The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-17 00:00:00

nelper, ana
THE DIVORCE COURT BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of this bill, which was brought in previous to the Easter
recess, the object of which was to enable the Judge Ordi-
nary of the Court of Divorce to call in the aid of some of
the other judges in oi der that the business of the court
might be more expeditiously disposed of. The number of
causes had so increased that it was absolutely impossible
without assistance was granted that they could be disposed of
for a considerable length of time. The bill enabled him, in
cases of doubt, to call in one or two of the other judges be-
fore he pronounced final judgment. but in eases where there
was no doubt he might dispose of them without the neces-
sity of forming a full court.
Lord ST. LEONARDS said he hoped if the bill was
read a second time it would be referred to a
select committee, composed as nearly as possible
of those noble and learned lords who sat in com-
mittee on the original bill. He thought the house
ought to be very cautious before they conferred upon a
single judge the power of dissolving a marriage. The Judge-
Ordinary did not possess the power at present, because
before such a decision could be pronounced, a full
court, consisting of two other judges at least,
had to be formed,

Lord LYNDHURST said that some change was abso-
lately. necessary. The Divorce Court had been established
a little more than two years, and in that time no less than
420 causes had been set down for hearing. The Court had
disposed of only 177 out of the number, leaving 232 to be
disposed of. Now, supposing the court to proceed as rapidly
as it had done during the time it had been in existence, it would
take four years to get through the whole of the re-
maining causes, taking no notice of the causes
that would be entered during that time. The Judge
Ordinary, it was agreed by all parties, was a person of
great energy ; but it was clear that some assistance
must be afforded him. The number of full courts that had
been held during the last two years was only 65, little better
than 30 in each year, a number quite inadequate to transact
the business of the court.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--(This EVENING
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Lords' amendments to the Calne Railway Bill were
considered and agreed to.
The following bills were read a third time :—Andover
and Redbridge Railway; Tewkesbury, U p ton-upon-
Severn and Malvern Junction Railway.
The 'East India Ceal Company Bill and Highland Roads
and Bridges Bill were read a second time.
PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented in favour of the total
abolition of Church-rates ; against the Highways Bill ; for
repeal of the duty on hops ; against the Scotch Fisheries
Act ; in favour of the improvement of the position of poor-
law medical officers ; in favour of the Government Reform
Bill; in favour of the Medical Bill, &c.
RETURNS .
Mr. BOVILL moved an address for return of the seve•
ral parliamentary boroughs in England and Wales having
a population of less than 12,000, according to the census of
1851; showing the total number of electors in 1832-3 and
1859-60 ; the number of freemen and the number of elec-
tors minus freemen, with the number of members returned
by each, arranged according to population (in extension
of parliamentary paper No. 132 of the present session,
which is confined to boroughs having a population of less
than 7,000).—Ordered.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
Mr. SOTIIERON ESTCOURT presented an address
for return from each of the registrars of friendly societies
in England, Scotland, and Ireland, of the form of the
general statement of the funds and effects of a friendly
society, prepared pursuant to the Act 18 and 19 Vic., c. 63,
s. 45 ; how many of such forms were sent out by each of
such registrars in the month of December last, and how
many of such general statements, or copies of the last
annual reports of friendly societies, were transmitted to
each of such registrars on or before the 31st day of March,
1860.—Ord *red.
RESERVE NAVAL FORCE.
Sir C. NAPIEIt gave-notice that on that day fortnight
he would draw the attention of the House to, and move an
address to her Majesty:on, this subject.

CHURCH RATES.
Sir J. TRELA WNEY hoped that tho Government
would for the convenience of the house and the public
make a statement as to whether the Church-rates Bill could
be proceeded with on Thursday next.
DISTRESS IN THE WEST OF IRELAND.
Mr. HENNESSY asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether the Government intended to take any steps with
reference to the great destitution prevailing in the west of
Ireland ? The hon. member stated that he would also ask
what reply the Government had given to the letter, dated
the 18th of March, and signed by 28 Roman Catholic
bishops, with reference to the system of national education
in Ireland ?
Mr. CARDWELL said that, unfortunately, there was
great distress in the part of Ireland alluded to by the hon.
gentleman. He was in communication with the able
gentlemen who superintended the working of the poor law
in Ireland, and he had every reason to rely on the opera-
tion of the poor law, but he could hold out no hope of any
other interposition.
---- • ---

INDIAN FINANCE.
Mr. VANSITTART asked the Secretary of State for
India which of the following financial estimates of the
deficiency of income as against the expenditure of
the current year ending the 30th April is correct, namely,
£10,250,000, as per the statement made by the Secretary of
State for India on the Ist of August last ; £6,449,981, as
per financial balance-sheet drawn up in Calcutta in Sept.
last ; £9,290,129, as per estimate submitted by Mr. Wilson
on the 18th Feb. last to the Legislative Council of Calcutta;
and, whether he can state the cause of these discrepancies.
Sir C. WOOD said that even from the moat recent infor-
mation he had received he was not in a position to account
for the discrepancies in question. Last summer he had
made a statement relative to Indian finance, the Govern-
ment of India made a different one, and Mr. Wil-
son one that was also different from his. How-
ever, it was satisfactory that there had been an im-
provement in the income of India since he had made his
statement.
THE PEDESTAL AT WATERLOO-PLACE.
Mr. E. JAMES asked the First Commissioner of Works
whether any person was about to place anything, and, if
anything, what, upon the summit of a pedestal which has
been standing for twelve months at the southern end of
Waterloo-place, ; and if anything was to be placed
there, when it might be expected to be done ?
Mr. COW PER said it was intended to place a statue on
the pedestal to commemorate the bravery of the Guards at
the Crimea. The statue was entrusted to Mr. Bell, and he
believed it would be worthy of the object proposed.
MORTALITY ON BOARD OF VESSELS BOUND
TO INDIA.
Sir DE LACY EVANS asked the Secretary of State
for War or for India, if the statement in the public journals
relative to the mortality which had occurred on board of
various vessels which had arrived at Madras and Bombay
with the wives and children of soldiers be correct ;
andif
,
so, what department or officer may be regarded as respon-
sible for any neglect of due precautions, if such had been, in
connection with this lamentable event ?
Sir C. WOOD could not state exactly the amount of the
' mortality in question, but be believed it resulted from the
number of the children on board these vessels.
AMY ESTIMATES.
In reply to Gen. PEEL,
Mr. S. HERBERT stated that it was not the intention
of Government to proceed with tarmy estimates until
after the second reading of the tome Bill.
THE CHAMPION FIGHT.
Mr. HADFIELD inquired of the Home Secretary for
some information relative to the fight alleged to have
taken place this day between two pugilists—whether the
police were present and whether they interfered, and
if the Government intended to take any steps.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that he had received no official
information on the subject; but that he understood from
the papers that the fight had taken place in Hampshire. It
was a matter for the attention of the county and not the
Metropolitan Police.
BANK NOTES.
Mr. ALDERMAN SALOMONS moved for a return 01
the bank-notes issued by the Issue Department of the
Bank of England in each week of the present year,
from the 4th January to the 11th day of April in-
clusive ; showing the amount remaining in the bank-
ing department in each week, and the denomina-
tion and amount of the notes in the hands of the public ;
similar return for the corresponding periods of the years
1856, 1857, 1858, and 1859 ' and, weekly return for the same
periods of the notes issued by the Issue Department, with
the securities and bullion held against them.—Ordered.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.

In reply to Hon. MEMBERS,
Lord PALMS RSTON said that it was proposed to
proceed with the New Lunacy Bill on Thursday and
the Reform Bill on Monday, and that Government
business, according to the resolution of the house, would be
taken on Thursdays instead of Fridays, but that the former
day would be at the disposal of private members.
LONDON CORPORATION BILL.
The second reading of this bill wasp ostponed till this
day week.
ADULTE RATION OF FOOD AND DRINK BILL.
This bill was read a third time and. passed.
COUNTY PRISONS (IREAND) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
COMMON LODGING-HOUSES (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a seco SUPPLY.
time.

The report of the committee on supply was brought up
and agreed to.
The house adjourned at quarter-past five o'clock.

The bar silver brought by the last West India
packet has been sold at 611 d., the price realised for that by
the last arrival.