The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-08 00:00:00

A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.-A SCENE IN COURT.

Mr. FRICKER said he wished to call the attention
of the court to what he considered a gross breach of
privilege on the part of an hon. member. In a
report of certain proc,:edings that appeared in the
City Press, Mr. Bonuewell, one of the members of
the Court of Common Council, was reported to
have said— _ _

Mr. BONNEWELL put it to the Lord Mayor
whether the hon. member was justified in referring
to a report that appeared in a newspaper. (Cries
of " Oh, oh.")
The LORD MAYon said that Court had no control
over the Press, and he thought it would be better

not to take notice of av reports that appeared in
the newspapers.

Mr. FRICKER said he thought it was due to the
dignity of this Court that this subject should be
mentioned. The hon. member he referred to was
reported to have said that he believed there was no
Pig and Whistle or debating club in the kingdom in
which the business was conducted so indecorously as
in the Court of Common Council. (Laughter, and
cries of " Shame.") lle wished to know whether
the hon. member really did make use of the expres-
sion to which he referred. (Great uproar.)
Mr. BSNNEWELL—I must throw myself on the
clemency of the Court. (Laughter, and cries of
" Oh, oh.")
Mr. FIucKER---All I want is an answer to the
question, yes, or no. (Renewed uproar.)

Mr. BONNEWELL—What is the question ? (A
roar of laughter.)
Mr. FRICKEI: repeated it.

Mr. BONNEWELL —I believe I did make those re-
marks. (Great uproar and confusion.) I wish to

explain.

Several members rose and said that no more ex-
planation was required, and there were loud cries
of " Retire," " Leave the court."
Mr. BONNEWELL endeavoured for some time to
make some observations in explanation, but he was
not permitted to do so, and he at length sat down,
and the business was proceeded with.

RECEPTION OF THE BELGIAN VOLUNTEERS BY THE

CORPORATION.

Mr. CRESCENS ROBINSON then brought forward a
motion—" That, on the occasion of the visit of the
Belgian riflemen to this country in July next, it is
desirable that this Corporation should give them a
suitable reception, as some slight acknowledgment
of the great hospitality shown to our fellow-citizens
the last year by the Belgian Government and the
municipality of Brussels." [There was an amend-
ment by Mr. E. 1). Rogers, to the effect that the
Court should contribute 250 guineas towards the
fund now being raised for the purpose of meeting
the expenses of the reception of the Belgian volun-
teers in July next, but this amendment was with-
drawn.] Mr. Robinson, in moving that his propo-
sition be acceded to, adverted to the noble hospi-
tality and the very great kindness that had been
exhibited by the Belgian people upon the occasion
of the visit of our countrymen to Brussels last year.
The King of the, Belgains, he said, had also invited
them to a grand banquet, and he stated that his
reason for doing so was not only that it was in-
tended as a compliment to the riflemen, but as a
compliment to the English nation, and under those
circumstances it appeared to him that they would
be guilty of great neglect of duty if they did not
endeavour to return the compliment that had been
paid to their countrythen in a creditable manner.
(hear, hear.) The hon. member concluded by ob-
serving that the Corporation of Loudon had always
exhibited its readiness to afford its hospitality to
kings and princes and persons of high station, and
an opportunity was now afforded them of doing so
to men of their own class—the people--who were
the bone and sinew of the land. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman Rose seconded the motion, and in
doing so he observed that all who had read of the
noble reception that was given to our countrymen
by the glorious little country of Belgium would feel
ashamed if something was not done in return on the
present occasion.

After a short discussion the motion was agreed to.
Mr. ROBINSON then proposed that it should be re-
ferred to the special ward committee that had just
been appointed by the Court in reference to the in-
vitation of the Sultan, for them to make the neces,
sary arrangements for the reception of the Belgian
volunteers, but at a cost not exceeding £l,OOO.
Several hon. members expressed an opinion that
if it was really intended to do honour to the expected
visitors upon their landing and to welcome them at
a banquet, the sum mentioned would be found to-
tally insufficient for the purpose. It was explained in
the course of the discussion that it was not proposed
to give a banquet, but that the Belgian riflemen
should be received upon their landing at the Custom
House, its it was arranged they should do, by some
members of the corporation, and that they should
then march to the Guildhall, where they would be
wet and welcomed by the Lord Mayor on behalf of
the corporation, and when this had been done, they
should be invited to partake of a (h)caner.
Eventually Deputy BANISTER proposed an amend-
ment to the effect that the amount to be devoted to
the purpose should be £1,500, instead of X,1,000,
which was agreed to.