The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-06 00:00:00

LIAMENT.

The Earl of SHREWSBURY asked her Majesty's Go-
vernment if, in completing the approaches to the two
Houses of Parliament, it was proposed to make any pro-
vision for the shelter of the horses and carriages of the
members of the two houses.

Earl GRAN VILLE said that temporary shelter would
be afforded for horses and carriages,,and when the law
courts were removed other arrangements would be made
for effecting the object of the noble lord.
The house then adjournred.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tins EVENING.

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.

LONDON (CITY) CORPORATION GAS BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. CRAWFORD said that after the second read-
ing, he should move that the bill be then com-
mitted to a select committee of twelve members,
of whom five shall be nominated by the committee of se-
lection, and that it be an instruction to the committee to
inquire into the operation and results of the Metropolis
Gas Act, 1860, in order to ascertain whether they have
divided more than 10 per cent., as settled by that
Act. The honourable gentleman then stated the ob-
jectionable manner in which the City of London
had been supplied with gas, and that all complaints were
useless. The corporation had determined to take the
matter into their hands, and the present application to
Parliament was the result. Many of the great
companies made considerable profits, and had divided
more than the maximum allowed by the act ; therefore, the
public had been precluded from all reduction of the price of
the article. Ho could not see why the gas companies should
object to the committee, provided they had not divided
more than 10 per cent. profit as allowed by the act. if
they had divided more than than that sum they had, in
point of fact, charged the public more than they had a right
to do, because the act expressly laid it down distinctly
that after that per centago had been paid all surplus
should go in reduction of the price to be charged for the
article to the consumer. The Corporation of London feel-
ing that the grievance had become unbearable—that the
article supplied was of the commonest description, whilst
the price charged was much higher than the companies
had a right to charge—had thought it right to come for-
ward and ask Parliament for powers to deal with such an
oppressive monopoly.
Viscount CRANBOURNE thought the house had agreed
to certain proposals with respect to the existing companies,
and therefore it would be a breach of faith for Parliament to
sanction this bill. Ho was by no means satisfied about the
quantity of the article Supplied to the consumer. Yet he
could not consent to the bill, which would only disturb,
without improving, the matter complained of.
Mr. A DAIR strenuously opposed the bill being read a
second time.
Alderman LAWRENCE supported the second reading.
He said the great gas companies seemed to be afraid
of going before a committee, or else they would not object
so strenuously to the bill going before a committee. The
gas companies supplied a pure article to the House of
Commons, whilst that supplied to the general consumer
was of a greatly inferior quality. The groat gas com-
panies might depend that demands would continue to be

made to Parliament until the present monopoly was
broken up.
Sir G. GREY thought there would be no breach of
faith in reading the bill a second time, and he thought
the best course to adopt was to allow the bill to go before
a committee as proposed.
Mr. ROEBUCK said, from the appearance of the house,
it was quite clear it had been packed for the occasion.
(Hear, hear.) And by whom had it been packed ?
Why, by the gas companies. (Hear, hear.)
They had taken membei s by the button and asked them to
vote, and, such being the case, he asked the house
if it was consisent with its own honour that
they should allow such a proceeding ? He asked
the house, therefore, to study its honour before they con-
sidered the propriety of extending the existence of a very
intolerable monopoly.
Mr. CRAUFURD opposed the second reading of the
bill. (Divide.)
Mr. AYRTON rose amidst loud cries of "Divide,' and
said he should support the proposition, because he was cer-
tain without some parties possessed of large funds appeared
before the committee little good would be done. The
City of London wanted to combat the gas companies, they
said, in the benefit of the public generally, as it was the
first time they had ever passed from gastronomy to gas.
(Loud laughter.) He hoped the house would give them
the opportunity of spendinc, this money usefully, and agree
to the second reading of the bill. (Loud laughter.)
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading
Against it
Majority —26
The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be
referred to the committee as proposed by the hon. member
for the City of London.

stDivo
nEL
NfOo
oNr
RtDhoe
objectedN second
EoandthGeßlnoloi
toreathdoinpgroopf otshails, bainlld moved
as an amendment that the bill be road a second time that
day six months. Ho said it passed through the metropolis
for about three miles, all of which ground was now covered
with houses, it would cross Bond-street and
Hanover-
square, and it was possessed of capital to the amount
of £3,000,000, but he thought that there were certain
lines yet to be completed before they could judge of the
advisability of Parliament giving its assent to the bill now
under discussion.
Lord STANLEY said until the inner circle of railway,
which had already received the sanction of Parliament,
had been constructed it would be impossible to arrive at
the e'nclusion that the present railway was required.
The Mid-London Railway would interfere greatly with
private property and trade, and create the greatest incon-
venience. He thought at present it would not be advisable
to sanction the second reading of this bill.
Mr. T. CHAMBERS supported the bill because the
lino of railway was much required, and because the pro-
moters proposed very liberal compensation to all those
disturbed in their homes by its construction.
The amendment of the noble earl was agreed to, and
bill was rejected without a division.
[LEFT SITTING.]

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
LAW OF EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL.-

DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BILL,

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second
reading of these bills, said that a necessity for an alteration in
the law of evidence had become necessary, and as regarded
the second bill, his attention had been drawn to certain
anomalies in the present law of evidence as regarded divorce
suits by the able and learned judge who presided over the
Probate and Divorce Court. At present the petitioner and
respondent could be examined only so far as related to
charges of cruelty, whereas they were excluded from giv-
ing evidence in respect to adultery. He contended
that it was most unjust that parties who were so
deeply interested in the result of their suits should
not bo allowed to give evidence on their
oaths as to the gravest charge, and so enable the Court to
take into consideration the relative credibility of the wit-
nesses. Having referred to the opinion of the late Judge
Ordinary as to the necessity of a revision of the existing
law, he said that one of the great objections to allowing
parties to a suit being examined was that they might be
asked as to whether they had committed adultery, would
be obviated by the provision which he had introduced into
the bill, which would prevent either party to a suit being
called upon to answer a question criminating themselves.
He proposed also that parties to a suit should be allowed
to give evidence as to the adultery, but that such evidence
was not be compellable. He explained that there were
technical grounds for introducing both these bills sepa-
rately; and he concluded by moving the second reading
of the bills respectively.

Lord CHELSMFORD strongly opposed the bill. As re-
garded the bill relating to the Divorce Court, although it
contained only a single clause which appeared to be purely
legal, yet it really involved a serious alteration in the present
system. He was very much opposed to any relaxation of
the existing law, and he contended that the object which
his noble and learned friend (the Lord Chancellor) proposed
would not be effected. Ho moved as an amendment that
the bill be read a second time that day six months.
Lord TAUNTON also opposed the bill, and their lord-
ships dividing, there appeared an equal number for and
against the second reading—namely, 29 to 29 ; whereupon
the Lord Chancellor, in accordance with the usual prac-
tice, gave his voice to the non-contents, and the bill was
lost.

The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill was read a
second time.

The Cattle Diseases (Ireland) Bill was, after a short dis-
cussion, read a second time, and the standing orders hay-
ing been suspended, went through committee and was read
a third time and passed.

The Savings Banks and Post-office Savings Banks Tii
was rend a second time.

Their lordships adjourned at half-past six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.

THE DEVONPORT ELECTION PETITION.

Lord C. PAGET hoped to be allowed to correct a mis•
take he had made the other evening, when the matter of

the election petition was under the notice of the house,

He had said that the telegram directing facilities to be
given for the service of the Speaker's warrant to the
authorities at Devonport dockyard had been issued by
direction of the First Lord, the Duke of Somerset. Tho
order, however, issued from the Board of Admiralty, and
not from the Duke of Somerset personally.

Mr. 11011SMAN said he had been requested by Mr.
Phinn, one of the defeated candidates at the last election

for Devonport, to assure the house not only that ho was no
party to promoting the petition against the sitting mem-
bers, but had declined to have anything to do with it, and
that the first intimation he had received of the matter
was from the notice of motion •given by Sir John
Pokington, on Tuesday the 27th of February, which he
read in the second editian of The Sun of that day.
Further, he had declared more than a month ago that,
having received retainers from several members of the
house to defend their seats, it would be incompatible with
his duties to claim a seat for himself this session.
Sir J. PARINGTON reiterated his opinion that the con-
duct of the Admiralty in the matter had been gravely culp-
able and improper, and expressed a hope that the trans-
action would be made the subject of inquiry by a select
committee of the house. Tho right hon. baronet also gave
notice that ho would this day or on Thursday move the
appointment of such a committee.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
that the words of the orders given by the board were
simply, " Telegraph to Plymouth that the necessary foci-
litieg for serving warrants may be 'permitted." Inquiries
had been made on the subject, and it had been ascertained
that a personal service of the warrant was requisite.
Letters had already been sent to Devonport for the pur-
pose of obtaining information, and in the courso.of two or
three days the answers to those communications would,
he hoped, be laid upon the table of the house. When that
had been done tho right hon. baronet could judge for him-
self what was the real magnitude of the case, and the
Government would be prepared to say whether they con-
sidered that inquiry by a select committee was necessary.
Mr. W. HUNT thought the proper way to have
served the warrants was for the person in charge of them
to have stationed himself at the dockyard gates, and upon
the voters being indicated to him to have served them as
they passed out to their meals. If that course had been
adopted no complaint need have been made.

Tho otherquestions discussed on the motion for supply,
were the patent of the Minister for War, the rocent coup
d'etat in Roumania, and the building operations in New
Palace-yard.

The house having gone into committee,
The Marquis of lIARTINGTON proposed the military
estimates for the financial year 1866-67. In doing so ho
observed that whilst no important changes were contem-
templated in the army the estimates showed a reduction
of £250,000, as compared with the previous year. This
saving was not in itself considerable, but it should be re-
membered that it was made in a year succeeding series
of four or five years in which other reductiodns had
been efiected. In fact, the army estimates b
reduced since 1862-63 by something liken_
year were
v,000,000.
~
The principal items of increase for the
in the votes for provisions at home, f
and for the volunteers. The total number of :men of all
arms proposed to be voted was 138,117.
No change would
:r8 the militia,
take place in the artillery, cavalry, or guards ; but a small
change would be made
in tihehienni military
etrah
andanbde
eaneffectedmaterial
change in the infantry. v
24 in the co
there would be 50 bioanttiaelsi.onsTahtehotolelaiinndinb9elr
of in-
cludingabroad,infantryii be '6 164 men against 80,574 provided for in the
estimate of the expiring year. The total diminution of
men would thus be 4,523. The reduction would affect 'B2
captains, but 30 unattached colonelcies and a similar num-
ber of majorities would be created, thus providing for 60
captains. A hundred and sixty-four subalterns would also
be reduced, and these would be provided for as soon as
possible, those unemployed continuing supernumeraries
until the opportunities arose for absorbing them. With
regard to recruiting, the Government did not propose
to augment the pay of the men ; but they intended to ap-
point a Royal commission to inquire into the whole subject ;
and especially into the operation of the Limited Enlistment
Act. After noticing the progress made at Woolwich with
the improved ordnance, the manufacture of small arms, and

the general administration of the army, the noble marquis
glanced at the alleged existence of Fenianism amongst the
troops, and observed that although many recruits might

have enlisted in Ireland with the design of propagating
their political principles, neither his Royal Highness the
Commander in Chief nor Sir Hugh Rose entertained the
slightest doubt of the loyalty of the forces in Ireland. The
suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act had already pro-
duced much good, and greater facilities now existed for

obtaining evidence against soldiers who might have com-
promised themselves by joining the movement.
General PEEL, in the course of a lengthened criti-
cism of the estimates,° expressed his approval of the
intention to appoint a Royal commission to inquire into
the subject of recruiting, and the operation of the Limited
Enlistment Act. He was not prejudiced in favour of long
enlistments, but he recommended that all enlistments
should be for a uniform period of 12 years.
A long discussion followed, in which the military mem-
bers of the house took the leading part, the subjects de-
bated including, inter alia, the improvement of small arms
musketry training, fortifications, military education, the
reserve fund, promotions, War-office clerkships, and the
marriage of soldiers. Eventually the vote of 138,117
men for the British army was agreed to, as was also the
next vote of 178 men belonging to the native Indian army
employed in Labnan.
On the vote of £5,362,400 for the general staff, regimen-
tal pay, allowances, and charges, a long discussion took
place relative to the Ilythe School of Musketry, and a
motion was undo that the chairman should report pro-
gress. A division was taken thereon, Lut negatived by
55 to 43 ; and the vote was then agreed to, and the house
resumed.

Tho Princess Helena's Annuity Bill was read a third
time and passed; the Prince Alfred's Annuity Bill was
passed through committee, and the Marine Mutiny Bill
was read a second time.

The house adjourned at 20 minutes before one,

LONDON GAZET/E—This Evening.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, MARCH 3.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Frederic
Rankling() as Consul at Montreal, Canada, for his Majesty
the Emperor of Austria.
The Queen has also been pleased to approve of M
Theodor Knaus as Consul in London for his Majesty the
King of Wurtemberg.
INDIA OFFICE, Meilen 3.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Richard Couch,
Esq., now a Judge of the High Court at Bombay, to be
Coief Justice of the said Court.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Sir Charles Sar-
gent, Knt., to be a Judge of the High Court of Bombay.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Wm. Markby,
Esq., Barrister at Law, to be a Judge of the High Court at
Calcutta.

The Queen has been pleased to appoint Charles Collett,
Esq., of the Madras Civil Service, to be a Judge of the
High Court at Madras.
CROWN-OFFICE, MARCH 2.
MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.

Borough of Tiverton -The Hon. George Denman, in the
room of Henry John, Viscount Palmerston, deceased.
County of Limerick-Colonel the Right Hon. William
Monsell, Vice-President of the Committee of Privy
Council for Trade and Plantations.
ADMIRALTY, MARCH 2.
The undermentioned officers have been this day pro_moted to the rank of Master in her Majesty's fleet:—
Erasmus Croydon Roberts, Esq. ; Charles Frederick
Gulliver, Esq. ; Joseph Shellabear Vivian, Esq ; Heaver
Sugden, Esq. ; Alfred Smith Bradley, Esq. ; Wil-
liam Horn, Esq.; Francis John Gray, Esq. ; Thurston
Stringer, Esq.; George Edward Gresley Jackson, Esq. ;
Frederick Kibbey Taylor, Esq. ; Andrew William Miller,
Esq. ; and John. Bell Johnson, Esq.