The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-24 00:00:00

IMPI4RIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-(YESTERDA.Y.)

The,Lotal CruNcELLou took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.

HURCH RATES.
The Marquis of BATH pro.ented a petition from Wilt-
shire against the abolition of Church-ratos.
THE NEW FOREST.

The Earl of MALMESBURY said he had given notice
privately to the noble earl, who was unavoidably
absent that evening, of his intention to ask a
question, but the colleagues of the noble earl were per-
fectly cognisant of the nature of his inquiry. It was not s f
a political nature, but was more than anything else to
direct attention to what had been going en for th last two
years in the New Forest. Recently SOITe very fine old tree-,
which had for years been the pride of the country had been cut
down, entirely swept away and sold. lie should like very
much to know the, reason for such proceedings, and he there-
fore should move for a return of the number of trees
that had been cut down in the New Forest for the last two
years, and the price for which they had been sold.
The Duke of SOMERSET said he did not like, in the
absence of his noble colleague to promise the returns, but
he would inquire into tho subject. If s.ny of the old trees
had been cut down which had been considered an ornament
to the place, he for one would very much regret it.
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S
SISTER.

The Earl of BESSBOROUGH presented a petition in
favour of legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE STATUTES.

The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of a series of bills to accomplish the above purpose. Thu
greatest attention had been devoted to the subject, but he
would not ask their lordships to pass the measures,
until each of them had been well considered in committee.
The bills were as follows :—Offences against the Person,
Larceny, &c., Forgery, and Malicious Injuries to Pro-
perty, Accessories and Abbettors, Coinage Offences, and
Criminal Statutes Repeal.
The bills were, after a few words from the Earl of
WESTItEATH and the Earl of CARNARVON, read a second
time.

INDICTABLE OFFENCES BILL.
The house then went into committee on this bill.
,The clauses were agreed to, and the bill was reported,

COURT OF CHANCERY BILL.
This bill passed through committee.

ENDOWED SCHOOLS BILL.
The report of amendments on this bill was brought up,
and agreed to.
Their lordships adjourned at a quarter to seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
ELECTION PETITIONS.

The committees appointed to try the merits of tho peti•
tions against the return of the members for the boroughs of
Great Yarmouth and Roscommon were sworn in.
PRIVATE BILLS.

The following private bills were read a second time :
Building Improvement Company, and Dublin Corporation
Water.
Mr. CHARLES FORSTER moved that the order of
the 17th day of February instant, that the Hazlehead and
Hepworth Ironworks Railway Bill be committed, be read,
and discharged :—That the bill be withdrawn.—Agreed to.

THE BUDGET.
Several petitions for and against the chief points in the
budget were presented, which occupied a considerable por•
tion of the early part of the evening.