The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-07 00:00:00

IfyIPERIAL FARLIADaNT

HOUSE OF LORDS —THIS.EVENING.
THE DUNDEE GAS BILL.
On the motion for the third reading of this bill, an amend-
ment was proposed that the discussion should be post-
poned until after Whitsuntide. The bill, with a few tech-
nical amendments, was road a third time and passed.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES (SCOTLAND) ACTS AMEND-
MENT BILL.
The report of the amendments in this bill was received.
METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
BREECH-LOADING GUNS.
Earl SPENCER, in asking the intention of the
Government to amend the proof bills this ses-
sion, so as to make them more applicable to
breech-loading arms, said that in every part of the con-
tinent the attention of the most scientific men had been
called to the question of breech-loading guns, and that
immense improvements had taken place, and that,
as far as this country was concerned, it was of the
most vital importance that all our energy should be de-
voted to the question. Therefore he trusted that his noble
friend would turn his attention to the subject in the bill
he was proposing this year.
Lord LONGFORD said that there were two companies
who had the power of proving these guns, and they had
received notice that in consequence of the change in fire-
arms they would be required to exercise greater vigilance.
These bye-laws which they could put in operation, and
which would be equal to law. There was great difficulty
in avoiding accidents from cartridges.
The subject then dropped.
DISTRICT PROTHONOTARIES, &c. BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
CONSOLIDATED FUND.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
The house then adjourned till Monday, the 17th inst.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tins EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed:
—Newry and Armagh Railway, Waterford and Passage
Railway and Ferry, and Wolvorhamptoh and Walsall
Rail way.
NORTH WESTERN AND CHABING-CROSS
RAILWAY BILL.

Mr. C. FORSTER, moved that tho order (6th May)
that the North Western and Charing-cross Railway Bill
be read the third time, and discharged.
The motion was agreed to, and tho bill was accordingly
withdrawn. _ _ _ .

STORM SIGNALS.
Col. SYKES asked the Vice-President of the Board of
Trade whether any and what action had been taken to re-
store "Storm Warnings," consequent upon the deputation
of members of Parliament to the President of the Board
of Trade.
Mr. CAVE said Colonel Saltine, the President of the
Meteorological Society, has undertaken to do so as far as
I.osliblP, and a committee was now considering the best
tuvans of doing so.
DISASTERS AT SEA. _ _ _

Mr. J. A. SlllFlrasted—the Vice President of the
Board of Trade whether, in reference to the copies of
memorials "on the silt ject of disasters at sea and their
prevention," presented to the house this session by the
Board of Trade, it was intended to take any steps t9_cikr,Ty
out the recommendations or suggestion. '" °`":"
memorials, ieierence to the urgent want
owu is represented to exist of inspectors of mercantile
shipping ?
Mr. CAVE said the subject was then under the con-
sideration of the Board of Trade with a view to future
legislation. The inspection of ships previous to their
putting to sea was a matter of great difficulty.
SALE OF LIQUORS ON SUNDAYS BILL.
Mr. J. A. Soil PH said he intended to move the second
reading of this bill that evening if possible, but he should
bring the matter forward after half-past 10 o'clock.
Mr. ROEBUCK said, a number of members had left
town under the impression that the bill would not be taken
previous to the Whitsuntide holidays, and, therefore, he
should avail himself of every form of the house to oppose
the progress of the bill.
WHITSUN HOLIDAYS.

On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.,
it was agreed that the house at its rising adjourn until
Thursday next.
THE GREENWICH SIXPENCE.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply,
Mr. TREVELYAN called the attention of the House
to the case of the old seamen who paid the Greenwich
sixpence before the year 1834. He said ho had presented
a petition from the old sailors of the merchant service
who had for a length of time had sixpence
a month deducted from their wages towards the
support of Greenwich Hospital. The old men had never
received any benefit from such contribution, and they
prayed that the case might be taken into favourable consi-
deration by the house. The Government had stated they had
proposed that a portion of Greenwich Hospital should bo
appropriated as an infirary for the mercantile mariner,
but old men would rmather have the money they had
paid returned to them, as it was n 0 NV very unlikely that
seamen of the merchant service would ever receive any
benefit from Greenwich Hospital, which was now wholly
appropriated to aged seamen of the Royal Navy. He
would not conclude by malting a motion or moving for
papers, but he would resume bis seat after asking the Go-
vernment to take the claims of the old seamen into their
favourable consideration.
Mr. LIDDELL said if doubts existed as to the rights of
those old men, he hoped the Government would give
the benefit of the doubt to the petitioners.
After a few observations from Mr. INGHAM in favour of
the appeal,
Mr. CHILDERS said as ho had the honour two years
ago to introduce the bill under which the Greenwich
Fund was administered, he would like to make ono
or two observations. At the time that bill was under
discussion this matter was touched upon, an
ground
their appeal. If the house elected to give those men any-
thing, it must be done by direct vote of the house, as the:e
was no part of the Greenwich Fund available for such
purpose. In 1711 it was enacted that no person but those
serving in the Royal Navy should be entitled to the ad-
vantages of the hospital; but some time after it was
enacted that merchant seamen maimed or disabled
in the defence of the country should be ad-
mitted to the hospital provided they produced
certificates of good character, therefore the hospital was
not altogether appropriate to the men of the royal navy.
Mr. CORRY thought the merchant service had received
wore advantages from Greenwich Hospital than was equi-
valent to their contributions. He did not think that
the claims of the petitioners rested on any valid ground.
Mr. CANDLISH said it was evident these men had no
legal claim, or they would have a legal remedy without
applying to Parliament. He thought it was a great hard-
ship that men fer thirty years should have the sixpence
taken from them by law, and then when they stood in
need of assistance that they should be refused the slightest
help.
The subject then dropped.
THE SALE OF LIQUOR ON SUNDAYS BILL.
In reply to Col. EDWARDS,
Mr. J. ABEL SMITH postponed the motion for the
second reading of the bill until the 26th of June.
[LEFT SITTING.]