The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-18 00:00:00

REFORM BILL FOR IRELAND.

The Earl of MAYO gave notice that on the 9th March
he should move for leave to introduce a bill to amend
the representation of the people in Ireland.
ANNUITY TAX.

Mr. M'LAREN gave notice that on Wednesday next
he would introduce a bill to abolish the annuity tax in
Edinburgh.
DAUNT'S ROCK.

In reply to Mr. MAGIYIRE,
Mr. CAVE said various lights had been placed in the
♦icinity of Cork free of expense. With respect to Daunt's
Rock, an offer had been made and declined, and then with
respect to the blasting of it, a proposal was now under the
consideration of the Board of Trade, but as it had on
former occasions been looked upon as dangerous, and as
no great good would follow the removal of the rock, it did
not seem fair to cast the expense of its removal on the
mercantile marine fund.
THE REFORM BILL.

Mr. E. HAMILTON asked the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer whether any representations had been made to
him as to the hardship and distress which the abolition of
the composition of rates under the Reform Act of 1867 was
causing to occupiers of small rated houses in a great num-
ber of English Parliamentary boroughs, and whether the
Government was prepared to introduce any measure of
relief during the present session.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had
to say in reply that no such representations had reached
him. 'Of course the bill had caused increased trouble in
collecting the rates, but the Poor Law Board had antici-
pated that, and had issued an order for the increase of the
number of collectors. He had no doubt but that in some
cases the misapprehension of the overseers had occasioned
injustice. if any person wished to claim exemption from
the payment of the rates on the ground of poverty the act
of 1847 gave the power; but to introduce a measure to
amend the Reform Act at the present time would be both
precipitous and dangerous.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT.

In reply to. Lord E. CECIL,
Sir J. PAKINUTON said the vote to be proposed bad
been increased, but he hoped he would be allowed to post-
pone an explanation of the causes that had led to such a
step until the Army Estimates were under discussion.
INDIA IRRIGATION.

In reply to Mr. SDIOLLETT,
Sir S. NORTHCOTE said it was quite true a proposal
had, with the advice of the Governor-General of India,
been made for tho purchase of the works of the com-
pany referred to. The shares were to be purchased at par,
but he could not at that time state the exact sum that
would be required. He did not think it would be possible
to obtain tho shares at the discount mentioned by the
hon. member.
Mr. SMOLLETT said, he should take an early op-
portunity of bringing the whole subject under the con-
sideration of Parliament.
LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND).
Mr. O'BEIRNE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether he intended to introduce any measure for the im-
provement of the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland
during the present session ; and if so, whether he would
now fix a day for that purpose.
The Earl of MAYO hoped he would be permitted to
defer what he had to say on the subject until the motion
of the hon. member for Cork was under discussion next
week.

SEIZURE OF AN AMERICAN SUBJECT IN
CHINA.

In reply to Colonel SYKES,
Mr. EGERTON said it was true that information had
been received of the capture of an American gentleman
and party by 300 Chinese robbers ; but he had also re-
ceived a letter from the gentleman in question, speaking
in high terms of the way he was released by the gallantry
of Captain Dunlop and his blue jackets.
ABOLITION OF OATHS.
Mr. GILPIN asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department if it vas his intention to introduce a
bill founded on the report of the Oaths Commission ?
Mr. HARDY said a bill had been prepared, and would
be introduced in the other house.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
Sir C. BRIGHT asked the Secretary to the Treasury
whether it was the intention of the Government to bring
in, this session, a bill for the acquirement and working of
the electric telegraphs in the United Kingdom ; and if so,
when the bill would be introduced.
Mr. HUNT said it was proposed to introduce a bill for
that purpose, and he would give the date when the bill
would be brought forward at the end of the week.

MAILS TO MALTA.

In reply to Sir G. BowYER,
Mr. HUNT said that by the now contract with the
Peninsular and Oriental Company the vessels would not
touch at Malta as frequently as formerly, but what was to
be substituted for the loss of the two mails between
Marseilles and Malta had not yet been decided on.
THE CAMBRIDGE ELECTION.

In reply to an Roll. MENtnEn,
Sir MAXWELL STEWART said the names of the
two right rev. prelates who had objected to their names
appearing on the list of Mr. B. Hope's committee had been
withdrawn ; and ho had to expresi his regret that they
should have appeared, but ho could only attribute it to the
hurry of preparation.

HABEAS CORPDS SUSPENSION ACT (IRELAND).
The Earl of MAYO moved the second reading of this
bill, which was to continue the suspension of the Habeas
Corpus Act in Ireland.
Colonel FRENCH regretted that it had been thought
proper to continue the act, but it appeared to him that
if a proceeding similar to the special constable movement
in England had taken place in Ireland there would have
been no necessity for the renewal of the act.
Mr. C. FORTESCUE, though he regretted the circum-
stance, thought that the Government had acted judiciously
in continuing the suspension of the act.
Sir H. BARROW condemned the conduct of the Go-
vernment in the manner in which Ireland was treated.
She was treated with the greatest indignity and scorn,
and instead of receiving a fair and equal share of
consideration, she had invariably been looked upon as
disloyal and disaffected. They dared not treat Scotland
as they had treated Ireland, and if the Irish were
to treat the English as the English treated them
they would not stand it for a moment, but would
rise as one man to resent the injustice. Ireland had always
been treated ef,er since the union as a conquered country,
the Chief °lncas there were filled by Englishmen, there were
Ito royal palaces in Ireland, none of the royal family ever
Went there, and it was not to be surprised that such
treatment produced disloyalty,
in answer to Sir COLEMAN O'Loa.tru,
The Earl of MAYO said with respect to the arrest of
Mr. Train, it was the duty of the police to watch all fresh
arrivals from America, and amongst the baggage of Mi.
Train a great number of printed documents were found,
consisting mostly of the speeches of Mr. Train delivered
in America,and from a cursory perusal they appeared to sym-
pathise with the Fenian movement. With respect to the
arrest of that gentleman, he thought the police were
quite justified by the circumstances that had come to their
knowledge in taking the stops they dia. (Hear, hear.)
When an inquiry took place, and Mr. Train gave an as-
surance that he was not induced to visit this country with
any political or revolutionary object, he was at onoo act
at liberty.
After a few words from Mr. D. GRIFFITHS, the bill
was read a second time.
The Public Pepartruents (Extra jZeceipts) Dill passed
through committee.

On the motion of Lord TICTLIAM, a select committee
was appointed to inquire into the origin and objects of the
Military Reserve Fund.

'TIE SCOTCH REFORM BILL.
The LORD ADVOCATE brought up the Scotch Re-
form Bill, explaining that the franchise part of it would be
based on the English Act. The borough franchise would
be extended to all householders rated and paying rates ;
and though he believed the case of lodgers to be amply
provided for in Scotland by the present rating laws, there
would be no objection to a clause to remove all doubt. In
the counties there would be an ownership franchise of £5
clear annual value, and an occupation franchise of £l2.
There would be also provisions for securing fairness and
uniformity of assessment, which the Lord Advocate ex-
plained in some detail. Passing to the distribution
clauses, he stated that there would be seven new mem-
bers given to Scotland, which would, be au addition to
the aggregate numbers of the House. Of these seven two
would be given to the Scotch Universities, ono to each of
the counties of Ayr, Lanark, and Aberdeen, ono to Glas-
gow (to be elected on the " representation of mino-
rities" principle), and one to o. group consisting of .Ardros-
san, Coatbridge, Wishaw, Barrhead, Johnstone, Helens-
burgh, Kirkintilloeh, and Pollockshaws, iu the counties of
Lanark, Renfrew, Ayr, and Dumbarton, and containing a
population of 74,000. Further than this, it was proposed
to add Hawick and Galashiels to II Addington Burghs, and
Allen to the Stirling Burghs.
Mr. BAXTER disapproved entirely the distribution
scheme, and preferred rather to postpone the claims of
Scotland to the new Parliament than to increase the num-
bers of the House of Commons. Scotland, he maintained,
ought not to be treated as a separate kingdom, and there-
fore the members necessary to do justice to that country
might be got either by taking the second member from
English boroughs of between 10,000 and 12,000, or by de-
priving all boroughs under 5,000 of representation.
Mr. SMOLLETT, though holding that the addition to
Scotland ought to be obtained by diminishing the repre-
sentation of England and Ireland, and favourable to a
reduction in the numbers of the house, exhorted the
Scotch members to accept the offer made on the principle
that half a loaf is batter than no bread.

Sir J. OGILVY complained that the claims of Dundee
to increased representation had been passed over.
Mr. LAING argued that the practical question the house
would have to decide was—should the numbers of the
house be increased, or should the just addition to the re-
presentation of Seotland be indefinitely postponed?. His
experience last year taught him that it was hopeless to
attempt to reopen the redistribution question in this Par-
liament. He was favourable to accepting this instalment
of justice from the Government, and that, he assert A, was
the prevailing sentiment in Scotland. Having examined
the arguments against an increase of the house, concluding
that there was no force in them, he criticised some of the
details of the bill, and maintained that, on the principles
of the act of last Session, Aberdeen and Dundee were en-
titled to additional members.
Mr. MONCRIEFF canvassed closely the distribution
scheme, and asserted that the grouping part of it was a
mockery, and could never be accepted by the house. He ob-
jected, too, to the proposed increase of the house—the legiti-
mate source was the disfranchisement of the small boroughs
The rating principle would create great inconvenience in
S cotland ; and he suggested its omission from the bill and the
insertion of some provision against the manufacture of fic-
titious votes. Tho details of the distribution scheme were
unfavourably criticised by Col.Sykesand by Mr. M‘Laren,
who characterised the bill as much worse than that of last
year, though he justified an increase in the numbers of the
house, asserting that it ought to be to the extent of 15 at
least ; and by Sir E. Colebrooke.
Sir J. FERGUSSON replied to objections, dwelling on
the difficulties of extending the disfranchisement of Eng-
lish boroughs, and of persuading English members to part
with any English seats to Scotland, and exhorting Scotch
members not to throw away this chance of obtaining an
increase in their numbers. Correcting the statement of
the Lord Advocate, he explained that Ardrossan would
not form part of the new group, but would be added to the
Ayr Burghs ; and he defended the creation of new burghs
by the importance of conferring the franchise on the work-
ing classes there.
Mr. GRAHAM objected to the mode in which the con-
stituency of Glasgow was to be increased, and preferred to
divide the city.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER expressed
some surprise that Scotch members should talk of oppos-
ing a bill which contained the largest extension of the
suffrage ever offered simply on the minor ground of the
distribution scheme. The only principle of that part of
the bill was an addition to the representation of Scotland,
and the manner in which that addition should be carried
out was a matter of detail to be settled in committee. The
Government had no personal interest to serve either ono
way or the other. The representation of England, he
maintained, was not disproportionate to population and
property, and he warned the Scotch members that if at
any time disfranchisement were carried further in England
the seats thus gained would be applied to perfecting the
English representation, and would not be handed over to
Scotland. Looking at the certain unwillingness of Eng-
lish members to deprive England of any portion of her re-
presentation, it would to wiser for Scotch members to
unite in passing- a moderate measure this year than to run
after the "jack o' lantern" of what the Reformed Parlia-
ment would do for them.

Mr. CRAurunz and Mr. BEARDEN made some observa-
tions, and the bill was then read a first time.

The house adjourned at a quarter past 9 o'clock.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-FEB. 17.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
BAXTER AND ANOTHER 'V. MISS ADATI ISAACS

MENKEN.

(Continued from our First Edition of last evening.)
Miss Menken, the defendant, was then examined.
She said —ln 1861, I entered into an engagement
with Mr. Smith, who was then manager of
Astley's. It was at Mr. Smith's suggestion that the
brougham was bought. He introduced me to
Messrs. Countze and Pearce, the coachmakers. I
gave no directions as to the character of the
brougham or to the ornaments. Mr. E. T. Smith
made the suggestions for the ornaments to the car-
riage in my presence. The rampant horses—
(laughter)--were put on the carriage by direction
of Mr. Smith. lon one occasion accompanied Mr.
Smith to the coachmakers, and he gave orders for
the design and other particulars about the carriage.
I aui at variance with Mr. Smith at the present
time. I have a claim against him, and I have com-
menced an action against him. When I first used
the carriage in the rain the water and mud
came in through the oval glasses, although
they were not made to open. I bad
dresses spoiled through that circumstance. I
don't recollect complaining of it, but I must have
done so, as I know it was sent back to be made
weather proof. The silver mountings after they
had been cleaned a short time by the ordinary pro-
cess turned black, and it could not be repolished
without the fittings being replated. This came to
her knowledge in about six weeks after she had had
it. I don't know anything about the repairs charged
in July to the amount of £ll 18s. 6d. One of the
gentlemen of the firm inspected the brougham at
my door, and he suggested very expensive repairs,
but I declined to adopt them, as the brougham
looked to me in perfect repair. I did not consent
to have the repairs executed. To the best of my
recollection I never suggested any alterations to
the brougham, but it was in constant want of
repairs. _ _ .

The liird Chief Justice—l think it necessary that
we should have the books of the plaintiff to see
what those repairs wore. It may have a very mate-
rial bearing on the case.
Sergeant Parry—l thank you, my lord, for the
suggestion.
Examination continued—l know nothing of the
item, " Interest as arranged £lO 7s. 6d." I never
agreed to such a charge. I never injured the
brougham in any way. I took extra care of it, and
engaged another carriage to use in its place on bad
nights. I went to America in 1865, and after an
absence of seven weeks returned to England, when
the brougham wanted repair, as usual. (Laughter.)
The bill of exchange, the subject of the present
action, was said to be transacted through Mr.
Fender, but he was only my agent for
theatrical affairs, and had no right to pledge my
credit to otheraffairs, and when I signed the bill now
in court I really believed that I owed the money. As
regards the details of the repairs to the carriage I
have never had an account from the plaintiff.
When on my second visit to America I took extra
care of the brougham, and had it packed in a box
filled up with straw. When I got to America I
had again to pay for repairs, but the brougham
was ultimately sold in America for £4O.
The Lord Chief Justice—That may be a very im-
.provident price. The brougham, you know, had
to cross the Atlantic.
Mr. Murphy objected to the examination of the
plaintiff on that point.
Sergeant Parry —I think I ought to be allowed
to show what the matters were in America.
The Lord Chief Justice—Well, you can take it
that the brougham, after £6O had been spent, sold
for £4O.
Sergead Parry—l only wished to show 'what
the carriage brought wheu it was fiolci.

The Lord Chief Justice—Many a person buys a
toy dear, and sell it very cheap.
Sergeai t Parry--Quite so, my lord.
Cross-examined by Mr. Murphy—Mr. Ponder
was in the habit of receiving moneys for me in
theatrical matters. He bad no directions to pay
money for other matters. I may have handed him
a tradesman's account to see whether it was correct
or no, but that was not his business. I may have
sent him to Messrs. Pearce with a message, but I
don't recollect sending him. I did not send him
with the cheques to them. He brought some
cheques to me to sign,and 1 wrote my name to them
as a matter of course. I don't know anything
about bills or figures.
The Lord Chief Justice--But do you mean to
say you did .not know that you were signing a bill.
That is your signature, is it not?
Witness—Yes.

The Lord Chief Justice—Did you write your
name across bills like that without knowing the
importance of so doing ?
Witness—lf I had been asked- to do so by a per-
son in whom I had confidence, I should do so. I
have done so ome, and the present will be a lesson
to me.

Cross-exwnination continued—l have no know-
ledge that, in November, 1865, Mr. Pender wrote
to Messrs. Pearce, telling them to come to Astley's
Theatre and render the amount of the bill. I recol-
lect the curtains of the carriage being changed from
crimson to blue. I know it was done by direction
of Mr. E. T. Smith and at his suggestion. I can-
not recollect how the matter was done, but I know
Mr. E. 'l'. Smith bad the full management of the
affair. I don't recollect giving Mr. Countze the
order to alter the colour of the curtains per-
sonally. I will not pledge my oath I did
not do so. I never gave directions to
Mr. Pender to settle with Messrs. Pearce and
Countze. I was several times applied to for money
for repairs to the carriage, but never for the actual
payment of the carriage.
Mr. Sergeant Parry—Will my friend tell me
what was charged for changing the curtains from
crimson to blue ?

Mr. Murphy—l cannot say that Ican. The item
in which it occurs is an estimate, and the whole is
charged for, viz., some odd shillings.
Mr. Sergeant Parry—Was anything allowed for
the rich crimson silk curtains removed to make
room for the blue ones ?

Mr. Murphy made no reply, but simply smiled a'
the learned counsel's question.

Miss Suzette Ellington said—l have been Miss
Menken's companion since April, 18G5. I have
ridden in the brougham in question frequently. At
those times I have complained to Miss Menken of
my dress being damaged by the rain coming in
through the windows. The silver-plated harness
always appeared black. The brougham was con-
tinually wanting repairs. 1 have heard Miss Men-
ken tell Mr. Countze that the brougham was not in
such a state as a new brougham ought to be, and that
she should send it back if the defects were not
remedied. The complaints were made by Miss
Menken previous to her first departure for America
in August, 1865.

Sergeant Parry said he could not call the coach-
man, who was dead, and with the admission from
the counsel from the other side, that money to the
amount of £306 had been paid on account of the
brougham, he would conclude his case.
Mr. Countze was then called into the box to give
an explanation of the charges which made up the
bill of £306.

The Lord Chief Justice—There was one thing
that in the whole course of my life I have nev,
been able to understand, and that is a coachtnaker's
bill. (Laughter.)
The plaintiff then went through his charges book,
and at its conclusion said, in answer to Sergeant
Parry, that up to the 10th of July £2lO had been
paid, and that the charge for the silk curtains would
be about six guineas. With respect to rain enter-
ing the carriage, it was an exceedingly difficult
thing to make the quarter lights of carriages weather
proof. Ilad Miss Menken sent the brougham back
when the defect arose, it would have been remedied
immediately.
This closed the evidence for the defence.

Mr. Sergeant Parry addressed the jury for the
defendant. He said he hoped the jury would
be of opinion that Miss Meuken had paid in all
£309 9s. for a brougham, the original price of
which was £220 ; she had paid enough. His client
had been charged by the coachmakers just
whatever they pleased, but he hoped the jury
would act as taxing masters, and that they
would serve the bill as those on attorneys when
an overcharge was made. He contended that
the brougham was a direct advertisement for Ast-
ley's Theatre, and therefore the party responsible
for it, morally, was Mr. E. T. Smith, because the
beautiful carriage had only to be seen in the street
with its still more beautiful occupant when a run fora
private box in the theatre was the result. ( Laughter.)
The plaintiff had charged the large sum of £l5 for
interest for less than 12 months, and on the balance
of an account for nearly £300; and in order to make
up the £4O now sued for had to insert that little
item in his bill. He thought Miss Menken had
been a remarkably good customer to Messrs.
Pearce and Countze ; and he was certain there
was not a coachmaker in court at that moment who
would not be delighted to make her another
brougham on precisely the same terms. (Laughter.)
lie felt sure that his client had fully paid the value
of the brougham, and he hoped the jury would be
of that opinion and give her their verdict.

The Lord Chief Juste having summed up the
evidence,

The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs for
£27 45., being the amount claimed, less the in-
terest.

MARKETS—(2his Day.)

COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE.

SUGAR.—Deliveries have somewhat improved, and the
stock is slightly reducing, being 61,300 tons, against
74,500 tons last year. The markets for both raw and re-
fined sugars are firmer, with an increased demand.
COFFEE.—Clearances are still very satisfactory, but the
quantity warehousing from late arrivals being large, the
stock is kept up. The proportion of good Ceylon kind is,
however, small, and for these was inquiry, stiffer rates
being paid.
TEA.—Public sales of China tea have opened with a fair
competition.