The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-22 00:00:00

A MILITARY LIBEL SUIT.

The Lord Chief Justice and a special jury, in the Court
of Queen's Bench, have heard an action for libel arising
out of certain reports made by Lord Rokeby to the Corn-
mander-in-Chief, reflecting as Colonel Dawkins alleged, on
his conduct. The facts of the case have been repeatedly
before the public from the discussions that have taken
place in Parliament and the proceedings in West-
minster Hall. A similar action was brought against
Lord Paulett, and both noble lords pleaded that their
reports were privileged communications. The plaintiff de-
murred to Lord Paulett's pleas, and after the point had been
fully argued the court took time to consider its judgment.
The majority of the judges were of opinion that the
reports were privileged communications, and that the
action would not lie, but the Lord Chief Justice dissented,
being of opinion that if the plaintiff could prove
malice, the privilege would not protect the noble
defendants. The action in that case was withdrawn,
but that against Lord Rokeby was continued, and great
interest was felt on the point in military circles. The
case stoodsecond on Monday's list, but the special jury,
who were in attendance, were informed that they were
discharged, the record having been withdrawn.

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.

The Select Committee of the House of Commons on the
subject of the Abyssinian Expedition resumed its sittings
yesterday.

Mr. Adamson, a city merchant, and contractor for the
supply of steam coal, was examined, and stated that his
firm offered to deliver best Cardiff steam coals at Annesley
Bay at the rate of 78s. per ton. The offer was
made in the early part of 1868, and the reply
received from the Admiralty was that they
were not prepared to accept the offer. The only
reason given us was that they had made 'an arrangement
with the Peninsular and Oriental Company for the supply
of coal. Subsequently they renewed an offer for the
supply of 5,000 tons. They had at the time a vessel called
the Scotland, 1,100 tons burden, on her voyage to Bombay,
having on board 1,700 tons of coal. The price of coal at
that time at Bombay was 88s., and they offered to deliver
it at Annesley Bay at 725. per ton, but the offer was
refused. The offer was made before the arrival of the
ship at Bombay. At that time they knew that the Go-
ernment were buying coal on disadvantageous terms.
Had their offer been accepted in the first instance a con-
siderable saving would have been effected. The amount
of the freight during the time she was engaged was about
£4,680, which was in excess of the sum which would have
been paid had the offer for the delivery of the coals at
Annesley Bay been accepted.
Sir Stafford Northcote was then examined, and stated
that so far from throwing cold water on the
plan proposed by Captain Sherard Osborne and the
Telegraph Construction Company, they gave their offer
every consideration, and it was only after the matter had
been twice considered, by the Treasury and the Indian
authorities, that they came to the conclusion that, inas-
much as the cable could not be laid before the 15th of
December, and as they had hopes that the ob-
ject of the expedition might be accomplished by
the mere landing of the troops, it was not
necessary to incur the expense especially
as the Commander-in-Chief could, by running
despatch boats to Suez 'convey his orders with consider-
able rapidity. They had no doubt of the immense utility
of the cable if it could only be completed in time. With
respect to the stores, which were afterwards useless, he
did not think that any of those supplies would have been
stopped in consequence of having the telegraph.—After
some further evidence the committee was adjourned.

CONVENTUAL AND MONASTIC

INSTITUTIONS.

The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the
laws under which the property of these institutions is
held resumed their sittings yesterday. The inquiry
seems to have lost none of its interest, the room being
crowded with ecclesiastics and others interested
in the proceedings. Mr. Cuddon was recalled and
said that, as the committee had expressed a wish
to have the numbers of the gentlemen who
perform religious offices, he could state that a few days
ago the number of priests in Great Britain was 476, en-
gaged in the ten colleges and also in the 121 parishes. He
also mentioned that the number of young men being pre-
pared for religious offices was three hundred. That was
not including the eleven hundred gentlemen in the col-
leges. The three hundred were preparing for
the zegular priesthood. The number of men
called lay brothers or gentlemen's servants engaged
in the colleges were 200. They performed the duties of
servants. In regard to the acreage of the monasteries, he
stated that a large number were in one county in which
this measure was customary. The total number, if calcu-
lated according to statute measure, wouldbe 400 additional,
making 2,432 altogether. The principal land held was
in Lancashire. The total rental of 1,600 acres belonging
to religious bodies, but not held by colleges, was £3,400 a
year, so that the total income would be £10,350 from per-
sonal estate, and £3,400 a year from land. He confined
his information to the communities of men.
Mr. Dewar was next called and examined by Mr.
Newdegate. He stated that he was late assessor of land
in Perth. He was acquainted with a house of the Re-
demptorist order and eighteen acres of land at Kinnoul-
hill, Perth. The name of the property was St. Mary's
Redemptory, Kinnoul, and it was valued at £350, including
the ground. It was returned as beingthe property of the Rev.
Mr. Coppin and others. He had assessed the property when
he was assessor for the the borough, and was held from
Kinnoul. The date of the contract between Lord
Kinnoul and certain priests, was from Whitsunday, 1869,
to Whitsunday, 1870, and it was set down as buildings.
Mr. Coppin is the superior of the order, but Mr. Vaughan
is the superior of the institution. He was set down
in the valuation list as clerk. The witness then
read a circular stating that any gentleman
requiring a retreat for a short time could obtain
that there, and there would be a public retreat from
Wednesday to Saturday. He resided nearly opposite the
institution, and had frequently seen the members of the
order dressed in their peculiar dress in the grounds of the
institution to the number of twelve or more.
He believed that the institution had recently acquired an
accession of property from an officer in the army.
The witness then described the house. He also knew the
convent of St. Joseph, Perth. The Hon. Miss Elizabeth
Langdale was the superior. The rental was £72. The
house and garden cost upwards of £l,BOO. The original
price of the house was £2,000. They rented it
at first, and afterwards purchased it. There were
eight or nine females in it. That establishment
was opened by a religious ceremony on the 31st.
The circular inviting the visitors was read, and stated that
the Redemptorist Fathers were about a hold a service to
our Lady of Perpetual Suffering, at the chapel adjoining
their homes at Kinnoul. He knew the Rev. Mr. Smith
of Oakley, and believed he preached a sermon on the oc-
casion of the opening.
The witness then stated that the sermon was reported
in the local newspapers, and that he would produce an
authenticated copy if it was required.
Mr. Newdegate explained that the sermon in question
contained the history of the order and the means by
which the property had been acquired.
By the Chairman : He was perfectly aware as was
everybody else that these institutions both the monastery
and the nunnery were religious institutions. The Rev.
Mr. Vaughan was rated both as owner and occupier of
the monastery, and Mr. Fynch as owner of the convent.
He looked upon them precisely as other owners and occu-
piers. He had not heard any objection being made to
them on the ground of theirbeing illegal or not sanctioned
by law.
By Mr. Jessel : He knew nothing of the occupation of
the people in the monastery. Some of the ladies were
employed in the penitentiary and others in teaching in the
school.
By Mr. Matthew : His impression on looking at the
deed was that half a dozen clericals were named as the
trustees.
Mr. Robertson was called and examined by Mr. Newde-
gate. He said that he was a solicitor of Glasgow, and
could give the committee evidence as to the property of
the Vincentian Fathers of Lanark.
Mr. Sherlock stated that he objected to any evidence of
this institution, because it was a secular order, and the
inquiry was into monastic institutions.
Mr. Newdegate replied that the same objection would
apply to the order of the Jesuits, and of the Oratorians.
It was extremely difficult to distinguish between the two,
but he thought that evidence could be produced to shew
that the inquiry would extend to them.
On this point the room was cleared, and the Committee
remained for some time in deliberation. On the re-
admission of the public the examination was proceeded
with.
The witness produced a copy of the conveyance of the
property of the Vincentian order of St. Vincent de Paul
and the sisters of charity, to the Roman Catholic bishop,
and various other trustees, all being Roman Catholic
dignitaries and priests. The property was 113 acres in
extent, and of the value of £B,OOO. The property held
for the Vincentian fathers stood on a separate
piece of ground to that of the Sisters of
Charity. The title deeds of their property had been
registered. The cost of the chapel and schools and build-
ings was about £lB,OOO. This was commonly known as
the Lytham Institution, at Lytham Park. There was
no mention in the Catholic Directory of this institution,
and its services were correctly described. The service of the
Mass was offered once a fortnight for the souls of the
dead benefactors and members. After the death of each
member, six masses were celebrated for the repose of his
soul. The witness then read a form of bequest to the
institution, which was of an absolute character. He also
read the valuation roll, describing the various houses,
chapels, schools, &c., belonging to the institution. He
produced extracts from the valuation roll belonging to
Jesuits and other orders in Glasgow. There was a Jesuit
chapel and school at Woodside-road. The valuation was
£B5 a yea.., and it was entirely taught by the Jesuit
Fathers ; and there was an establishment of Sisters of Mercy,
valued at £5O a year. Another society, which had an
establishment at Glasgow, was one of the order of the
Passionists, their property being conveyed to various
branches, including the Roman Catholic Bishop
and vicar apostolic of Glasgow, and a clergyman resident
in London. As a general rule the chapels were not en-
tered in the roll. The witness also stated that he would
produce the extract from the valuation list with reference
to another Catholic institution in Cumberland-street. There
was also some property in Glasgow held by St. Mary's
Brotherhood. It was entered as belonging to a clergy.
man. It was a house and school to the value of £5O. The
names and addresses of all the persons holding the pro-
perty to which he had referred were given in the Catholic
Directory.
The committee then adjourned.