The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-23 00:00:00

ISIBERIAL FARLIAYLENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.—LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
John Kendrick's Loan Charity, Skipton Grammar
School, and Devon and Somerset Railway Bills were read
a second time.
THE ELOPEMENT FROM GLOSSOP.
In answer to the Earl of SISAFTESBURY,
The Earl of DERBY said that these young ladies had
arrived at Sheffield, and that the best course which could
bo pursue' was, as they were advised, to seek out the
nearest religious place where they would be received.
This, in his (the noble earl's) opinion, was the best course
that could be pursued.
The subject then dropped.
The Waterloo and Whitehall Railway (Extension of
Time, &c.) and Tynemouth Parish Gas Bills were read a
third time and passed.
THE WHITE HERRINGS FISHERY BILL.
This bill, on the motion of the Duke of RICHMOND,
was committed.
THE CRIMINAL BILL.
Lord CRANWORTH said that he objected to certain
clauses of this bill.
The bill was ultimately read a second time.
TENURE (OF IRELAND) BILL.
A select committee was appointed to investigate into the
operations of this bill.
COUNTY PALATINE OF LANCASTER BILL.
The Earl of DEVON moved the second reading of this
bill, and it was read accordingly.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—THIS EVENING.
Thu SI'A.KEB, took the chair at four o'clock.
THE IRISH REFORM BILL.
Viscount ENFIELD gave notice that on an early day
he should call the attention of the house to the impro-
priety of postponing the introduction of the Irish Reform
Bill until after Whitsuntide.
THE ENGLISH REFORM BILL.
Mr. GREGORY gave notice that be should move an
atuendineut to the clause moved by Mr. P. Scrope, to the
effect that the landlord should be called upon to pay half
the rates for all tenants under £4.
Sir A. AGNEW asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether the provision in the bill for the Representation of
the People, clause 23, as to providing separate polling
places " as nearly as possible" for every 200 electors was
or whether it
to be considered compulsory in every case ;
was meant that such arrangements should beat the discre-
tion of the local authorities iu their several counties?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCUER said the
arrangement was not compulsory, but teas left to the dis-
cretion of the local officers.
THE GAS COMPANIES.
Mr. LOCKE asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department when the accounts of the Metropolitan Gas
Companies for the year 1866 would be laid upon the table,
iu compliance with s. 41 of the Act 23 and 24 Vie. c. 125 ?
Mr. tiARDY said the accounts mentioned were annual
returns, and it was not possible to present them at so early
a period, mcre especially as they were not at present
nearly complete.
THE SOUTH EENSINGTON MUSEUM.
Mr. B.ENTINCK asked the Vice-President of the Com-
mittee of Council whether the secraetar, if so
secretary
what waerrte-
he Dep
meut of Science and Art had been-appointed director of
the South Kensington Museum; whether two assistant
directors had also been appointed; and,
their name, duties, and salaries veliether the director d

assistant directors were to act independently of the "art
referees" in the selection of objects for purchase; and
whether it was true, as stated in the public journals, that
purchases had been already made at the Paris Exhibition
by the Science and Art Department ; and whether such.
purchases had the approval of the art referees.
Lord R. MONTAGU said it was quite true that the
Secretary of the Department of Science and Art had been
appointed Director of the South Kensington Museum, but
it had been done ten years ago. Three gentleman had also
been appointed assistant directors, but the salaries of each
had not at present been altered. These gentlemen would
not act independent of the art referees, and it was not true
that purchases had been already made on the part of the
South Kensington Museum at the Paris Exhibition.
A LLEGED ESCAPE FROM A CONVENT.
Mr. WHALLEY asked the Secretary of State for Vas
Home Department whether his attention had been given
to a statement in the Tunes newspaper of the 11.. h of
May, that six young ladies had escaped from a con-
vent at Glossop, and having walked to Sheffield, a dis-
tance of twenty-live miles, were there taken charge of
by the police, and by them banded over to another con-
vent called _Notre Dame, at the request of the Superior ot
the convent from which they had escaped ; whether it was
his opinion that the police at Sheffsld were justified in so
acting; whether any inquiry Nv ould be instituted as to the
circumstances connected with this escape; and, generally,
whether any, and what means were ava fable for affording
protection to any such persons against detention iu con-
vents against their will?

Mr. lIArDY said, iu accordance with the directions of;
the right hon. gentleman his predecessor in office, a lette r
had been addressed to the mayor of SheffieA
asking for information on the subject. A letter
bad been received iron that gentlennte, stating that
the place from which the girls ran away was a school at-
tached to a convent, and that thinking themselves ill-
treated they had ran away ; and on their arrival in
Sheffield, and finding themselves without means, they
applied to a police-constable for advice, and by him,
they were directed to the police, where they were
very kindly treated, and their friends communicated with.
The Mayor of Sheffield in his letter stated it was all a very
pretty story of "much ado about nothing." The Govern-
ment did not intend to make any further in-
quiry into the matter than had already been done, and if
the girls were ill-treated it was the duty of the father to
protect his child from cruelty of any description. It was,
of course, never expected that accommodation for a bevy
of runaway school girls would be required at any police
station. (Laughter.)