The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-25 00:00:00

INDEMNITY BILL.

Sir C.I. LEWIS moved that the Speaker do leave the
chair, in order that the house might go into committee on
this bill.

Mr. HADFIELD moved, as an amendment, to leave out
from " That" to le end of the question, in order to in-
sert " this house having during each of 31 consecutive
years passed a bill which became law for indemnifying per-
ons liable to make and subscribe, but who had not made
and subscribed the declaration imposed by the act of the 9th
Geo. IV., chap. 17, and having during each of three conse-
cutive sessions passed a bill for abolishing such declarations,
will not be satisfied with any measure respecting such de•
claration except one for its abolition."
Sir M. PETO seconded the amendment.

Sir G. LEWIS said that the bill had been law for the
last 30 years, and was designed to relieve persons who bad
unwittingly neglected to take any of those oaths which
were incumbent on them. He hoped the house would con-
firm the policy which had been so frequently affirmed.
The amendment having been withdrawn, the bill passed
through committee.
LUNACY REGULATION BILL.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second read-
ing of this bill (from the Lords). Its objects he explained
to be-Ist, to provide for more frequent visiting of lunatics
under the care of the Court of Chancery; and 2d, to dimi-
nish the expense of procedure. There were at present 626
lunatics under the care of the Court of Chancery at an an-
nual cost of X 230,000.

Mr. HENLEY asked the Government to postpone the
bill for a week, until Mr. Walpole, who was absent on ac-
count of domestic affliction, returned to the house. The
right hon. gentleman proceeded at some length to criticise
the provisions of the bill, and moved the adjournment of the
debate.

After some discussion the amendment was withdrawn, the
bill was read a second time, and the committee fixed for
this day week.

GRAND JURIES (IRELAND) BILL.

This bill was withdrawn.
LACE FACTORIES BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.

On clause 1,
Mr. OSBORNE complained that the bill reduced the
ages of boys who were to work as men from 18 to 16, and
children from 13 to 11. It extended the work on Saturday
from 2 p.m. until half-past 4, quite upsetting the old Fac-
tory Act. It made other alterations, all of which were in
favour of the masters alone.

--
Sir G. LEWIS said the bill was in perfect accordance
with the views of Mr. Tremenheere, the commissioner.

Mr. COBBETT contended that the bill was totally ad-
verse to the report of the commissioner.
The clause was agreed to.
On clause 2,

Mr. PAGET moved to insert these words--" Provided
also that it shall not be lawful to employ any youth both
earlier than 6 o'clock in the morning and later than 6 o'zlock
in the evening of the same day, nor to employ any youth
both later than 6 o'clock in the evening of any day and
earlier than 6 o'clock in the morning of the next succeed-
jug day."
The amendment was agreed to.
Clause 3 was agreed to.
On clause 4,
Mr. OSBORNE complained that it would deprive the
children of their half holiday on Saturday, and moved that
it be struck out.

The amendment gave rise to a lengthened conversation,
and the committee divided upon it—
For the amendment 57
Against it
Majority
Tho amendment was carried, and the clause struck out.
On clause 5,
Lord H. LENNOX proposed that children should work
as children until thirteen years of age instead of eleven.
The committee divide upon the question that thirteen
should be the age-
-60
For the motion ..............
Against it .......................... 561
Majority .......••• ••••
The motion was carried, and the clause as amended was
agreed to.
Mr. COLLINS moved that clause 6 he struck out.
The committee divided—
For the motion
Against it
Majority —lo
The clause was struck out.

The remaining clauses having been agreed to, the bill
was ordered to be reported.

EPISCOPAL AND CAPITULATE ESTATES ACT
CONTINUANCE BILL.

Sir G. C. LEWIS moved the secona reading of this
bill.
Mr. HENLEY said that matters of substance were intro.
duced into this bill. It was highly undesirable that such
matters should be introduced into continuance bills. It
provided
that the Dean of Hereford might hold a warden-
ship lately vacant.

Sir G. LEWIS admitted that the practice was incon-
venient, and would reduce the bill to a simple continuance
Bill.
The bill was read a second time.
PROSECUTIONS EXPENSES BILL.
Sir G. LEWIS moved the second reading of this bill.
Mr. HENLEY thought, this was a worse bill than the

other. (Laughter.) He thought the Treasury had no
right to throw such charges upon the ratepayers.
Sir G. LEWIS said he had considered that he would be
throwing away the public money if he raised the scale all
over the country, and he gave magistrates in some places
power to supplement the amount from the county -rate.
The bill was merely permissive.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT thought there was much in the
bill to alarm the ratepayers of the country. He suggested
that it should be applied to Lancashire and Yorkshire in
the first instance.

Sir W. MILES spoke in opposition. to 'the bill.
It being a quarter to six, the debate was adjourned.
NEWSPAPERS, &c., BILL.
This bill was read a seeond time. ,

DURHAM 'UNIVERSITY BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
THE METROPOLITAN GAS ACT AMENDMENT