The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(Tms EVENING).

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
Petitions were presented in favour of the repeal of
the paper duty—Complaining of the grievances inflicted
on the shipping interest—and also that the provisions of
the Superannuation Act might be extended to the employe's
in the provincial post-offices.
On the motion of Sir W. JOLLIFFE a new writ was
ordered to issuo for the election of a knight of the shire to
serve for the east division of Worcester, in the room of
Colonel Rushout, now Lord Northwick, who had been
called to the Upper House since his election.
On the motion of Sir G. IV. HAYTER, a new writ was
ordered for the borough of Hy-the, vacant by Sir John
Ramsden having accepted the stewardship of her Majesty's
Chiltern Hundreds.
CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA.

Mr. WARREN gave notice that on that day fortnight
he would bring forward the motion which he had previously
given notice of on this subject.

THE FOREIGN OFFICE.

Mr. TITE gave notice of motion with reference to the
intentions of Government respecting the foreign offices in
Downing-street.

SAVINGS BANKS.

Mr. GREER asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether he intended to introduce any bill this
session to increase the security of depositors in savings
banks ; and whether Government proposed to indemnify, in
whole or in part, the depositors in the Tralee and Killarney
Savings Banks for the losses they sustained by the failure
of those banks.

Mr. WALPOLE said that the subject was under con-
sideration.

RE LTGIOUS WORKS IN THg4 ARMY.

Mr. SPOONER asked the Secretary of State for War
whether " The Garden of the Soul" was issued to any
soldiers in the British army by his authority, and whether
that book was purchased and distributed at the cost of the
State.

General PEEL said there were, certain religious works
distributed amongst the army, and a portion of the funds
voted for that purpose were applied to supplying works to
the Roman Catholic soldiers.

NAVY ESTIMATES.
In reply to Lord J. RUSSELL,
Sir J. PAKINGTON stated that on the 25th inst. he
would make his statement with respect to this subject.
THE TROOP SHIP GENERAL SIMPSON.
Colonel. SMYTH asked the Secretary of State for India
the name of the owner or owners of the troep-ship General
Simpson, which left England for Calcutta on the Bth of
August last with drafts of her Majesty's 80th and other
regiments on board, amounting to upwards of 400 men, and
which reached Calcutta on the 22d of December • whether
it was true that, although the contractor was bound to have
provisions and water for 140 days on board, officers,_
soldiers, and crew were placed for several weeks
on short allowance of both food and water, the lower tier of
water tanks having been found empty ; and whether any
explanation of the unusually long voyage of the General
Simpson (137 days from England to Calcutta), and of the
circumstances alluded to, had been given to the Indian
Department ?
Lord STANLEY corroborated the-accuracy of this re-
port, and stated that he believed there had been a scarcity
of water on board the vessel during the voyage.
THE SUGAR DUTIES.
Mr. lIANKEY inquired whether there was any truth in
the statement which appeared in the Times of that day, to
the effect that it was the intention of the Government to
make an alteration in the sugar duties ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assured
the hon. member that no such intention was at present en-
tertained.
v ..m.rsONS (IRELAND).
Lord NAAsoutwilea i.v. Jug WU to consoli-
date and amend the laws relating to county prisons in
Ireland. The noble lord explained that the bill was ren-
dered necessary by the very defective condition of the pri-
sons and bridewells in Ireland, and cited several statements
on the subject.
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS,
Mr. CROSS, in moving for leave to bring in a bill to
amend the law relating to municipal elections, said it would
be admitted that if there were bribery practised at these
elections that there would be bribery at Parliamentary
elections, because it would be impossible that persons who
were taught to bribe and be bribed annually
would not avail themselves of that knowledge when
called on to vote for a member of Parliament. • The exist-
ing law was a dead letter, because the penalties it imposed
were too severe, and the mode of enforcing them too expen-
sive. His bill proposed to supply these defects by adopting
small penalties and summary remedy.
Mr. GILPIN seconded the motion.
After a few words from Sir G. B. PECRELL which were
inaudible,
r,Mr. DILLWYN considered that, in order to carry out
purity of election in municipal matters, it would be neces--
sary to introduce vote by ballot.
After a short discussion leave was given to bring in the
bill.

STATUTE LAW COMMISSION.
Mr. LOCKE KING moved for a return, showing the
total sum whichhad been voted for the Statute Law Board
and the Statute Law Commission, from its commencement
till the present time. Accounts, in detail, showing how
that amount has been expended : Of the sums which have
been paid to draftsmen out of contingencies for
drawing consolidation bills : Return of the names
of the draftsmen employed to procure Consolidation
bills, and the fees paid, or to be paid, to each draftsman;
and, of the minutes and proceedings of the Statute
Law Commission (in continuation of Parliamentary Pape!,
No. 78, Session 1855). lie had very littl9 confidence in
any bill that would be introduced which emanated from
the Commission that had been engaged on the subject of
the consideration of the statute laws.
Mr. HADFIELD seconded the motion. .
Mr. WALPOLE said that there was no objection to
introduce the returns in question, and the only fitter, in,
doubt was as to the form in which they should 134.?.70P01pp9t
to the house. His hon. and learned friend h,e
General would introduce a bill with reference to me con.
solidation of the criminal law, not only in England,
but lin Ireland, which he trusted' would give satisfaction:-
He contended it would be unnecessary to Print- /1414.0. of the
returns, as they had already n before the
The motion was ultimately withdrawn. .
THE REV. MR. O'FAY AND MAjOR93YRRH.- •
In reply to Mr. GREER,
Lord NAAS entered into. an explanation Te-
tappeared
this subject, from which that ..Major
had written a letter to the Rev. Mr. O' Fay, stating that he
't to
would not disturb him further in the possession of the land
hich he occupied, which was not received in ti friendly
spirit by the reverend gentleman who- refusOd the offer'
There were no returns of the judgments Of the t ,rte learned

judges, before whom the legal proseedings between thew
parties had been tried.
Mr. GREER, in reply, said his only object was to
have laid before the house the views of the learned
judges in question on the subject of the laws
relating to landlords and tenants in Ireland. He
thought the house should direct that copies of the judg-
ments be laid on the table from the notes of the learned
judges. He thought the proposition of Major Burke very
conciliatory, and he regretted it was not received in the
same spirit.
After a few words from the SOLICITOR-GENERAL
against the course suggested,
Mr. GREER withdrew the motion.
WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE.
On the motion of Mr. BRAND, a new writ was
issued for the West Riding of Yorkshire, vacant
by Lord Goderich having been called to the 'Upper House
by the decease of his father,the late of Earl Ripon.
The house then adjourned.