The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-28 00:00:00

IMi'ERIAL PA RLIAMEN T.

DOUSE OF LORDS, Jane .7.
Their Lordships assembled at Fire o'clock.
SCOTCH BANKING.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the
town council, biniers, merchants, and inhabitants of Dingwall,
in Ross, against. any alteration in the Scotch banking system.
LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL.
The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition from
the guardians of the parish of Kilrush in favour of what they
consider a good landlord and tenant Bill.
LAW IN THE ISLE OF MAN.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from John Walters
Caldecott, compla'ning that he had been imprisoned for eight
months in the Ca tie Ruskington in the Isle of Man, because
he had been unable to procure surety in 1001. for his good be-
haviour. It appeared that he had assaulted his wife, and had
been committed to prison until he could procure bail in that
amount. The petition prayed for inquiry, as he bad
been committed to prison without having been heard.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said inquiry had been made,
not only by himself, but his Hon. Friend the Secretary of
State for the Home Department, and it appeared that the
petitioner, after committing a rape on his daughter, assaulted
his wife, for which he was committed to prison in default of
bail. Ile understood that he had been confined for eight
months for debt.
Lord BROUGHAM knew nothing whatever of the peti-
tioner who had sent him the petition to present to their
Lordships.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said he was informed that the
proceedings were strictly in accordance with the law of the
is!e of Man. If the law was bad, their Lordships might
amend it.
Lord BR OUGII AM said it was contrary to common sense
that a man should be imprisoned without being heard.
The LORD CHANCELLOR repeated that the most anx-
ious inquiry had been made, and that the course adopted was
quite in accordance with the law of the land.
Lord CAMPBELL said the petition ought to have appealed
to the proper tribunal, which would have afforded him redress.
If the law of the Isle of Man authorised the authorities to im-
irison a man for eight months, without allowing him to be
ieard in his defence, the sooner it was altered the better.

UNIFORM RAILWAY GAUGE

Lord REDESD ALE wished to ask the I\ ()We Lord at thk
head of the Board of Trade when the Commission for the selec-
tion of the uniform railway gauge would be appointed, and how
soon their report would be given in?
The Earl of DALHOUSIE said that steps had already been
taken by the Government to appoint the Commission, but he
was unable to say when the report would be ready.
Lord CAMPBELL gave notice that he would put a ques-
tion to the Noble Earl, on Mond,y next, relative to railway
companies buying up competing lines, and thereby creating
monopolies.
The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition from
the Legislative Council of New South %Voles, praying for an
alteration in the sth and 6th Victoria, relative to the disposal
of land in that colony.
R A 'LWAY BUSINESS.
Lord BROUGHAM moved the adol tion of the three resolu-
tions of the Select Committee appointed by their Lordships for
the devising the most effective means to get through the rail-
way business.—Agreed to.

RIO DE LA PLATA.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the
merchants, bankers, traders, and manufacturers of Liverpool,
praying for the free navigation of the River Plate.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition to the same effect
from Manchester, most numerously and respectably signed.
The Earl of ABERDEEN would be most happy to con-
tribute all the aid in his power to the oi ening of the
Rio de la Plata, or any other river, but it was not so easy a
matter as the petitioners seemed to think to open a navigation
which had been closed by the lawful authorities. He admitted
that it was of immense importance, that the river should be
opened, and he was not without hopes that it shortly would be
Government were engaged in endeavouring to restore peace
in the Rio de la Plata. and he had no doubt the result
of the negotiation would be a considerable extension of our
commerce in those regions.
After a few observations from Lord ASHBURTON and Lord
BROUGHAM, the petitions were ordered to lie on the table.
The subject then dropped.

RAILWAYS.
A message was brought up from the House of Commons,
requesting a copy of the report of the Select Committee, ap-
pointed by their Lordships to inquire into the state of rail-
way business before Parliament.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said, a reply would be sent
to the House of Commons by the messengers of that House.
BUSINESS BEFORE THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
Lord BROUGHAM moved for a return of the railway bu-
siness before the Privy Council, which, after a few words from
Lord Campbell, was acceded to, and ordered to be printed.
DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH.
The Marquis of BREADALBANE presented a
number of petitions from clergymen arid others in various
parts of Scotland, praying that steps might be taken for en-
forcing the better observance of the Sabbath, by preventing
the running of railway trains and mail-coaches, and by pre-
venting the sale of spirituous liqaors on that day. He would
also take the opportunity of giving notice that, on Tuesday next,
he would present a petition from the General Assembly of the
Free Church of Scotland respecting the sites of property for
building churches.