The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-27 00:00:00

though not from the reason stated by his noble and learned
friend on the woolsack. The bill would now be restored to
its original state ; but he could not help calling their lord-
ships' attention to the difficulties that would arise from the
number and variety of duties that would be thrown upon
the assignees. It certainly seemed to him that it would be
better to leave the power of the official assignees as it now

was.
The LORD CHANCELLOR thought it would be better
to follow the almost universal voice of the trading commu-
nity. The proper function of the official assignee, it seemed
to him, would be to act as auditor over the trade assignee.
Referring to a point which had been raised in the previous
discussion, the noble and learned lord contended that the
75th and 214th suctions took away every appeal but that
which was given by the bill.
Lord CRANWORTH—I am at issue with my noble
friend. I say they do not.
The house then concurred in the Commons' amendment.

On the other amendments,
Lord CHELMSFORD observed that their lordships had
under the 118th clause given power to the court to settle
the bankrupt's allowance; but the Commons had altered
it back, so that now the creditors at the first meeting were
to determine the question. It certainly seemed rather hard
upon the bankrupt that his creditors should have to decide
the matter at the moment when they would probably be
most irritated against him.
Earl GRANVILLE reminded the noble and learned lord
hat a bankrupt's estate was, after all, the property of his
creditors.

The LORD CHANCELLOR added that creditors had
uniformly been found to be more than liberal.
Lord KINGSDOWN said there was one question to
which ho wished particularly to draw attention. One object
of the bill was to do away with the distinction which had
hitherto existed as to persons who were traders, and those
who were not. In abolishing the distinction, there had
been a qualification suggested, which he thought very
useful, namely, immediately upon a declaration of bank-
ruptcy the whole of the property to which the bankrupt
was entitled was subjected to immediate sale, and the object
of the amendment was to prevent, in the case of a'person
having the reversion of an estate, the sale of that reversion,
the value of which would only be 21 years' purchase, with-
out the consent of the judge.
The LORD CHANCELLOR concurred that some limi-
tation should be put upon the sale of a reversion under the
circumstances stated.
The Earl of DERBY doubted whether it would be com-
petent for their lordships to amend a clause which they had
sent down,. and to which the Commons had assented.
Lord WENSLEYDALE wished to insist on. the Lords'
amendment, with regard to the shorthand writers' clause•
The LORD CHANCELLOR supported the clause as it
stood in the bill. He said that shorthand writers were em-
ployed at their lordships' bar, and ,without their assistance
cross-examination was rendered difficult, and almost im-
possible.
The motion was then put that their lordships should in-
sist upon their miscellaneous amendments, and negatived—
and the motion that their lordships should agree with the
Commons' amendments was put and carried.
Upon the motion of the Earl of DERBY a committee was
ordered to confer with the Commons, stating their lord-
ships' reasons for disagreeing with certain of the Commons'
amendments and agreeing with others.
TURNPIKE ACTS CONTINUANCE BILL.—ORD-
NANCE SURVEY CONTINUANCE BILL.
These bills were read a second time.
The Dealers in Old Metals Bill passed through cora-
committee.
The Parochial and Burgh Schools (Scotland) Bill
passed through committee.
The County Voters (Scotland) Bill, with amendments,
passed through committee,
The report of amendments to the Volunteers Exemption
Bill was recei red.
Tha Probate and Letters of Administration Act (Ire-
land) Amendment Bill, witkameridments, passed through
committee.
The Annoyance Jurors (Westminster) Bill, with amend-
ments, was read a third time and passed.
The Voters (Ireland) Bill and University Elections Bill
were read a third time and passed.
The Copyright of Designs Bill passed through com-
mittee.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Dublin Revising Barristers Bill; Lunatic Asylum (Ire-
land) Act Continuance Bill ; County Cess (Ireland) Act
Continuance Bill; Tramways (Scotland) Bill; and the
Local Government Act Amendment Bill.
The Industrial Schools (Scotland) Bill passed through
committee.
The Industrial Schools Bill passed through eommittee,
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at twenty minutes peal
twelve o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Lords' amendments to the following bills were con-
sidered and agreed to :—Llanelly Railway and Dock (New
Lines, &c.) ; Monmouthshire Railway and Canal (New
Lines, &c.) ; Saint George's Harbour; Southampton and
Netley Railway ; Stourbridge Railway (Extension to
Smethwick, &c.) ; and Swansea Harbour Trust.
The M'Mahon's Estates Bill and the Rumney Railway
Bill were read a third time and passed.

THE NEW CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND.
On the motion of Mr. BRAND, a writ was ordered to
issue for the election of a burgess to sorve in Parliament
for the borough of Tamworth, vacant by the acceptance of
the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland' by Sir ROBERT
PEEL.