The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-03 00:00:00

CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN.

The O'DONOGHUE called the attention of the house
to the dismissal of the Rev. Mr. Fox from the chaplaincy
of the South Dublin Union by the Irish Poor Law Com-
missioners. He apologised for delaying the house in going
into committee, but the subject, which he felt bound to
bring forward, had created considerable sensation in Ire-
land, and he thonght it was entitled to be inquired into by
that house. Mr. Fox asserted most positively that he had
done nothing more nor less than his duty, and
it was fur discharging that duty that he was
dismissed. It appeared that the matron of the
union had received information which induced her to be-
hove that some of the female paupers had stolen some of
the clothes of the institution. They refused to be searched
in the presence of the male officers of the union, and a row
ensued while they were being searched, which led to the
police being called in. The women were then taken
before a magistrate, who investigated the charge,
and was about to inflict severe punishment on them
when the Rev. Mr. Fox interfered, and gave a different
version of the affair. The consequence was, that
the magistrates considerably mitigated the sentence,
notwithstanding that the male officers of the Union con-
tradicted the statement of the Rev. Mr. Fox. This took
place on the 7th cf April last, and on the 12th of the month
the master of the Union made a report to the guardians rela-
tive to what had taken place before the magistrate. After con-
cansidering that report the guardians requested the Poor Law
commissioners to institute an enquiry, and accordingly
that body directed a sworn investigation to take place.
Mr. Fox was examined and swore that he witnessed the
most indelicate conduct of the male officers of the Union
in searching the women, one of whom was thrown down
and her clothes turned over her head. This statement was
corroborated by some of the females, but was denied by the
parties implicated. As the hon. member was proceeding,
Mr. BLACK said ho must protest against the time of
the house being occupied with the consideration of an Irish
row, when there was so much important business to be
transacted. (Cries of " Hear, hear" and " Order.")
The SPEAKER said the hon. member (The O'Donoghue)
was in possession of the house. It was a matter entirely
for his discretion to what length he would occupy the at-
tention of the house.
The O'DONOGH UE then resumed, and contended that
the It cv. Mr. Fox was most unjustly dismissed, and con-
cluded with an earnest appeal to the house to do, ustice to
a clergyman who had stood forward in behalf of poor
' youno• females, whom he considered were most unjustly
treated. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CARDW.ELL said that the Poor Law Commis-
sioners were not responsible for what took place in a work-
house, the management of which was vested in the
guardians, and in this case they were merely responsible
for the manner in which this inquiry was conducted.
On the representation of the guardians, the commissioners
directed the investigation in question, and appointed Mr.
0 tway one of their body, and a most respectable gentleman
to conduct the inquiry, which was appointed in accordance
with the provisions of the statute and lasted four days.
The evidence taken was before the 'house, and, as might be
expected under the circumstances, was of a most conflict-
ing character. The charge made by the Rev. Mr. Fox
that the conduct of the officers was scandalous,
abominable, and obscene, was not sustained, but
at the same time they cast no imputation on
Mr. Fox, and believed that he had stated only what he
considered to be strictly true. It appeared that Mr. Fox
was not in the room when the searching took place, and
there were two closed windows between him and the room,
The commissioners wore responsible for the peace of the
workhouse, in which there were between 2,000 and 3,900
inmates? and as they could hot disgaita the officers on charges

which were not established, they felt bound
to discharge Mr, Fox, not as a punishment, but
as a precaution to preserve the peace of the establish-
ment. To show the disorderly character of the inmates
of the workhouses referred to, he alluded to the facts that
recently seven women in that union were tried before a
magistrate for attempting to burn the building, and one of
them was sentenced to penal servitude, while shortly after
five others were convicted, and one of the number was
proved to have stolen some of the clothes of the union.
Sir G. BOWYER considered that the right hon. gentle-
man (Mr. Cardwell) had not given a satisfactory answer,
and that the evidence and the presumptions were in favour
of the statement of the Rev. Mr. Fox.

Mr. BUTT said that this was a matter of great import.
ance, as the commissioners had made a declaration, a rule
that would influence other Unions and materially affect the
administration of the Poor-law in Ireland. They vir-
tually asserted that they were to uphold officers of
a workhouse, and to visit with punishment a gentleman
like Mr. Fox 'for interfering with them in conformity
with the conscientious discharge of his duty. It was
admitted that the women were searched in the presence
of men, and there was nothing to justify the outrage on
the feelings of these poor females. The commissioners
were more to blame than •ven the master of the
workhouse in enduring the conduct of officials when they,
as he contended, violated decency and law.
Mr. HENLEY objected to the doctrine laid down by the
right hon. gentleman (Mr. Cardwell), and contended that
commissioners should be responsible for the conduct of
masters of workhouses. If it went forth that officials were
upheld in the manner described, those persons would be
deterred in coming to give evidence against these officials,
where they might be subjected to such consequences as
dismissal from their situation.

Mr. DEASY said that it would certainly have been bet-
ter if the paupers had been brought before the magistrate,
on a charge with having stolen the union clothing, but
at the same time ho did not consider that the commissioners
could act differently to what they done under the circum-
stances.

Mr. VANCE said that, in his opinion, the commissioners
had no alternative, and were compelled to dismiss Mr. Fox,
as the charges against the officers were not proved, and
therefore they could not dismiss them.

After a feiV words from Colonel FRENCH,
Mr. MONSELL contended that the commissioners were
to blame, and that they should immediately re-instate
Mr. Fox. The right hon. gentleman (Mr. Card well) should
throw over the commissioners and do justice between the
parties.
Lord FERMOY concurred fully in the views of the hon.
member (The O'Donoghue), to whom he felt indebted for
bringing this subject forward. He rose merely to supply
an omission on the part of the hon. member, who, in his
opinion, should have concluded by calling on the house for
a specific expression of opinion on this matter. After some
observations, the noble lord concluded by a motion to the
effect that the conduct of the Poor Law Commissioners, in
the dismissal of Mr. Fox, and the occurrences relating
thereto, was not calculated to inspire confidence in the ad-
ministration of the poor law in Ireland in the commis-
sioners.
•
Mr. SCULLY seconded the motion.

Mr. MAGUIRE deprecated the conduct of the commis-
sioners in reference to this subject, and said that as that
body had done all in their power to render themselves un-
popular, the Government should endeavour to reconstruct
them.

Colonel DICKSON condemned the conduct of the corn•
missioners, and contended that Mr. Fox should be rein.
stated.

Sir G. GREY hoped the house would not agree to the
motion, which pronounced a wholesale condemnation of the
Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland, of whom he possessed
sufficient knowledge to be able to bear testimony to their
general conduct. He regretted, however, that they had
made their report on this matter without having consulted
with Mr. Otway.
Mr. M'CANE and Mr. E. JAMES supported the motion.
After a few words from Mr. LEFROY, the house divided—
For the motion of Lord Ferraoy
Against
Majority
Mr. BUTT gave notice that on a future occasion he would
take the opinion of the house on this subject, unless in the
interval the Secretary for Ireland would take steps to have
justice done to the Rev. Mr. Fox, thereby adniinistering a
rebuke to the Poor-law Commissioners.

Mr. CARDWELL said that it was his intention to
communicate with the Poor-law Commissioners, a course
which he considered necessary from what had taken
place.

SUPPLY.
The house then went into committee of supply.
On the vote of £39,597 to defray the expenses of the
works going on at the Houses of Parliament,
Some discussion took place relative to the statues and
incidental expenses of the works now proceeding.
Mr. CO WPER said that considerable expense was
unavoidably incurred under the system of Dr. Reid in
warming and ventilating the Houses of Parliament, which
could not at present be remedied. The Fine Arts Com-
mission had made a report, but he believed they did not
say anything relative to the erection of a statue to Crom-
well, and he did not know whether the statues of the Kings
were to commence with the Norman conquest or prior to
that period. £7,000 had been voted for coating the exte-
rior of the houses, and the description of the material se-
lected was according to the recommendation of Dr. Fara-
day. The cost of the coating would be one shilling per
square foot.
Lord FERMOY said that members had not a single
room in the house where they could see their friends, and
suggested that three or four of the committee rooms should
b e appropriated to the purpose.
It being 10 minutes to 4 o'clock, the debate was abruptly
terminated, and the house resumed.
REFRESHMENT HOUSES AND WINE LICENSES

(IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
SAVINGS BANKS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

INVESTMENTS BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND) BILL,
This bill was read a third time and passed.

STAMP DUTIES (No. 2) BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
The sitting was suspended at 4 o'clock.
The house resumed at 6 o'clock.
[LEFT SITTING.]

DESPATCHES FROM NEW ZEALAND,

(From the Gazette of this Evening.)
ADMIRALTY, Alla I

Despatches, of which the folloving are copies, have been
received by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Commodore William Loring, C. 8., Senior Officer of
her Majesty's ships and vessels on the Australian Station :
Her Majesty's ship Iris, Auckland,
April 27, 1860.
Sir,—l have the honour to forward, for the information
of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, copies of
reports which I have received from Captain Cracroft, of her
Majesty's ship Niger, relative to the proceedixgs of a part
of her crew employed on shore at Taranaki, at the requisi-
tion of his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.
The capture of the Pah, as described in his letter No. 10,
was, on the part of Captain Cracroft, his officers, and men,
a most dashing and judiciously timed affair.
His Excellency Colonel Gore Browne informs me that it
was most opportune. The death of several of the most
troublesome of the Taranaki Chiefs, and of a considerable
number of their followers, served not only to damp the ar-
dour of the rebellious tribes, but also to avenge some cold
blooded murders which these very people had committed
only a few days previously.
And it is now known that, under God's providence, this
success was also the means of saving the lives of a detach-
ment of the Colonial Volunteers whom the Maories had
beleaguered in a neighbouring house, and whose ammuni-
tion was almost expended.
Captain Cracroft has not mentioned his own personal
share in the affair, but I learn that his coolness on that and
on other occasions was most conspicuous, and that he did
not undertake this very hazardous service in a spirit of
headstrong gallantry, but from a deliberate conviction that
it was necessary that the attempt should be made, and
therefore it was done, and done most successfully.
Under these circumstances I trust that their Lordships
will authorise me, in accordance with the request of Cap-
tain Cracroft, in his letter No. 11, to decorate William
Odgers, leading seaman, with the Victoria Cross. These
Maori natives are by no means a contemptible foe,—man to
man they are equal to ourselves; and in the storming of
the Pall it could only have been by eager and determined
gallantry that success could have been attained.
I also beg to call their Lordships' attention to his letter
No. 12, enclosing a letter from the Colonel in command of
the troops in another part of the field, and also a letter from
Colonel Gold, Commanding-in• Chief.
Lieutenant W. H. Blake's conduct, as Senior Lieutenant
of her Majesty's ship Niger, has been uniformly correct
and efficient, and whilst on shore, in command of fifty-five
seamen, he has shown himself a gallant leader.
I much regret to state that his wound is of a serious na-
ture ; and I-beg very respectfully and strongly to recom-
mend him to the notice of their Lordships as an officer
whose conduct has rendered him worthy of promotion.—l
have, &c.,

WILLIAM LORING, Commodore.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.

Her Majesty's ship Niger, Taranaki,
New Zealand, March 31, 1860.
Sir,—At 1 p.m., on the 28th instant, I received the en-
closed requisition from Colonel Gold; you are aware
through my letter of proceedings, No. 8, that 55 men be-
longing to this ship, under the command of the first Lieute-
nant, were already landed to assist in the defence of the
town, but as the case appeared urgent and the weather was
fine, I did not hesitate in complying with it, and landed at
2 p.m., with the force detailed in the margin.*
2. We had scarcely taken up a position pointed out to me
by Colonel Gold, when intelligence arrived that Colonel
Murray was hard pressed by the natives and short of am-
munition, and Colonel Gold requested me to advance to his
support. I therefore proceeded to the Omata Blockhouse,
about four miles on the great South-road, from whence I
was enabled to obtain a good view of the country, and of a
Pah constructed on the crown of a hill, about a mile beyond,
which displayed flags, and from which a continued fire of
musketry was kept up upon Colonel Murray's force on my
right; here I found Lieutenant Blake, first Lieutenant of
the Niger, just brought in dangerously wounded by a ball
through the breast. _ _ _

3. t immediately sent Mr. W. H. Hyde, Assistant Pay
master, doing duty as my aide-de-camp, to inform Colonel
Murray of my arrival; and as it was half-past five, and
there was only half an hour's daylight left, I determined to
attack this Pah at once.

4. Accordingly I planted the 24-pounder rocket tube
about 700 yards from it, and, after a few discharges, the men
stormed the Pah under a heavy fire, in the most gallant style
—William Odgers, leading seaman, doing duty as my cox-
wain, being the first man in it ; and having captured the
flags, and destroyed everything living in the trenches, as
far as could be ascertained in the dark, I returned to the
blockhouse.

5. In performing this service I am thankful to say that
I had only four men wounded, which may be in some mea-
sure accouu ed for by the rapidity of the attack, taking the
enemy completely by surprise, and giving no time for the
usual Maori tactics ; while the increasing darkness also
favoured our small force, and provalted a good aim being
taken by their sharpshooters.
6. It was impossible for me to estimate the number op-
posed to us, nor could their exact loss be ascertained-16
dead were counted inside the entrenchment, 11 or 12 were
lying in the road outside ; but no doubt many of tbe
wounded succeeded in crawling away unobserved.
7. After a short rest at the blookhouse Z returned to town,
placed the wounded in military hospitals, and re-embarked

* "Mr. W. W. Smyth, Acting
Mate; Mr. S. Gassiot, Midshipman; Mr.-W. C. Karslnka,
Midshipman; Dr. W. Patrick, Surgeon,- Mr, w, E.
Hyde, Assistant Paymaster. PACcas, 7;
.Beam!:;it,43 ;
marines 10 i totalt GQ, wit:h a 21,kowler 7:„-met