The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his 89at on the Woolsack
at five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Isle of Wight. Central Railway Bill was read a
second time.

REGISTRATION OF WRITS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
Lord COLONSAY moved the second reading of this
bill, and said that it was intended by this measure tc
ameliorate the present practice of withdrawing writs in
Scotland. The remedy he proposed was that the registration
be not withdrawn without inquiry. Ile wished to prevent
many inconsistencies which had crept into the system of
recording deeds. The noble lord instanced several ex-
amples where evil was found to exist through the prezent
system.
The bill was read a second time.
REWARDS TO INVENTORS.

The Earl of CARDIGAN presented a petition from
Henry Needham Scrope Shrapnel, late 3d Dragoon Guards,
praying that some national reward may be conferred upon
him, in consideration of services rendered to the country by
the use of the shells invented by his late father, and
said that there was not the slightest doubt that
those shells were found invaluable, and were highly com-
mended by all commanders of troops both in Europe and
the East. The reward for this invention was mooted in
1837, but it appeared that nothing was finally
settled. General ShraPnel, who invented the
shell, appears to have made an addition to his will
praying that some national reward should be given to his
family for services rendered by his invention during the
last war. He would now recommend to their lordships
that some consideration should be given to this valuable
invention.
Lord LONGFORD said that he had no doubt it was a
very valuable invention, but he could not hold out any
hope to the petitioner that the War Department could assist
him. It appeared that Gen. Shrapnel had a special pension
of £1,200, and he enjoyed this 28 years ; and he also got a
royalty of £lO,OOO from the East India Company. His
claim had been under consideration upon several occasions,
and Sir George Cornewall Lewis, no mean authority, had
thought that he had no claim in this. Sir John Pakington
concurred. They had paid the representatives of Mr.
Snider a large sum, and they were now suing for further
remuneration in fond pauperis.
The petition was ordered to lie on the table.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Mr. GILPIN gave notice that on the motion that
the Speaker do leave the chair on the house going into
committee on the Executions in Prisons Bill, he would
move as an amendment that, in the opinion of the house,
it was desirable that capital punishment be altogether
abolished.

ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES BILL.
Mr. SCHREIBER gave notice that on the motion for the
second reading of this bill ho should move that the bill be
read a second time that day six months.
NEW PALACE YARD.
Mr. HANKEY asked the First Commissioner of Works
whether there was any reason why the entrance gate to
New Palace Yard, at the north-east corner near Westmin-
ster Bridge, should not be opened at 11 o'clock a.m. instead
of as now at 4 p.m., inconvenience being felt by members
and others connected with the House of Commons at the
closing of the entrance until 4 o'clock. He further wished
to know when it was proposed to uncover the statue at
another part of the Yard.
Lord J. MANNERS said he was not aware of any reason
why the gate should not be open, and he would inquire
&bout the matter. With respect to the other question ho
must refer the hon. gentleman to the hon. member for the
city of Oxford, who is the chairman of the memorial com-
mittee.

CHINA.
Mr. OSBORNE asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs if he would lay before the house copies of memo-
rials addressed to her Majesty's representative in China on
the treaty of Tientsin by English Chambers of Commerce
and mercantile firms in China ; and also the dospatches of
her Majesty's Envoy and Chief Superintendent Consul in
China on the treaty and its revision?
Lord STANLEY said with respect to the memorial
there would be no objection to produce the papers, but
with respect to despatches of our own diplomatic agents
they were of a more private nature, and it would not be
for the benefit of the public service to produca them.