The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-13 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY CHARTS.

On the motion of Mr. OTWAY, a return of all the
sums received from the sale of Admiralty Charts during
the year 1855 was ordered.
FORMATION, &c. OF PARISHES BILL.
The Marquis of BLANDFORD moved the second
reading of the bill, which was for the purpose of forming
parishes to facilitate Church endowments. The origin
of the formation or subdivision of the country into
parishes arose in early ages from the necessity of the
subdivision of the labours of the ministry to obtain an
increased amount of efficiency, and become the centres
of Union and activity, from whence their efforts
might be directed to the people forming their congre-
gations. It was to render this system perfect that had
induced him to bring forward thinpaeasure. The noble
marquis referred to the state of Ike country at the early
period alluded to, and tracerthe changes that had
taken place in the formation of parishes from that time
oi to the present, and pointed it the evils of which be
complained, and the remedie e proposed. There were
two districts requiring th endowments, one partly
endowed and the other th " receivinektii emoluments
from pew rents. Of the former there were 3,528 ancient
parishes with stipends under 1501. per annum, to aug-
ment which a late Ecclesiastical Commissioner reported
would require 145,0001. for those —under publio pa-
tronage, and 131,0001. for those under private patronage.
The number of parishes where there was no endowment,
but where the emoluments were derived from pew rents,
numbered from 800 to 1,000. He entered into the de-
tails of the bill relative to the patronage of the livings,
and the provisions he had made for any interference
with existing interests. If the house wished it, he
should have no objection to refer the bill to a select com-
mittee. He concluded by moving the second reading of
the bill.
The motion having been seconded,

Mr. HADFIELD said it appeared to be a part of the
noble marquis's bill to continue church rates, which he
(Mr. Hadfield) was at a loss to understand, finding the
noble marquis's name on a bill for an alteration in
church rates. The Church of England was at present
involved in such inextricable confusion, that it
was impossible the question could be properly dealt
with otherwise thap by a Gcvernment measure. He
moved the second reading of the bill that day six months.
Sir G. GREY hoped the house would not refuse to
read this bill a second time. The Government would
not oppose the appointment of a select committee if the
house thought it desirable. The objections to the bill
stated by the hon. member (Mr. Hadfield) were matters
of detail only, and could not be well entered into then.
Mr. GLADSTONE supported the bill.

The amendment was ultimately, withdrawn, and the
bill read a second time, and referred to a select com-
mittee.

POLICE, COUNTIES .AND BOROUGHS BILL.
On the motion of Sir GEORGE GREY that this bill be
read a second time, Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Mentz, and
other hon. members presented petitions against the se-
cond reading of the bill.
Mr. HADFIELD moved the postponement of the
second reading of this bill for a fortnight. The bill was
objectionable, and had been condemned by several bo-
roughs, and he complained that this bill had been unduly
and hastily pressed forward. The bill was introduced
on this day week, printed en Thnrsday, and appointed
for a second reading on Monday, but postponed till to-
day. The municipal corporations throughout the
country could not have had an opportunity of discuss-
ing the merits of this bill, which interefered with
the present policy regulations in the various municipal
borouelis throughout the country. He therefore, asked,
for this postponement to give the Municipal Corporation
an opportunity of expressing their opinions on this bill.
He had that morning received 30 letters from as many
corporations complaining of the undue haste of the
Government in pressing forward this bill. He condemned
the principle of the bill,

(LEFT SPEAKING.)

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE
PAVILION THEATRE.

(THIS DAY.)

This morning, shortly before eight, the greatest con-
sternation was caused in the vicinity of Whitechapel by
a fire of a very alarming character breaking out at the
Pavilion Theatre, in the Whiteehapel-road.
A number of the fire establishment engines were
quickly in attendance, and not a single instant
was lost in getting them into action. The fire ap-
peared to have begun in the painting room, and
to this part the efforts of the firemen were chiefly
directed, but without success. The fire in
a very short time seized hold of the " wings and bord.
ers," and then all hopes of saving the property were at
an end. The flames rose to an extraordinary height,
and must have been visible for miles around. After the
fire bad raged for about half an hour it seized hold of the
rcof of the theatre, and in a few moments the great
chandelier fell from the ceiling into the pit, and shortly
after the roof of the building fell in with a tremendous
noise, and which for a few minutes seemed to have
smothered the fire ; but in a very short space of time the
flames again rose amidst a body of blac moke and at-
tained a eraater ascendancy than eve Of course by
this time the whole of, the interior o e theatre, with
II
the exception of a few of the dressing rooms, was one
mass of fire, and the greatest fears began to arise for
the safety of the surrounding property, but fortunately
no very material damage was sustained, and the fire
was confined to the theatre.

About half-past ten the fire might 'pe id to have been
subdued, although the engines rem ed playing upon
the smoking pile of ruins the whole o he morning.

It is supposed that the calamity was occasioned by
some sparks falling the preceding evening amongst the
scenery or machinery—the closing scene in the drama
representing the total destruction of the Robin Hood
Tavern.

We believe the premises, properties, and wardrobe
were insured, but the lessees, Memo. Elphinstone and
Neale, are losers by the calamity to a large amount,
which will also cause great distress to upwards of one
hundred families.