The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-09 00:00:00

ACT.

This bill was read a third time and passed, after an
amendment to one of the clauses had been agrped. to._

LANDED PROPERTY ACT IMPROVEMENT
(IRELAND) BILL.
The committee on this bill was postponed.
TRAMWAYS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the bringing up the report of amendments on this
bill, a conversation ensued upon the various clauses of the
bill, but the report was ultimately received.

ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION.
Earl GRANVILLE moved that, with regard to the
Ecclesiastical Commission Bill, on account of various ques-
tions relating to the management of episcopal estates, and
to the securing regular incomes to the bishops, and an in-
creasing surplus to the common fund havinglong been under
consideration, and the final settlement hitherto delayed,
whereby the proceedings for the enfranchisement of many
church leaseholds have been already protracted to
an extent injurious to those concerned ; and as these
matters are treated and • determined in a manner
which has secured general approval, the circumstances
which render legislation on the subject of the said bill ex-
pedient are of such real urgency as to render the im-
mediate consideration of the same necessary.
The motion was agreed to.
Earl GRANVILLE then moved the second reading of
the bill.

The Earl of DERBY said as it was thought desirable
that this bill should pass this session he should not oppose
it, but he thought the 11th clause, which affected the vest
ing of certain property permanently in the hands of the
commissioners, ought at all events to be postponed.
(LEFT SITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(Tnis DAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 20 minutes past one
o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Bill was read a
third time and passed.

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Mr. LAING, on, moving that the house go into com-
.

mittee, appealed to hon. members who had notions on the
paper to postpone them until the evening sitting. There
were 200 votes still to be taken, and the only chance of
getting through the business in reasonable time was for
hon. members in future to adopt the course he suggested
should be taken this day.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. ADDERLEY, who had a motion on the paper for
the production of a plan and estimate made for the National
Gallery by Captain Fowkes—said that the plan and es-
timate in question were in possession of the First Commis-
sioner of Works, and he understood it was to be rejected on
the ground of official etiquette, while another of an inferior
character was about to be adopted. The National Gallery
was built under most unfortunate circumstances for the

architect, and the consequence was that it wasa
fective building, considering the purpose to which it was
devoted. In order to afford more accommodation a pro-
posal was made to the Government of Lord Derby.
Captain Fowkes was well known for his architectural
talent, and as he understood the objection to his plan
proceeded from the Royal Academy, who had no right to
interfere at all, as they were merely tenants at will. The
hon. member concluded by moving for the production of the
plan and estimate of Captain Fowkes, or any other plan for
alteration in the National Gallery now under consideration

of the First Commissioner of Works, and of any corres -
pondence thereon.
Mr. CONlNGHAMprotested against the course pursued

'm reference to Captai;. Fowkes,Twhich he attributed to

occult influence. The result was that the public interest

was endangered, and he suggested that any alterations in
the National Gallery should be postponed until next
session.

Mr. CO WPER said he was glad this question was put,
because it gave him an opportunity of making some ex-
planations in respect to this subject. Capt.Fowkes' plan had
been rejected by him (Mr. Cowper), not on the ground of
official etiquette, for there was no etiquette that would pre-
vent the Board of Works employing Capt. Fawkes ; in-
deed, from what he Lad already performed there could be
no doubt of his architectural ability. He had not adopted
the plan of Capt. Fowkes for any other reason than that he
considered it a bad one. (Hear.) He thought, with re-
gard to the National Gallery pictures, that they could not
long remain in their present position, and there should be
a gallery erected purposely for them in Trafalgar-square,
Burlington House, or elsewhere. He considered that what
they should now do was to provide for the accommodation
of these pictures for some time, and it was proposed to use
the central hall for that purpose. His noble friend at the
head of the Government had made a suggestion to that effect
last year, and accordingly Mr. Pennethorne prepared and
sent in the plan. Nothing further, however, had been done,
and Capt. Fowkes submitted his plan to the Board of
Works. At first he approved of that plan, and referred it
to the members of the Royal Academy, which was coin-
_ _

posed not only of eminent painters, but also of architects
practically acquainted with the subject. Their remarks in
reference to it were not made in a spirit of dictation, but to
afford all the assistance in their power to enable the Govern-

ment to come to a correct conclusion on the matter. The
plan would certainly introduce some architectural improve-
ments in the building, but he objected to it because it did
not go far enough, or it went too far. The right hon. gen-
tleman, having referred in detail to the plan in support of
his opinion said that the estimated cost would be £30,000,
but he believed it would really be about £50,000. He
could not comply with all the hon. member required, but
ho promised that he would produce the correspondence
alluded to, if the hon. member would allow the amendment
to be negatived.
After a few words from Lord J. MANNERS,
Lord PALMERSTON said he thought it would be
readily admitted that the whole space of the National Gal-
lery should be given up for the pictures it contained. How-
ever, any alterations for that purpose must be merely of a
temporary use, as the bequests which might be looked for-
ward to would increase the number of pictures to an extent
that would render the National Gallery unsuited to their
exhibition. The question came simply to this, that by an
outlay of £13,000 or £14,000 they would make the gallery
suitable for the pictures for some years. (Hear.)
After some further discussion the amendment was with-
drawn, and the subject dropped.
AUDIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Sir F. BARING moved the following:—" That the ap-
propriation and audit of the moneys voted for the Civil Ser.
vice Estimates are insufficient and unsatisfactory, and re..
quire early amendment." The right hon. baronet said he
did not bring this motion for the purpose of complaining
of the Government, but in order to induce the
house to record their opinion on the subject.
The house was aware that the report of the select commit-
tee on public moneys had agreed that the present system of
auditing the accounts was defective, and made certain re-
commendations in order to remedy that state of things.
The audit of the army and navy estimates was satisfactory,
but when they came to the civil service estimates they found
the case quite different. In that department they had a
board which was independent of the Government, holding
office like judges for life, and invested with very large
powers. In the miscellaneous estimates over £2,000,000 was
expended without being audited by the commissioners. The
right hon, baronet proceeded at some length to point out
the existing defects in regard to the audit of the civil service
estimates, and again urged on the house the propriety of
placing his motion on their records.
Mr. LAING said that in reality the difference between
the right hon. baronet and the Government was a very
small one. After the report of the select committtee on
public moneys, there could be no doubt that the audit de-
partment required improvement. (Hear, hear.) On the
principle therefore they were agreed, but there were prac-
tical difficulties which had to be surmounted before im-
provement could be effected. The accounts of the army
and navy services were reckoned up at the end of each
financial year, while several of those of the civil service
were remaining over for a considerable number of years.
Mr. WILLIAMS supported the amendment, and con-
tended that under the present system there was no security
of the public money being honestly expended.
After some discussion,
Sir G. LEWIS said he did not see how the Government
could oppose the amendment, nor was he aware of any in-
superable difficulty in making the improvements necessary
at the audit office.
Ultimately the amendment was agreed to without a
division.
CHARITABLE COMMISSIONERS, &c. (IRELAND).
Mr. HASSARD called the attention of the house to the
constitution of the Board of Commissioners of Charitable
Donations and Bequests in Ireland ; and he asked the
Chief Secretary for Ireland if he could and would take
measures to insure the attendance of a quorum of such
Commissioners at reasonably frequent periods, so that busi-
ness could be transacted ?
Mr. CARDWELL said that he would adopt the neces •
sary steps in regard to this matter.
SUPPLY.
The house then went into committee of supply.
On the vote of £100,440 for the maintenance and keeping
in repair the Royal parks,
Sir J. SHELLEY asked for some information relative to
the Serpentine, and to the sum of £l,BOO for draining
Richmond F ark. He also looked with some distrust on a
vote of £750 for a railing in the ride inKensingtonGardens,
and in order to obtain some explanation on these matters he
would move that the vote be reduced by that amount.
Mr. WILLIAMS drew attention to the sum in the votes
of £B,OOO for Regent's Park, which he considered a very
large sum for the purpose to which it was to be applied.
Mr. A, SMITH complained that iron hurdles had, been

erected in different parts of the parks, and that portions of
*he parks were encroached on for enclosures. He contended
also that the parka were not in the condition they should be,
considering the money that had been voted for them.
Mr. HUGUESSON called the hon. gentleman to order.
He said that by a recent resolution of the house they
must confine themselves to the discussion of the specific
item before proceeding to the consideration of another.
Lord J. MANNERS said that unless the new ride were
made a continuation of Rotten-row it would be quite use-
less for public convenience. The noble lord drew atten-
tion to different defects in connection with the parks.
Mr. MALINS said that the ride was not of any great
value, and so unpopular, that he believed if they polled all
the parishes west of the Haymarket they would find the
majority against it. (Cries of "No, no. ') As far as his
experience went that was the case, and four out of five of
those with whom he conversed on the subject were strongly
opposed to the ride.
Mr. COWPER said, with respect to the £750 for iron
railings, that amount was to be appropriated to three dif-
ferent services. One of these was for the removal of a por-
tion of the brick wall in the gardens. That was the por-
tion of the wall which ran next from the alcove to the place
where the railing began. Another part of the money was for
a gate, and the remaining £250 was to provide hurdles for the.-
ride. (Hear, hear, and oh, oh.) He believed that not only
the upper classes, but most of the respectable tradesmen and
workmen, were in favour of the ride. Now, the real ques-
tion was whether the public should be admitted as readily
as before. He contended that there was no reason why
they should not be thrown open to persons who were de-
sirous of taking exercise on horseback as well as to pedes-
trians, provided no inconvenience was caused thereby to the
latter. It was stated by some persons that they desired
quiet and retirement, which were interfered with by the
ride ; but the gardens were spacious enough to enable them
to enjoy retirement in other parts of them. He thought
that publicity, not privacy, was to be considered the most
useful in respect to these gardens. From the hours when
the working classes were employed during the week days,
they could not visit the gardens at the time the
ride in Kensington-gardens was used by equestrians,
and on Sundays when they could attend at such
hours of the day persons on horseback were excluded
from the gardens. This matter had assumed a factious
importance from havinc, been taken up by five vestries in
the neighbourhood of Kensington, who seemed to consider
that the parks were under their special jurisdiction. To
show that such a feeling was entertained, the right hon.
gentleman said that in the pariah of Marylebone resolutions
had been passed at different times in reference to the parks.
On one of these occasions it had been recommended that
Lord Llanover should be prosecuted, and on another it was
stated that the place of his successor would be rendered too
hot to hold him. (Laughter.) Re hoped, however, that
the house would decide on the merits of the question, and
not be led away by what had occurred at these vestries.
Sir J. SHELLEY altered his amendment by substitut-
ing the sum of £250 for £750, as the amount by which the
vote was to be reduced.

Mr. A. MILLS opposed the amendment and expressed
his opinion that the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Cowper)
would not give way to the agitation that had been raised
on this"subject.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR followed on the same side, and as-
serted that the agitation was purely of a local and vestry
character.

General PEEL also opposed the amendment.
After a few words from Mr. J. LOCKE and Mr. SPOONER,
the house divided.. •
For the amendment 4B
Against it 7l
Majority
Lord J. MANNERS enquired if the works would be
completed for the annual estimate.
Mr. COWPER said they would be finished for even a
less amount.
Colonel DUNN drew attention to the extent to which
the country was taxed for metropolitan improvements, and
said that Ireland bad to pay £9,000,000. (Cries of " order,"
in the midst of which the hon. and gallant member resumed
his seat.)
The house suspended sitting at 10 minutes to 4 o'clock.

The house resumed at 6 o'clock.
[LEFT SITTING.]

READING RACES.—(This Day.)

DIV ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
CAVERSHAM HANDICAP.

Spicebox

Artist
Nabob filly . 3

Ten ran.
THAMES HANDICAP.

Watersprite
Simla
Ipswich

Eight ran.
STAND PLATE.

Brine .
Zitella
Pomona
Twenty-three ran.
WHITLEY STAKES.

Sherburne
Rising Sun
Twilight 3

Seven ran.

HER MAJESTY'S JOURNEY TO BAL-

MORAL.

ABERDEEN, WEDNESDAY.

The Queen left Holyrood at a quarter before nine
o'clock this morning, and drove through the park
to St. Margaret' station, where the royal train was
in readiness to convey her. Majesty northwards to
Aboyne. The departure of the illustrious travellers
from the palace was announced by a salute of 21
guns from the Castle heights.

The morning was wet aid misty, and only a few
persons witnessed the progress of her Majesty
through the park.

An escort of the 13th Light Dragoons attended
the royal party from the palace to the railway sta-
tion. The guard of honour at St. Margaret's was
formed by a company of the 78th Highlanders.
The directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow
Railway were in attendance to receive her Majesty
and immediately upon the royal arrival the train
was set in motion, and proceeded rapidly north-
wards. At the Larbert junction the train was taken
in charge by the directors of the Scottish Central
Railway, who conducted her Majesty thencefor-
ward to the city of Perth, where her Majesty ar-
rived at eleven o'clock. Mr. Miller, deputy-ckair-
man, and other directors of the Scottish North
Eastern Railway. here assumed the direction of the
train, which proceeded, with one intervening stop-
page at the Bridge of Dun, to the city of Aberdeen,
where the royal party arrived shortly before two
o'clock.

The Deeside Railway was next traversed as far
as Aboyne. The last 20 miles from Banchory,
which have been only recently completed, and were
to-day first travelled over by her Majesty, are very
beautiful, the scenery through which the line passes
being very romantic and wild.

The Queen arrived' at Aboyne at three o'clock,
a few minutes in advance of the appointed time.
The station was tastefully fitted up, and a great
crowd of her Majesty's Scottish subjects had assem-
bled to witness the royal arrival.
After partaking of luncheon the Queen left for
Balmoral in an open carriage and four, the Prince
Consort and the two elder princesses accompanying
her Majesty. The remaining members of the royal
family and suite in attendance followed in other
carriages, and her Majesty reached her Highland
home at half-past five o'clock.
Mr. Seymour Clarke again. to-day received the
acknowledgments of the Queen for the admirable
manner in which the whole railway journey had
been performed.

(From the Court Circular.)
HOLYROOD, Ara. 7•

Her Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince Consort,
accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Princesses
Alice, Helena, and Louise, Prince Arthur, and Prince
Leopold, arrived at Edinburg'a at 10 minutes past eight this
morning, and immediately proceeded to Holyrood Palace,
escorted by a party of the 13th Light Dragoons.
The ladies and gentlemen. in attendance were the Coun-
tess of Desert, the Hon. Beatrice Byng, Sir Charles Phipps,
K.C.8., Major-General the Hon. Charles Grey, Lieutenant
Colonel the Hon. D. de Roe, Major Elphinstone, and Dr.
Baly. The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert WAS in attendance
on the Queen as Secretary of State.
In the course of the morning the Queen. acemPanied by
the Prince Consort and Princess Helena, drove to Cramond,
to pay a visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent.
The Lady in Waiting and two Equerries were in attendance.
Her Majesty returned to H:olyrood for luncheon.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived at
Holyrood at about three o'clock, to accompany the Queen
to the review of the Voluntears.
At half-past three the Quenn, royal family and suite left
Holyrood in three carriages t o review the Volunteers.
The first carriage conta3.ned her Majesty, her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, her Royal Highness Prin-
cess Alice, and his Roy al Highness Prince Arthur.
His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, in the uniform
of a field marshal, rode on the right of the Queen's car-
riage, and the Duke of Buccl euch rode on the left.
The second carriage canto teed their Royal Highnesses
the Princesses Helena and I aouise, Prince Leopold, and the
Lady in Waiting. The Equerries rode on each side.
The third carriage contained Lady Augusta Bruce, the
Hon. Beatrice Byng,
the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and
Lord James Murray.
The fol
The Queen had a dinner: party in the evening.
lowing bad, the honour of receiving invitations :—The
Right Hon. Sidney Het :bert, the Duke and Duchess of
Buccleuch, Major-Gene ral Lord Rokeby, the Marquis of
Breadalbane, Lieutenar it-General Sir George Wetherell,
Major-General Sir James Scarlett, Major-General Sir
Richard Airey, Majer-General Cameron, Colonel IWM.urdo,
and Major Elphinstoiae. •
The band of the 13th Light Drs goons was in attendan,ce
during dinner.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

VICTORIA STATION AND PIMLICO.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held yesterday at the office, Parliament-street ; Mr.
Lee, M.P., in the chair.
The report, an abstract of which has appeared in
The Sun, was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said he had very little to add to it, as it
was so full and so good. The Bill for authorising
a transfer of the undertaking to the Brighton
Company for a stipulated payment of 5 per cent.
per annum was rejected by Parliament, in conse-
quence of which they had to seek other customers ;
and he thought they ought to congratulate them.
selves that the bill had been lost, as they had since
made much better terms, which was shown by their
shares being at £2 premium.
Mr. J. ELGER seconded the motion for the adop-
t ion of the report.
Mr. LONGSTAFF thought the report was highly
satisfactory. He wished to know whether the Lon-
don and North-Western were likely to use the sta-
tion.
The CHAIRMAN had no doubt that they would
come into the Brighton station, and if so the com-
pany would receive an additional rent of £5,000 a
year, but from any other company using the station
they would not derive any advantage. The under-
taking would, under an agreement with the Great
Western and London, Chatham, and Dover Compa-
nies, pay them a rent gradually increasing from
£13,200 a year to £32,000 a year in 1867 and there-
after, which would give them more than 6 per cent.
per annum; and there was a probability of 8 per
cent. per annum being realised when the arrange-
ments were finally completed.
The report was unanimously adopted, and a vote
of thanks to the chairman and directors for their
zeal and attention to the interests of the company
closed the proceedings.