The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-11 00:00:00

CHAPTERS

On the motion of Mr. N. EWART a return relative to
grants, and reductions allowed since 1857. to the several
chapters of England and Wales was ordered.
ANNUITY TAX (EDINBURGH).
Mr. HADFIELD, in the absence of Mr. Black, moved
the following, which was ordered :—Address for returns of
the number of summonses raised against persons for pay-
ment of annuity-tax in Edinburgh from the 10th day of
August, 1857, to the 10th day of August, 1859 ; of the
number of persons arrested during the same period ; of the
number of persons imprisoned during the same period ; of
the amounts for which each person was imprisoned during
the same period; of the number of arrestments of bank ac-
counts, rents, or other monies during the same period ; of
the number of cases of poinding and sales during the same
period ; of the highest and lowest amount for which indivi-
duals have been prosecuted during the same period ; of the
highest and lowest rents upon which assessments have been
levied • and, of the names of public buildings assessed and
amounts paid by each.
ARMY STAFF.
Captain VERNON gave notice that next session he
would draw the attention of the house to the staff of the
army, with a view to its reduction.
THE DEPUTATION OF MASTER BUILDERS.
Mr. E. JAMES asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he had any objection to state to
the house the object and the result of a conference held with
him by a deputation of the Central Association of Master
Builders on Tuesday last, upon the subject of the builders'
strike and the nine hours' movement. _

Sir G. C. LEWIS said that a deputation of the master
builders had an interview with him at the Home-office a
few days ago, for the object, as they stated, of making an
explanation of the causes of the difference between them
and the workmen. They showed reasons for the course
they had adopted, and expressed an opinion that the House
of Jommons, or her Majesty's Government, should take
some part in arbitrating between them and the workmen
with a view to effect some amicable arrangement. He re-
plied that the House of Commons was unfitted to interfere
in the way proposed, and that the executive Government
could not exercise any such function ; and, therefore, he
held out no hope to the deputation of their wish being car •
ried out.
STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHILTERN HUNDREDS

In reply to Mr. GRIFFITH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he did not consider that he should refuse the Chiltern Hun-
dred, merely because a petition was pending against the re-
turn of a member, because the House of Commons would
view with jealousy the interference of the executive with
one of their body.
CLEANSING THE SERPENTINE.

In reply to Sir J. PAXTON,
Mr. FITZROY said it was his intention to proceed with
the plan of Mr. Hawkesley for entirely cleansing the Ser-
pentine, and the estimate of £17,000 voted by the house
would be sufficient. The right hon. gentleman then re-
peated substantially the statement he had made on previous
occasions.
Some irregular discussion ensued, and
Mr. CONINGHAM moved the adjournment of the
house in order to afford Mr. Stephensop an opportunity of
stating his views to the house.
After some remarks by different hon.,members,
Mr. STEPIIENSON said that he considered there had
been a great deal of unnecessary alarm ',in beereferc too the
state of the Serpentine. Supposing the water to mnre,
how were they to reLnedy it ? He saw the other day that
lime was thrown into the
ake, the effect of
on which
was to kill the largeinterfered with who preyed the
smaller, and therefore with an important
agency supplied by nature for keeping the water in a whole-
some condition. The object proposed by Mr. Hawkesley
was to create an artificial stream, and he considered it would
prove effective.
After a few words from Sir J. Paxton, Mr. E. James,
and Mr. V. Scully,
Sir M. PETO expressed his conviction that the plan.
would be effective in purifying thc. water, which could be
rendered safe for bathers at an expense of £5OO or £6OO.
The motion was withdrawn and the subject dropped.