The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-10 00:00:00

MITITARY CONFERENCE OF GERMAN

SOVEREIGNS.

DARMSTADT, MAY 10.

The reigning Sovereigns of Wirtemberg, Hesse
Darmstadt, Nassau, and Baden, and Plenipoten-
tiaries from five other German States, including
Bavaria, held a conference on the Bth inst. in the
village of Muhlacker (Wirtemberg) respecting the
concentration of their respective contingents, and
the strategic positions to be taken up by them.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

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

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tins EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBERS. _ _

Mr. Capper took the oath and his seat for Sandwich
Mr. Edwards and Mr. Eykyn for Windsor; and Sir S
Northeote for Devon.
NEW WRIT.

I On the motion of Colonel TAYLOR, a new writ was
ordered to issue for the county of Kildare, in the room of
Lord Fitzgerald, who has accepted the office of Vice-
Chamberlain in her Majesty's Household.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
In reply to Mr. O'REILLY,
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said it was quite true
that a department to codify and revise warrants and re-
gulations was issued by tho War-office, and Mr.Lockyerand
other gentlemen had been applied to to discharge the fresh
duties at an expense of £350 a-year. The duties were not
part of those lately discharged by Mr. Marshall. He
could not state the precise economy to be gained by the
arrangement, but the saving went into the general fund.
He should, if it was thought desirable, be able to give a
more detailed statement on going into committee of
supply.
RATEABLE PROPERTY (IRELAND.)
Lord J. BROWNE asked the Chief Secretary of Ire-
land whether he was able to state the estimated cost of
the revaluation of rateable property in Ireland, which it
was proposed by the Rateable Property Bill to carry out
every 14 years ?
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said the sum amounted to
416,000.

CHARITABLE LOTTERIES.
Mr. WHALLEY, with reference to a lottery publicly
advertised to be drawn for on Saturday, the 12th inst., at
Edinburgh for the benefit of St. Vincent Roman Catholic
School, asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention
had been drawn thereto as being a violation of the law
respecting lotteries; and what, if any, steps had been or
would be taken by him to give effect to the law in that
behalf ?

The LORD ADVOCATE said the lottery in question
was ono within the power of a public informer to prose-
cute, and although the public prosecutor could undoubtedly
take action in the matter, yet it was not thought proper to
take proceedings where those lotteries were devoted to
charitable purposes, and not for private gain. The lot-
teries took place in aid of the charities of all denomina-
tions, yet iu all the cases that had been brought under his
attention the Roman Catholics were the onlyparties against
which it was asked to proceed. He did not see why
such a distinction should be made. (Hear, hear.)

LOANS (IRELAND).
Sir 11. HEYGATE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether the Government intended to adopt the recom-
mendation in the report of the committee on Irish taxation
(1865), to the effect that "the advances for land improve-
ment, &c., should not be limited to the sum of .£B,OOO upon
any one estate ; that the repayment of loans should be ex-
tended over a longer period than 22 years ; and that it
should not be compulsory, when a loan is granted for a
farm building, upon the proprietor to provide A house at a
cost of £200."
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said the Government bad adopted
the first recommendation of the committee, and for the
future there would be no limit to the Lord of the Treasury
in respect to the repayment of loans. It was proposed to
extend the time to 35 years, and for the future loans would
be granted for the erection of farm houses as well as farm
buildings.
LAND TENURE (IRELAND).
Mr. CORRY asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether it was tho intention of the Government to proceed
with the Tenure and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Bill
before Whitsuntide ?

Mr. C. FORTESdUE said if it was possible he should
like to proceed with it before Whitsuntide.

COUNTY PRISONS (IRELAND).
Sir R. PEEL asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether the Inspectors General of Prisons had made any
representation to the Irish Government with a view to the
consolidation and amendment of the laws relating to
county prisons in Ireland ; and, if so, whether the Go-
vernment proposed to legislate on the subject?
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said such a recommendation had
been made, and a bill had been prepared on the subject.
He did not think it would bo possible to pass the measure
this session, but it would be introduced and read a first
time, so that it could be fully considered by the grand
juries before the next session of Parliament.

THE SUPPLY OF COAL.
Sir R. PEEL asked the Secretary of State for thellcra
Department whether it would not be desirable to instruct_ni
the Director-General of the institution chaarigdedlrweli
ducting the geological survey of Great Britain and
and
published,
which mineral statistics aro annually collectednus
system of
to collect evidence bearing on the carbtohef
coal fields, the
the United Kingdom, the extent of
nd consumption of all
thickness and quality, produce, atbnde,uby
would issue tho
beds of coal, and to report thereonne;ouoaansad,ryif
the
eordingly ? ment had anticipatedvern last he had
" '--- • - President of the
R• Murchison,
~
addressed a letter to Sir right Sr
hGo. nG. bRaEr oYn es ta, i cal ut h.
a.
asking .
A favourable reply had
Geological Society,
f rniation.
the 26th
ward the required in o
t he could not state the nature of that
whether that society could
been
-
been returned,
communication as
CATTLE PLAGUE.
THE
-- - --
asked the Secretary of State for the Home
=An.. READbu was still pending.
the sale of cattle at markets, fairs, and
to allow
Department if it was the intention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment Sir G. GREY said
d that three weeks had
yet to elapse
auctions in Great Britain. after the Ist day of June.
before the order expired; and therefore the Privy Council
had not yet determined upon the steps to be
taken. Ho thought it extremely improbable that
at the expiration of that order unrestricted sales would be
allowed to take place. What was to be done he could not
say at that moment.
BANKRUPTCY LAW AMENDMENT MIL.
0 f A
ptli, instructionswhe the r
ac-
Government
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second read-
ing of this bill. In doing so the hon. and learned gentle-
man referred to the present state of the law, and said that it
was in such a complicated and uncertain state that an amend •
ment was urgently required. The bill he had now the
honour of submitting to the house proposed to abolish
altogether imprikmment for debt, but it was not proposed

to take away the power given to county court judges
where, to their satisfaction, there was ability to pay, and
wilful non-payment. The bill would further prevent
a debtor from wilfully making himself a bankrupt.
That no bankrupt should obtain his discharge for six
years without he has paid a dividend of 6.i. 8d in the
pound, thus giving the creditors power over the bankrupt's
estate for that period.

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

Bank of England Iteturnse—This Evening.

An Account, pursuant to
cap. 32, for the week ending

,he Act 7th and Sith Victorial
Wednesday, May 9, 1866.

- •
ISSUE DEPARTMENT. • ..
Notes issued ....,C27,294,720 Goverumt. Debt..£11,0.:15,100
Other Securities.. a,984,900
Gold Coin and
Bullion ........ . 12,294,720
Silver Bullion ...._

£27,294,720