The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-13 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—THIS EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

LIFEBOATS.

The Earl of MALIIESBURY gave notice that on
Friday next he would call the attention of the house to
the present inefficient supply of lifeboats on the coast.
SALE OF LAND BY AUCTION BILL.

On the motion for tho second reading of this bill,
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that he considered
the measure a useful one, but thought that it was suscept-
ible of improvement in some of the clauses, which might
be made before going into committee.

Lord CHELiiSFORD approved of the bill as likely to
remedy an evil which was admitted to exist under the pre-
sent system.

Lord KINGSDOWN, who was very imperfectly heard,
was understood to say that he thought legislation on this
subject was necessary, and would support the present
measure as a movement in tho right direction.

Lord ST. LEONARDS, who brought in the bill, said
that it provided the machinery requisite for effecting its
object, namely, of securing bona
„fide bidders at these
auctions, and by that means terminating the present
defects of the law by which bidders were allowed an
opportunity of running up the price at which an estate
was sold. The privileges possessed by auctioneers were
injurious to the capitalist, and the sooner they were got
rid of the better.

The bill was theh read a second time.
PRISONS' ACT.

The Earl of CARNARVON inquired of the Govern-
ment what arrangements they had made for giving effect
to the Prisons' Act of last session, by securing an ade-
quate inspection of the county and borough prisons-
The _object of the act was to afford efficient inspection,
but in practical effect the present inspection was a mere
formality. He contended that a great necessity existed
for an alteration in the present system, and he would be
happy to receive a satisfactory answer on a subject of such
importance.

Earl RUSSELL said that instructions had been give
on the subject.

The Earl of CARNARVON considered the noble lord had
given him no answer at all. What had the instructions
to—did they relate to increased expeniture, or to anything
else calculated to render the system of inspection more
efficient.

Earl RUSSELL was understood to say that the matter
would be referred to the Home Office.

The Earl of CARNARVON—Then, I will repeat my
question on Thursday next.
THE CATTLE PLAGUE.

In reply to the Earl of WrnllllmA,
The Duke of MARLBOROUGH said that the means
adopted in consequence of the order in Privy Council had
the effect of extending the disease, for where farmers found
that they were not to receive a compensation for the
slaughter of their cattle, they concealed the disease in
their stock, and took the matter in their own hands,
thereby disseminating the disease.
LLEFT SITTING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THis EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

No less than 95 private bills for new railway, gas, water
and improvement companies were read a second time,
amongst which were the Edgeware, Highgate, and London
Railway ; Great Northern (Potter's Bar, Barnet, and Hen-
don) Railway ; London and North Western (New Works)
Railway; London and South-Western (Poole Junction)
Railway ; Metropolitan Railway (Additional Works); and
West Middlesex Water Bills.
CATTLE PLAGUE.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE presented a petition signed by
600 agriculturists praying for compensation for their losses
by cattle plague.

Mr. GORE LANGTON presented similar petitions.
DAY SITTINGS.

Mr. EWART said he should postpone the motion which
stood in his name relative to the house sitting during the
day on Tuesday until Friday week.

ART UNIONS.

Lord R. MONTAGUE gave notice that on the 13th of
March he should move for a committee to inquire into the
law with respect to art unions.

COMMONS AND OPEN SPACES.

Mr. DOULTON asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department if it was the intention of her Majesty's
Government to introduce this session, a bill having for its
object the preservation of commons and open spaces in
and around the metropolis ?

Mr. COWPER said it was his intention to introduce a
bill on the subject. The bill was in preparation, and he
hoped to introduce it on an early day.

BANK CHARTER ACT.

Mr. SAMUELSON asked the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer whether he intended during the present session to in-
troduce an amendment of the Bank Charter Act of 1844,
enabling the Bank of England to increase its issues against
securities beyond the amount to which they are at present
limited by that act ?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
had no such intention.

EDUCATION.

Mr. FAWCETT asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether, viewing the deplorable condi-
tion of the children employed in many of the trades in
Sheffield and other towns, it was the intention of her Ma-
jesty's Government to introduce a measure for regulating
the employment and securing the education of those
children.

Sir G. GREY said his hon. friend the Under-Secretary
of State for the Home Departmeht intended very shortly
to ask leave to introduce a bilk which would, he tliought
effect the object of the hon. getitleman:

THE LEEDS BANKRUPTCY COURT. •
Mr. HOWES asked the Attorney-General whether any
stops had been taken to prosecute the Rev. George Rogers
Harding, Patrick Robert Welch, Esq., and the Hon. Richard
Bethel], or any of them, for corrupt practices in obtaining,
or attempting to obtain, a judicial appointment, as sug-
gested by the report of the select committee on the Leeds
Bankruptcy Court ; and, if no such steps had yet been
taken, what was the cause of the delay ?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, in accordance with
the recommendation of the select committee of the house,
criminal informations had boon filed against Mr. Welch
and Mr. Richard Bethel], and stood for trial next term, the
Crown being quite ready to proceed. With respect to Mr.
Harding, it was thought that he would be a very neces-
sary witness; therefore he was noi included in the pro-

ceedings taken against the other persons_ he had men-
tioned. "