The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-12 00:00:00

relating to a naval coast reserve ; but in its intention it was
very different. The previous measure dealt with those
fishermen and others on the coast who were naturally un-
willing to be taken away from the country, and, therefore,
though they might be made available for manning gun-
boats and other small craft, were not available when a fleet
required to be manned. Consequently, it was thought desir-
able by the commission that another force should be created,
and it was believed that by offering to seamen a small sum
by way of retaining fee, and a pension after some years ser-
vice, they would be willing to enrol themselves, go through
a drill; and be ready on a sudden emergency to man the
fleet. So far as experience went there were some grounds
for believing that this measure would be effectual for its
purpose, because the Naval Coast Volunteers had been en-
rolled to the number, hewas told, of 6,000 or 7,000, of whom
5,000 were well trained and as efficient as any other men in
the navy. Still, the necessity for a greater number led to
the introduction of the present bill, which proposed to give
15 a year and the pay of seamen during 28 days drill to such
as enrolled themselves. These sailors might go to any
part of the world they pleased, so long as it was
known where they were to be found. There would be no
objection to their going to distant places, for if war broke
out
sailors would be wanted not only here but in other
parts of the world. The plan adopted in the bill was an
experiment, and, as such, powers were only taken in the
bill to make regulations. The excellence of the plan would
of course depend on these regulations, which would be made
by the Admiralty, communicating with the Board of Trade,
shipping masters, and persons best able to suggest what re-
gulations would be most likely to bring in the seamen in the
manner wanted. What was desired in the first instance
was that a beginning should be cautiously made. This was
no party question, for all persons were equally anxious that
some measure of this sort should succeed. It had been ex-
amined with great care by the commissioners, by whom it
was almost unanimously agreed to. Mr. Lindsay had drawn
up another and a valuable report, and to many of the sug-
gestions due attention would be paid by the Admiralty. He
would add that the present measure by itself was not all
that was required for producing a good reserve. Another
important measure was the training of boys in training
schooli, so that in a few years they would become good
sailors. That measure he thought would be wise, but it
would require great consideration, and it was thought bet-
ter no to mix the questions up together in the present bill.
When the plans which he had mentioned should be carried
out, he did not doubt but that we should have rendered ira-
pressnt unnecessary if it were still possible, and, moreover,
we shciuld have a better body of seamen than under any
system of impressment. As he had said, this plan was only
an experiment, but he had sanguine hopes of its success,
and no efforts would be wanting on the part of the Govern-
ment to render it effective in providing a sufficient reserve
of seamen.
The 'Earl of ELLENBOROUGH approved the measure,
and thought the country was indebted to the commissioners
for their valuable report. He had, however, one apprehen-
sion as, to the working of the measure. If only men who
were engaged in the coasting trade or upon short voyages
were engaged there would be no difficulty ; but if men who
engaged under the provisions of this measure were permit-
ted to sail upon long voyoges they would not be forthcom •
ing when wanted. He wished to know whether the act was
to be limited to sailors engaged upon the home coasts or
whether it would apply to all sailors.
The Duke of SOMERSET said the bill did not provide
either way upon that point, which would have to be dealt
with by the regulations. His own impression was that it
would be unwise to limit the distance to which sailors
should be allowed to go.
The 'Earl of ELLENBOROUGH suggested that at least
each sctilor who went upon a long voyage should only do so
upon condition of providing a substitute to appear for him
in case of need.
The hill then passed through committee.

The following bills were then passed through com-
mittee :—Government of India Act Amendment, In-
closure Act Amendment, Stock in Trade Exemp-
tion, Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Continuance, Corrupt Prac-
tices Prevention Act Continuance, Poor-law Boards (pay-
ment of Debts), Charitable and Provident Societies, Weights
and Measures Act Amendment, Turnpike Acts Continu-
ance, and Dublin Police.
MEDICAL ACTS AMENDMENT BILL.

--
On the order of the day that this bill should go into com-
mittee,
Lord DUNGANNON said the parties interested in this
question had not had an opportunity of stating their case,
and he moved that the bill be committed that day three
months.
The LORD CHANCELLOR remarked that the bill did
not involve any new principle.
Lord KINGSDOWN said there had been no opportu-
nity of investigating the subject, and one portion of the
measure had actually been thrown out this session.
After some farther discussion the bill passed through
committee.
WAKEFIELD ELECTION. _ _ _

Earl GRANVILLE stated that a conference had taken
place with some members of the House of Commons respect-
ing the appointment of a commission of inquiry with regard
to the recent Wakefield election, it being necessary that both
houses should concur in the address to her Majesty for that
purpose. He moved that their lordships agree to the address.
After a few words from Lord REDESDALE, the motion
was agreed to.
MILITIA LAWS AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill was read a third time.
INCLOSURE BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
EUROPEAN TROOPS (INDIA) BILL.
The Duke of ARGYLL having moved the second read-
ing of, this bill.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH rejoiced that her Ma-
jesty's Government had come to the conclusion that it was
necessary to have a local army of royal troops in India.
That army should, in his opinion, be of sufficient amount
to maintain self respect and to make itself respected by
others. As regarded the recent mutiny of British troops in
India he could not help regretting that the Indian Govern-
ment did not at once explain to the men the real state of
the case, believinc, that if they had done so, what was so
lamentable would not have occurred. It was necessary not
merely to act with justice towards the troops, but to make
them understand that you did so.
The bill was then read a second time and passed through
committee.
PEERAGES IN ABEYANCE.

Lord REDESDALE called the attention of the house to
the subject of peerages in abeyance. The noble lord said
he regretted that the change of Government had prevented
any step from being taken in the matter; but he was still
of opinion that the question was one requiring considera-
tion, and that something should be done to prevent an un-
necessary occupation of the time which should be devoted
to judicial business.
Their lordships adjourned at ten minutes to 8.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 2 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. BENTINCX took the oaths and his seat for the borough
of Taunton.
PETITIONS.

Petitions were presented in favour of reading the Word
of God in schools in India ; for the repeal of the duty on
paper, for legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister,
for the postponement of the improvement of the Serpen-
tine, &c.
CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES.
Mr. W. EWART moved for a return from the Ecclesi-
astical Commissioners for England of every payment made
to them since the Ist of August, 1857, on account of any
suspended stall or stalls in the cathedral or collegiate
churches of England and Wales (in continuation of Parlia-
mentary paper, No. 338, of session 1857).—Ordered.
CHAPTERS.

On the motion of Mr. N. EWART a return relative to
grants, and reductions allowed since 1857, to the several
chapters of England and Wales was ordered.
ANNUITY TAX (EDINBURGH).
Mr. HADFIELD, in the absence of Mr. Black, moved
the following, which was ordered :—Address for returns of
the number of summonses raised against persons for pay-
ment of annuity-tax in Edinburgh from the 10th day of
August, 1857, to the 10th day of August, 1859 ; of the
number of persons arrested during the same period ; of the
number of persons imprisoned during the same period ; of
the amounts for which each person was imprisoned during
the same period; of the number of arrestments of bank ac-
counts, rents, or other monies during the same period ; of
the number of cases of poinding and sales during the same
period ; of the highest and lowest amount for which indivi-
duals have been prosecuted during the same period; of the
highest and lowest rents upon which assessments have been
levied ; and, of the names of public buildings assessed and
amounts paid by each.
ARMY STAFF.

Captain VERNON gave notice that next session he
would draw the attention of the house to the staff of the
army, with a view to its reduction.
THE DEPUTATION OF MASTER BUILDERS.
Mr. E. JAMES asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he had any objection to state to
the house the object and the result of a conference held with
him by a deputation of the Central Association of Master
Builders on Tuesday last, upon the subject of the builders'
strike and the nine hours' movement.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that a deputation of the master
builders had an interview with him at the Home-office a
few days ago, for the object, as they stated, of making an
explanation of the causes of the difference between them
and the workmen. They showed reasons for the course
they had adopted, and expressed an opinion that the House
of Commons, Or her Majesty's Government, should take
some part in arbitrating between them and the workmen
with a view to effect some amicable arrangement. He re-
plied that the House of Commons was unfitted, to interfere
in the way proposed, and that the executive Government
could not exercise any such function; and, therefore, he
held out no hope to the deputation of their wish being car •
tied out.

STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHILTERN HUNDREDS
In reply to Mr. GRIFFITH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he did not consider that he should refuse the Chiltern Hun-
dred, merely because a petition was pending against the re-
turn of a member, because the House of Commons would
view with jealousy the interference of the executive with
one of their body.
CLEANSING THE SERPENTINE.

In reply to Sir J. PAXTON,
his intention
eleantospmroocethede with
the plan of Mr. Hawkesley
Mr. FITZROY said it wassfor
isentirely
gentleman then
would be sufficient. The right hon. .
Ser-
pentine, and the estimate of £17,000 voted by the house
occasions.
re-
peated substantially the statement he had made on previous
adj ent of the
Mr. CONINGHAM moved the ournm
Some irregular discussion ensued, and.
house in order to afford Mr. Stephenson an opportunity of
stating his views to the house.
After some remarks by different hon. members,
Mr. STEPHENSON said that he considered there had
been a great deal of unnecessary alarm in reference to the
state of the Serpentine. Supposing the water to be impure.
how were they to remedy it ? He saw the other day that
lime was thrown into the lake, the effect of which
was to kill the large fish who preyed on the
smaller, and therefore interfered with an important
agency supplied by nature for keeping the water in a whole-
some condition. The object proposed by Mr. Hawkesley
was to create an artificial stream, and he considered it would
prove effective.
After a few words from Sir J. Paxton, Mr. E. James,
and Mr. V. Scully,
Sir M. PETO expressed his conviction that the plan
would be effective in
purifying the water, which could be
rendeTed safe for bathers at an expense of £.500 or £6OO.
The motion was withdrawn and the subject dropped.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
Lori L RUSSELL laid on the table the correspondence
relative to the special mission to China and Japan.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE FOREIGN
SECRETARY AND THE BRITISH AMBAS-
SADOR AT NAPLES.
In reply to an HON. MEMBER,
nui
said it would net be advisable at
present to lay on
Lord J. BUS the table the correspondence that had
taken, ilace between himself and Sir James Hudson, rela-