The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-15 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.

From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE.

The following Resolution was reported from the above
Committee :
That in the case of the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway
Bill, petition for dispensing with standing order No. 131, the
said standing order ought to be dispensed with, so far only
as relates to the provisions in the Bill for the lease, sale, or
amalgamation of the undertaking of the Waterford and .
Kil-
kenny Railway Company to and with the undertaking of the
Waterford and Limerick Railway Company, provided it be
proved before the Committee on the Bill that the said Com-
panies have proved, to the satisfaction of the Commissioners
of Railways, that they have paid up one-half of their respective
' capitals, and have expended for the purposes of their Acts a
sum equal thereto.
That the Committee on the Bill do report how far such
order has been complied with on the Report of the Bill.
Resolution agreed to.

DINNER TO MR. WILLIAM HAWES. f
A public dinner in honour of Mr. William Hawes,
chairman of the London Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Committee, was yesterday held at the Albion Tavern,
Aldersgate-street; Mr. J. P. Gassiott in the chair. The
attendance was numerous, and included, amongst other
influential names of the legal and commercial commu-
munity, those of Lord Wharncliffe, C. Cowan, M.P.,
Sir J. Duke, M.P., Hon. 11. Fitzroy, M.P., J. Hum-
phery, M.P., E. J. Hutchins, M.P.. T. A. Mitchell,
M.P., J. Sadlier, M.P., J. A. Smith, M.P., W. Williams,
M.P., John Williams, M.P., Mr. Delane, &c.
The cloth having been withdrawn,
The CUAIRMAN proposed the usual loyal toasts, and
after them that of the evening," The Health of Mr.
W. Hawes." He spoke, amidst approving cheers of the
untiring efforts of that gentleman to improve the laws
debtor and creditor, contrasting the once general ten-
' dency of the Legislature to protect dishonest debtors
with their more recent recognition of the claims of the
industrious and meritorious creditors. Of these altera-
tions he traced the history, noting, at each stage of its
progress, the efforts of commercial law amenders, and
ultimately congratulating them on their comparative suc-
cess. Espt cielly he lauded Mr. Hawes, to whom, in con-
clusion, ho presented the testimonial which his friends
,nd admirers had provided for his acceptance upon this
occasion.
Mr. liAWES returned his most cordial thanks, and,
cheered by continued expressions of applause, com-
mented on the necessity existing in this country for an
unexceptionable and satisfactory code in all commercial
matters. He said that the main distinction between the
law of England and all other laws, was that she had
s,,own the greatest possible consideration for the unfor-
tunate, and had inflicted the greatest possible punishment
on the dishonest. lle concluded by proposing " The
Health of the Chairman," a toast to which Mr. Gassiott
returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The House of Lords,"
coupling with that body the name of one of its members,
who was present, Lord Wherncliffe.
Lord WHARNCLIFFE replied, demonstrating from pre-
cedents, and promising for the future, an interest in
commercial well-being, and a tendency to adrarce the
commercial prospects of the country, on the part of the
Upper House, such as the Lower might equal but could
not surpass. For himself and the branch of the Legis-
lature to which he belonged he responded to the toast,
declaring his anxiety at all times to maintain the cha-
racter for honour and integrity which England's traders
of all ranks had acquired.
Sir JAMES DUKE replied on behalf of the House of
Commons.
Mr. ➢IITCHELL for the trade and commerce of the city
of London.
The Hon. H. FITZROY proposed " The Amendment of
the Law."
Mr. VANSITTART NEALE acknowledged the sentiment.
Other gentlemen then spoke, all advocating the great
principle of commercial law reform, the desirability of
sustaining the national reputation and the claim to pub-
, lic recognition to which Mr. Hawes's efforts to achieve
these noble ends had well entitled him. The various
toasLe, sonorously announced by Mr. Harker, at length
were brought to a conclusion, and the company ens-
, persed.

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S FIRST SHOW
The May fele of this society took place yesterday,
under the most favourable auspices, the exhibition being
of the highest order, and the patronage of her Majesty
and the Royal family combining to render successful
the recommencement of these very favourite promenades.
The show of flowers was unusually large and excellent,
surpassing, according to the opinion of competent judges,
any exposition that has hitherto been witnessed in
Europe. It is also satisfactory to observe that our
growers will not forfeit the reputation they have esta-
blished, and that in this point, as well as others, during
the period par excellence of exhibition, we may justly
challenge the admiration of our continental friends.
The principal features in the exhibition were the or-
chids, the roses, the azaleas, and the stove and green-
house plants. The orchidaceous plants were of the
highest excellence, being distinguished for their even-
ness of growth and more than general good evidence of
floricultural skill. Among the collections most par-
ticularly deserving of notice were those of Mr.
Rucker of Wandsworth, and Messrs. Veitch. Venda
Suavis, exhibited by the former, and a superb specimen
of Cattleya Mosaic, by the latter, were decidedly the gems
of this department. The roses, principally shown by
Messrs. Rivers, Lane, and Paul, were remarkably fine
and numerous, and would lead to a high anticipation of
the extensive garden of roses formed by them in the
society's grounds for a more permanent exhibition in the
advanced part of the season. The azalea* and the green-
house plants also sustain the reputation of the well-known
r,
names of Mrs. Lawrence, of Ealing-park, Mr. Co y'
of Dartford, and many others. Shortly after one o'clock
the Queen arrived to a private view. Her Majesty was
accompanied by his Roy al Highness Prince Albert and
their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of I rus-
siq Prince Frederick William and Princess Louisa of
Prussia, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince
Alfred, and Princess Alice. The illustrious party, at-
tended by the Countesses of Gaineborough, 'lecke, and
Oriollu, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Colonel Sey-
mour, Major Boyers, and Licut. Rentz, were received by
the Duke of Norfolk, president of the society, and the
council and officers of the institution; and after
.pending a considerable time in inspecting the collec-
tions, particularly the fine i
plant of Victoria Regia, now
in flower, departed highly gratified. Shortly before the
retirement of the distinguished visitors the fellows and
their friends were admitted to the gardens; and the pro-
ceedings, enlivened by the bands of the household troopF,
under the able guidance of their masters, Messrs. Wad-
dell, Tutton, and Grattan
. Cooke, terminated only at a
late period of the afternoon. Among the company pre-
sent were—the Duke of Norfolk, the Duchess of Suther-
land, Counteis of Egrev:,nt, /lapis of Ailestury, Lord