The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-02 00:00:00

THE NEW PEERS.

The new peers, Lords Cairns and Colonsay, took their
seats and the oaths.
THE ENFIELD AND SNIDER RIFLES.

The Earl DE GREY and RIPON said that certain
statements had appeared relative to the difference
between the Enfield and Snider rifles. He thought it his
duty to mention that subject to the house. These para-
graphs had appeared in certain public prints relative to
experiments that had lately been made at Aldershot.
Perhaps the noble lord opposite representing the War-
office would be able to answer the question, and to state
what was the foundation for those statements.
Lord LONGFORD stated, in reply, that there had been
a trial of the two riffs mentioned, and that Mr. Thompson,
an inspector of mrtticolry; who had conducted the trial,
had stated that so far from the Snider rifle at Aldershott
being unsatisfactory, it was highly successful, and that
although at tho long ranges it might not be so efficient as
the Enfield, it was much more adapted to the services of
war. There had been several trials to test the accuracy of
the Snider rifle, and each had fully proved that it was ad-
mirably constructed in that respect.
Lord DALHOUSIE objected that though the Snider
rifle might be a good weapon as regarded its accuracy
that it was too encumbered by machinery to be a simple
weapon in the bands of a private soldier. Ile had always
been of opinion that a proper committee of military people
should be appointed to inquire into the individual value of
these weapons. _ _

The subject then dropped.
THE ELECTIONS IN IRELAND.

The Duke of ST. ALBANS moved for a copy of the
instructions issued to officers commanding regiments and
detachments called upon to aid the civil power in maintaining
order at recent elections of members of Parliament in Ire-
land, and also a copy of the instructions issued to the
magistrate concerning the use of the troops, and a report
from the General commanding the forces respecting the
employment of the military in aid of the civil power.
He (the noble Duke) would wish that these papers, which
would throw light upon the proceedings that had taken
place at the late elections in Ireland, should be placed be-
fore that house, inasmuch as many reports had been circu-
lated relative to the scenes that had occurred at those

elections.
Lord LONGFORD said that at these various
elections barricades and other objects of offence had
been exhibited by the people, and that the
military had behaved on all occasions, when they
assisted the civil power, with the greatest moderation;
and at Tipperary, where a disturbance had occurred, no
loss of life had been sustained. The noble lord then
quoted reports from Lord Strathnairn and others, showing
the extreme moderation of the troops in all these dis-
turbances.
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE stated that the employ-
ment of troops at elections was highly objection-
able ; but considering the disturbances that were
likely to take place at elections in Ireland—
Tipperary, Waterford, and elsewhere—it was the duty of
the civil power to call In the aid of the military, and the
latter were bound to act. At the election at Waterford,
although an unfortunate occurrence had taken place., yet
be considered that the troops had moderately performed
their duty. The Duke, referring to the events at Dungar-
van, expressed his deep regret at the loss of life that had
occurred, but from the information he bad received he
declared his conviction that no blame was to be attached
to the troops, who had borne insult, menace, and assaults
with patience and forbearance, circumstances which be
hoped the public would remember when considering the
melancholy catastrophes which had occurred at the Water-
ford election.
Lord GREY agreed that it was desirable to avoid hav-
ing recourse to military aid in civil disturbance, but ob-
served that the first duty of a Government was to protect
her Majesty's subjects in the exorcise of their lawful rights.
The motion for papers was not pressed.
The Lip Pendens. Bill and the Sale of Land by Auction
Bill were severally read a third time.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of the Irypothec Amendment (Scotland) Bill, *bich
motion, after some objections from Lord Selkirk and a
qualified support from Lord Dalhousie, was agreed to.
The sitting was closed at 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKEII took the chair at 4 o'cloulc.
BUNIIILL-FIELD _BURIAL GROUNDS.
Mr. MILLS asked the Judge Advocate-General if, when
the present lease of the ancient burial-ground of Dunhill-
fields to the Corporation of London expired, it was the
intention of. the Ecclesiastical Commis*ioners to preserve
it inviolate and hi perpetuity, together with the vaults
rad graves, and to provide for it:: future maintenance in
decent order ; if so, whether it was intended to promote a
bill in Parliament for these purposes.
Mr.IIOWI3IIIY said it was the intention of the Ecclesiast-
ical Commi,,sioners to preserve inviolate and in perpetuity
the vaults and grave in Banhill-fields. Certain questions
with resiwet to its future maintenance were still pending
between the Corporation and the Ecelet;iastical Commis-
sioners, but as the lease did not expire until Christmas
next, it was not the intention of the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners to propose a bill on the subject during the pre-
sent session.
SPECIAL JURORS.

Mr. LUSK asked the Solicitor-General if his attention
had been called to the length of time jurymen in the
metropolis had frequently to wait before they were called
on the trial for which they were summoned, to the in-
convenience cf their having three or four summonses
for different courts in one week, and to the frequency with
-which tho same persons had to serve ; and, if so, whether
it was his opinion that a measure could be devised to fix
the day when jurymen were actually required to attend, to
make the fees of special jurymen more in accordance with
the time they were compelled to serve, and if it would not
be to the public interest that trials should be shortened ?
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said his attention had
been directed to the matter, but the inconvenience occa-
sioned by jurymen having to wait arose from the fact that
being summoned for a particular trial the one pre-
ceding it occupied a longer time than was antici-
pated. Ho did not think any measure could be de-
vised to meet that inconvenience. With respect
to the remuneration of special jurors, of course
it could bo increased, but he did not. think that
ought to be done until something was done for com-
mon jurors, who now only received Bd. for each trial. He
did not see how it was possible to shorten trials, neither
did he think it would be for the public advantage that it
should be done.
DISTRESS AMONGST SHIPWRIGHTS.
Mr. HENDERSON asked the First Lord of the
Admiralty whether specifications for building iron gun-
boats and other ships of war are not being prepared, and
whether it was the intention of the Admiralty to invite
tenders from the builders on the Thames exclusively, or
whether builders in other parts of the kingdom should
have the opportunity of tendering for such vessels.
Sir J. FASINGTON said it was .the intention to con-
struct a number of ships to give employment to a number
of persons who stood in need of it. Specifications had
been prepared, and it was intended to invite tenders from
the companies on the Thames ; but at the same time be
might say that the contracts would not be exclusively con.
fined to those parties, but all builders would bo invited,
and the best and most advantageous contractors would be
accepted