The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-25 00:00:00

granted in a supplemental estimate the year before last,
between 40,0001. and 50,0001. had only been expended.
125,0001. was voted last year, out of which 10,0001. were
for lodging the militia in Ireland, and 250,0001. were taken
in the army estimates for last year for lodging the militia,
making together 385,0001., in addition to the 390,0001.
voted. Increased accommodation had been provided
during the year for 45,000 men and 3,000 horses, and in
a month or so accommodation-*Ould be provided for
5,000 men and 3,000 horses.
WAYS AND MEANS.

This report was brought up by Mr. FITZROY, an was
agreed to.

THE M'NEIL-TULLOCH REPORT.

Mr. ROEBUCK gave notice that to-morrow, on
going into supply, ha should move that the names of
the commissioners appointed in consequence of the re-
port of Sir J. M`Neil and Colonel Tulloch be laid on
the table, anda copy of the report be laid on the table.
LOCAL DUES ON SHIPPING, &c., BILL.

. _
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. Watson, Mr. Headlam, Lord Hotham, and other
hon. gentlemen presented petitions from various places
affected by the bill against its second reading ; and Mr.
Hadfield, Sir J. Duke, Mr. Lowe, and others in favour
of it.

Sir F. THESIGER moved an amendment, that this
bill be read a second time that day six months ; and in
doing so said he was justified in. his conduot from the
absolute refusal of the Government to listen to those
who were so mach affected by this bill. On considering,
the arguments that had been made by the hon gentle-
man who proposed the measure, he was astonished
at them as arguments on which to found such an
act of confiscation, especially as it regarded muni-
cipal corporations. Ho was surprised at the Go-
vernment mode of dealing with the important interests of
the country, and the bill was conveniently arranged under
four heads—let, relating to the passing tolls collected at
the ports of Dover, Ramsgate, Whitby, and Brid-
lington, and were it merely that this bill abolished pass-
ing tolls he should not have opposed it—(hear)--but he
considered something of greater importance was at-
tacked by this bill. The fourth head had reference to mis-
cellaneous matters, which would not require any remark&
The important parts of the bill comprised the other two
heads ; the second, which proposed the transfer of all
the rights, duties, and imposts leviable on ships,
on goods Carried in ships within the United Kingdom,
and which were possessed by corporate towns, should be
transferred to the Commissioners of Customs, and to be
applied according to the directions of the Board of
Trade. Power was given to the board to abolish or re-
duce the tolls, and then raise them again, which indicated
their retention. The third head had reference to the
deferential dues levied onEnglish and foreign ships. After
entering into the history of those deferential dues the
hen. and learned gentleman then said that careful
consideration was required as to the real nature of the
provisions of the bill. It would be necessary in discussing
this bill for the house to distinguish between the two
classes of corporations that existed, and to direct their
observations accordingly. Two classes of corporations
had been distinctly established—one entirely for public
objects and public purposes, and which might be
dealt with for public objects ; and, on the other
hand, corporations that had been established
as a medium for conferring rights and privileges nn indi-
viduals, in which each individual had the right to share
in the privileges and property of such corporations.
The hon. member for Kidderminster, by his
bill, had, however, indiscriminately classed these
two different corporations together, and had ap-
plied the same rule to all. The hon. and learned gen-
tleman then proceeded to analyse the speech of
the right honourable gentleman the President of
the Board of Trade hi introducing this mea-
sure, and to comment 3n the same. With regard to
corporations having individual interests, he cited that of
the city of London, who purchased their dues under cer-
tain circumstances from Lord Molyneaux. He refereed
to each of the charters of the seaport municipal corpora-
tions and was

[LEFT SPEAKING.]