The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-24 00:00:00

BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS AND REGISTRIES

BILL.
The Earl of DONOUGHMORE moved the second read-
ing of this bill.
Lord CRANWORTH said he had no objection to the
bill, although he thought as the bill had only been delivered
yesterday there had been scarcely sufficient time allowed to
become fully acquainted with its provisions. He had
himself a short time ago introduced a bill on the subject,
but it was objected to by the ecclesiastical bench, and now
the object he sought to attain by one bill was about to be
effected by two.
The Bishop of OXFORD entered his protest against the
bill.
The bill was then read a second 'time and ordered to be
committed on Monday.
RXAMINATION OF PRISONERS.
Lord BROUGHAM laid on the table a bill to enable
accused persons in criminal cases to be examined on oath
if they desired it. The noble and learned lord said
when he introduced a bill with the like object in
civil eases, it had been said that perjury would be
encouraged, but the actual result -had been directly the
opposite. He thought it but justice that all persons
accused of any offence should have an opportunity of per-
sonally making their defence.
Lord CAMPBELL opposed the bill. By the measure
just introduced, persons accused of high treason could, if
they chose, demand to be examined on oath. He viewed with
alarm any such provision. His noble and learned friend
wished to introduce into this country that most objection-
able system now adopted in France.
Lord BROUGHAM denied that there was the
slightest analogy. between his bill and the French
system of examination of prisoners. He thought
the change he suggested would work most advantageously,
and be a great improvement to the criminal law.
[LEFT SITTING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(THIS EVENING).
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.

NEW MEMBER.
Sir J. RAMSDEI' took the oaths and his seat for the Wes
Riding.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Colonel BIDDULPH moved that the petition of George
Hammond Whalley, complaining of statements made to
the select committee on standing orders by the opponents
to the Ruabon and Denbigh Railway (Llangollen section)
Bill, be referred to the select committee on standing orders;
and that it be an instruction to the committee to inquire
whether an allegation contained in such petition, that a cer-
tain wood, stated in the said statement to be an ornamental
wood, is not a wood of that nature, is well founded ; and
whether, in the event of such allegation being well founded,
it is expedient to dispense with the standing orders in re-
spect of the said bill. That the report of the said committee
of the 17th inst. on the said bill, the petition for leave to
bring in the said bill, and the report of the examiner
thereon, be referred back to the committee.—Agreed to.
PETITIONS.
Petitions wore presented against Auricular Confession,
and other Popish practices in the Church of England ;
from certain parties employed in the Post-office service in
the provinces, praying to be placed on the same footing as
those in the London Post. office with respect to super-
annuation ; against the abolition of Church-rates ; in favour
of the bill on the Sale of Poisons, to be introduced by Go-
vernment ; for the admission of Dissenters to Charitable
trusteeships and their children into endowed schools; in
favour of the equalisation of poor-rates in the metropolis ;
and praying. for inquiry into the working of the public-
house licensing acts.
THE WAR OFFICE.
Capt. VIVIAN gave notice that he would move for a
select committee to inquire into the working of the War
office, and to the best means of securing the greatest amount
of efficiency in the military service combined with economy.
THE WAR ESTIMATES.
Mr. WILLIAMS gave notice that on going into com-
mittee on the war estimates, he would move that such esti-
mates be referred to a select committee.
MEDALS AND PRIZE MONEY FOR THE NAVY.
Sir G. B. PECHELL asked the medals and
of t Ad-
miralty, if it was intended to award medal:3 ad money.
to the officers and seamen of her Majesty s Navy for those
gallant and successful operations in China which had been
the means of bringing that war to a satisfactory conclu-
sion ?
Sir J. PAKINGTON said it was not intended to distri-
bute any prizes to the naval officers and seamen engaged
during the war in China. Ho
would not then make any
statement relative to prize money.
SEIZURE OF THE HERALD.
Mr. AYRTON asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs what steps had been taken by her Majesty's
Government respecting the seizure of the Heraldreblyattm.hge
Portuguese authorities, and whether the papers
thereto would be laid upon the table of the house.
Mr. S. FITZGERALD said that the matter had been
under the consideration of the Government. Some infor-
mation had been received, but it was necessary to make
some further inquiry.
THE NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

Sir E. PERRY asked the First Lord of the Admiralty
whether, on going into the navy estimates on Friday
next, he would be enabled to state the decision of the
Government as to the claims of the navy medical ser-
vice to be placed on a footing of equality with the army
medical service in point of rank and other advantages,
such as they enjoyed before the issuing of the Royal war-
rant of October, 1858.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said that it appeared he had been
misunderstood in -his reply to a similar question the other
night. He repeated that when he brought forward the
navy estimates he would state his general views on the sub-
ject.

THE NAVY.
Sir C. NAPIER moved for returns of the steamers on
the home station in commission and manned, their force
and steam power ; of the first reserve, and the
men borne on their books ; of the ships in the
second reserve, and their state ; of the steamers abroad ;
of the steamers in the third reserve, and their state
andof the
steamers building; of the steamers converting, the
probable time they will be ready ; of the ships built and
broken up since 1851, specifying those never at sea, and of
the ships altered.
Mr. WALPOLE stated that the documents i h
n question
were not yet prepared, but when they wer ready e would
lay them on the table.
THE NAVY ESTIMREATES.—PARLIAMENTARY
FORM.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said, with reference to the
Navy Estimates which he proposed to bring forward
to-morrow eyenipg, that at the noble lordthe member icr

Tiverton had given notice of his intention to submit a motion
to the house which would review the question of foreign
policy, and probably lead to a debate. The hon. member
for Montrose, and other hon. members, had notices of mo-
tion for to-morrow evening, and it would be difficult for
him, wider the circumstances, to state what course he would
pursue ; but if he could not bring forward the estimates by
Friday, he would postpone them till Monday, and the
Chancellor of the Excehequer would have to postpone his
motion on Parliamentary reform.

Lord PALMERSTON said, so far as his motion was
concerned—he could not speak for others—he did not think
that it would materially interfere with the introduction of
the estimates. But the right honourable gentleman
(Sir J. Pakington) stated that he would not bring
forward the estimates after eight o'clock,lbut when he
(Lord Palmerston) was Seecretary for War he brought on
estimates at amuchlater hour in the evening, and hethought
the fact was the right hon. gentleman merely wanted an
opportunity to postpone the motion on Parliamentary re-
form. (Cries of " Hear, hear," and "No, no.")
EDUCATION AND CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA.
Mr. WARREN, in stating that he withdraw the
series of resolutions of which he had given. notice
on this subject, entered into a lengthened statement
as to the motives that induced him to do so, and
stated that being pledged to bring the subject forward ho
would not have accepted the office of Commissioner of Lu-
nacy if he had been precluded from doing so that evening ;
but there were other circumstances than his acceptance of
the office in question that induced him to abandon his in-
tention. The learned gentleman then stated that he was
retiring from the house, and took farewell of the members.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
Mr. CAIRD moved the following resolution :—" That
it would be advantageous to the public interests that Go-
vernment should ascertain and publish periodically the
agricultural statistics of Great Britain, in so far as they
relate to the extent of acres under the several crops of corn,
vegetables, and grass. He contended it was most desirable
that the information in question should be collected with
the census, and presented in that form to the public. Then
there were no difficulties in obtaining this information that
could not be surmounted, and they could obtain the estimate
when the crops were being gathered. If the Government
would only take up the subject earnestly, they would be
sure to succeed, and they could enlist the police as an efficient
agency in obtaining the necessary information which would
prove most beneficial to the agriculturist, the merchant,
the banker, and the shipowner. The necessity for securing
all the information they could on the subject was most im-
minent. They might be on the eve of a continental war, and
it was a fact that the source from which they derived one-
fourth of their supply was dried up. He meant America,
from which country he did not think they would receive
any more corn, or other grain, till August next.
Mr. GARNETT said that from personal knowledge of
;he subject he had no apprehension of any injurious result
from collecting the proposed statistics, and he would second
the motion. -
Mr. BENTINCK, in opposing the motion, said that it
would be impossible to carry out the principle of any bill
on the subject without the introduction of the compul-
sory clause. He considered that the hon. member
(Mr. Caird) had not studied the subject sufficiently,
and he (Mr. Bentinck) could not see what class would be
benefited by a bill founded on the motion. He hoped under
the circumstances that the house would not accept the
motion of the hon. member, or adopt an abstract motion.
Mr. PHILLIPS opposed the motion, which he thought
would do injury than benefit, in consequence of its being an
affectation of accuracy where accuracy could not be ob-
tained, and therefore likely to mislead.
Mr. HOLLAND and Mr. MILLS also opposed the
motion.

Mr CAIRD replied, and read letters from distinguished
farmers in this country and Scotland in favour of his Views,
and stating that the farmers generally were not adverse to
agricultural statistics.

[LEFT SITTING.)

SOUTH-EASTERN RAIL WA I.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING-(THIS DAY).

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of proprietors was held
this day at the Bridge-house Hotel, London-bridge—
Byng, Esq., in the chair.
The report, which has already appeared in The Sun,
having been taken as read,
The CHAIRMAN said it was gratifying that the gross re-
ceipts for the past half-year had increased by upwards of
£18,500 compared with the corresponding half year of 1858.
The hon. gentleman then alluded to other items mentioned
in the report, which stated that the total outlay on capital
account had been £26,860 ss. 4d. ; the principal items of
expenditure having been incurred in providing additional
goods waggons and in erecting permanent instead of timber
stations at Maidstone and Margate. New stations have also
been provided at Belvedere, on the North Kent line ; at the
North Camp, Aldershot; and at Wellington College, Sand-
hurst ; the expenditure on these accountshaving previously
received the sanction of the proprietors. An expenditure of
£578 13s. 6d. has boon incurred in providing a slipway at
Folkestone harbour for facilitating the repairs of the com-
pany's steam packets ; and the sanction of the proprietors
is requested to this outlay. The directors are proceeding
with the sale of the company's surplus lands as favourable
opportunities occur; the amount realised from this source
during the last half-year has been £7,601 17s. Bd. Mean-
while, from the remainder of surplus property undisposed
of, a satisfactory rental continues to be derived. The pro-
vision of a convenient West-end terminus for the passenger
traffic of the South-Eastern Railway has been repeatedly
brought under the notice of the proprietors. At the
special meeting held on the 9th of July, 1857, the directors
informed them of the pledge which they had been required
to give by the committee of the House of Commons that
they would " recommend their proprietors to promote,
or concur in the prosecution, in the next session of Parlia-
ment, of such a scheme as should effectually supply access to
the West-end of London, and so complete the syste:n of
railway communication for Kent and the Continent." At a
subsequent meeting, held on the 25th of February,
1858, the extension of the South-Eastern lines of
railway from London-bridge to Charing-cross was dis-
cussed; and the proprietors were then informed of the pro-
bability of a company being formed for the purpose of
carrying out this object. Since then a company has been
formed, plans of the projected railway have been prepared
and deposited, and the necessary steps have been taken
to proceed with the bill in the present session of Parliament.
The provision of such a terminus would, in the opinion of
the directors, not only fully satisfy the requirements of Par-
liament with reference to a convenient West-end terminus
for South-Eastern purposes, but would materially strengtho n
the-position of the company, and largely increase its traffic,
by bringing the railway into direct, contact at many new
points with the population of the metropolis ; and the direc-
tors recommend the proprietors to authorise the subscrip-
tion by the company of such an amount of capital in the
undertaking as will enable them to secure for South-Eastern
interests the full advantages to be derived from the forma-
; tion of the proposed railway.
The report, after some discussion, was agreed to.
5 After the other business mentioned in the report had
:• been disposed of the proceedings terminated.

TIIIS D..4.Y 'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

IMPERIAL WErKLY AVERAGES. -- Wheat, 40s 10d ;
barley, 33s 11d; oats, 23s ld; rye, 32s lld ; beans, 42s
10d; and peas, 42s 3d.
THE Six WEEKS' AVERAGES. Whea 41s 2d ;
barley, 33s 5d ; oats, 22s Od ; rye, 31s ad ; beans, t,
40s 7d ;
peas, 41s 9d
ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LST WEK.Wheat, 113,409
barley, 77,143 ; oats, 14,424 ;A
ryo, 46; beans, 7,157, peas:
1,340 quarters.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.
The supply of beasts in to-day's market was moderate,
and the general condition of the stock was good. Most
breeds movedoff slowly, yet Monday's prices were well sup-
ported. Sheep, the show of which Was rather limited,
changed hands stea.6.ly, at full quotations. We were
scantily supplied with calves, and the veal trade was firm,
at full currencies. For pigs there was very little inquiry,
at late rates. Mitch cows were dull in sale, but not
cheaper.

Per Sibs. to sink the offal.

s. d. s. d.
Crse. & inf. beasts 3 4 3 6 j
Second qualitydo. 3 8 4 21
Prime large oxen 4 4 4 6
Prime Scots, &c. 4 8 4 10
Crse. & inf. sheep 3 8 4 0
Second quality do. 4 • 2 4 6
Suckling calves, 18s to 21s
17s to 225.

a. d. s. d.
Primecrs-wool d 0.4 8 5 0
Pme. S' thdown do .5 2 5 4
Large ergs. calves 4 0 4 10
Prime small do 5 0 5 6
Large hogs 3 0 3 6
Small porkers
; and quarter-old store pigs,

TOTAL SUPPLY.
1,041 BeasruOREIGN SUPPLY.
Beasts
113
Sheep
3,554 Sheep
Calves
Pigs 3lO Pigs
MEAT MARKETS: •
NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.—The demand for each
kind of stock ruled steady, at full prices :—Beef, from 3s 2,-1
to 4s 6d ; mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 8d ; lamb, Os Od to Os Od ;
veal, 3s 6d to 4s 8d; pork, 2s 6d to 4s 2d per Sibs. by the
carcase.
SOUTHALL, Feb. 23.—The supplies of fat stock here to-day
were limited, and the trade generally ruled steady, at very
full prices :—Beef, from 3s 6d to 4s 10d ; mutton, 3s 8d to
5s 4d ; lamb, Os Od to Os Od ; veal, 4s Od to 5e 2d ; and
pork, 3s 6d to 4s Od per 81bs. to sink the offal.
RomFoRD, Feb. 23.—beasts and sheep sold steadily, at
fully last week's currency ; otherwise the demand may be
called lase week' frmin 3s 4d to 4s 10d; mutton, 38 6d
to os 4d ; veal, 4s Od to 58 6d ; pork, 3a 4d to 4A 2d per
Blbs ; milch cows, £0 Os to £0 Os each ; suckling calves Os ;
quarter old store pigs, 17s to 22s each.
HAY MARKETS. -
SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £2 10340 8s ; clover
do., £3 158 to L. 5 ss; and straw, £1 la to £1 88:rercllilleoadvaad:ii.
A fair demand.
CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 10$ ; cl
do., £3 15s to £5 Os ; and straw, £1 5a to ill) "8
Supply moderate, and trade steady.
do., £3 15s to £5 58 ; and straw, 5s tooZl 91sthIper;
WHVIECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2 15a t
Trade dull.

THE EPPING FOREST MYSTERY.--The police
have at last succeeded in tracing, to some extent, the wan-
derings of the unfortunate woman whose body, with
that of her child, was found in a pond in Epping Forest.
It appears that, after leaving her situation at Tottenham,
she proceeded to Hackney, and from thence to -Uxbridge.
At the last-named place she made inquiries as to the nearest
route to Norwich, and on being informed, retraced her
journey to Brentford. Here for some time she subsisted by
begging. She then proceeded to Woodford, and was seen
going towards Epping. About two miles from Woodford is
the pond. Here the last sad act of her life was played out.
Being penniless, and despairing of assistance from her
worthless seducer, there is every reason to suppose she usedriven to commit the rash act which deprived herself and
her child of life.—Zssex