The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-13 00:00:00

ERIAL PARLIAMENT

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

THE CATTLE PLAGUE.

The Duke of BUCCLEUCH presented petitions from the
Scottish Farmers' Club, praying for compensation to far-
mers in cases where it had been found necessary to de-
stroy cattle, and for the adoption by Government of
vigorous measures to arrest the further progress of the
cattle disease.

RAILWAY COMPANIES BORROWING POWERS.
The Earl of BELMORE asked whether it was the in-
tention of the President of the Board of Trade to intro-
duce any measure to give effect to the recommendation of the
select committee of that house, in 1864, on railway com-
panies borrowing powers; whether if such a measure
should be introduced, it would be framed so as to meet the
case of the obligation of joint stock companies generally.
In consequence of the anomalies that existed, a commission
was appointed which sat for two sessions, and which made
some valuable recommendations, on which a bill was
founded which passed through their lordships' house. It
was read a first time in the House of Commons, but re-
jected in consequence of some defects relative to the re-
gistration of debentures, which it was contended would
give a certain class of shareholders undue advantages.
He thought that the objections to the bill had been fairly
stated in the other house. After some further observa- I
tions he concluded by impressing on the house the im-
portance of the subject.
Earl RUSSELL said that the President of the Board of
Trade had given great attention to this subject, but the
Government had not yet prepared any bill in reference
to it.

Lord OVERSTONE said that under the circumstances
it was desirable that the President of the Board of Trade
should give the matter his most serious attention. (Hear.)
The Earl of CLARENDON said that he concurred in
what had fallen from the noble lord who had just addressed
the house.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
Lord HOUGHTON asked Government whether they
intended to introduce any measure respecting the adminis-
tration of the British Museum and the disposition of its
contents. He alluded to the rumours relative to the prin-
cipal librarian, and said his resignation must necessarily lead
to great alterations in regard to this great national insti-
tution. There were also rumours of proposals having been
made to her Majesty as regarded alterations in the present
constitution of the governing body of the British Museum.
He did not wish to cast any aspersion on the trustees, who,
he believed, were a most honourable body, but at the same
time it could not be denied that the present administration
of the British Museum was not popular, and therefore it
was desirable that there should be some modification of the
existing arrangements so as to meet the requirements of
the public in a more satisfactory manner than at present.
Earl RUSSELL said that some suggestions had been
made to the trustees of the British Museum, with a view
to the introduction of improvements, but it was not the in-
tention of Government to introduce any bill on the subject
at present. _ _ _

Lord TAUNTON expressed his approval of the proseni
librarian.

Other noble lords expressed themselves to the effect that
the subject should receive the most careful attention.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
Tha SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

Mr. SCOURFIELD called the attention of the house to
the mode of transacting and the amount of private busi-
ness before the house at the present moment. He thought
it absolutely necessary that some improvement in the
machinery of the house was required.
Mr. WILSON-PATTEN said the great event was the
number of continuation bills which wore presented this
session, but he did not think private bills ought to be
dealt with in any other than the usual manner. There
were 633 private bills to deal with, and therefore he
thought the Court of Referees ought to be strengthened.
If an additional Court of Referees was appointed, he
thought it would be highly advantageous, as two Courts
could sit at the same time instead of only one as at pre-
sent.

UNDUE RETURN.
A petition was presented complaining of an unduo re•
turn for Maidstone.

REGISTERED VOTERS.

Mr. BAINES moved for returns of tho number of per--
sons on the last register as voters in the represented cities
and boroughs of England and Wales in the right of being
freemen, scot and lot voters, or of other ancient rights, who
occupy premises of the gross estimated rental of £6 and
under £7 ; of £7 and under £8; of £8 and under £9 ; of £9
and under £lO a year ; and of the same class of voters
who occupy premises at £lO gross estimated rental and
upwards, and those who occupy premises below the gross
estimated rental of £6 a year.—Ordered.

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILLS.
Mr. LOCKE KING moved that the undermentioned
bills be reprinted, viz., " A Bill to extend the right of
Voting for members of Parliament, and toAmend the Laws
relating to the Representation of the People in Parliament,
1852 ;" "A Bill further to Amend the!Laws relating to the
Representation of the People in England and Wales, 1801;"
"A Bill to Amend the Laws relating to the Representation
of the People in England and Wales, and to facilitate the
Registration and Voting of Electors, 1859 ;" and "A Bill
further to improve thu Laws relating to the Representation
of the People in England and Wales, 1860." Ordered.