The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-30 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 the subject into conside-
ration ?

Earl DE GREY and RIPON replied that the Govern-
ment would take into consideration any contact 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 sent 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 ota very material nature, he
thought, in order to insure their passing this session, the
alterations might be safely accepted.
Lord CHELMSFORD thought the session too far ad-
vanced to admit of the amendments being fairly considered,
and he thought their lordships might reasom.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 bexame law, as it was, however,
their lordships must be supposed to accept the alterations.
After. a few words from Lord WENSLEYDA.LE,
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 observations from the LORD
CHANCELLOR, read a second time.

LEFT SITTING,

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(THIS EVENING.)
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 sessiqn 1961), and of the
quantity of hops, British and foreign, consumed at the fire
in Tooley-street on the 23d June, were ordered.
MAYNO OT II COLLEGE.

In reply to Mr. WHALLET,e
Lord PALMERSTON said that he would make inquiries
relative to the time when the returns ordered by the house
on the 18th of May in respect to Maynooth College would
be presented to the house.
LIABILITY OF SHIPOWNERS.
Mr. MILLER asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether, in the hill proposed to be brought in early next
session on the liability of shipowners, pilotage, and other
matters, it be intended to provide for relief to the owners
of British and foreign vessels using certain publi3 harbours
from taxation for the maintenance of local institutions, and
for payment of the debts of the municipalities where such
harbours happen to be si mate ?
Mr. M. GIBSON declined to give any explanation in
reference to a bill to be introduced on a futuro session.
(Laughter.)
DELHI AND LUCKNOW PRIZE MONEY.
Mr. DEEDES asked the Secretary of State for India,
whether he was enabled to fix a more decided time for the
settlement and distribution of the Delhi and Lucknow Prize
Money than he did on the 3d of August last year, and
again at the commencement of the session. And, what was
now the cause of delay ?
Sir C. WOOD said that he could not state whether a
time was fixed, for the distribution of the money, but the
Indian Gov%;rnment had been urged on the subject.
Mr. DEEDES gave notice that if no one would draw
attention to this subject he would do so next session.