The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-26 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMIONS—Lasr EVENING,

The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
GRAND JURY CESS (IRELAND) BILL.
Mr. STACPOOLE moved the second reading of th's bill,
the object of which was to give the ratepayers more con
trol over the the amount raised by its means.
The Earl of MAYO opposed the bill, and moved that it
be read a second time that day six months. The ground
of his opposition was that the subject of rating was now
under consideration of a select committee, and there-
fore it was inexpedient to make any alteration of tho
system in practice at the present time.
The house divided, when there appeared—.
For the amendment.. 7O
Against it 57

Majority
The bill was consequently lost.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS (IRELAND) BILL.
The O'CONOR DON moved that the house go into
committee on this bill, which was simply to extend the
English act to Ireland.

The motion was opposed by Mr. VANCE on the ground
that the bill would only tend to increase religious rancour
in the north of Ireland.
The house divided, when there appeared--
For going into committee B2
Against it 46
Majority
—36
The motion having been carried the house went into
committee. The whole of the clauses with the exception of
two were
.agreed to without amendment. The chairman
reported progress.
TANCRED'S CHARITY BILL

Mr. B. HOPE moved the second reading of this bill, the
object of which was to improve the condition under which
this charity was administered.

Mr. LEFEVRE opposed the bill, being of opinion that
it was one that ought to be brought forward by the Go-
vernment, and not left to the charge of a private member.
The house divided, when there appeared—
For the s3cond reading 69
Against it B3

Majority against
The bill was accordingly lost.
MUTINY BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. D. GRIFFITH dissented, on the grouLd that the
measure was being smuggled through the house quietly,
in order to avoid the opposition it would be sure to occa-
sion if it was proceeded with openly.
The bill, however, was read a second time.
CONSOLIDATED FUND (.C6,000,000) BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
The House then adjourned.

JAPAN.-A SEA FIGHT.

The following short account of a Nipou sea-fight
is from an officer of the 9th Regiment :

" YOKOHAMA, Jan. 29, 1868.
" I have at last something to write about, which
has more interest in it than the general news from
Yokohama. On Sunday, the 19th, 11-,
and I, with some naval men, had a good view of a
naval action between a large war steamer belonging
to Stotsbashi, the Shogoon, and a smaller war stea-
mer of Satsuma's. They had kept up a running fight
from Yeddo; but as they neared this place they
came to rather closer quarters. But though
Satsuma's vessel was weaker in size, steam
power, number of men, and guns, and was only
trying to make good her retreat from these waters,
the Shogoon's people, like true Nipons, funked run-
ning in and boarding her, which they might easily
have done. So they contented themselves with
banging into the enemy till dusk set in, when
they veered off for a time, I suppose to eat
their fish and rice (it is just what they would do).
They afterwards followed Satsuma's craft out in
company with some more of the Shogoon's vessels ;
but all returned next morning without the wished-for
prize. I do not know exactly what damage was done,
but Satsuma's ship seemed almost disabled, and the
other had some spars shot away, besides consider-
able damage to her hull. Two shells burst right over
her paddle-boxes, at short range. They poured i 4
grape and canister as well, BO some Nipons must
have lust the number of their mess. I wonder what
the great Daimio of the South, my host of last year,
will say to the news of this fight, and the burning of
his Yashikis at Yeddo. His retainers there, after
unsuccessfully attempting to hold out the Yashikis
against the Imperial troops, were put to the
sword, except those who managed to escape on
board ship or into the country. Shot and shell
flew pretty thick over the British legation and one
of our own gunboats at Yeddo. Since this we have
heard of no disturbance, but the Nipon authorities
are in a great funk, and we keep on our guard,
though I do not see the least cause to alter my
opinion, which has always been the Nipons will be
too wise to interfere with us."

It is somewhat curious that the news of the de-
feat and flight of the Shogoon had not reached
Yokohama when this letter was written.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCI.I---ehis Day.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

GRAVESEND, Thursday Morning.
Arrived, March 25 Souvenir, steamer, from C.ten ;
Triton, steamer, from Ostend.

Arrived, March 26 —Elena Anna, from Warborg ; Nor-
man, steamer, from Stettin ; Windsor, steamer. from
Antwerp ; Rhine, steamer, from Boulogne.
Sailed—Claude, steamer, for Dunkirk; Seine, steamer,
for Boulogne.

DEAL, Thursday Morning.
Anchored—Punjaub, for Calcutta ; Pilgrim, for Trini-
dad—both from London; Mary, of Yarmouth, from the
West, for the North.

Bailed—Diadem, for Bremen ; and rest of the wind-
bound, for the North.

Bank of England Returns,

An Account, pursuant to
oap. 32, for the week ending

he Act ith and Bth Victoria,
Vednesday, March 18, 1868.
.ARTMENT.

ISSUE DE
Notes issued ..,..£34,994,600

Goverurnt. Debt..£11,015,100
Other Securities.. 3,984,900
Gold Coin and

Bullion
Silver Bullion

X 34,991,600

034,994,600

➢ANKING D.

Proprietors' Capi-
tal .£14,553,000
Rest
Public Deposits
(including Ex-
ion! Is Banks,
e ue r, Sav-
Commissioners
of National
Debt, and Div.

gPARTMENT.
Governmt. Secu-
rities(including
Dead Weight
Annuity) £13,272,162
Other Securities 17,777,410
Notes 11,966,975
Gold and Silver
Coin ... 1,286,827

Accounts 5,927,221
Other Deposits.. 14),737,714
Seven Days and
other Bills_

467,842

£44,303,401

£41,303,40t
NS. MA; Deputy Cashier.