The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1, 1846.

[MPERJAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 31.
Their Lord.hips as- erablod at Five o'clock.
l‘lesengers horn the Commons brought up several
Bills.
1115G.8Y ANI) LEAMINGTON RAILWAY BILL.
The Earl of STRAFFORD moved the third reading
of this Bill.

Lord KIFNAIRD obj-cted to the motion, on the
ground that the parties residing in Leamington had not
been heard before the Committee, who decided against
hearing them before they mad had an opportunity of
opening their case against the Bill. He concluded by
moving the postponement of the third reading until
Monday.
Lord CAMOYS defended the Committee, and detailed
their proceedings. No appearance was entered upon
the petition from Leamington, so that they had no right
to be heard. It was true an application was made to be
heard, but the Commix tee decided against hearing them.
But the case of the petitioners was fully heard on another
petition, and therefore, whether they were heard or
not in their case, their opposition was virtually heard,
and was fully before the Committee, who were not
guilty of any injustice. The parties had, however, no
right to be he ird, be: an e their p titit n was not pre-
sented to the House until the 17th. Their appearance
was not entered in time. He therefore should support
the Noble Lord the chairman of the Committee (Lord
Strafford).
The Earl of STRAFFORD said, he concurred in many
of the statements which had fallen from his Noble
Friend who had jurt sat down.
Lord KINNAIRD said, after what had fallen form
the two Noble Lords, who were members of the Com-
mittee to whom the Bill was referred, he must persevere
in his motion that the third reading be postponed till
Monday.

Lord. MONTE AGLE said the question was—a Bill
was referred to a Select Committee, and the parties ap-
peared, and they were to be deprived of the power of
being heard. If the case was as stated by his Noble
Friend, and that the parties did appear before the Bill
was taken into consideration, he did think it was
tujust if they would not allow them to be heard. What
earthly ground was there why this demand should be
refused?—(Hear.) Except what he had heard in the
House that night, he was not acquainted with the matter
before their Lordships ; but, as a matter of justice,
he thought the parties had a right to be heard.
Earl GREY said it was very natural that the parties
should appear in tho first instance, because it would
decide in what order the Committee should consider the

Lord BEAUMONT said he was himself chairman
of a Committee when the landowners were permitted to
be heard when they came in due time. He did not
think that any rule existed on this subject ; but it did
appear to him that parties whose land was
to be taken foreiby away, had a right
to be heard to the last moment.—(Hear, hear.) Let
them suppose a case of a bad Bill which was to be pro-
posed. Before the parties opposing that Bill entered
into the expense incidental on opposing the Bill, they
might wish to have some certainty on the question, and
therefore he theught they were entiied to indelgence.
The Earl of RADNOR said he thought that the
rules of the Committee should be adhered to ; and,
therefore, he conceived there were no grounds whatever
for these allegations.
Lord BROUGHAM said he thought the rule was to
receive petitions up to the last moment. Now what he
wanted was that the party should be compensated against
the injury done him. Now there was a ease of an hotel,
and the railway was to come within thirty-five yards of
that hotel. Now it was not very pleasant to the parties
stopping at that hotel to be subjected to the noise of the
trains, and to have the dust which they would occasion
thrust down their throats.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord CAMOYS said the Noble Lord had brought
forward a case quite different from that before the House.
The promoters of the Bill had offered remuneration, hut
those terms had been refused. He understood when the
question was put, tbat the railway did not touch his
property, therefore, he did not come within the operation
of the law of compensation.--; Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of AYLESBURY thought that the pe-
tition should have been received, and the case of the
petitioner heard. He would support the amendment of
the Noble Lord.

Lord BROUGHAM again referred to the question of
compensation. Instances could be shown where com-
pensation was given, though the property of the person
who received it was not touched by the railway. The
Commissioners, who lately reported on the central rail-
way termini, gave it as their opinion that even where
there was no direct injury, such as the passing of the
railway over property, compensation should be given.
Lord KINNAIRD would press the amendment to a
div;sion.

Lord STRAFFORD said that after what had occurred,
he had no objection to postpone his motion till Monday
next, agreeably to the desire of the Noble Lord.
THE CHOLERA IN LONDON.

The Earl of FITZ HARDINGE said he had seen an
announcement in the Times newspaper of this day, on
the authority of the Lord Mayor, that the cholera had
broken out in London. The statement put forth did not
distinctly state the species of cholera which had so
broken out, and in order to allay anxiety on the subject,
he wished to ask his Noble Friend below him (the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne) whether the Government had
received any official information on the subject.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had seen the state-
ment in the Times of this day, and considered thatgreat
importance was attached to it on account of its emanat-
ing from so high an authority as the Lord Mayor of
the City of London. His Noble Friend, in using the
term cholera, seemed to imply that it was of that virulent
species which was denominated Asiatic cholera, which
caused so much alarm throughout Europe and in this
city some years ago. He did not think the opinion of
the Lord Mayor was tantamount to create an impression
that Asiatic cholera was existing in this city ; and he
was extremely happy to make a statement which could
not tail to be satisfactory to his Noble Friend and the
House. It was strictly true that a very confident opi-
nion prevailed in this city that Asiatic cholera had existed
for some time in London, but especially in the lower,
and consequently densely-populated districts. Imme-
diately on the Government being apprised of the exist-
ence of such an impression, they employed an officer,
who had practised in the hospitals of this city, to in-
quire into the subject, and he was sent into all the
localities which had been indicated as being affected
by the cholera. He visited those houses and those
lodgings, and reported in the course of the following
day, that he could not find a single instance bearing the
character or symptoms of Asiatic cholera.—(hear,
hear.) Not, however, content with this, he visited the
hospitals in the immediate neighbourhood of these lo-
calities, and he did not find in any of these establish-
ments a single case of cholera.—(Hear, hear.) He cer-
tainly did find an increase of those diseases which were
frequently found at hot seasons of the year, and a species
of acrid cholera which was not unfrequent in this
country. Therefore he thought the House might rely,
that as far as this report was concerned, no alarm need
prevail on the subject. He, however, desired the
officer alluded to, and another connected with the
Medical Board, to be on the look out. He had been at
the council-office that day, but up to that hour no iuti-
mation to the effect had been received. The notice
might prevent, in some measure, the spreading of dis-
ease in hot seasons of the year, by passing a measure
before their Lordships for promoting cleanliness amongst
the labouring classes.
Lord BROUGHAM stated that nothing could be
more satisfactory than the statement of the Noble Lord,
because nothing could be more prejudicial than to allow
such reports to remain uncontradicted if they were de-
void of truth. When he was in office he was informed
that the cholera had prevailed for some time before the
attention of the authorities was called to its existence.
He apprehended, however, that the anticipated disease
from the hot weather might be obviated by persons not
exposing themselves to sudden chills, for at this period
of the year—in the end of July and in August—what was
termed " Lammas-flood," in Scotland prevailed to a
great extent. In the neighbourhood of Bedford-square,
in the mews behind it, English cholera prevailed. but not
to a great extent. He considered the Government ought
to have information from week to week ; but he con-
sidered that there was no ground for alarm, that the
cholera existed ; and no dangerous results need be
anticipated if persons did not expose themselves to
chills, and did not eat raw vegetables. But there was an-
other kind of cholera which he called legislative cholera.
He alluded to the Bill for the Recovery of Small Debts,
and the Sugar Bill, which he cal'ed the Slave-trade Bill,
which he feared, frau.) the late period of the session,
would not receive the attention they required. He
hoped no delay would take place, and that these im-
portant measures would be brought before their Lord-
ships at the earliest possible period.
The Earl of FITZ HARDINGE expressed himself
satisfied with the explanation.
Lord CAMPBELL, in presenting a petition from
Wiabeach, in favour of the Small Debts Bill, urged the
House to pass it without dE lay.
The Earl of ST. GERMANS hoped the Government
would not postpone the passing of this Bill.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said scarcely a day
passed with-ut his receiving most urgent entreaties to
pass this Bill. Under these circumstances it would be
the duty of Government to proceed at once with this
Bill.

After a few nerds from Lord BROUGHAM and Earl
GREY, the matter dropped.
RAILWAYS.
The Earl of CLARENDON reported from the Select
Committee appointed to consider what Railway Bills
should b 3 committed during the remainder of the ses-
sion. That the Committee were of opinion that the
followitt4 Bills ought to be exempted from the operation
of the resolution of the 7th of May :—The Liverpool,
)nn,kirk, and l'reson; the Glasgow and Belfast Union;
the Taff Vale Railway ; the Caledonian ; the Caledo-
nian and Govan ; the Manchester and Southampton ;
ind ae East and West India Dock Bill. The Noble
Lor I, therefore, moved that the resolution of the 7th of
May be suspendel in rosnect of those 13.11 s--Agreed to.

son who would deny that the late general distress in Ire-
land had been of the most alarming nature. He should
be sorry if, in proving that the present machinery for
conducting the legislation of Ireland was inadequate, he
should be considered as casting any reflection on the
late Government. The people of that country had been
in the habit of depending fir their :apply of food upon
the lowest kind of diet, which had entirely failed—he al-
luded to the failure of the Potato crop. Great exertions
were made by the late Government in introducing Indian
meal, which had prevented famine from reaching that
country, and it had also lroduced the most beneficial
effect in a moral point of liew. It was a most difficult
problem to solve, in what manner a Government 'could
interfere with the food of the country, but that problem
had been must successfully solved by her Majesty's Go-
vernment in the course they had taken on this subject.
He was happy to say that the four first Bills passed
during this session of Parliament, were Bills for the im-
provement of Ireland, and for giving employment to the
people of that country. Ile thought that the Govern-
ment would have to contend with similar difficulties in
the ensuing year, unless they altered the present
system with regard to Ireland. He was not
himself an alarmist, but he really believed that
the prospects of the ensuing year were more alarming
than even the former year. There was, a less quantity
of land under cultivation for the growth of potatoes than
in the preceding year, and the disease appeared to be
likely to be far more prevalent. He thought there were
syinptons of an entire failure of the potato plant itself in
that country. Alluding to seasons of scarcity that had
previously taken place in that country, the Noble Lord
said they were not to be compared to the amount of
distress that was endured during the last season. He
believed that not a less sum than 800,0001. had been ad-
vanced to alleviate the distress of the country ; large
sums had been raised by private contributions. In the
county of Clare, Colonel Wyndham had advanced 6,000/.,
Lord Kenmaire 3,000 L, another private gentleman 2,0001.,
the district committees raised 100,0001., and Govern-
ment had come forward with large sums for the same
purpose. There was also an immense amount of assist-
ance afforded by giving employment upon the laud. lie
believed that great praise was due to the Commissariat
of Ireland. Commissariat-General Rowth and Gordon,
also deserved great praise for their indefatigable exer-
tions. In the time of Lord Grey's Government, he
(Lord Monteagle) introduced the Bill for the establish-
ment of the Board of Public Works, which was sub-
stituted for the other boards then existing ; but the im-
mense variety of business which came before them pre-
vented them from becoming so efficient on the late occa-
sion of distress as they otherwise would have been, had
their duties been confined to the proper and legitimate
business which was their peculiar function. Me men-

tioned this for the purpose.of showing the utter Made-
quacy of that board to discharge with effect the business
which was lately imposed upon them. He•lately applied
to them, in conjunction with his friends Lord Clare and
Lord Kenmaire, to procure e.oployment for the relief of
the poor people who were in distress in the county of
Kerry; but early as that application was made, the pre-

linainary surveys were not yet made of those works, on
which it was designed to provide them employment.
The Noble Lord then went into a variety of details, for
the purpose of shoeing that a better system of central
management for the public works of Ireland was neces-
sary. By the Act of Union the treasury of the empire
was as applicable to the wants of Ireland as to England
and Scotland. Scotland received the sum of 400,0001.,
and the condition of the people of Scotland was ad-
vanced one hundred years by that outlay. He con-
tended that there was an actual gain to the kingdom
by the expenditure of these grants. From 1822 to
1828, the revenue of the county Galway increased from
nothing to 6,800/. yearly, which completely covered the
outlay which had been made in that country, and. to
which alone this increased revenue could be attributed.
The people of Ireland required superintendence more
than money, for they were not sufficiently improved is
knowledge to promote their interests in the best manner.
If they had an efficient board of works, this good would
be effected. In conclusion, he did not impute blame to
the public works, nor to the exertions of the late Go-
vernment, but he hoped that some steps would be taken
to have an efficient superintending board, for the pur-
pose of regulating the expenditure of the public grants,
and providin: employment for the people.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that he bad
listened with the greatest satisfaction to the address of
the Noble Lord, aed he admitted the general accuracy
of the details entered upon. He hoped, however, the
Noble Lord and the House would excuse him, if he did
not go into a statement of the intentions of the Govern-
ment in regard to meeting the evils complained of. He
trusted also it would not be supposed that he avoided
doing so, because he was not aware of the importance of
it. He could assure the House that, as far as possible, it
would be the duty of the Government to do everything
in its power to provide for the state of things referred to.
In reference to the measures of the late Government, he
must bear testimony that they had done great good,
though it must be admitted that the machinery
by which the relief was administered was very
imperfect. He had no fault however to find
with what they did, as they were called upon to act
under circumstances of great emergency, and it was not
to be expected they could bring into operation a perfect
system of machinery. He begged to inform their Lord-
ships that the Government for the last week had been,
and would be for some time to come, engaged on the
consideration of a measure for giving greater efficacy to
the works, in order the more effectually to administer
relief to the people of Ireland, and for possessing full
security for the application of the sums advanced, that
they were used to forward the welfare and comfort of
the people. He pledged himself to the general accuracy
of the details of the Noble Lord. He was sorry it was
not in his power to contradict him. Would to God that
he could say that the great evil which was expected
again to overtake Ireland was not such as
had been represented ! He could not say
more at present. He felt thankful for the state-
ment made by the Noble Lord, that considering the late
period of the session, and seeing that the present Go-
vernment had but so lately acceded to office, he trusted
they would excuse him from further entering into
the subject at present. In a few days a full and
authentic statement would be presented to the other
House of the expenditure of money which had been
made under the Act which had been referred to, from
which it would be seen how the funds had been applied.
The Earl of DEVON hoped the House would allow
him to address a few words on this subject, as it was
one to which he had pail great attention. He thought
there could be no dispute as to the present principle of
employing the population on public works should there
be a scarcity of employment. lie wou'd not therefore
dispute that principle; but he would endeavour to show
the difficulties and obstacles which had caused the
measures adopted in relation to Ireland not being so
successful as was expected. He thought the difficulties
did not arise so much as to the employment of the
people on public works, but as to the employment of
the people on the land. In the Bill which had been
passed to facilitate the employment of the people, so
backward were the landed proprietors to take advantage
of the clause which authorised the borrowing of money
for improving the land, to be paid again with interest in
ten years, that only one proprietor, the late Lord-
Lieutenant, took advantage of it. The effect therefore
had been that scarcely any employment was found for
the people through the operation of this clause. (The
Noble Lord gave some other instances of the same cha-
racter, to show the difficulties that were found in carrying
out the intentions of the Act. While on this subject he
must complain of the proceedings of the late Govern-
ment as to the discretion in which they had exercised
the right given them by the recent Act passed on this
subject—that of fixing the rate of interest, and the pe-
riod at which it was to be paid when applications for
loans had been forwarded them through the Board of
Works. He thought the Government had not acted in
this Da-Ater as they ought to have done. The giving
many a means of earning an honest livelihood would
be the result of the reclamation of this waste land. To
say that no good would result from reclaiming waste
land appeared to him a perfect absurdity. These were
points to which he alluded—not for the purpose of corn
plaint, but merely that attention might be turned to the
subject. The last report made by the society on that
subject, showed that there were two thousand persons
on the estate in Ireland where at one time there were
not nine cabins, and not one of those individuals had
been convicted of a single offence,—(Hear, hear.)
It was, no doubt, of great importance that
the people should be employed, and to give that employ-
ment was the great object they all had in view. It
unfortunately happened, however, that the landlords of
Ireland were not able to do this. The report of the
Board of Works on this subject came too late to enable
them to turn it to immediate account, and he trusted
that the House would act peremptorily in this matter.
Lord CLANCARTY said he thought a most im-
portant consideration had been brought before the
House. His Noble Friend had likewise brought before
the notice of their Luriships the advance that had been
made of public money. The officers of these public
works had done their work efficiently. He trusted that
a state of improved agriculture would be introduced,
that would give to the people of Ireland—as in England
—permanent employment ; but he thought at the same
time, that too much importance could not be given to
public works.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord MONTEAGLE said, after what had fallen from
the Noble Lord, he would not press his motion.
Tne motion was accordingly withdrawn, and their
Lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 31.
The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four
o'clock.

On the motion of Mr. GREENE, it was agreed, after
a short discussion, that the Lords' amendments to all
Bills brought from the House of Lords should be con-
sidered without notice, provided such amendments
should have been first submitted to the Speaker.
The report on Lord Kinnaird's (Sir John Webb's)
Estate Bill was farther considered, and ordered to ke
printed.

- THE STOCKPORT IMPROVEMENT BILL.
Mr. BROTHERTON moved that the order of the day
for the third reading of the Stockport Improvement Bill
be discharged, in order that a new Bill might be intro-
duced.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition, signed by
5,096 inhabitants of Stockport against the Bill. The
petitioners stated that nine-tenths of the inhabitants of
Stockport were opposed to the Bill. He would now
move that the Bill should be read a third time that day
three months, as he never would agree to the third read-
ing of such a tyrannical measure.
Mr. BROTHERTON said that the motion he had
made was tantamount to reading. the Bill a third time
that day three months.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that unless the Honour-
able Gentleman would agree to the proposition of
postponing the third reading for three months,
he should feel it to be his duty to make the
motion. The measure was a most atrocious and ty-

ntruded. ono', and no person approved of it except those
who were t ) benefit nncler it. The parties who opposed
the measure bad asked the mayor to call a meting,
which he refused to do, or even to lend them the Town-
hall; the result was, the meeting was held in the market-
place, and resolutions wert) adopted against the measure,
which he hollered to be a, complete job. The parties
had been deceived with re,..;:pect to the Bill, and did rot
know fersome time who was the concocter of the measure.
He wished to know whether the lion. Member for Sal-
ford would consent to the withdrawal of the Bill with-
out the condition which he had stated, viz., on the un-
derstanding that he should be allowed to reintroduce
it on a future occasion. If the Honourable Gen-

tlernan would agree to that, he (Mr. Duncnmbe)
would abstain at present from entering at any further
length into the merits of the Bill. The fourth clause
proposed to give to the town council of Stockport the
sum of 10,0001. out of the public funds ; and in
the distribution of that sum the ratepayers would
not have the slightest control. The proposition
contained in that clause was one of the most disgraceful
proceedings which any body of men calling themselves
liberal could make.

Mr. BROTHEIZTON said that he certainly should
not consent to the withdrawal of the Bill on the terms
proposed by the Hon. Gentleman.

Air. DUNCOMBE said he would then go at length
into the objections which he had against this Bill.
Arr. UME trusted that the Hon. Member for Finsbury
would allow him to suggest, that as the promoters r f
the Bill were anxious to have it withdrawn, he (Mr. T.
Duncombe) would be saving the time of the House
by abstaining at present from any remarks on the de-
merits of the Bill. Of course he would have the
opportunity of making those remarks which he
intended now to make, should any attempt be
hereafter made to re-introduce it.—(Hear, hear.)
He himself had received several letters from some of
the most respectable ratepayers of Stockport, in eonfire
mation of the statement of the Hoe. Member for Fins-
bury, and should the Bill be attempted to be re-introduced
he should heartily join with that Hon. Gentleman in
opposing the Bill, but he hoped that nothing would be
at present said which would have the effect inflaming
the excited feelings of the people of Stockport.
Mr. DUNCOMBE said he had no objection to con•
sent to the withdrawal of the Bill on the terms proposed
by the Hon. Member for Salford.
Mr. BROTHERTON refused to alter the terms of his
proposal.
Mr. MARSLAND said that, as he was interested in
the question, being one of the representatives of Stock-
ton, he might perhaps be allowed to say a few words on
this question. The Honourable Gentleman the Member
for Finsbury had accused the mayor of being personally
interested in the question. He could assure the Hon.
Gentleman that the mayor had been represented as
hostile to the measure, because he had kept aloof, as
he had himself. They never were consulted as to
whether the waterworks should or should not be pur-
chased, and they did not know that it was in contemplation
to do so until ho saw the announcement in the Guardian.
With respect to the observation that this was a job, it
was very far from the truth, as he was positive that there
was no job in it. He had with others objected to many
of its clauses. The town council of Stockport were far
more liberal than any body of the same nature to be
found in Finsbury. It was composed of rate-
payers, and all were admitted from the highest
to the lowest. It had been characterised as a
gross job by one of the magistrates who was not a
ratepayer, and who wished to make it a gross job. He
begged to say that, having objections to some of the
clauses, he had consulted as to the proper means of
opposing them.
Sir R. H. INGLIS said that the Hon. Member had
offered to withdraw his opposition, provided that no
other Bill were brought in. He (Sir R. H. Inglis)
thought that the late period of the session would gau-
rantee that no other measure of the kind could be
brought in.
Mr. ESTCOURT said he had been drawn into this mat-
ter, and he had had a good deal of correspondence on the
subject. He did not think that if the House wereto appoint
a Committee—he was satisfied that it would not, in the
opinion of the Hon. Member for Montrose, be such a
Committee as would be satisfactory. But he would
further observe that if the Hon. Member were to bring
in another Bill, as he trusted he would, he should have
his support.
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET was afraid that,
if another Bill were to be brought in containing the
same clauses it would be equally unsatisfactory.
Mr. BROTHERTON would emphatically deny the
charges that had been made against the inhabitants of
Stockport on this Bill. If the motion of the Hon. Mem•
ber for Finsbury for the withdrawal of this Bill were
acceded to by the House, he should certainly bring in
another Bill to the same effect. It was only the cot-
ton-spinners who wished the smoke of their factories
not to be stopped, and the publicans who wished to
keep their houses open on Sunday, and persons in a
similar position. who were petitioners against this Bill.
The Bill was for making parks, improving the streets,
and making other sanatory regulations. Great numbers
of Bills of similar character to this had been passed this
session without a word ; and if the Bill were thrown out
he should certainly bring in another Bill of the same
kind.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that one division would do,
and he should, therefore, move that the Bill be read this
day three months.
Mr. HUME was anxious to have for Stockport fair
play. He thought, under the present circumstances, it
would be the best course to allow the order of the day
to be discharged. That done, he hoped, before the next
session of Parliament, some general measure would he
introduced for the regulation of police in all towns, and
also a measure for market improvements. He hoped
that at present the matter would be amicably settled
without a division.

Mr. B. ESCOTT wished the lion. Member for Stock-
port to give some information of the meeting respecting
the Bill which had been referred to.
Mr. WIRSLAND could not give any information
respecting the meeting. lie had left the town before
the meeting took place, and he had not had any com-
munication with the parties to it since then.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to bear testimony that the pro-
moters of the Bill had no other object in view than
the welfare of Stockport. The real difficulty ex-
perienced in that town was that the promoters
of the Bill were desirous of having power for
the levying of rates for the improvement of the town,
while the small ratepayers were against it, and at pre-
sent refused the granting of any rates for that purpose
at any meetings that might be called for that pur-
pose. No danger could arise from the passing of the
Bill, because the power was vested in the town council,
which represented the great body of the inhabitants.
He had risen merely to give his testimony in favour of
the promoters of the Bill.
Mr. DUNCOMBE said he would withdraw his amend-
ment on the understanding that the Bill would be with-
drawn.

The amendment was then withdrawn, and the order
of the day for the third reading of the Bill discharged.
Mr. BROTHERTON then moved for leave to bring
in a fresh Bill on the subject—the Stockport Improve-
ment Act, No. 2.

Some discussion then arose as to whether the Hon.
Member was in order in giving notice of a second Bill
on the subject.

The SPEAKER said that it was competent for the
llon. Member to move for leave to bring in a fresh Bill.
Mr. I'. DUNCONIBE thought the House should know
something of the nature of the Bill about to be intro-
duced.

Mr. BROTHERTON said he did not know what the
Bill would be; if he had leave to bring in a Bill he
thought it would be one of the same nature as the pre-
smt Bill, which had been approved of by the Hon.
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, Mr.
Greene.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that the Hon. Member the
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means had
informed him that he had nothing to do with the Bill;
if, therefore, the Hon. Member for Salford proposed to
bring in a Bill similar to the one approved by that Hon.
Member, he did not know where it was to be found.

Sir G. GREY wished to explain to the House the
part he bad taken in this Bill. Great objections were
made to several clauses of the Bill, and it was suggested
by the Hon. Member the Chairman of the Committee
of Ways and Means that it was a subject which should be
brought under the consideration of the Home-office.

He had accordingly examined the Bill, and had struck
out several objectionable clauses.
Mr. MARSLAND said that he bad objected to se-
veral clauses of the Bill, but he thought it a very
anomalous state of things that the Bury and Manchester
Improvement Acts should have been passed with pre-
cisely the same clauses as there were in the present Bill,
and yet that this Bill was not allowed to be proceeded
with.
Mr. GREENE said, that on a former occasion when
the Bill was before the House, he stated his opinion that
several of the clauses were of a highly objectionable
nature ; he was still of the same opinion.
Mr. HUME hoped the Hon. Member for Salford
would note press his Bill at the present time. He '
was sure that the Bill would not be allowed
to 'pass with its present objectionable clauses.
It was impossible for any man to suppose that it was
and
to
a ssucha peacemaker, aßeiel
ml asak thiser
, btehgrgoeudg ho
fthe House,
his
Hon.
Friend the member for Salford not to persist in his
motion.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. ESTCOURT approved of the suggestion of the
Hon. Member for Montrose. There could be no ne-
cessity for pressing this Bill forward during the present
l
session. The Hon. Member for Finsbury, as well as the
Chairman of the Committee of Ways am? Means, had
inspected the Bill, and pronounced it to be
an unjust measure. Under these circumstances he
should vote with the Hon. Gentleman the Member for
Finsbury.
Mr. BROTHERTON said
he had no personal
whatever in tthiet
; Bill,bu tnhoer hdaidd
hopehe en yt
hsattrot
the
g feeling either
Houseinterestw oud
edxeceirsciiosße
mitisghdtisbeer,ethioenshinoultd hisma. Whatever their
cheerfully
bow to it. No-
tics was given of this Bill in the regular manner, and it
proceeded as far as this, the last stage, without any
opposition. No petition was presented against it, with
I the exception of that presented by the lion. Member for
Finsbury. He did think that the town council of Stockport
had b'Pen harshly used in this matter. He felt bound
to divide the House on this question.
Mr. DUNCOMBE said, that one of the Hon. Mem-
bers for Stockport (Mr. Marsland) had presented a peti-
tion, signed by between 5,000 and 6,000 ratepayers of
the borough, against the Bill.
Strangers were then ordereered to withdraw, when
there aproured—
For the motion
Against it .......................... • ..... 40
Against the Bill being brought im —8
METROPOLITAN SEWAGE MANURE BILL.
The report and further consideration of this Bill was
poststiod to Mouday nut,

The British Guarantee Association Bill and the Sligo
and Shannon Railway 8.11 were read a third time and
passed.

TENANT COMPENSATION.
Mr. S. CR AWFORD presented a petition from a
large body of the inhabitants of Castlereagh, praying
the House to take steps to provide a pet manent measure for
providing compensation to tenants, after having regularly
paid theirrent, and were about to be discharged from their
;arms, such compensation to be adequate 0 the out-
lay made by the tenant whilst in occupation.
Mr. HUDSON presented a petition from Sunderland
against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor.
CONSTITUTION OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.
Mr. CHRISTIE presented a petition from a gentle-
man of the name of Duppa, residing in Jersey, praying
for an extension of the British Constitution to Jersey,
and the other Channel islands.

IRISH LANDLORD AND TENANTS BILL.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD gave notice that on Monday
next be should put a question to the Noble Lord at the
head of the Government respecting the Bills now
lying on the table for the direction of the Irish tenantry,
and that he should also at the same time ask whether
it was the intention of Government to issue any com-
mission on that subject during the recess.

SURVEY OF IRELAND.
Sir DENHAM NORREYS moved for a Select Com,
rnittee on the progress of the trigonometrical surrey in
Irelend.

he consider red to be his duty ; but that decision of the
House hay in a been pronounced by a majority so large as
to render any further attempt on his part, not merely
hopeless,' but probably irritative, and leading to a great
hindrano 2 to the discharge of public business, he did
not desk :e to revive the discussion of Monday and Tues-
day lest, and rose rather for the purpose of stating that,
than '3f answering what he thought might be easily
answered—the opposition of his Hon. Friend the Mem-
ber for Birmingham—the latest convert to the doctrine
of fro e-trade, and latest abandoner of the principles of
protc ction. He would only state, that deeply as he re-
grett ed the injury to be sustained by their fellow-
coon trDnen in the East as well as the West Indies, by
the Image which had been decided upon in the course
of the last few days--deeply as he regretted the ma•
jority by which that change had been produced, by such
a cor aisination of individuals and of parties as perhaps
the wildest imagination of any man in that House,
he w: is quite sure could no verexpect upon such a subject—
still i fore deeply feeling the change in our commercial
polio, y., the greatest change which had been made in the
come eof three centuries—he meant this change in the
slave trade—yet at the same time he saw the contest
was 1 topeless, and he would not weary- the House with
argu vents in reply, which had been used by far better
and a bier men than himself. He would therefore take
upon himself the responsibility, on a subject of so much
impm 'tames to the interests of the West Indian colonies,
and ti et; still higher interests of humanity and the world,
of wi theirawin,g all further opposition.
Se reral Bills were brought down from the Lords, after
whic b,
TI- te ;House went into Committee on
TIIE SUGAR DUTIES.
Mr. D. BARCLAY opposed the resolution, and
called.. upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to distin-
guish. between sugar the produce of free labour in the
coin ue s, and sugar the produce of the unfortunate ne-
groes: in the islands of Cuba and in the Brazils. He
said this measure would destroy the little attachment
betw erne the colonies and the mother country ; for what
attac lin:lent, he asked, would Jamaica have to this coun-
try s then the duties were equalised, and Cuba and the
Brazi is had the same advantages ? Ho said they were
coma titling an act tantamount to dissolving the connexion
betw ?en the colonies and this country. The only
chant le, for the colonies would be to give
their produce every opportunity of a market.
If the. inhabitants of Jamaica were their fellow subjects
they am re entitled to an equal treatment with the people
of the • ,country, and he did hope that there would be no
obstrr fiction thrown into the way of the consumption of
free Is ;hour sugar. The simple alteration which he pro-
props( v.-/ was, that instead of the duty varying for the
first t' aree years, that the foreign sugar should remain
stedla 3t; for that time at 215., and after that in the fourth
year it should be reduced to 3s. 6d. That alteration
was s9s simple in its character that it could hardly be
object ed to, and he sincerely hoped that the House
would not object to it.
The (CHAIRMAN said that the resolution of the
Icon.: M.mber could not be put at present.
Mr. .MOFFATT then moved the repeal of the
differe Wel duties on white clayed sugar and Muscovado,
or other sugar not being equal to white clayed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER opposed
the mution, because it would be a great annoyance to
the public if adopted. If the House was deal-
ing vit.h colonial sugar only the Honourable
Mmbc m would have a better ground for proposing
his mo n, but as they were now dealing with foreign as
well, hes believed that the resolution proposed would in-
flict gri eat injury on those engaged in the sugar trade.
He theta read extracts from some documents, for the
purpose.: 'of showing that the charges of oppression on the
part of the custom•house officers, in the collection of the
duties on sugar, were not well grounded. Believing
that the 'reasons which existed at the time when those
duties were first proposed existed now in even greater
etrengt h, he must say that he should oppose his Hon.
Friend's, motion ; at the same time he might state that
he did not consider the present as a final measure.
Mr. BILOFFATT said, that after the explanations of
the t Hon. Gentleman, he would not persist in his
motion at present.—(Hear, hear.)
After a few words from Mr. P. M. STEWART.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that the- •present measure was a final one, but he did re-
serve to himself the power of making a distinction on the
white e' ayed sugar.
The item of IBs. Bd. on white clayed sugar was then
agreed to.
Mr.. LAMES moved that the item of brown sugar, be-
ing Mt tscovado, or clayed, or any other sugar not being
equal i n quality, white clayed, not being refined, be ad-
mitted fox. three years at a duty not exceeding 10s. the cwt.
He was against any duty being placed upon colonial
sugar. He was not actuated in making this motion by
any h( stility to the Government, but he considered that
the Ho use would confer a great boon upon the people if
they a Feed to his motion. He would not press it, how-
ever, it: it was not the wish of the House.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the redimtion would interfere too much with the revenue.
Mr. BERKELEY moved that the differential duty
should exist for three years at a fixed sum of 21s. per
cwt., r aid, in the fourth year there should be a further
reduce.on to a fixed duty of 145., as proposed by her
Majes ty':s Government.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he con Id not agree to the proposition, which involved
most e ril consequences. Ile considered that the plan as
propoa ed by her Majesty's Goverment had met very
general: approbation, and he, therefore, considered
he 'IN uld not be justified in assenting to
the rrroposition of the Honourable Gentleman.
He belie ved that under all the circumstances the gradual
reducti on of duty on the sugar was the mode best calcu-
lated to ;.benefit the consumers and the trade of the country.
With i segard to the introduction of molasses, into distille-
ries, lie, had promised to give the subject his fullest and
fairest consideration. He thought that there would be
some eiifficulty in introducinc, it this session, but at some
future period it would probably occupy the attention of
the H' Rise.
Mr. D. BARCLAY made some observations in reply
which did not reach the gallery. The purport was (as
we understood) to withdraw the amendment.
Mr. :BARFLY said, that in consequence of the
variety- of rates of duty in the Bill, which would in many
mercer iti.le houses cause a considerable loss of time,
the W est India planters would be certainly deprived of
the be nt.fit of it. The slave owner would be able to
throw in a quantity of sugar at such a rate as to render
tilt West India planter unable to compete with them.
He sleeted certainly have felt it his duty to support the
amendbnent of the Hon. Member for Sunderland if he
had p res3ed it, but as it was withdrawn, he could only
state thtst he heartily concurred in its principle.
Sir JOHN RAE REID would put it to the House
whether a great interest like the present one was to be
sacrif iced in this way. He objected to the hurried mode
of its. discussion, and he thought that its effect would
be butli cruel and unjust upon those engaged in the
sugar trade.
Mr. PATRICK STEWART entirely agreed with
his two Hon. Friends who had preceded him, that the
next day's packet would take out very gloomy tidings to
the \Vest Indies. He did not wish, however, that the
gloomy forebodings of his Hon. Friends should be
carried across the Atlantic. Much as the sugar pro-
ducers dreaded the competition which was to be opened
upon them, they would not so much care for it if the
Government would only be prompt in the execution of
those measures of which they held out hopes. If they
would Jet them have a free and uninterrupted supply of
free labour from every British possession on the globe,
he shoal. say to his friends on the other side of the
Atlantic, that hard and severe as the measure was, they
would survive the crisis if they moved the Government
to fulfil its promise to them.
Mn I BORTHWICK said that lie hardly :knew
whether the motion of the Hon. Gentleman had been
withdrawn or not. If it had been pressed to a division he
should have supported it by his vote, He agreed with
the lion. Gentleman who had just sat down, that look-
ing at the colonies, there was no such gloomy prospects
as had been anticipated. He believed that in ten years
from that time the colonies would be again flourishing.
The question was, what was to be done with those who
had property there, and who would be most materially
injured by the passing of the present measure. He
thought it was right, both in public and private policy,
to look difficulties in the face, and he trusted that the
Hon. Baronet, the Member for Dover (Sir John Rae
Reid) would prevail on the wealthy merchants of Lon-
don to look at the question in this light. Ile hoped
that these merchants would not have to send out, by
to-morrow's packet, the dolorous news that it was their
determination to put an end to protection as regarded
the colonies.
Mr. GOULBURN, who was at first inaudible in the
gallery, said he was not prepared to have voted for his
Hon. Friend's motion if he had pressed it to a division.
He thought that the Government ought to be pressed to
give those measures of compensation to which the
West Indies had a claim ; that if the Government
reduced the duties to perfect equality, they should assist
them by a sufficient supply of labour, and also give some
compensation for the tardiness of that assistance. It
was in the hope that Government would do something
of this kind that he would support the measure of the
Government.
Dr. BOWRING confessed that the colonial claims
deserved calm and reasonable consideration. The pro-
prietors had admitted to those on his side the House the
principles of free trade, and he thought that taking up
that position they were likely to establish fair claims.
There were no doubt facilities that might be given and
opportunities that might be opened up, preserving alvveys
the integrity of the principles of free trade. The ques-
tion had been unnecessarily complicated by minute dis-
tinctions. He himself was anxious that the rum question
had been settled ; but there was this advantage that the
colonies had by this measure, that the markets of the
world were opened to them, to buy in the cheapest mar-
ket, and sell in the dearest.
Mr. BERNAL said he did not understand what fell
from the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer
as to the change he proposed on colonial spirits.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
what he had said in reference to the West India proprie-
tors was, that all protection had been removed from
them, and all protection had been removed against
them. He only was anxious to know what they wished,
and what obstacles they felt. He said the principle upon
which the Government had acted, was, that the fiscal
burdens on British and colonial spirits should be the
same when they came in for consumption. Possibly the
duty continued might he too much, but he did not mean
to enter on that question just now. There was no duty
on the spirits of the West Indies, except for fiscal pur-
poses ; and that British spirits and Jamaica rum might
come in on precisely the same terms, he had reduced
the duty to ls. instead of Is. 6d. A deputation of dis-
tillers had waited on him, who thought he had gone too
far. He said he would hear the West Indians as to
whether the Is. was too much, and the distillers as to
whether it was not enough, and he would adjudicate:
betiTeen ULNA with YieW d9ing j wgico. Lleeaid