The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-23 00:00:00

COUNTY ELECTIONS.

A Bill to Limit the Time of taking the Poll in Counties at
Contested Elections of Members to serve in Parliament to
One Day.
Whereas it is expedient that the time of taking the poll
at contested elections of knights of the shire be limited to
one day ; be it enacted by the Queen's most excellent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
spiritual and temporal, and Commons, in this present Parlia-
ment assembled, and by the authority of the same, that at
any contested election of a knight or knights to serve in Par-
liament fur any county, or for any riding, parts or division of
a county, the poll shall be kept open during one day only
(any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding); and
such poll shall commence at eight of the clock of the fore-
noon of the third day after the day fixed for the election of
each knight or knights, and the polling shall continue during-
such day only, and no poll shall be kept open later than four
of the clock in the afternoon.
Provided always; and be it enacted, that if such third day
after the day of election be Sunday, Good-Friday, or Christ-
mas-day, then the poll shall take plsce on the day next fo‘-
lowing such Sunday, Good Friday, or Christmas-day ; and if
Christmas-day fall on a Saturday, then on the Mot day fol-
lowing.
And be it enacted, that this Act shall not extend to
Ireland.

EARL GREY'S MOTION ON THE

STATE OF IRELAND.

The following is a copy of the motion that is to be sub-
mitted to-night by Earl Grey, in the House of Lords,
respecting the state of crime, &c., in Ireland :—" To move
an humble address to her Majesty, that this House, in com-
pliance with the recommendation in her Majesty's most gra-
cious speech from the throne, has taken into consideration
the frequency with which the crime of deliberate assassina-
tion has of late been committed in Ireland; and that we hope
that the adoption of measures calculated to give increased
security to life, and to bring to justice the perpetrators of so
dreadful a crime, may be the result of our labour; that we
have also given our sanction to the measures proposed to us
fur relieving the distress occasioned in that part of the United
Kiegdom by the loss of a large part of the potato crop of
last season ; that having thus attended tow h ,t appear to be
the most pressing exigencies of the actual condition of Ire-
land, we think it right humbly to represent to her Majesty,
that Parliament has repeatedly found it necessary to wake
provision, by temporary measures, for difficulties with re-
ference to that country, similar in character to those which
have now demanded our attention, grants having on various
occasions been made for the relief of the Irish people from
the apprehended miseries of famine; the Executive Govern-
ment in Ireland having also from time to time been armed
with extraordinary powers for the repression of crimes ;
that we observe with deep concern that the necessity which
has now again arisen for measures of this description proves
that their adoption heretofore has failed in eradicating the
evils against which they were directed, and that the pro-
gress which might reasonably have been hoped for, has not
yet been made in remedying the social disorders of Ireland :
that we are impressed with the conviction, that, under these
circumstances, .merely to grant pecuniary assistance for the
relief of present distress, and to pass severe laws for the de-
tection end punishment of crimes, cannot be considered as
fulfilling the duties of the Imperial Parliament towards Ire-
land, but that measures ought, without further delay, to be
adopted for the purpose of effecting a real and permanent im-
provement in the condition of this part of her Majesty's domi-
nions. That to this end it should be the aim of her Majesty's
Government and of Parliament, by giving to the Irish people
confidence in the equal administration of justice, to obtain
their co-operation in the enforcement of the law, and, by
remedying real grievances, to allay the spirit of discontent to
which the prevalence of. outrages and violence is to be
traced. That, without the co- operation of the people, the
enforcement of the law must ever be uncertain and unsatis-
factory ; and while the spirit of discontent continues to pre-
vail, no system of repression, however severe, can be ex-
pected to prevent its breaking out from time to time in
acts of outrage; that a change in the temper and dispo-
sition of the people, brought about by an improvement in
the laws, and in the mode in which they are administered,
is therefore required for the establishment, upon a solid
foundation, of the. good order and security indispensably
necessary for the development of the industry of the nation,
and the improvement of its great natural resources, whereby
alone the periodical recurrence of insubordination and dis-
tress can effectually be guarded against ; humbly, therefore,
to assure her Majesty that we shall be ready to co-operate
with her Majesty in the adoption of measures having for
their object to allay the discontent, and conciliate the affec-
tions of the Irish people, in the earnest hope that, by the
blessing of Divine Providence, peace and prosperity may
thus be established in Ireland."

THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN
INSTITUTE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—May I be permitted to corn,ct an error which
occurred in the notice of the Soil% 4 of the British and
Foreign Institute, in your columns of last evening.
Pomara, the New Zealand youth, there introduced,
was sent from New Zealand to Sydney, three or four
years ago, by a friend of mine, named Scott, where he
resided with the family of T. Brennand, Esq., who put
him to school.
_ _

I wish not to receive undue praise, and beg to state
that I only brought Pomara with me from Sydney, and
not from New Zealand, as there stated.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
GEORGE FRENCH ANGAS.
12, Upper Gloucester-street, Dorset-square, March 19.

RISE IN THE PRICE OF 15READ —On Friday the
bakers in the east end of the metropolis, and also on the
Surrey side of the river, raised the price of bread of both
qualities lid. The price of the best bread is now 9c. and
9id., and that of an inferior quality from 7d. to Bd. per four
pound loaf ; the price of bread was only on Monday reduced
a similar sum.
THE WEATHER.—After a long series of unusually
mild weather, the temperature having in several days within these
six weeks been as high as sixty degrees, with vegetation generally
presenting an almost summer-like appearance, at this period, which
is termed the commencement of spring, the metropolis, as well as the
provinces, has been visited not only with keen northern blasts, at-
tended by hail and rain, but also with frost and snow, resembling the
very depth of winter. On Thursday evening frost commenced, and
about two o'clock on Friday morning snow descended, continuing for
about three hours, and lay to the depth of four or five inches in the
roads and streets in the suburbs of the metropolis.
THE WEATHER.— The mild and genial weather of the
last two months was succeeded on Tuesday last by a sharp frost,
which, on Wednesday, was followed by one of the heaviest falls of
snow we have experienced for many years. There was no wind, and
consequently no drifts, but in some places the snow lay as deep as
three feet.—Durham Chronicle,
The Coloyne Gazette mentions a rumour from Alex-
andria that Mehemet Ali intends to visit Constantinople, and from
thence to go to Paris, so as to be there at the same time as Queen
Victoria.
THE NEW TARIFF.—The Commissioners of the Cus-
toms having received a communication from Mr. Cardwell, Secretary
to the Treasury, stating that he had received directions from the
Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to transmit to them a copy of
the resolutions agreed to by the House of Commons on Tuesday
evening, and to direct them to admit the articles therein named,
except seeds, either free of duty, or at the rates of duty severally
specified, under the usual conditions of the parties abiding the
ultimate decision of Parliament, the Customs authorities, in
order to meet the wishes of the Governmeat in the matter, and
to afford every possible dispatch in carrying the resolution into
immediate effect, have already caused the same to be commu-
nicated, with copies of their Lordships' letter and the resolutions of
the House, to every port throughout the United Kingdom, with
directions to the collectors and comptrollers of the revenue to take
care that the same be duly obeyed. It is important that it should be
generally understood and kuowa that it is not the intention of the
Government that the additional duty of five per cent., levied on all
articles of merchandise upon importation into this country by an
Act of Parliament passed ix the session of 1840, should be consi-
dered applicable to the articles in respect of which the duties have
been reduced by the present resolutions of the Commons' House of
Parliament.
SUSPECTED MURDER IN SOHO-SQUARE.—Friday even-
ing an inquiry, adjourned from Tuesday, relative, to the death of
Mary Beal, Wins Slater, was resumed at Mr. Scholefleld's, the George,
Hollen-street, Wardour-street, Soho. From the Jacts that were
elicited at the previous investigation, it appeared that the deceased
was found hanging to the door of the apartment in which she had
resided with a man of the name of Slater, with whom she cohabited.
Marks of recent wounds were found on her neck, and evidence was
given of frequent quarrels with Slater, who had suddenly disappeared.
Inspector Aggs, of the C division, who was called in when the de-
ceased was found hanging, and who cut her down, announced to the
coroner and jury that he had been unable to trace the man
Slater, but had found his son and daughter, both of whom were in
attendance. Catherine Slater was then examined, and deposed that
she was the daughter of John Patrick Slater, with whom the de-
ceased had lived as hi; wife. Witness visited Holien-street
daily. She had not seen her father since Sunday last, when she met
him at her cousin's, in George-street, St. Ones's, where he left about
four o'clock in the afternoon. By the Coroner—On Sunda-, week
witness went to Hollen-street to dinner. Deceased was in bed, and
although pressed by her father to get up and partake of it she would
not. After dinner her father and herself left the house. While she was
present no quarrelling took place. Deceased was subject to headache,
to relieve the pain of which she was in tee habit of taking laudanum.
She never saw deceased tipsy, or knew her to attempt to wound her-
self. Witness saw the deceased washing, herself on the Saturday
prior, and then mad discern no cuts on her neck. The
witness never heard her speak about arsenic. Mr. J. W. Webb, stir-
' geon, who was called iu to see decreased when discovered, said that
he had examined the bed, and found spots of blood near the upper
part and about the middle of the bed, as also a po,l of blood under
where she was suspended. Inspector Aggs said that he had made
every exertion to discover Slatsr but without success, and although
be bad no impression that he had murdered deceased, he could not
account for his keeping out of the way. It might be through fear,
in consequence of its being cried about since the jury met before,
that the deceased had been murdered, and that against the murderer,
a man with whom she had cohabited, a coroner's jury had returned a
verdict of wilful murder. There being no other witnesses to be exa-
mined, the Coroner summed up the evidence, and the jury returned a
verdict that the deceased was found hanging, but how she became so
hanged there was no evidence to prove.
LAMENTABLE SIIICIDE.—On Wednesday a long in-
quiry- took place before William Carter, Esq., the Coroner, at
the George Tavern, Kent-street, Dover-road, respecting the
death of Mr. Benjamin Charles Minors, aged thirty-five
years, lately residing at 239, Kent-street, who corn-
in'tted suicide under the following circumstances :—James
Allen stated that he was an apprentice to the deceased, who
carried on an extensive brush manufactory. The deceased
had been some time past in a state of despondency arising
from his business having failed through another sbop opening
in the same street, which had taken away the chief por-
tion of his trade. On Saturday morning last several per-
sons called for money, which seemed to weigh heavily on kis
mind, as he was unable to pay them. Deceased continued
on the premises, and whilst witness was passing through
the yard from the factory, he saw his master hanging to the
banisters adjoining the bedroom. Witness opened the win-
dow and cut the deceased down. He appeared quite dead
and cold, and had fastened himself up by his silk pocket-
handkerchief. An alarm was raised and a surgeon sent for,
but all efforts to restore animation were unavailing. The
deceased had often referred to the shop at the end of the
street, and said, "Oh, James, that new shop will ruin me."
He would frequently leave the business and get intoxicated
to allay his feelings, which seemed much excited when called
upon fur money by his creditors. He was certainly in great
difficulties in his pecuniary affairs, and lie bad a bill come due
on Saturday which he we's unable to meet. His mind had
been impaired for some weeks in consequence of the•great
depression in trade. Other evidence of a cot firmatory cha-
racter having been adduced, the coroner briefly addressed
the jury, who ultimately agreed tO a verdict of "Temporary
Insanity."
The Bishop of London visited the estiiblishment of
Baths and Wash-houses for the Poor of the North-west District of
the Metropolis, situate in George street, Easton-square, on Thursday
last, and was pleased to express his high approval of the general
arrangements of that excellent institution, of which his Lordship is
patron.
The Moniteur contains a long report to the King, fol-
lowed by a Royal Ordonnance, occupying together four columns, on
the subject of a change in the unifor ofe Naional Guard. The
National Guards are to substitute the tunic or roundt frock, for the
coat hitherto wthe infantryorn, ani inof other
nrespects make their dress in
fom sl.
con-
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.—A number of gentle-
men cadets will, next month, receive their commissions as officers in
the Ordnance corps, should they pass the military examination
required before a board of officers appointed for that purpose. These
promotions will take place in consequence of the 10th battalion being
added to the Rol al Artillery, and ordered to be immediately officered
for that purpose.
BIGAMY OF TWENTY YEARS STANDING.—Mr. Sage,
the individual who held the contract for building the church at
Swindon New Town, was taken before the magistrates at Swindon,
on a charge o bigamy, on Saturday. lie has been married to his
present wife about twenty years. it is alleged that a fanner wife is
still living, and that he had by her two children. He was remanded
till Thursday next for re-examination, hall having been team for his
eppeetatiee.—Devises Om*.