The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-24 00:00:00

1•••••••••••••
I DTPEE,IAL PAILLLA.JENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.—LAST EVENING.
The Lonn CILINCELLOR took his seat on tho 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 SuarrEssuns,
The Earl of DERBY sail that these young ladies had
arrived at Sheffield, and that the best course which could
be pursue I 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* pursued.

The subject then dropped.
The Waterlo., and Whitehall Railway (Extension of
Time, dc,;.) :And Tynomouth 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 MS 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.

lIOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
no SPEAKER 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 tho 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 he should move an
amendment 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 .£l.
Sir A. AGNEW asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether the provision in the bill for the Representation of
the People, dame 23, as to providing separate polling
places " as nearly as possible" for every ZOO electors was
to be considered compulsory in every case ; or whether it
was meant that such arrangements should beat the discre-
tion of the local authorities in their several counties?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
arrangement was not compulsory, but it was 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,
in compliance with s. 41. of the Act 23 and 21 Vic. c. 125 ?
Mr. HARDY said the accounts mentioned were annual
returns, and it was not possible to present them at so early
a period, mere especially as they ware not at present
nearly complete.
THE SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM.
Mr. BENTINCK asked the Vice-President of the Com-
mittee of Council whether the secretary of the Depart-
ment of Science and Art had been appointed director of
the South Kensington Museum; whether two assistant
directors had also been appointed; and, if so, what were
their names, duties, and salaries ; .whether the director and
assistant directors were to act independently of the " art
refte ees" 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 gentlemen 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.

ALLEGED ESCAPE FROM A CONVENT.
Mr. WHALLEY asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether his attention had been given
to a statement in the Time 4 newspaper of the 11th of
May, that six young ladies had escaped from a con-
vent at Glossop, and having walked to Sheffield, a dis-
tance of twenty-five miles, were there taken charge of
by the police, and by them handed over to another con-
vent called Notre Dame, at the request of the Superior of
the convent from which they had escaped ; whether it was
his opinion that the police at Shefli,l4l were justified in so
acting, ; whether any inquiry would be instituted as to the
circumstances connected with this escape; and, generally,
whether any, and what means were avalable for affording
protection to any such parsons against detention in con-
vents against their will ?
Mr. HARDY said, in accordance with the directions of
the right hon. gentleman his predecessor in office, a letter
had been addressed to the mayor of Sheffield,
asking for information on the subject. A letter
bad been received from that gentleman, 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, whore 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-treatul 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.)
DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
Mr. REARDEN asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if
any and what steps had been taken by her Majesty's Go-
vernment for the immediate relief of the almost famine-
stricken poor in extensive districts of the west of Ireland.
Lord NAAS sail much distress unfortunately existed in
Connemara, but some public works had commenced, which
is was hoped would give employment to a large number of
persons. Everything that was possible to alleviate the
distress would be done, and it was to be hoped with good
effect.

THE REPORTED MUTINY OF TROOPS IN
INDIA.

Mr. STANSFELD asked whether the G;ivarnment had
received any official information relative to the reported
outbreak amongst the troops iu India?
Sir S. NORTHCOTE said the Government bad no
further information than that published iu the newspapers.
THE REFORM BILL.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was
not intended to proceed with the Scoters bill that even-
ing. With respect to the amendment of the hon. mem-
ber for Newark, it could be dealt with by cfauses in the bill.
With respect to the manner in which it was proposed to
go on with the bib, ho thought it would be right,
*specially as there had been some discussion on the
thirty-fourth clause, after they had decided upon
the fourth clause, which set out the county franchise,.that
they should at once proceed to consider -clause 34, and
thus dispose of the matter as soon as possible. He should
also propose that next week there should be morning
eittinge on Tuesdays and Fridays, at which they could
proceed with the other clauses of the Reform Bill.
(Hear, hear.) He thought it would be very desirable
that some alteration in the hours of sitting should
be made, and he thought it would be productive
of great convenience if they commenced their sitting
at two o'clock in the afternoon and continued until seven,
and then suspend the sitting from seven until nine o'clock.
lle thought from seven to nine the time at which the greatest
disinclination for business existed in the house. He would
not make any formal motion then, but after his proposals
had been thought over by hon. gentlemen opposite, he
would on Monday make the motion in accordance with
the suggestions he had just given to the house.
HABEAS CORPUS ACT (IRELAND) CONTINU-
ANCE BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. MAGUIRE made a very vigorous and energetic
speech, accusing the English Parliament with slightingthe
wants of Ireland, and that state of things had brought about
the Fenian conspiracy. He condemned the manner in
which the trials of the Fenians conspirators had taken
place, and concluded by asking the Government to pursue
a more liberal course of policy towards Ireland, which
would do away with all necessity for passing bills for the
suspension of the Habeas Corpus.
Mr. ROEBUCK—The.questionl asked myself when I
heard the speech of the hon. member was, for what purpose
was that speech made ?—(hear, hear)-and I found it very
difficult to answer. The hon. gentleman began by assailing
the Government concerning the late Fenian outbreak, an .I
demanding so answer to this question—that the Govern-
ment, being in communication with one of the Irish rebels
who had betrayed his friends, in spite of his asseverations,
stated that they believed Ireland was peaceful? The
seluence was that Ireland was not peaceful, and that the
Government were to blame because men were tried and
convicted there on the information and evidence of in-
formers. Has it ever been possible in any conspiracy to
convict without the evidence of one of the conspirators'?
Was that informer wrong? Did not the persons reiterate
after their conviction the very thing which had been
urged against them—that they would du again what they
dune? Those men had conspired against England,
and they were very properly convicted. Can any one say
that the trials in Ireland had been unjust? Never were
fairer trials in this world. Can any hon. gentleman then

b tali(' up iu this house and accuse the Government oppo-
site of authing wrong ? There was no wrong up to this
point, but then tho hon. gentleman rushes in to the whole