The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-10 00:00:00

CON FEN 710 N OF ROYAL B URGIIS.

The Convention of Royal Burghs of Scotland
met on Tuesday in the Council Chambers, Edin-
burgh ; the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presiding.
It was agreed to take steps to preserve the ancient
burghal and corporation records of Scotland as far
as possible, with the view of making them available
for illustrating the history and progress of the na-
tion. A discussion ensued on the Scotch Reform
Bill, in the course of which a difference of opinion
was expressed as to the expediency of granting
representation to the Universities. As to the num-
ber of representatives for Scotland, it was, how-
ever, unanimously agreed to remit to the annual
committee, with conventional powers and special
instructions, to urge on the Legislature the claims
of Scotland to at least 15 additional members. The
bill to amend the procedure in the Court of Session
and the judicial arrangements in the superior courts
of Scotland was next brought up. The Lord
Provost said that the only objection he had to the
bill was that it did not go far enough. He should
like to see something done for the abolition entirely
of intermediate sheriffs—that there should be a
sheriff for each county residing in the county
town, and that from his decision there should
be an appeal at once to the Court. He trusted that
in this bill, or in some subsequent measure, arrange-
ments would be made fur carrying out that idea.
Mr. M'Andrew, assessor for Fortrose, said he
thought that in the meantime the Convention
should be glad indeed that the Lord Advocate had
brought in the present bill, which he had no doubt
would have a very important effect in promoting
facilities for carrying on legislation in Scotland.
The bill was then remitted to the annual com-
mittee. It was agreed to petition in favour of
the Land Writs Registration Bill generally.
Several other public measures relating to Scotland
having been considered, the Convention adjourned
till the next day. On Wednesday the Convention
resumed its sittings, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh
again presiding. After some preliminary business
had been disposed of, the Assessor of Culross moved
—" That a committee be appointed to take into
consideration the address presented to the Par-
liament of this ancient kingdom by the com-
missioners of the General Convention of
Royal Burghs thereof, met on the 29th of
October, 1706, approving a safe and honour-
able treaty, but objecting to the treaty as
it stood on the ground of its inadequate securities,
and to report how far the fears therein expressed
have been realised by the subsequent history and
present state of Scotland." In supporting his
motion, the assessor said that sixty years ago he
began to read the history of the country, not as
a Whig or as a Tory, but with perfect indifference
in regard to these matters, and he had come to
the conclusion that there was a beginning of the
end of that kindly feeling between England and
Scotland, which had so long existed. The chairman
said he considered that the motion was an uncon-
stitutional one. Mr. Colston, Edinburgh, moved the
previous question, which was seconded by Baillie
Brown, assessor, Dunfermline. On a division the
motion was rejected by 25 to 2. The Lord Provost
of Edinburgh then proposed—" That it be remit •
ted to the annual committee to consider what steps
should be taken to appoint the day for the hold-
ing of fast-days throughout Scotland, and if possi-
ble to procure a general abolition of fast-days in the
Church." Dean of Guild Law said he did not
think that the Convention should interfere in this
matter, and remarked that for them to do so in the
way proposed would be to trample on the toes of a
great many prejudices, and they would do more
harm than good. Provost Whitelaw, Dunfermline,
said that holidays in this country were by far too few
at present, and he thought that instead of diminishing
them by abolishing the fast-days steps should be
taken to increase the number. The Lord Provost
of Perth pointed out several inconveniences felt by
the mercantile community by fast-days being held
in different parts of the country. He believed, how-
ever, that railway companies would vote for a great
many additional fast-days in Scotland, because they
were the means of increasing their revenues. After
some further discussion, the Lord Provost withdrew
his motion. It was agreed to petition Parliament
in favour of the Electric Telegraph Bill. Several
matters having been remitted to committees for li
consideration, the Convention adjourned till the
first Tuesday in April, 1869.