The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-21 00:00:00

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL.

Mr. LOCKE moved the second reading of this bill, and
explained its provisions in detail. The first clause proposed
that all grain should be sold by measure throughout the
country, instead of by weight, but this introduced no inno-
vation. The second clause was intended to remedy a very
serious inconvenience, which had existed for a great num-
ber of years. By previous acts of Parliament it had been
provided that models or copies of the standard weights and
measures should be procured by the magistrates throughout
England, and deposited with certain persons. It was found
that there had been great neglect in reverifying those
models, and this clause proposed that these models
and 'copies should be reverified every three years, and the
standard weights and measures six years before they were
respectively used. The 3d clause provided for the pre-
vention of the manufacture of false weights and measures,
and would remedy a very extensive system of fraud which
at present prevailed. The 4th clause empowered inspectors
of weights and measures, or other properly authorised per-
sons, to inspect measures and weights in markets or open
places of ground. The evidence adduced before the com-
mittee showed that great fraud was committed at sales in
these places, and the necessity for some preventive means
to repress its continuance as far as possible. The other
clauses provided for the inspection of packets or made up
quantities of any articles exposed for sale, in order to ascer-
tain if they contained what they were represented to do,
and to prevent still further the commission of fraud.
Mr. LAIRD said that there had been a bill in connec-
tion with this subject which had been withdrawn for the
present, and he thought the same course should be adopted
with reference to this bill, and then both measures could
be considered together next year. He moved that the bill
be read a second time this day three months.
Mr. HORSFALL would support the bill,aldlprobofevided the
first clause were withdrawn, but not otherwise.
Sir G. PECHELL suggested that some further provision
might be made with reference to the selection and atahpdpospofiiidts-t.
menitr.ofHinuspßerctorresc;aemndmhenedheodpetdhethwie btilhldvvraewu
clause.
Shelleoyth, other mB a 1 le
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Clive,
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OaMCfreK7lreplied, and stated that he consented to
Henley,
L
then
ordered to be committed on Tues-
day. withdrawn, and the bill was
wilthhderaawmetnhdemfiersatt clause.
sd ose.
read a second time,
_ _

•
DIPLOMATIC PENSIONS BILL.
Mr. M. MILNES moved the second reading of this bill.
He contended that it was most impolitic to have a special
act to exclude from the House of Oommons persons whose
services might be of
were en .great advantage, merely because they
joying pensions for duties 'done. He regarded
those pensions in the same light as those conferred on Mi-
nisters of the Crown or officers in the army and navy, and
he did not see on what grround there should be any excep-
tion with reference to their recipients.
Mr. B. COCHRANE supported the bill.
the
eMr. WILSON said if they looked to the origin
of
xblusion of diplomatic servants from tue
house, he believed it would be found in thef
oie
jea-
lousy • which members formerly entertained o
power§ 91: th 9 cr94(11, He believed that most persons
were

THE CHANNEL FLEET.--We hear that a spirit
of insubordination has manifested itself among the
ships at Portland, more particularly on board the
Hero, 91, screw, Captain George H. Seymour.
UpWards of 300 of the crew, in a mutinous manner,
declared that if they were not granted shore leave,
they would take it. Now, while condemning such
unjustifiable conduct, there seems some want of dis-
cretion in keeping ships within sight of shore and
not granting them necessary leave. Keep ships
moving and Inck's contented, but when continually
at anchor in the same place, the ship becomes a
prison, and henee-the cause of discontent.
The Edgar, 91, screw, flag of Rear-Admiral John E.
Erskine, commanded by Captain James E. Katon,
arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from
Sheerness. She saluted the Port Admiral, W.
Bowles, C. 8., with 17 guns, which was acknow-
ledged by the flag ship Victory in returning 11
guns to the Edgar.
ADMIRALTY VISIT TO PORTSMOUTH.—Yester-
day Rear Admiral the Hon. F. Pelham, C. 8., and,
Captain C. Frederick arrived at the dockyard and
paid a visit to the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw,-
and Colossus, 81, screw. Their lordships:afterwards ,
proceeded to Haslar to witness the lowering of a
screw gun boat from the slip way into the creek.,
They were to dine with the commander-in-chief at
the official residence in the dockyard.. :Others of
the board are expected. The Black. Eagle, Master -
Commander J. E. Petley, is in attendance at Ports-,
mouth. It 18 believed that a visit will be paid to
the Channel fleet at Portland.
The Himalaya, troop ship, Commander Seceombe,'
arrived at Devonport on Monday, from Gravesend,
with the 10th Regiment of Foot, returned from
India. The gallant fellows are quartered in the
citadel.
The Topaze, 51, screw, Hon. Captain Spencer,
was inspected at Devonport on Tuesday.