The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-27 00:00:00

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.

Sir H. WILLOUGHBY gave notice that he would call
the attention of the house to the subject of the public ex-
penditure, and move that the powers of the Commissioners
of her Majesty's Treasury shOuld be limited.

COAL MINES.
Mr. DILLWYN gave notice that he would bring before
the house the subject of accidents in coal mines, and in-
quire as to the qualifications of coal mine inspectors.
REFORM.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that on that day fortnight
he would move that, after the publication of the census, a
Reform Bill should be introduced.
ARMY CLOTHING, &c.

On the motion of Col. DUNNE, various returns relat-
ing to this subject were ordered.
BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY AND MIXED
MARRIAGES, &c. (IRELAND).
In reply to Mr. SCULLY,

Mr. CARDWELL said that by an act which had been
passed some years previously the Bankruptcy and Insol-
vency Courts were consolidated in Ireland. When the
alterations in the present Bankruptcy Bill before the
house had received the sanction of Parliament, he
would converse with his colleagues as to the desira-
bility of extending the provisions of that bill to Ire-
land. With respect to the other question his attention had
been directed to the cases alluded to, and the subject of
mixed marriages in Ireland. He was no advocate
for placing Roman Catholic priests under any
disabilities in regard to the celebration of mar-
riages, but it should be remembered that in 1844
there was an act passed on this subject, but the Roman
Catholic priests, at their own desire, were exempted from
its provisions. In the bill which he proposed to introduce
it was not his intention to make any alteration in the law
relating to marriage.
THE ARMSTRONG GUNS.

Major GAVIN asked the Under Secretary of State for
War, to place on the table of the house a copy of the
report made by the officer commanding the Artillery, as to
the efficiency of the Armstrong guns, in the recent opera-
tions in China.

Mr. BARING said the report in question was very satis-
factory, but as it referred merely to details it was not con-
sidered advisable to make it a Parliamentary document.
He took that opportunity of stating that the report of the
Board of Ordnance was very much in favour of the effi-
ciency of these guns.
THE SLAVE TRADE.

Mr. BUXTON asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether he was aware that the slave trade papers
for each year only contain those up to March in the year
preceding, and whether in future all the documexts that
had come to hand up to the date of publication might not
be included

Lord J. RUSSELL said that these papers were pre-
sented at a late period of the session, but on the present
occasion they would (as we understood the noble lord, who
was almost inaudible) be presented in a fortnight.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Mr. lIENNESSY asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
whether the Government were taking any steps to carry
out the recommendations of the select committee of last
session on the mode of nominating and examining candi-
dates for junior appointments in the Civil Service ?
Lord FALMERSTON said he believed the recommen-
dation of the commission was that there should be a corn-
petitive
examination for the appointments in question.
No stops, however, had yet been taken in reference to this
subject, but he would communicate with the civil service
commission on the matter.
CON VICTS—DIST URBANC ES AT CHATHAM.
Mr. CHILDERS moved an address for returns of the
number of convicts (out of the 8.50 implicated in the recent
disturbances at Chatham) who were removed direct from
the Hulks to Chatham Prison, with the dates of removal.
And the initials, crime, sentence, and date of conviction of
each of the 8.50 convicts so implicated ; the general prison
character, and class of, and the amount of gratuity credited
to each to the Ist day of February, ISGI ; distinguishing
also whether he was concerned in the Portland mutiny.—
Ordered.