The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-12 00:00:00

WINDOW TAX.

Lord DUNCAN said on this day fortnight he would
iiik fur leave to bring in a Bill for the abolition of the
window tax.

COUNTY COURTS.

Mr. FITZROY gave notice that on an early day ho
should propose that the jurisdiction of county courts
should be extended.

IRISH UNIONS.

Sir ROBERT FERGUSON moved for a return of
the liabilities of each union in Ireland, on the 31st day
of December, 1849, distinguishing-1. Liabilities duo to
contractors, officers, or treasurer of each union, or the
amount to the credit of tke union with the treasurer,
after deducting such liabilities. 2. The amount due to
the Exchequer for building the workhouses, distin•
guishing the instalments then due and unpaid, and
those afterwards to fall due. 3. The amount due to in-
dividuals or the treasurer of each union for advances
for additions to any workhouse or fever hospital, dis-
tinguishing the instalments then due, and those after.
wards to fall due.. 4. The amount due by each union
and by each electoral division therein, for advances by
the Relief Commissioners, which were then unpaid. 5.
The amount then due of the rate in aid ordered to be
raised off such union or any electoral division therein.
6. The total of all such liabilities. 7. The net annual
value of each union on that day.—Agreed t 3.
Mr. SADLEIR, in the absence of Colonel Dunne,
moved for a return showing the financial state of each
union in Ireland where paid guardians were appointed, at
the time of their appointmet,t, comparing it with the finan-
cial state of the same unions when they were removed:
and copies of all reports and resolutions made by boards
of guardians, either entered on their minutes or trans-
mitted to the Poor•law Commissioners, in those unions
where paid guardians have acted, relating to the manage-
ment cf those Unions while under the superintendence
of paid guardians.

THE FACTORY ACT.
Lord ASHLEY, seeing the Right Hon. Baronet the
Secretary of State for the Home Department, he wished
to ask him whether his attention bad been directed to
the decision of the Court of Exchequer on the subject of
the Factory Act, and whether it was the intention of
Government to introduce any Bill to amend the defect
which that Act seemed to contain.
Sir G. GREY said, just before he came down to
the House, the short-hand writer's notes of the
judgment of the Court of Exchequer on the
case referred to by the Noble Lord were placed
in his hands, and he had, therefore, had no opportunity
of yet be:loming fully informed of the general nature of
the decision. Personally, however, he was aware of the
result which the Court of Exchequer had came to. Last
session he was prepared to introduce a Bill to regulate
the construction of the Act, which be thought
would have placed the matter on a just and equi-
table footing, but it was withdrawn in deference
to the wishes of those who were int,Tested in the ques-
tions, and who were anxious to know what construction
a court of law would place upon the Act before any
legislation took place on the subject. That decision had
now been obtained, but until he bad informed himself
f the grounds upon which it had been arrived at, he
could not state wlifcwoepreytihieoiLntDens.tions of Government.
_ _

Mr. AGLIONBY wishecfto ask the Secretary of
State for the Home Department, whether her Majesty's
Government would introduce a measure for the compul-
sory enfranchisement of copyholds.
Sir G. GREY gave the same answer that he did last
session, namely, that Government did not intend to
introduce any such Bill. Ame asure, however, had been
introduced into the other House, to amend the law re.
letting to heriots and steward fees.
Mr. AGLIONBY gave notice then that he should
introduce a Bill for the compulsory enfranchisement of
copyholds.
COUNTY FINANCIAL BOARDS.
Sir J. PAKINGTON wished to put a question to
the Honourable Member for Manchester on the subject
of the County Rates Bill, of which he had charge.
The country patty took a great interest in the
measure, seeing that it went to revolutionise
the entire county system, and he wished to abk the Hon.
Member to postpone the second reading till they had had
an opportunity of examining its provisions.
Mr. MILNER GIBSON said he could not look upon
the Bill as any novelty. If he was called on to-morrow
he should hardly feel at liberty not to avail himself of
the opportunity at least of commencing it. He should
think it his duty to introduce it to the House, if called
on at a reasonable hour.

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES GOVERNMENT BILL.
Mr. SCOTT asked whether it was the intention °lithe
Government to postpone the second reading of this 'Bill
till Friday? He had also to ask her Majesty's Govern-
ment whether there was any objection to lay upon the
table ef the House of Commons copies of all papers and
correspondence relative to the Australian Colonies Go-
vernment Bill since the 31st of July, 1847, including
petitions and memorials on the subject?
Lord J. RUSSELL said, in reply to the Hon. Member,
he had to say it was not his (Lord J. Russell's) intention
the second reading until Friday. The papers that had
lately been received from the Australian colonies would
be laid upon the table of the House shortly.
Mr. SCOTT asked her Majesty's Government,
whether any and what reduction has been made, since
February, 1849, in the offioial establishment of the Emi-
gration depot at Deptford, or in the establishment of
tt e Emigration agents for the port of London; also,
whether the bedding, the requisites for cooking, and
other articles for emigrants are still provided by private
contract with the Emigration Commissioners, or whether
they are supplied by public tender.
Mr. HAWES—There had been no reduction at the
der Ot at Deptford.
Mr. SCOTT asked her Majesty's Government whe-
ther any report or information has been received from
New South Wales, relative to the treatment of emigrants
on board the ship Victoria, more particularly as to the
issue of previsions; and if there will be any objection to
produce the copies of any documents relating thereto.
Mr. HAWES said that they had received no definite
intelligence, but that a great part of the information de-
sired had been previously given, but that the whole of
the papers should be given as soon as they reached the
Government.

THE TIMBER DUTIES.
Lord JOCELYN seeing the President of the
Board of Trade in his place, wished to ask
whether it Ras the intention of the Government
to introduce during the present session any measure
for the regulation of the timber duties, which pressed
so heavily on the ship-builders.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that he hoped the Noble
Lord would not accuse him of discourtesy, if he declined
to answer the question, and followed the usual custom of
of et frainining from giving any information upon this or
any similar subject until after the Chancellor of the
Exchequer had made his annual statement to the House.
SUPERVISION OF COAL MINES.
Mr. WYLD wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet at
the head of the Home Department whether he meant to
proceed aey further this session with the measure which
he had proposed last session for the supervision of; and
the prevention of accidents in, coal mines.
Sir G. GREY said :that in consequence of what he
bad stated last session, he had sent two gentlemen out
to make a survey of the several coal miner, and that he
had not yet receivtd their report, but as soon as he did
so he would I;,y a Bill on the table of the House with a
view to prevent as much as possible the recurrence of
those calamities. _ _

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL would postpone the
Committee until Friday, on the Hon. Member's request,

TRANSPORTATION AND EMIGRATION.
Sir R. H. INGLIS wished to ask the Under-Secretary
,or the Colonies a question, whether on the simulta-
neous arrival of a transport and a free emigrant ship at
Botany Bay, the Convicts who, during their passage
had behaved remarkably well, were all engaged before
,m,zrant=.

Air. HA WES belie ;A I at tht;' report ri-hich had
reached the Hon. Baronet W 45 quite correct.