The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-28 00:00:00

THE DIOCESE OF DURHAM;

Viscount DUNGANNON presented a petition from Dar-
lington complaining of the large amount of revenue ab-
stracted from the diocese of Durham, while little or no
regard had been paid by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
to the spiritual wants arising from the vast increase of its
population. The petitioners prayed that such measures
might be taken as should insure in future a recognition of
its just and manifest demands.
The Bishop of CARLISLE did not think that any
injustice had been done to the diocese of Durham. While
their lordships had heard that large sums had been
taken from Durham, not one word had been said
about the amount that had been left after the deductions
had been made. In his diocese there were 120 livings
under £lOO a year, and although the population was smaller
than that of Durham, yet in amount of acreage it far ex-
ceeded it, as the diocese of Carlisle extended over 61 square
miles. Distributing a portion of the large revenues of
such sees as Durham among ill-paid clergymen was, in his
opinion, highly praiseworthy.
Earl GREY had heard the remarks of the right rev.
prelate with much regret. The Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners had been withdrawing revenues which had only been
made considerable by the exertions of certain populations,
who were thus deprived of the benefits they had earned,
and he considered the principle exercised with regard to
Durham was one of injustice.

Lord RAVENSWORTH felt great pleasure in concur-
ring with the noble earl who had just sat down. He con-
sidered the diocese of Durham had been very harshly dealt
with both by Parliament and the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners, and he hoped in a short time an alteration of the
system would be forced upon the Legislature.
The Earl of CHICHESTER defended the acts of the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
_ The petition was then laid on the table.
CHARITABLE USES BILL.

Lord CRANWORTH, in moving the second reading
of this bill, said it was a measure for the purpose of amend-
ing the Mortmain Act.

Lord ABINGER, who spoke in a rather inaudible tone
of voice, and who was not continuously heard hi the gal-
lery, moved that the bill be read a second time that day six
months, and warned their lordships that if they passed the
bill they would be completely legislating in the dark, and
rendering the law of mortmain wholly impracticable.

Lord WENSLEYDALE" thought the best course they
could adopt would be to read the bill a second time, and
then refer it to a select committee.

The amendment was agreed to without a division.
TRUSTEES AND MORTGAGES .BILL.
This bill was read a second time.

MARRIAGES (ENGLAND AND IRELAND) BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
DIVORCE COURT BILL.
On the report of this bill being brought up,
Lord REDESDALE proposed to add to the first clause
of the bill a proviso giving power to the judge of the
Divorce Court, in a case where the husband knew that his
wife was unchaste before marriage, to exercise his discre-
tion as to whether he should grant a divorce or not.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said the object of the bill
beforis their lordships was not to alter the law, but to im-
prove the mode of procedure of the Divorce Court. He did
net at all agree in the proposal made by the noble lord.
After a few words from Lord REDESDALE,
The proviso was rejected without a division.
The report was then agreed to.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY BILL.
The bill was read a third time and passed.
INCLOSURE BILL.
This bill was also read a third time and passed.
Their lordships adjourned.

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

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Marple New Mills and Hayfield Junction Railway
Bill, and Stockport and Woodley Junction Railway Bill
were considered, and ordered for third reading.
The Horsham and Steyning and Beading Roads Bill,
and Wellington Suspension Bridge Bill were read a third
time.

Mr. GREGSON moved that the order of the 20th day of
February last, that the Westminster Improvement Bill be
committed, be read and discharged :—That the bill be
withdrawn.—Agreed to.