The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-16 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE LONDON.

Sir J. PAKINGTON asked the President of the Board
of Trade whether it was true that a counsel retained by
the friends of some of the passengers lost in the London
to attend the inquiry into the causes which led to the
foundering of that ship, retired from the investigation be-
cause he was not permitted to cross-examine the witnesses;
and, if so, what steps had been taken by the Board of
Trade to elicit by an inquiry the whole facts so connected
with that melancholy event ?
yr. M. GIBSON said it was quite true that counsel had
been refused permission to cross-examine witnesses at this
inquiry, and had, therefore, retired from the case. lir.
Trail!, the magistrate, had refused the permission in order
that the inquiry might be conducted according
to the provisions of the Act of Parliament. Had
the application been allowed, it was the opinion
of Mr. Traill it might have compromised the rights and
liabilities of certain parties which might have to be tried
in a court of law. Great inconvenience would have arisen
had the cross-examination been permitted, and an oppor-
tunity thus presented of anticipating the decision of a
court of law. The gentlemen conducting the proceedings
had the privilege of suspending the certificates of those
in command of ships under certain circumstances, but
further than that they could come to no final conclusion
in connection with the great calamity.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said in consequence of the
answer of the right hon. gentleman he should call the
attention of the house to the subject on an early day.

S ~'WA

-EOF LARGE TOWNS.

Mr. SCHREIBER asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Depal:,ment whether it was the intention of her
Majesty's Government to propose, early in the present ses-
sion, any additional legislation with regard to the sewage
of large towns ?
Sir G. GREY said he had no such intention.

CATTLE PLAGUE (IRELAND).

in reply to Col. FORD;

Sir G. GREY said instructions had, he believed, been
given to inspect all vessels arriving at any place on the
Irish coast, but he could not say the exact nature of them.
The hon. and gallant member, however, might rest satisfied
that the attention of the Irish Government was closely
directed to the matter.

The O'DONOGUUE asked the Attorney-General for
Ireland whether he did not think there was great danger
in delaying the introduction of a measure to meet the re-
quirements of Ireland should the cattle plague extend
there ?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND said he
had no fears on the matter. A measure, however, had
been prepared, and as soon as it had received the sanction
of the Government it would be brought forwr.':d for con-
sideration.

Sir R. ANSTRUTHER asked the Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether in those counties in
which a rate for compensation had been raised by volun-
tary assessment, those who paid such rates would be re-
lieved by the amount they have already paid from con-
, tributing to the rate to be raised to the local authority.
Sir G. GREY said it was not easy to give an explicit
answer to the question, but he assti-ed the hon. member
that the greatest care would be taken to prevent undue
pressure upon any pal ticular district.
Lord ELCHO said the Scotch members had been inN:ted
by the Lord Advocate to meet to-morrow in the members'
tea-room. Now, he should like to know what subject was
to be considered ?
The LORD ADVOCATE said he wished to hear the
views of Scotch members with respect to certain porLiors
of the Cattle Plague Bill. He thought they might go over
the clauses of the bill which affected Scotland, and agree
upon certain matters which would facilitate the progress
of the bill through committee.
JAMAICA.

Sir J. FAKINGTO;sT asked the Secretal for tiv!