The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-08 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-THIS EVENING.

The house met to-day at half-past four o'clock for the
purpose of swearing in members, at which time the Lord
Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack, and the cere-
mony lasted until five o'clock.
THE CATTLE PLAGUE.

In reply to a question from a noble lord,
Earl RUSSELL said that he would receive a deputation
from the Agricultural Association on this subject next
Monday.

The Earl of CARNARVON complained of the course
which had been taken in regard to the proposition which
had been made for a national fast in consequence of the
great calamity which had befallen the agricultural classes
by reason of the cattle plague. In such cases, when the
country was visited with a calamity, it was usual to have
recourse to national humiliation.

Earl RUSSELL said that there had been already a form
of supplication adopted on this subject, and he thought the
noble lord should have postponed his observations until ho
was made acquainted with all the facts.
The Bishop of LINCOLN said that, speaking from the
experience of his own diocese, ho was satisfied that a large
portion of the community were not satisfied with the ar-
rangement referred to by the noble lord (Russell), but
expected that there would be a special national humilia-
tion on this subject.

SALES OF ESTATES AT PUBLIC AUCTIONS.
Lord St. LEONARDS rose to draw the attention of the
house t•o the law relating to biddings at the sales by auc-
tion of estates, and asked for leave to bring in a bill on the
' subject. Ho said that the present state of the sales of estates
by public auction was most unsatisfactory. It was well
known that no estate was sold in this country without
some person being present who represented the owner, and
who bid, in order that the estate should not bo sold under
its value. He did not object to that in principle but in
practice it led to great abuse. The existing system enabled
an auctioneer to bid for an estate, and he never knew a case
in which that privilege did not lead to mischief, for it led
to a fictitious value being placed on the estate. He cited
some cases in support of his statement. His object was to
give the bona fide bidder his proper position, and
enable him to get possession of an estate which
was not in the market as a genuine purchaser.
Tho noble and learned lord then referred to some facts in
connection with the present system to illustrate further his
views, and contended that the existing law on the sub-
ject required more stringent and complete revision. Tho
interests of the public were concern in this matter, and jus-
tice might be done to those interests without inflicting any
injustice whatever on the owner of real property brought
to auotion. At present the purchaser was saddled with
expenses, such as the making out the title of the orginal
proprietor of the estate, which should properly fall on the
seller. Tho hardships arising from that state of things
were very serious and demanded redress.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said the house was in.
debted to the noble and learned lord for bringing this im.
portant subject forward, but at present only a general opi-
nion could be given on it.
The bill was then read a first time.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING:.
The SPEAKER took the chair at a quarter before four.
ELECTION PETITIONS.

Petitions wore presented, complaining of undue returns
for the boroughs of Wexford, Hertfordshire, and Bridge-
north.

The SPEAKER informed the house that he had received
a letter from Mr. Stirling, informing him that it was not his
intention to defend his seat for Dunbarton.
COMMANDERS IN THE ROYAL NAVY.

Sir L. PALK gave notice that on the 6th of March he
would bring the position of the Commanders and Masters
of the Royal Navy under the consideration of the house.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH RAILWAY GUARDS.
Mr. SHERIDAN gave notice on an early day he should
move for leave to bring in a bill to make it compulsory on
railway companies to effect a connection between guards
and engine-drivers on railways.