The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-16 00:00:00

hensive plan had not been decided on, and one that would
bavo taken in the embankment of the Thames.
After some remarks from Sir J. SHELLEY,
General CODRINGTON said the most important part
of the question was the outlet. Care should bo taken in
removing a nuisance from one place that they did,not in-
flict it, on another locality.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—I think
that I may congratulate the inhabitants of the metropolis
upon the wanner in which, generally speaking, the proposi-
tion of the Government has been received. So far as we are
concerned the measure is chiefly of a financial character,
and I cannot say that I regret that the Government have
thought proper to limit their interference to the financial
part of the subject, (Hear.) One result of the bill will be
to convert the Metropolitan Board of Works into a real
corporation. It will give them power ; with that power
they will feel a sense of duty, and I cannot doubt that a
body of Englishmen, elected by a very large and en-
lightened constituency, will do their duty, and that their
conduct will entitle them to the confidence and respect of
their fellow-citizens. We have given them great responsi.
bility, but we hays also given them considerable resources,
and I think that the union will be satisfactory. (Hear.)
I will not touch upon the scientific portion of the question,
which scarcely comes within the scope of the bill ; but I
may tell my hon. friend, who speaks with authority on the
subject, that we make it a condition with the Metropolitan
Board of Works that they shall effect the object which we
desire, that that result shall be attained by the system of
intercepting sewers, and that provision shall be made for
such temporary and permanent works of deodorisatiou as
the metropolis has a right to require. (Hear.) With re-
spect to the recommendation of the hon. member for De-
vonport that assistance should be given to the Board
of Works by the Exchequer Bill Loan Commissioners,
I may say that we did not consider that proposi-
tion, but that the result of our deliberations led us to a
different conclusion from that at which the hon. gen-
tleman has arrived. I see no roeeee arhntrver shy. ureter
this bill any tel vance cf public money need take place. The
board will have the power of issuing bonds and debentures,
which probably they will do at a fixed rate of interest, and
they will obtain for them a sum of money according to the
rate of interest in the market. At all events, they will
have the power to deal with their own bonds and deben-
tures, and I have no doubt that they will become a very
popular and satisfactory security, supported, as they will
be, by the guarantee of the Government. (Hear, hear.)
Another subject of importance to which the hon. gentle-
man called attention was the necessity of considering
whether a large and valuable portion of public buildings
should continuo to be exempted from rating. So far as I am
concerned I think that the principle of exemption is a very
bad one, and certainly in financial legislation it should
always be avoided. (Hear, hear.) The question (lid come
under our consideration ; but as a committee of the House
of Commons has been appointed to investigate the whole
subject I cannot doubt that we are approaching a time
when almost all exemptions from rating will cease. (Hear.)
The virtual effect of this will of course be a contribution
om the Consolidated Fund, but a contribution on sound
principles of finance. The inquiry of the committee, no
doubt, has been confined to the poor-rate, but that regu-
lates all rates ; and I have no doubt, if the decision of the
committee is acceded to by this house, that it will in-
fluence all rates. The gallant general who spoke last
seemed somewhat alarmed at the position in which
his constituents might be placed, but he will find a
proviso in the bill which renders it impossible for the
Metropolitan Board of Works to create a nuisance in any
quarter whatever ; and, even were there no Such proviso,
I believe the courts of law would come to the assistance of
his constituents. On the whole, I take a more sanguine
view of the probable effect of this measure in a financial
point of view than many gentlemen who have spoken. My
business being to provide a perfect security for the country,
the bill is so drawn that any excess of expenditure, if any
there should be beyond the 3,000,0001. here empowered to
be raised, will not be covered by our guarantee. It will
be necessary, however, for the Board of Works to keep a
separate banking account of this rate under the control of
the Treasury, and every security is taken that this 3d. rate
for 40 years shall he dedicated exclusively to the purposes
specified in the bill. It may at first sight seem a large
financial result to be able to construct public works to the
amount of 3,000,0001. by a 3d. rate, and at the end of the
term of 40 years not to find yourself in debt ; but the cal-
culation has been made by persons of the highest autho-
rity, and the house may rely on its accuracy. I propose to
read the bill a second time on Monday, and with regard to
an objection which has been taken on the point of order, I
am empowered to state, on the very highest authority ,that
I have made no mistake in introducing it in its present
form, and that no stage of its progress need be delayed on
that account. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. ROEBUCK said, the great objection to the Board
of Works was its present mode of election by the vestries.
Before long the people who paid the money would demand
to have the power of electing the persons who spent it, and
the Government would be called on to alter the constitu-
tion of the Board in that particular.
Leave was then given to bring in the bill, which was
subsequently brought in, and read a first time.
The Cornwall Submarine Mines Bill was read a second
time.

LEGITIMACY DECLARATION BILL.
The committee on this bill ' was resumed, and tho re-
maining clauses were agreed to, and th© bill was reported
to the house. It was ordered for third reading to-morrow.
CIVIL BILLS, &c. (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT
BILL.
Mr. WHITESIDE moved the second reading of this
bill.

Mr. COGAN moved as an amendment that it be read a
second time that day three months.

Mr. WALPOLEdefended the bill, of which the intou•
tion was to allow the assistant barristers to retire upon
pensions when no longer able to discharge their ditties.
The objections to the bill might be removed in committee.
The house divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment........ 52
Against it 97
Majority —36
' The bill was then read a second time.
Tho other orders wero disposed of, and the house ad-
journed.

Country Markets.

MANCHESTER—J[7I,Y 15.
There was a fair attendance at our market this morn-
ing, bat owing to the high prices demanded by holders
the business passing was very limited. Only the inferior
descriptions of English and American wheat could' hay. 1.
been obtained on lower terms. Flour also a slow sale, $t
the currency of this day so'nnight. Oats and oatmeal
were firm. English beans 2s and Egyptian is per quarter
dearer. Indian corn a fair demand, at previous rates.