The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-16 00:00:00

THE WHITWORTH RIFLE.

Col. SYKE3 asked the Under Secretary for
War, whether, as a grave expense was being
incurred by the Governments of England and India
in the supply of the Enfield rifle, and consi-
dering the prospects of its supercession by the
superior arm, the Whitworth rifle, it was intended to
continue the manufacture of the former ; and, in case
the Government considered further experiments neces-
sary with the Whitworth rifle before they decided upon
its adoption, to state when they would renew those ex-
periments.
Sir J. RAMSDEN said tbat the superiority of the
Whitworth rifle had not been established sufficiently to
enable the Government to consider themselves justified
in discontinuing the manufacturing of the Enfield rifle
for the use of thearmy. Experiments had been made rela-
tive to tbeWbitworth rifle of not an unfavourable character,
but being incomplete he was unable to state more then.
If the experiments, when completed, showed its supe-
riority over the Enfield rifle, the machinery for making
the Enfield rifle could he adapted at a trifling expense
for tho manufacture of the Whitworth rifle.
STADE DUES.

Mr. RICARDO asked whether the Government in-
tended to continue the Treaty of 1844 with Hanover,
respecting the payment of Stade dues by English ships,
or whether they contemplated terminating the treaty by
notice, so that the question of the future payment of the
Stade toll might undergo consideration?
Lord PALMERSTON said that the matter referred
to was unthr the consideration of the Government. He
was unable to state what course the Government would
pursue in reference to it.
FIELD ALLOWANCE.

Major KNOX asked the Under Secretary for War
whether he bad any objection to lay on the table any
correspondence that took place between the Secretary
for War and the other authorities at borne, and Sir J.
Pennefather, on the subject of field allowance claimed by
the 51st Light Infantry, the Italian Legion, ,and other
troops stationed at Malta during the late war ?
Sir J. RAMSDEN said that the matter to which the
question referred had already been disposed of in strict
accordance with the regulations of the War-office, and
that on that ground the Secretary of State for War was
not disposed to lay the papers before the house.
THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK.

Mr. CONINGHAM asked the Attorney General
whether it was the intention of the Government to prose-
cute the directors of the Royal British Bank ? (Hear.)
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL at some length ex-
plained that he had applied to Mr. Linklater for copies
of the evidence in this case, which, when forwarded to
him, he should consider with a view to a prosecution,
in conjunction with other learned functionaries.
The law threw a great many duties of this kind
on the Attorney-General without providing him with any
machinery, and in this instance he should he indebted
to Mr. Linklater for the papers at the expense of the
shareholders. He asked the press to abstain from mak-
ing farther remarks in the matter, as it might tend to
defeat the ends of justice.
SHERBURN HOSPITAL.
Mi. ATHERTON asked the Secretary of State for
the Home Department, whether it was the intention of
her Majesty's Government to bring forward any measure
during the present session, Founded on the report of the
Übarity Commissioners for England and Wales, relative
to Sherburu lio,pital, in the county of Durham ?
Mr. -BAINES said that the Government had no in-
tention to introduce such a bill this session.
PRISONERS AT HONG KONG.

On the motion of the adjournment of the house until
Monday,
Lord R. CECIL called the attention of the First Lord
of tae Treasury to the alleged detention at Hong Kong
of 42 prisoners, in a room 15 feet square for 20 days.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that he bad every reason
to believe that there was no foundation for the rumours
that had been spread relative to this subject. He had
sent to China for information.

ENCUMBERED ESTATES COURT.
Mr. W HITESIDE called attention to the conduct of
the Government, in not removing the court for the sale
of encumbered estates in Ireland to a more convenient
site than the present, in accordance with the recommen-
dation of a committee of this house.

Mr. HORSMAN said that the Government bad acted
upon the recommendation of the committee, which was
made in June last year, and he wrote to the Treasury,
asking for an item of 10,0001., to be inserted in the esti-
mates of this year, for the purpose of building the new
Courts. That had been done, and theitem would befound in
the estimates stout to be laid on the table of the house.
There was every disposition and intention, on the part
of the Government, to afford every accommodation re-
quired for these court.
Mr. NAPIER supported Mr. Wbiteside's statements,
as to the inconvenience of the present courts.