The Sun.
London, England, 1828-03-01 00:00:00

MUTINY BILL.

Lord PALMERSTON brought up the Mutiny Bill,
which which was read a first time, and ordered to be read
a second time on Monday next.
Mr. CROKER brought up the Marine Mutiny Bill,
which was also read a first time, and to be read a second
time on Monday.
Lord PALMERSTON presented papers relating to the
distribution of the Waggon Train, which were ordered to

be printed.
The House then adjourned at One o'Clock.

MANCHESTER POLICE ACT-GENERAL
MEETING, FEBRUARY 28.

(REPORTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE SUN.)

For some time past this town has been completely divided
into two parties, whose opinions with respect to the appli-
cation of the profits, arising from the Gas Establishment,
are greatly at variance. • By one party it is contended that
they should be appropriated to the improvement of the
town, under the provisions of an Act of Parliament known
by the name of the " Market-street Improvement Act ;"
and by the other, that the profits of that establishment
should be so applied as to diminish the rates of the con-
sumers of gas. Many persons qualified as Commissioners
of Police, under the existing Act, and a meeting
of those Commissioners was held, which terminated
in such a manner as to render it absolutely requi-
site that another should he convoked, of which the
object should be the immediate application to Parlia-
ment for a new Police Act. In consequence of this
impression, a public meeting was called by advertisement,
to be held on this day at the Collegiate Church. So
many attended that it was considered expedient to re-
move to the Town Hall. About twenty minutes after
eleven, Mr. Ramsbotham took the chair; and Mr. Walker
read the requisition for convening the meeting, which had
numerous signatures.
Mr. RICHARD POTTER inquired how many names had
been attached to it, at the time it was first presented ; for
considerable additions had been made. The original num-
ber was 99.
Little or no notice was taken of Mr. Potter's inquiry.
Mr. noon fIoRSITY Btu LEY thought that the
time of the meeting might be considerably saved,
if the meeting would at once come to a resolu-
tion, declaratory of their sense of the proposition be-
fore them. To this he could not expect any opposition ;
for recent circumstances had shewn, that a change in the
Police Act was really necessary. After a few more obser-
vations to the same effect, he concluded by moving, that
" Recent circumstances have demonstrated the necessity
of a change in the constitution of the body of Commis-
sioners of Police, and that an Act of Parliament for that
purpose be immediately applied for."
The motion was seconded by Mr. G. W. Woon.

Mr. BAXTER agreed to the motion in principle, but al-
together disapproved of the word " immediately." If that
were emitted, the motion would meet with his con-
currence.

Mr. BIRLEY could not consent to the retraction of a
word, which lie considered to be essential W the particular
object of his motion.
Mr. BAXTER said, that he was sorry to occupy the
time of the gentlemen present; he was absolutely convinced
of the necessity of an alteration in this Act. The present,
however, was not the proper opportunity; for it was had
to legislate, when bad feelings were excited ; and he
would therefore move as an amendment, that the word
" immediate "be left out of the original motion. By this
means a Bill might be prepared so as td be left open for the
consideration of the ley-payers.
Mr. Ricir. POTTER did not think that the amendment
went to a sufficient length ; he had carefully attended to
these matters, and was enabled to mention some others of
an extraordinary kind. He had seen the notice in the
papers for a new Act of Parliament, called the Manchester
and Salford Improvement Bill, and he requested the chair-
man to read that petition which had been sent up for the
purpose of obtaining it. If that gentleman would not pro-
duce it, he was enabled to do so himself, for be had pro-
cured a copy of it, not by any disgraceful, not by any unjusti-
fiable means—for he had caused the Journals of the House
of Commons to be searched.—{Mr. Potter here read a pe-
tition which purported to proceed from the Boroughreeve
and two Churchwardens for the time.3—He requested to
know what authority these gentlemen had to present this
petition? Their conduct had not been sanctioned by the
town, and they ought to have called a meeting before they
had proceeded to such a length. Mr. Potter then raised
some objections to the language of the requisition by which
the meeting was convened ; he excepted strongly to one
part of the petition, in which it was stated that eigh-
teen hundred additional commissioners having beer.
recently made, it became necessary to have a new
Act. He would ask, which party bad, during the last two
months, made the most commissioners? Mr. Potter al-
luded to the last meeting which was held in the Town-
hall, and said that he should be the last to make an inquiry
as to the authors of the violent proceedings which then
took place. " Let him who was without blame cast the
first stone." At present the town was not sufficiently calm
to take that matter into discussion, and, consequently, the

. -
proposed measure was ill-timed. The evils of introduc-
ing such a Bill at such a time, and under such circum-
stances, were too apparent to be dilated upon. He re-
ferred them to the Market-street Improvement Act, of
which he did not consider the operations to be at all to
the benefit of the town. He hoped that the ley-payers,
in the present instance, would save their pockets, and not
give their votes to a measure like that which was before
them. Most particularly he wished them to be peaceable ;
for he could assure them that the projectors of this mea-
sure might as well attempt to stop the tide of the ocean,
or arrest the winds of heaven, as to carry that Bill through
the House of Commons daring the prsent Session.
Mr. G. W. Woon was sorry to occupy any time, but
some observations of the last speaker called for a reply.
He had told them that they might as wen attempt to alter
the laws of nature as to take the proposed Bill through the
House of Commons. Why ? What barriers were opposed
to them in the House of Commons?—(Cries of " The
ley-payers.")—Mr. Potter also recommended that they
should reconcile the feelings of the town, by letting the present
business lie over to another Session ; but this was rendered
impossible by the circumstances which had already been
alluded to, and which occurred at a former meeting. That
Gentleman had also mentioned a requisition, addressed to
the Churchwardens, which had been refused on the
ground that its object was not of a parochial nature ; and
he therefore complained that the Meeting at which the
petition was agreed to be sent up, was irregularly convened,
Mr. Potter did not always think so; for he held the copy
of a counter-requisition, similarly addresed, in which Mr.
Potter's name appeared among the signatures. Now, the
first was refused on the ground stated ; but the present was
granted, because it was really the business of the ley-payers.
(Mr. Wood was here interrupted.) As to the additional
number of names which had been obtained to the requi-
sition for this Meeting-, such had frequently been the case,
and therefore it could not justly be said to be unprecedented.
Mr. BAXTER—But it is quite irregular.
Mr. WOOD said it was far from being unusual. Al-
lusion had been made to the number of Commissioners who
had been recently appointed. This measure had not ema-
nated from him or his friends ; they were not the parties
who had thrown the town into contusion. The petition
had been pronounced an unjustifiable proceeding, as re-
garded the time. Now the forms of the House of Com-
mons require a certain number of clap' notice, in order
to allow all the puties kutergted to judge of the objects

contemplated in any proposed Act; and this time he
thought would be sufficient. The Amendment proposed
the admission only of the word " immediate," so that
the change in the constitution of the ley-payers was ad-
mitted to be necessary. But why should it be delayed
twelve months ? lie saw nothing to prevent the Bill from
passing through the House of Commons, if in its wisdom
it allowed that measure.

Mr. DAVID HOLT was totally unconnected with any of
the parties who had addressed the meeting, and was,
therefore, to be unbiassed ip the few remarks which he had
to make. A stranger, who heard what had passed, would
naturally suppose that the rights of the town rested in the
hands of a few individuals. Such, however, could not pos-
sibly be the case ; the town would not cowardly surrender
their rights. The conduct of the promoters of the propo-
sed Bill did not appear objectionable; they merely proposed to
prepare the way to an amelioration of the management of
town's business. The ley-payers, on one occasion, had ills-
graced themselves, but he hoped that the conduct of the
present meeting would be such as the importance of the
case demanded. What they had now met about was for
the benefit of all. He had no notion of high or low parties,
of which much had so lately been said; as ley-payers,
they were all alike ; and he could see no difficulty in find-
ing a nnmber of men, who would be able to transact the
business of the town to the satisfaction and benefit of all.—
He would, therefore, suggest that a Committee be appointed
to prepare a Bill for their consideration.
Mr. W. liru.vEr thought that by delaying the proposed
Bill the concurrence of the town at large might be snore
fully obtained. He approved of a Committee, and hoped
that they would not be too precipitate.
Mr. J. GREEN observed that all parties seemed to be
agreed on the absolute necessity of a change in the Police
Act. This, indeed, was what had been admitted by the
leading speakers. For his own port, he would refer the
whole question to a Committee, which should embrace
men of all parties. The list of names which he was about

to submit Co them, would be found to contain the names
of the gentlemen who had spoken both for and against the
proposed measure. He then moved, as an amendment,
that 7
3 gentlemen be appointed a Committee to determine
on the measures proper to be adopted. Mr. Green then
read a list, which was headed by those of the Borough-
reeve and High Constables, and consisted of the most re-
spectable gentleman in the town. Some of the names,
however, called forth hisses and other marks of disap-
probation.
The amendment was seconded by Mr. F. Mottats with-
out any observation.
Mr. CANDELET said that Mr. Green had set out by
stating that he should propose a liberal Committee; and
how had he effected it ? Nine gentlemen only were known
to be of liberal sentiments, while the remaining sixty or
seventy were known to be otherwise. The disapproba-
tion which had been manifested towards Mr. Green he
thought highly indecorous, and requested that argument
should be met only by argument.

Me. W. Witerwoartt said that it had not been his in-
tention to address the meeting, but they had entirely
lost sight of the most important part of the in-
quiry. A new Bill had not been once thought of until
the party found that they could not carry their measures.
A Committee such as had been proposed would be of little
use, for that party would easily settle the matter to their
own satisfaction, as there would always be a majority of
sixty to nine, lie objected to the principle of the Bill in
toto. The business of the town could not possibly be
conducted by forty-eight persons, however much they
might be disposed to snake the attempt.
A Ley-payer considered the whole tenour of the Bill to
be a proposal to deprive the town of its rights. It dis-
franchised all persons who were not assessed at 251. per
annum. No others could act, even as electors of these
who were to be entrusted with the conduct of the town's
business.
Mr. POTTER, in reply to Mr. Wood, strongly denied the
necessity of an immediate application for a new Bill. Did
the promoters of this measure pretend to say that the
functions or operations of the present Bill were suspended ?
Was not that useful body, the Friday Night's Committee,
still transacting their business? IVere not Watch and
other Committees still- sitting; and were not the police
rates regularly collected as usual? He himself had just
paid 201. on that score.
Mr. WOOD briefly explained.
Mr. BAXTER considered Mr. Green's amendment as still
more objectionable than the original motion. That a change
for the better might be produced under proper regulations
was apparent; but this was by no means to be effected in
the way proposed. if sufficient time were allowed a com-
mittee might be appointed in which all parties could place
confidence.

Mr. WALKER, who acted on behalf of the Chairman,
now read the original motion ; then Mr. Baxter's amend-
ment, that instead of the word " immediately" the words
" be applied for the next Sessions of Parliament ;" and
lastly, Mr. Green's amendment for the appointment of a
committee.

A long desultory conversation now took place as to the
mode of voting; Mr. WALKER stated that it was the Chair--
man's decision to take the votes under the regulations of
Mr. Sturges Bourne's Vestry Act.
Mr. BAXTER said that he had Mr. Atkinson's opinion,
that this meeting did not come under the operation of the
Vestry, and he offered the written opinion to the Chair.
Mr. WOOD objected to its formal reception, as it did not
proceed from a barrister-at-law.
Mr. BAXTER read a long opinion to the effect that the
Act of Parliament in question applied only to Vestries as-
sembled on matters connected with poor's-rates and other
disbursements of public funds. He (Mr. Baxter) contend-
ed that the present was not a parochial meeting, and that
no payment from such funds could be legally made for any
expences attending the meeting, or for any proceedings re-
sulting from it.
Mr. WHITWORTH said the promoters of this measure
knew, that if they cause to vote man for man, they had no
chance.
Mr. BAXTER proposed a spew of hands to determine in
which way the votes should be taken.
Subsequently the Amendments were put to the vote in
the usual way, and carried almost unanimously. The ori-
ginal motion was also put to the vote, and, as might be ex-
peeted, lost.
Mr. WALKER then stated, that the names of the voters
should be taken under the Vestry Act; and that for that
purpose the poll should continue until Saturday evening.
The Meeting was con after declared to be dissolved.
It is understood that the dissentients have opened a
Subscription, in order to oppose the intended Bill in Par-
liament-

DESTRUCTION OF THE BRUNSWICK
THEATRE,-(TNIS DAY.)

The Coroner's Inquest on the bodies of the unfortunate
persons who suffered by the destruction of this ill-fated
theatre, was appointed to take place this morning at eight
o'clock, in the Court House, Wellclose-square, adjoining the
King's Arms public-house, where ten of the bodies lay. They
were all that had bee* found dead besides the Jew, up to the
swearing of the jury. The bodies lay in shells in a room
over the Court House, (except Mr. Maurice's which was
in a room by itself) wrapt up in the clothes they had on
at the time the accident occurred, and having their names
written over the lids. They were-31r. David Sampson
Maurice, proprietor, Alexander Wm. Davidson, Mr. Gil-
bert, Mr. James Purdy, Miss Mary Anne Freeman, Miss
Mary Anne Fearon, Mr. Evans, Jesse Miles, George Pen-
fold, and Wm. Leader. We took a view of the bodies
fore the Jury assembled, and their dreadfully mutilated
appearance was most appalling. The clothes on them were
torn to rags, and many parts of their pewits shattered to
pieces, which, with coagulated blood, mortar, and dust co-
vering other parts, made it almost impracticable even for
relations to recognise them.
Poor Gilbert appeared to have been killed by an exten-
sive fracture of the os fronds ; and little Miss Mary Anne
Fearon, must have suffered instantaneously, by a perfect
section of her head and face having been made by what
fell upon her.