The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-23 00:00:00

settling the question. lie concluded by moving that the
bill should be read a first time.
The motion was theß agreed to, and their for , hips ad-
journed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAM took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Bill was read a
second time, and some private bills were read a first time.

PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented against the unconditional
abolition of church-rates, against the Highways Bill and
Parochial Assessment Bill, against the bill for legalising
marriage with a deceased wife's sister, &c.
HIBERNIAN MILITARY SCHOOL, DUBLIN.
On the motion of Mr. MAGU IRE, retttrns of the num-
ber of Catholic and Protestant boys in these schools, list of
the officers, teachers, &c., were ordered.
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIPE'S
SISTER.
Mr: M. MILNES in presenting a large number of peti-
tions from the West Riding of Yorkshire in favour of
legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister, said that
the petitions were 374 in number, and were signed by 33,719
men and 24,931 females.
METROPOLITAN TOLLS.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the Secretary of State for
the Home Department whether her Majesty's Government
had any measure in preparation for the abolition of the
tolls within the metropolitan district ; and, if so, when it
would be introduced ?
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that in consequence of the report
made by the commission on the subject of the metropolitan
tolls, he had put himself in communication with the
,Board of Road Trustees, and proposed to their
to bring in a bill to enable parishes to reduce their tolls by
paying a compensation for them. But his suggestion was
not approved of, and the board stated that they would make
a proposal of their own on the question, but they had not
yet done ao.

SUPPLY OP ARMS.
Mr. CRAWFORD asked the Under Secretary of
State ibr War whether it was true that the contractors
for the supply of arms, deliverable in the course of the cur-
rent financial year, had been requested to postpone delivery
until a later period ; while the manufacture of arms at
Enfield was being proceeded with on the same scale
as heretofore, and arrangements were in progress for en-
tending-still further the manufacture at that establish-
ment ?

Mr. BARING said he was happy to inform the hon.
member that the supply of rifles was In so satisfactory a
state that it was not necessary to continue the contracts for
the financial year 1861-62, on the same scale as that of the
current financial year. Steps had been taken in respect to
the contractors at Birmingham and elsewhere, and the re-
sult was most satisfactory to all parties.
EAST INDIA STOCK.
Colonel SYKES asked the Secretary of State for India
whether the notice issued recently by the Court of Chan-
cery, authorising the investment of trust funds in Bank
Stock and East India Stock, was confined to the Old East
India Stock of the Company to be paid off at 200 in 1874,
or whether it extended to all the stocks and loans contracted
by the authority of the Secretary of State for India in
Council P
Sir C. WOOD answered in the affirmative.
INDIA REGIMENTS.

Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary of State for India,
whether first appointments to Indian regiments would be
made by open competition, or by competition among nomi-
nated candidates, or by simple nomination; and, in the
latter case, with what department the right of recommend-
ing for nomination was to rest ?

Sir C. WOOD explained that there were no more
Indian regiments, as all regiments were now for general
service, and subject to our rule in regard to appointment.
With respect to the other question, it was under the con-
sideration of Government, and he was not in a condition to
answer it at present.
FRENCH TROOPS AT ROME.
Mr. GRIFFITHS asked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, whether any diplomatic communication by
M. Thouvenel, expressing it to be the view or intention of
the French Government to leave the French troops at
Rome until a Congress had determined upon the settle
ment of the affairs of Italy, had been addressed to or
brought to the knowledge of her Majesty's Government ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said that in the blue book, page 51,
would be found despatches from Lord Cowley and M.
Thouvenel, which contained all the information the hon.
member required. (A laugh.)
THE HERRING FISHERY.

Mr. FINLAY asked the Lord Advocate if any commis.

sioners of the herring fishery had been appointed in pursu.

ance of the power granted to her. Majesty by the aot passed
last session to nominate five additional commissioners ; and,
if not, whether it was the intention of Government to re-
commend the appointment of any commissioners, and when?
The LORD-ADVOCATE said that there had been some
delay in the appointments in question, but they would be
made.