The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-31 00:00:00

INDIAN IRRIGATION.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition from
the East India Irrigation and Canal Company, setting forth
the advantage that would accrue to India from the opera-
tion of the company. Famine would be prevented, and the
supply of raw cotton would be very largely augmented.
The petition prayed the Government would give some assis-
tance to the company. The noble lord then asked if the
Government were prepared to take th 3 subject into conside-
ration ?
Earl DE GREY and RIPON replied that the Govern-
ment would .take into consideration any contract between
the company and themselves which might meet with the
approval of the Governor-General.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of the Accessories of Abettors Bill, the first of a class of
bills for the consolidation of the criminal law. The noble
and learned lord said the seven bills had been seat down to
the other house, but at too late a period, last session
of Parliament. 'They were, however, referred to a
select committee, where theprovisions of each were carefully
considered, and some alterations made. The amended bills
had been introduced this session, and having passed the
House of Commons, he now submitted them to their lord-
ships' consideration. The principal alterations related to
punishment attached to offences against the person, and
their tendency was in most cases to mitigate the punish-
ment. The bills were calculated to effect great good, and
he therefore trusted their lordships would give their assent
to the second reading of the bills.
Lord CRANWORTH said he thought there was now
a fair hope that these bills, which had been so long under
consideration, would become the law of the land. No two
minds could exactly agree as to all the details of such bills;
but as the alterations were not of a very material nature, he
thought, in order to insure their passing this session, the
alterations might be safely accepted.
Lord CHELMSFORD thought the session tao far ad-
vanced to admit of the amendments being fairly considered,
and he thought their lordships might reason, bly complain
f the bills being proceeded with at the present time. There
were some very serious alterations, and he could not but
think it would have been much better to have discussed the
alterations b _fore the bills became law, as it was, however,
their lordships must be supposed to accept the alterations.
After a few words from Lord WENSLEYDALE,
Lord REDESDALE thought that amongst the seven
bills, if there were any very serious alteration had been
made, the wisest course to adopt was to postpone the pas-
sing of that particuiar bill till next session.
The bill was, after a few otservations from the LORD
CHANCELLOR, read a second time.
The following bills were read a second time :—The Cri-
minal Statutes Repeal, the Larceny, &c., the Malicious
Injuries to Property, the Forgery, the Coinage Offences,
the Offences against the Person, the Public Works and
Harbours, the Lord Clerk Register Salary Abolition, the
Durham University, the Trustees (Scotland), the Conjugal
Rights (Scotland), the Metropolitan Building Act Amend-
ment. the Drainage of Land, the Public Offices Site, the
Pensions (British Forces, India), the Windsor Suspended
Canonries, the Public Works (Ireland), Edinburgh Uni-
versity, Inland Revenue, Stamp Duties on Probates, &c.,
and Revenue Departments Accounts.
The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill passed
through committee.
The following bills were read a third and passed :—The
Salmon Fisheries, the Criminal Proceedings Oath Relief,
the Naval Medical Supplemental Fund Society, the Turn-
pikes Act Continuance, the Dealers in Old Metals, the
Parochial and Burgh Schools (Scotland), the County Voters
(Scotland), the Probates and Letters of Administration Act
(Ireland) Amendment, and the Industrial Schools (Scot-
land).
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
HOPS.
On the motion of Mr. LOCKE, returns of the quantity
of foreign hops in bond on the Ist day of July, 1861, stat-
ing the ports at which they are bonded (in continuation of
Parliamentary paper, No. 151, of session 1861), and of the
quantity of hops, British and foreign, consumed at the fire
in Tooley-street on the 23d June, were ordered.