The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-21 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Mr. FREWEN presented petitions from Leicester in
favour of Scriptural education ; also petitions from
Sussex against the Jews Bill.
Mr. Alderman lILTMPHERY presented petitions from
Southwark and other places in favour of the Marriage
Bill, and also in favour of the Friendly Societies Bill.
Lord GALWAY presented petitions from Norfolk
against the admission of Jews into Parliament.

_
Mr. RICARDO presented petitions from Stoke-upon-
Trent against certain clauses in the Savings Bank Bill.
I 'Colonel LINDSAY presented a petition from Wigan
against the admission of Jews into Parliament.

—Mr. PLUMPTRE presented a petition from Epsom
to the same affect.

_
Mr. HAMILTON presented a petition from Man-
chester, signed by upwards of 10,000 persons, praying
that the Government would give the same extension of
privilege to the Irish people to educate their children as
was at present given to England.
Mr. NAPIER presented a similar petition.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER pre-
sented a petition from the mayor, aldermen, and bur-
gesses of Nottingham, against the stoppage of the de-
livery of letters on Sunday.
Mr. HUME presented a petition against certain clauses
of the Savings Bank Bill.
AMENDMENT TO MR. ROEBUCK'S MOTION.
Mr. HUME gave notice that he should on Monday
night move, as an amendment to the motion of
Mr. Roebuck, to omit all the words after the
word that, and substitute the following words
" taking into consideration the general policy of her,
Majesty's Government under circumstances of difficulty,
this House is of opinion that on the whole it is calculated
10 promote the best interests of this country, and there.
fore deems it expedient to continue their confidence to
the present Ministry."—(Cheers and laughter.)
EXAMINATION OF OFFICERS.
Colonel REID rose to ask the Secretary-at-War, in
reference to a circular recently issued from the Horse
Guards regarding the future promotion of lieutenants
and captains of the army, whether the educational
examination to which officers of such rank aro to
be hereafter subjected will be conducted by
civilians or by a board of military officers ;
whether officers who may be serving, or have served
abroad, and who may have been in action, are to be de-
clared unfit for promotion, unless they possess a know-
ledge cf " Euclid, algebra, logarithms, trigonometry,
mensuration, geography, and history;" whether officers
who have risen from the ranks are to undergo the pre-
scribed examination; and in what manner it is intended
that the examiners shall be paid?
Mr. FOX MAULE said, as regarded the examiners,
as the examinations would not commence until after
July, 1852, it was not yet announced whether they
would be officers or professors; after that period all offi-
cers would have to undergo the examination. With re-
spect to the officers who had risen from the ranks, owing
to the excellent system of schools established in the
army, he had no doubt that officers rising from the ranks
would be perfectly able to undergo any examination.
FRENCH MAIL PACKETS.

Mr. MACKINNON wished tOlCWOllWhether the
fl,cility might not be afforded to passengers landing at
Folkstone and Dover of proceeding by the trains with
their luggage without impediment or delay, by having
their trunks examined on board previously to their dis-
embarkation, or by a Customhouse officer being in at-
tendance at all hours of the day or night for that pur-
pose,

Mr. HAYTER replied that an arrangement had been,
gweorusidoi shortly be, be, carried into effect to relieve pas-
sengers
Gentleman.—(gear.)
referred to by the Hon.
Mr. 'l'lmt IioANTsMa triN
v.
.7 MR. SMITH O'BRIEN.
pamertdtifiilto ask the Secretary of State
ent whether Mr. Smith
food
drocure at his own ex-
for the Home
O'Brien was allopwee
person in and
clothing as were
ficaroltilddition, also whether
pense such articles of f
necessary for a person in his
prohibited
Maria Island,
he was subject to solitary con
holding intercourse with any
where he had been placed? The Gentlemanllonin
asked a series of other questions res • also
respecting the treat-
ment of Mr. Smith O'Brien.
Sir GEORGE GREY said it was quite impossible for
him to enter into the minute details of tho treatment to
which one individual was subjected out of some thou-
sands who, having Lean sentenced by the laws of their
country to transportation, were now undergoing that
punishment. (Cheers.) Tho Right Honourable
Baronet then alluded to the refusal of Mr.
Smith O'Brien to accept a ticket of leave on his arrival
at the colony, and stated that the only alternative under
those circumstances was to put him in the same position
as any other convict. He had been removed to Maria
bland, where ho had good quarters, was relieved
from coercive employment, was allowed liberal
rations, and permitted to take exercise between
sunrise and sunset within 200 yards of his abode.
Government had acted with the utmost forbearance, and
that he was afraid the only charge that could bo urged
against them was that they had acted with too much
leniency.—(Hoar, hear.)
WESTMINSTER SEWERS.
Lord DUNCAN wished to know from the First Com-
missioner whether he had given permission to the Com-
missioners of Sewers to erect the ugly chimney that
was being built in Parliament-gardens?

LrJrd SEYMOUR said the Legislature had c‘inferrcd
large powers upon the CorawistiioLers of Sewers, who
could do alin,-;st as th.!;,- liked. Any person ohstructin
them was liable to various penalties, and he understood
the word " person" in the Act had been interpreted to
wean even her Majesty herself. .

Mr. 13. OSBOA'NE- wished to know if the plan of
the chimney had been submitted to the Commissioners
of the Fine Arts, with the view of having it ornamented
in the Gothic style, and made to harmonize with the
new HOUSe3.—(A laugh.)
Lord SEYMOUR told the Honourable Gentleman
that he must apply to a higher authority for that in-
formation.

Lord DUNCAN wished to know what the estimate
of the Westminster Sewer was.

Lord EBRINGTON replied 30,354/.
Sir B. HALL asked if the Commissioners of Sewers
were prepared to surrender their functions into the
hands of parties who would be responsible to the rate-
payers for the expenditure?
Lord EBRINGTON could not answer that question
without notice.