The Weekly Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Cleveland District. — 1879-08-16 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE DERBY " TOSSING " CASE. In the House of Lords on Monday evening the Royal Assent was given by commission to a number of Bills, including the Indian Guaranteed Railways. Several measures were advanced a sta,ge.—ln the Commons, the questions included Volunteer adjutants Cyprus, the death of the Prince Imperial, the Royal Mariners and other matters.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Mr I3eresford Hope, said the draft charter of the proposed Victoria University contained a proposal to grant degrees to women as well as to men, and that draft was now under the consideration of a Committee of the Priv Council. The chai tier, when granted, would have to be laid before Parliament for a month before it came into force.—Mr Cross read a letter from the forgman of the jury who tried Main warirtg for the murder at Derby, in which it was denied that the verdict was arrived at by tossing up. It appears, however, that tb e story was hardly an exaggeration. Six of the jurymen were in favour of convicting the wretched youth of murder, whilst the other six wished to return a verdict of manslaughter. Being unable, after a long discussion, to come to any agreement, they resolved to appoint a chairman with a casting vote, and tossed up for the appointment. The toss happened to be won by one of the gentlemen in favour of a verdict of wilful murder, and thus the life of Gerald Mainwaring was to be taken away.—ln reply to Mr Callan, Mr Cross gave an answer which leads to the belief that the capital sentence will not be carried out.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Sir G. Campbell, suggested a discussion on the Afghan war should be taken on Thursday, and then the prorogation could take place on Friday.—Mr Bourke (Under Foreign Secretary) informed Mr E. J. Reed that the Foreign Office hal no information to the effectthat Russia was about to establish a largo naval and military station opposite to the Yezo coast of Japan.—The lhancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to questions, gave the names of those appointed upon the Royal Commission on Agricultural Distress.—Some discussion arose on the affairs of Egypt on the order for the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Appropriation Bill.—The chief speakers were Sir J. Goldsmid, Sir Chas. Dilke, Mr E. Jenkins, and others.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer did not complain that the subject should occupy the attention of the House, but he deprecated the tendency if hon. members to take up any story they heard and from it draw inferences against the characters of persons who had played an important part in recent proceedings connected with Egypt. Sir Stafford at some length vindicated these persons against the charge brought against them. After some further discussion, the Bill was read a second time.—On the report of amendments to the Irish University Bill Mr Newdegate moved the insertion of a new clause providing for the presentation by the Sena e of an annual report to Parliament, but withdrew it on the assurance of Mr Lowther that the 10th clause should be so amended. Amendments were proposed to other clauses. In the end the report was agreed to. The House of Commons did cot rise until a quarter-past seven on Tuesday morning, the Public Works Loans Bill occupying the attention of the menabers until five minutes past six. Messrs Chamberlain and Gray steadfastly opposed it. It then passed through Committee.  In the House of Lords on Wednesday night the Earl of Redesdale, on behalf of the E arl of Shaftesbury, presented a petition, numerously signed, praying tat steps may be taken to put down smoking in the streets by boys.—The Commons' amendments to the Irish University Bill were agreed to without discussion.— The Artisans' and Labourers' Dwellings Improvement Act, 1876, Amendment Bill was read a second time, and then passed through its remaining stages.—Several other measures were read.is third time and passed. The Ap.