered to lie on the table.
THE GREAT WESTERN AND PORT DARLING-

TON RAILWAY.
Lord BEAUMONT then presented a petition from
t e high sheriff and gentry of the county of Mayo, in
favour of the above-mentioned undertaking.
Viscount CANNING said that in pursuance of a
notice he had given on Monday last, he now moved for
the second reading of the Metropolitan Buildings
Pill. The House would remember that the sessions
before last an Act was passed, the effect of which was
to repeal the old Building Act of 1774, which had been
found very insufficient, and to establish a well digested
and well regulated code of rules for the purpose of se-
curing to the community at large as much safety and
accommodation in houses as was dependent on a well
(ordered and well regulated system of building. The
Bill passed the session before last, and of which the
country might be said now to have had the experience of
more than a year was now to be agitated. He admitted that
in some parts the defects of the Bill became apparent, and
it,would be the duty of her Majesty's Government to
find some remedy for them. It was not to be expected
that it could be otherwise with a measure so minute in
its details, and affecting so many conflicting interest
of so many various kinds. The consequence was that
many recommendations of different sorts had been
addressed to Government, stating the real or supposed
difficulties of the measure, and many suggestions had
been made (some of them ridiculous enough) from
various quarters, pointing out what would
be the most proper and the safest course
which the Government could pursue.—(Hear.)
The Government had taken this matter into considera-
tion. with a view to make certain corrections, in order to
obviate mistakes in future ; and it would be his duty to
bring those corrections under the notice of the House
on a future day. In the Act :passed in the year 1844,
certain clauses were passed empowering the appoint.
ment of district surveyors and referees, and to the latter
all matters of dispute were to be referred. Another
clause warranted the appointment of a registrar, who was
to be a barrister, and his duty would be to make de-
cisions and awards in all disputed matters; in fact, he
was to act as a sort of legal assessor. But the expe-
rience of this working of the Act had shown that many
questions had arisen of great importance, and upon
which the referees could not be got to come to one
opinion ; and on which it would be difficult for the
registrar to say which party was right.—(Hear.)
The object of the Bill was to appoint a third referee,
two being already appointed, but the third would give
an opportunity of coining to a decision upon the matters
brought before them. This appointment would, how-
ever, make no difference in the charges borne by the
public. By the former Bill the referees were not al-
lowed to exercise their calling as surveyors, but by the
present Bill they were allowed to do so. This, how-
ever, it was apprehended, would lead to no public in-
jury, for if they should have to refer to their own works,
the Commissioners of Woods and Forests would be em-
powered to call in temporary referees.—(Hear, heir.)
The salaries of the officers who would be appointed
raider the Bill would be paid out of the Consolidated
The Noble Lord then went on to state the minor
,Luses of the Bill, and concluded by moving the second
reading of the Bill, and expressing his intention of pro-
posing its committal to-morrow.
Lord COLBORNE said the Bill proposed by the
'.le Viscaunt was still open to innumerable objections,
• d v-oul'l not remedy the evils intended. It was but
improvement on the Act of last 3 car, which was

open to every obj,.•ction. That Act was oppressive, anti
those who came within its operation bitterly complained
)t' the expnies entailed by the official referees and other
•

officers appointed under the Act.
Lord CAMPBELL would rot Oppose the sceond
reading of the Bill, but he must join with his
•ohle _Friend in saying that the Bill passed last
sear had failed He reminded their
hordship3 that when i was under their considera-
tion, lie asked them th. delay of another session.
Ile and those who had oppoied the Bill foretold the
mischief it would inflict, but in vain ; however, all their
prophecies had been more than fulfilled, and his Nolde
Friend had given but a faint idea of its oppressive and
defctive operation. Not only were the clauses of the
Nubia Visci,unt open to objection, but all the clauses.
sli‘v, it was beyond his power to nialie the old Metro-
politan Buil:iings Act a fined one, and he therefore hoped
that he would remodel the Act which he introduce:l, and
make it an Act to supersede the old one, or to commence
de iv,ro. That would be a better system to rely upon
until a new measure could be framed. -

The Dolt of BUCCLEUelrsi:id,that with regard to
the measure of 1814, it wa a considerable time before
the second reading was moved. It was a very long and
very heavy Bill. and no person seemed to wish t 3 take
the tr.:able of it.—(Rear, hear ) With regard to
the particular measure of official referees, he found that
in several cases one had given one reason, and another
haul given another, but as it was quite impossible to hope
for any measure, with regard to the buildings of this
metropolis, which was nut open to objection, he be-
lieved that the amendment introduced by his Noble
Friend was well worthy of consideration.
Lord ASHBURTON was quite ready to meet the
difficulties of this qu,stion, and among the first of the
obieets which this board had to consider was the subject
ofsrunke. He knew that in the large towns in the north,
-for the expenditure of a few pounds, the great manufac-
turers had been enabled to obviate this serious evil,
whereas it was well known that it was only by a mere
accident that the inhabitants of the metropolis ever suc-
ceeded in seeing the sun. Now, this was a difficulty,
and a mischief that might very easily be obviated, and
he trusted the mischief would be attended to.
Lord CAMPBELL was ready ti bear his testimony
to what had fallen from the Noble Lord. When he had
the honour of filling the office of Attorney-General, he
had found it necessary to grant patents for the con-
sumption of smoke. It was well known that the parti-
oles of smoke were merAy inconsumed particles of fuel,
and he should be ready to accede to my motion which
stopped such an evil.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
To-Morrow Evening, SATURDAY, 21Lacu 21, will be performed
Verdi's highly successful Opera of

NINO.
With New Scenery, Dresses and Decorations.
Ninus, King of Assyria, Signor Foniasari ; Idaspe, Signor Corelli ,
Orotasphe (High Priest of the Temple of Isis), Signor Botelli ; Ab-
dallo (an Officer of the King pf Assyria), Signor Dalficri ; Fcnena
(daughter of Ninus), Madlle. Corbari ; Anna (sister of Orotaspbc),
Madame Bellini ; Abigail (a slaNe, supposed to be the eldest
daughter of Ninus), Madlle. Sanchioli.
To conclude with tha highly successful New Grand Ballet, by
M. Perrot. In Five Tableaux. The music by Signor Pugni. The
Scenery by Mr. C. Marshall, entitled,

CATARLNI ; ou, LA FILLE DU BANDIT.

The principal parts by 31(1lie. Lucile Grahn, Madame Petit Stephan,
Mdlles. Moncelet, Cassan, Delticlisse, and .Madame Louise Taglioni ;
M.M. Gosselin, Bertrand, Di Mattia, and Perrot.
Madame Castellan is daily expected in town, and will shortly
appear.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.

THIS EVENING

Will be performed a New Opera, entitled THE CRT:SAD-F:I2S.
The principal characters will be sustained by Messrs. IV. liar-
rison, Burdini, llorncastle, S. Jones, Weiss, Stretton, D. W. King,
Miss Rower, and Miss ltainfortli.

After which will be produced the popular Ballet, called LA TA-
RENTITLE. In which Mons. Barrez, Mr. A. Webster, Mr. Marks,
Mons. DeAplaees, Mtllles. Maria, Neutlot, K. St. Louth, Mrs. Payne,
anal Mi:s Hicks will apcear.

THEATR4 ROYAL, lIA.YhIARKET.
TIIIS EVENING
Will be per:brined the Comely, called LONDON' ASSURANCE.
Sir Harcourt Courtly, Mr.'W. Farren ; Charles Courtly, Mr. D.
11011 ; Mark Meddle, Mr. Webster ; Cool, Mr. Brindal ; Mr. Spanker,
Mr. Buckstone; Dazzle, Mr. Hudson, Lady Gay Spanker, Mrs.
Seymour; Grace Harkaway, Miss Julia Bennett; Pert, Mrs. Humby.
'J he Band will pertbrin the Overture, " La Reine dun Jour,"
"Antoinette," Cellaritts Waltz, and the Quadrille, "Le Rot d'Yvetot."
After which a New Comic _Drama, called THE 1111511 POST.
Characters by Messrs. J. Eland, Tilbury-, Mrs. liumby, &c.

To conclinfe with a New Farce, called LEND ME FIVE SIM-
NGS. Mr. Golightly, 3.1r.1111A-tone ; Capt. l'hobbs, Mr. Tilbury ;
Capt. Spruce, sir. Itrindal ; MN. IThljor l'hnlihs, Miss I'. H. rton.

ROYAL, LYCEUM
-UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF Mils. =LET,

FirA Appe,irance in the Regular Drama or the celebrated
GENERAL 1031 T 111731 I 1 I
'curs EVENING

fhe perfonnanee, tiglnuteneci with IV I.TC II ANT) WAIN),

After which, a New ExtraTaganza, entitled Tun 1i.V111;1E
MAIDEN_ Cliarw,lers by Mr. Keeley, Mr. A. Wigan, Mrs. Keeley,
and Miss Lt id

To be followed by an entirely Nov and Original Burlesque, en-
titled HOP 0. MY THUMB ; or, The Ogre and s Seven ',MU('
hoots. Iu which General Tom Thumb, who is engaged e•pressly
ior this occasion, will have the honour of making his appearance.
To conclude with NEXT DOOll. Characters by Messrs. A.
Wigan, Tallier, Bellingham; Misses Arden, Villars, and Howard.
Stalls, ss. ; Boxes, 45. ; Pit, 25.; Gallery, Gd.

THFATItE ROYAL, ADELI'LIJ.
Wondrous success and hearty shouts of laughter at he New Farce

of " Did you ever send your Wife to Camberwell ?"
Tli IS E

Will be performed a New Petite Drama, In Two Acts, ealled,
TILE CABIN BOY. Mons. Vincent, Mr. 0. Smith; Largecetti,
Mr. Paul Bee ford : Julien, Madame Celeste; Mdlle. Laroche, Miss
Woolgar.

After which, a New Farce, entitled, DID YOU EVER SEND
YOUR WIFE TO CAMBERWELL ? Chesterfield lloneybun, Mr.
Wright; Isaac Crank, Mr. 0. Smith ; Mrs. Iloneybun, Miss Woolgar.
To be folloWed by TAMING A TARTAR ; or, Magic uad Ma-
zom kaphobia. In which Messrs. Paul Bedford and Wright, Miss
W-oolgar, Mat!ame Celeste, &c. will perform.
'l,O conclude with a New Farce, entitled TILE NTOM
RI:EA K FAST. Supported by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Wright, Miss
Wcolgar,

ROYAL OL YM PIC THEATRE,
Herr Keller has much pleasure in announcing the engagement of
M Tournalre and his troupe, together with the finest Stud of Horses
in the world, for one week only.
On Monday, and dcring the week, a GRAND VOCAL and IN-
STRUMENTAL CONCERT, with Solos by eminent Artistes.
After which Professor Keller's POSES PLASTIQUES, Flying
Zephyr, Tableaux Vivans.
Concluding with a new Pantomimic Spectacle, called THE CRU-
SADERS; or, the Siege of Jerusalem, introducing M. Tournaire's
celebrated Dramatic and Equestrian Corns.
Private Boxes, 11. Is. Dress Circle, 3s. Boxes, 2s. Pit, Is. Gal-
lery, 6cl.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STnEET.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed a Vaudeville Comedy, entitled, THE
FOLLIES OF A NIGHT. Duke de Chartres, Mr. J. Vining; Count
tie Brissae, Mr. Harris ; Dr. Druggendraft, Mr. Compton ; Pierre
Palliot, Mr. C. Mathews; Mdlle. Duval, Miss E. Honner ; Duchess
de Chartres, Madame Vestris.

To be followed by a New Comic Drama, entitled, A SPEAKING
LIKENESS. Baron de Raney, Mr. Granby; Alfred, Mr. James
Vining ; Coco, Mr. Compton ; Mauette, Madame Vestris.
After which, the favourite Farce, called, HZ WOULD BE AN
ACTOR. Motley, Mr. Charles Mathews ; Griffith Morgan, Mr.
Granby ; Dickey Darling, Mr. Oxberry ; Mr. Currant, Mr. S. Smith ;
Edward Sinclair, Mr. A. Harris; Becky Morgan, Miss E. Stanley.
To conclude with Shakspeare's Play of KATHERINE AND
PETRUCIIIO. Petruchio, Mr. Wallstek ; Katherine, Mrs. Stirling ;
Bianca, Miss E. Bonner.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.

M. I'HILLIPPE'S SOIREES and 3I.AIINEES AIYSTEttIEUSES

Two Morning Performances during the Week.

At the urgent and reiterated solicitations of many distinguished
families, and in order N accommodate the crowds who do ik to
attend his Morning Performances, 3f. PHILLIPPE will give his
Grand Juvenile Entertainment every Wednesday and Saturday
Morning, at Two o'clock.
3f. Phillippe's most Popular Deceptions and Peculiar Experiments
will be repeated every Evening, varied by the Amusing Per-
formances of the Chiarini Family, and the astounding Feats of the
American Brothers.—Doors open at a quarter past Sea en, to com-
mence at a quarter before Eight.
Stalls, 35.; Boxes, us. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d. ; Pr'vate Boxes,
11. Is., and I/. lie. 6d.