Vrhatto nub vrartritingg in Varlinutrut.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

Holm OP Loans. Monday, March 10. Passengers Act Amendment Bill, read a second time—Arsenic ; Bill introduced by Lord Carlisle, and read a first time. 2'ssesday, March 11. No business of interest. Thursday, March 13. Sale of Arsenic Regulation Bill, read a second time—In- come-tax Returns ; Irregularities noticed by Lord Brougham—Oyster Fisheries be- tween Brighton and Dieppe ; conversation raised by the Earl of Wicklow. Friday, March 14. Designs Act Extension Bill, passed through Committee, and reported—Census Returns—Prevention of Offences Bill, read a second time—Pas- sengers Act Amendment Bill, reported. ilovsE or CommONS. Monday, March 10. Mercantile Marine ; Further Le,gislation promised by Mr. Labouchere—Caffre war ; Statement by Lord John Russell—Irish Steamers ; Bill promised by Mr. Labouchere—Ceylon Inquiry ; Questions as to Re- port and Evidence—Navy Estimates ; Votes debated, and carried after divisions— Audit of Railway Accounts ; leave for a Bill given to Mr. Locke. T'uesslay, March 11. New Writ for Dungarvon, in the room of Mr. Shell—Mr. Baillie's Resolutions on the Ceylon Cruelties—Lord Duncan's Resolution concerning the Management of the Woods and Forests ; Ministers beaten by 120 to 110—Bill to present the forcible detention of Females in Religious Houses, leave granted to Mr.

Wednesday, March 12. Ratepayers' Control over County Expenditure ; Mr. Mil- ner Gibsou's Bill read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee on details— Apprentices and Servants Bill, read a second time—Expenses of Prosecutions Bill, read a second time.

Thursday, March 13. No House; there being fewer than forty Members present at four o'clock.

Friday, March 14. Public Business; Statement by Lord John Russell; Budget postponed—Ecclesiastical Titles Bill; second reading debated ; debate adjourned— Medical Charities in Ireland ; leave for a Bill to Sir William Somerville.

TIME- TABLE.

The Conan-was.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday 4h ..(m) m Tuesday 4h ih 30m Wednesday Noon .... 4h lam Thursday No House. Friday 4h .. (in) Its m

Sittings this Week, 4 ; Time, 250 45m this Session, 23; — 12Ih 31m THE NAVY ESTIMATES The formality of a gentle resistance to going into Committee of Supply till the House should have the whole Budget fairly before it, was gone through on Monday, by Mr. WILLIAMS, with a little encouragement from Mr. Hume, but was not long persisted in. In Committee, Sir Faserms RenrNo opened his statement with a re- ference to the fact, that last year he had to ask for a large vote for excess of expenditure in former years—a sum of 211,0001.

In accordance with the recommendation of the House, it was his firmest intention to frame the Estimates so as to prevent a recurrence of such ex- cesses; and he hoped that this would be the last time when such a proceeding would be resorted to, unless under the pressure of extreme circumstances. He does not now ask any vote for excess ; for the actual expenditure has been nearly 400,0001. less than the money voted.

The first vote, of 39,000 men for the sea service, he introduced with the usual official remark that " with regard to the number of men, that ques- tion it is for the Government to settle, as a Government, after a full con- sideration of the circumstances of the time " ; with references to the French display at Cherbourg last year, and to the surprising rate at which the French navy has been augmented since 1835. In 1835 the expenditure on account of the French navy was 2,549,272/. ; in 1851 it was 4,284,960/. ; be- ing an increase of 1,735,6681. During the same time, our own Estimates increased only 1,326,6281. The vote for wages-1,435,7231.—presents an increase over last year ; because some of the men—as those in the Arctic ex- pedition—receive double wages ; because of the new arrangement in regard to victualling, and the liberal commutation for grog; because, indeed, there has been a gradually increased scale of pay, and an improvement in the sys- tem of victualling, bringing the seamen in both respects much nearer to the merchant service, and to the condition of seamen in other navies. In the vote of 138,6251. for the Admiralty there is a slight increase, simply from the addition due to the time of service, and the fact that very few clerks have been superannuated this year. In the sum of 134,6991. for naval esta- blishments at home, (the dockyards,) there is a reduction of 15,0001. The number of labourers in April 1848 was 13,214; on the 1st of March instant, 16,862—a reduction of 2352. Unless anything turns up, further reductions will be made. Upon the whole of the votes from No. 6 to No. 11, which relate to the building of ships, the saving in comparison with the year 1848-9 would be not less than 1,256,2711. The reductions in the charge of build- ing ships has been upwards of one third during the last two years. For stores, the vote is less than that of last year by 41,806/. ; although the stores are as well able to meet the demands of the Navy as they need to be, or as they have been for a long time. The reduction of half-pay has been 19,0591., and the reduction is still going on. For 45,0001. extra on account of packet service, we have a very full equivalent in the extended facilities for commercial correspondence with the West coast of America, the Brazils, and the Cape of Good Hope.

On the whole, were it not for the additions to sailors' pay and provisions, there would be a diminution of a quarter of a million compared with last year.

The result of Sir Francis Baring's administration is this. The actual ex- penditure of 1848-9 was 7,955,000/. ; the actual expenditure of 1850-51 was 61362,500/. ; a reduction of 1,592,500/. If be deducted a part of the expen- diture which had been transferred, for courts and Register-office, 92,500/., he found that the reduction effected during his two years had been

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of

Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday Ms 5h 50m Tuesday bh bk 45m

'Wednesday No sitting.

Thursday 5h 6h us Friday 511 6h 45m

Sittings this Week, 4; Time, 40 20ns this Session, 23 ; — 400 10m

1,500,0001. less upon the expenditure of 1819111-51,—no small sum to have re- duced in one branch of the public service. He begged, not invidiously, to be permitted to compare his administration with that of Sir James Graham,

who bad acquired a great reputation for his economical administration of expenditure under the Ministry of Earl Grey. The comparison shows, that

while under,the deservedly eulogized administration of his honourable friend

the expenses were brought down from-6,768,8001. in 1830 to 4,626,800/. in 1834-5—a reduction of 1,142,0001.,—the reduction made under the existing

Administration, upon which is heaped so much abuse for profligate extrava- gance, is 1,500,0001. ; a greater reduction than had ever before been made in the previous twenty years. Sir Francis moved, "'That 39,600 men be employed for the sea service, for the year ending the 31st March 1852, including 11,000 Royal Marines, and 2000 boys."

Mr. RUME prefaced his general opposition to the vote with a recapitu- lation of the familiar but unheeded arguments that we rival the French only to be rivalled by them in return; that the American navy is effi- cient for the protection of the immense commerce of our Western rela- tives at a cost prodigiously less than ours ; that we have expended mil- lions in building ships to let them rot, or to pull them to pieces without using them, Ste.

Mr. Hume also showed that Sir James Graham's reduction of a million was effected on an expenditure of five millions, while Sir Francis Baring's 're- duction of a million and a half is made on an expenditure of eight millions. Mr. Hume remarked, that the present time offers a handsome opportunity of getting rid of the costly absurdity the African squadron : the Governments of France and the United States have both opened negotiations with a view

to be relieved from their engagements in the matter. By suppressing the African squadron, and the squadron which we keep up in the Mediterranean

with no other results than mischiefs or dangers, we might make a most im- portant saving. On this point he called for the assistance of the 270 gen- tlemen who the other day voted for relief to agricultural distress—(Great

laughter, and cheers from the Ministerialists ; there being only some dozen Members scattered over the Protectionist benches)—at least for the assistance of "the fourteen" of them who thought fit to be in their places on this oc- casion. Perhaps a few more of those gentlemen would come down and help him with their votes after dinner.

Mr. Hume touched on recent events,—the resignation ; the calling in of the " Old Doctor," portrayed in the caricature of Punch ; and the medico-

military advice of the aged and incompetent physician, " As you were I" There was not one improvement in any way connected with the departments with which he had to do, that the "Old Doctor" had not done his best to

stop : for such a man, therefore, to be called in was utterly preposterous. (" They did'nt send for you !") No, they did'nt ; but he hail been pretty nearly as long in practice as the doctor that was sent for ; had paid, he be-

lieved, more attention to passing events for the last twenty years, and very

possibly might have prescribed rather better than the other old doctor had done. ("Hear, hear !") It was his opinion that the country looked upon

them as a set of dolts for allowing things to go on as they had gone on du- ring the last two or three weeks. There were 658 honourable gentlemen, Representatives of the People of Great Britain and Ireland, utterly incapable of coming to a decision upon great national questions one way or the other. There was this miserable Papal Aggression Bill : why, passed as it was intro- duced, that bill would involve imminent danger of a civil war in thesister coun- try ; yet 330 or 350 Members of that House had voted for it in its full extent. He trusted that the noble Lord would either bring in a bill that would satisfy the country upon the subject or give up legislation upon it altogether. But, at all events, don't let the business of the country be at a stand-still for three other weeks or more. Rather than this, much as he should deprecate any- thing tending to excite a " No-Popery" cry, he should say that her Majesty had better have recourse to a general election. In fact, this seemed to be the only effectual remedy; for suppose this vote of 39,000 men refused, the Cabinet would cry out "We cannot go on." The House would say, You must get on." The Cabinet would say, " We won't get on "; the Old Doctor would again be called in; there would be the prescription as before, of "As you were ! " and so the farce would for the second time be presented.

(Laughter and cries of " Rear, hear !") He wished the Protectionist gentle- men would look practically at practical questions, instead of getting up futile

county meetings, calling names, and imputing evil motives to other people. Telling the Protectionist gentlemen that there will be no relief for them any more than for other classes until there is a decided reduction in our ex-

penditure, he called on them to join him and take his budget; which would give them a margin of at least ten millions. "With permission of the Com- mittee, he would throw out the budget he would propose." In place of the 19,500,000/. for the Army, Navy, and Ordnance, they would go back to the

estimates of 1834-35, which amounted to some 12,000,000/. or 14,000,000/, ; there was a margin of 5,500,000/. at once, which, added to the present Chancellor's surplus of 2,500,0001., gave 8,000,000/. The interest of the Debt, 28,000,0001., he would not touch; for he wished that that debt, large as it was, should be put in course of liquidation, and that we should pay our debts like honest men. The next item was the Civil List : of that he would not take one farthing from her Majesty ; for he thought that she had at pre- sent too little for her own purposes, as she did not receive more than 60,000/.

annually out of the 385,0001., the remainder being frittered away in gaudy

and useless parade. Look at the forty-five Lords and Ladies-in-Waiting, and the expenses of the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Steward, and the Master of the Horse's department. All these should be kept within their bounds and he called upon the Committee not to sanction a return to the folly of George the Fourth, who put these people all in livery, dressed them like

trumpeters, and was not content till he cut out their coats himself. (Laugh- ter.) The whole amount necessary for the Civil List might be obtained from the sale of the Crown lanes, which there could be no difficulty in effecting at

their proper value. Then there were the expenses of courts of justice, diplo- matic pensions, salaries and allowances; and he asked whether out of the sum of 2,800,000/. which was thus annually consumed, at least 800,0001.

might not be saved At the same time, ho would remove the whole amount of the Assessed Taxes, which fall so heavily upon the landed gentry. Of the expense of collecting the revenue, at present between 3,000,0001. and

4,000,000/., at least one-half might be saved. Again, some 7,000,0001. that was taken in the course of collection never came to the Exchequer at all. He had himself in the year 1821 detected 220,000/. in the hands of one tax- collector, which would never have been heard of but for him. Mr. Herriea framed an act intended to prevent the repetition of such occurrences as much as possible; but the thing still continues. The actual cost of the Colonies to

Great Britain amounts to about 2,928,000/., and that at a time when every

colony is anxious to have self-government, and is competent to bear its own expenses. Last of all,. upon the Miscellaneous Estimates no man could deny that a vast amount might be spared. Such a budget as this would en- able the Government at once greatly to reduce taxation and to lessen the burdens of the people.

Mr. Hume moved as an amendment on the motion of Sir Francis Baring, that the number of men granted be 30,000 men. Mr. M'Grtsoort enforced the motion by details which followed up the line of his recent letter on administrative economy : he believes that at least a third of the 2,006,000/. a year spent in our dockyards might be saved, and yet a more efficient navy be the result. In reference to our fears of foreign navies, he reminded the House of these facts—

We have a greater number of ships of the line, and of much greater force and tonnage, than the whole number of similar vessels in all the navies of every state in Europe besides. It is absurd to talk about the necessity of protecting our commercial marine, for it is fully competent to protect itself.' He e believed that single firms of this country could actually defeat the whole fleets of some nations. He knew one firm sending out twenty ships to India which amounted to a greater tonnage than the whole Danish fleet ; and he knew another firm in the Clyde that had vessels amounting to a greater ton- nage than the whole American navy. He considered that our mercantile marine possessed a fleet that might terrify the navy of every other country in the world except France.

Mr. Coanzx started with the expression if his belief, that if the Com- mittee agreed to vote the number of men asked, it is vain to think of ma- terially reducing the Income-tax. He confessed a very strong impression, founded on experience in the Com- mittees which have sat on the Army and Ordnance Estimates, that those, both in the country and the House, are under a delusion, who think that any considerable saving can be effected in the expenditure for the Navy without a reduction in the amount of force. If you examine from 1835 till now you will find—as a rule, and disregarding such disturbing causes as an extraordinary expenditure for steam-ships—that the number of men affords a fair index of the amount of money required. Apply this test even to the reductions effected under the masterly administration of Sir James Graham, and you find it still good : when Sir James reduced the expenditure in four years by about a million, there was a reduction in the men from 32,000, to 26,000 ; the percentage reduction of men was nearly as large as the percentage reduction of money. Looking, therefore, to a reduction of force as the means of reducing the expenditure for the Navy Mr. Cobden asked, is it necessary at this time to keep up. a force of 35,000 moo, when in 1835 we found 25,000 sufficient? Why maintain 14,000 additional men now ? This was not a motion of the Peace Society for the abolition of the Navy; and he hoped it would be dealt with by gentlemen opposite as a question of degree. Why should not 25,000 men suffice for the Navy now, as they did in 1835? Was this countra, in any greater political or national danger now than it was at that time? There were in 1835 some very grave -nattonal questions unsettled,—the question of boundary with the United States of America, a dispute with Russia threatening war, and a mis- understanding with France relative to the affairs of Tahiti and Syria. These questions were now disposed of, there were no dynastic quarrels—no boundary questions pending ; and this country was in a position in which no hostilities were to be apprehended. Where, then, was the necessity for keeping up the large amount of force now proposed ? Mr. Cobden elaborated the comments of Mr. Hume on the references made to the example of France ; showing by quotations from the French papers, and the debates in the Assembly, that they maintain such great naval arma- ments only because we maintain so much greater ones : they aim at two- thirds of our force, and if we increase they increase relatively. Is it not possible to abate this supreme folly—to put an end to this child's play of beggar my neighbour' ? He hoped the House would allow him on a fu- ture occasion-to submit a motion for asking her Majesty to direct her Minis- ter to present a proposal with a view to prevent a continuance of this sys- tem, and, if possible, to enter upon a course of mutual reductions. Ping- land, of all countries, is in a position to make such an advance without the possibility of being misunderstood. France herself does not deny our im- mense superiority as a maritime nation; and it is inconsistent with the ad- vanced civilization of this age, that two great nations professing amity should be arming to the teeth, as if each expected the other to spring upon it like a wild beast. He could not think it impossible that such a system might be put an end to, if diplomacy brought its energies to the task. Diplomacy is not very much at a premium in the world at present, but if it could accomplish such an object it would do much to retrieve its reputation.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL repelled the charge of wastefulneas in the dock- yards ; and did not admit that because there is an outcry against the po- litical patronage of the Admiralty, therefore the outcry is well-founded.

There was a similar outcry against sinecures : Parliament passed an act by which "the whole of them were abolished" ; and yet we hear continu- ally complaints of the existence of a great number of sinecures now. Gene- ral considerations should withhold the House from considerable reductions, —the very great change in steam shown in the quick passage of the French troops to Civita Vecchia, and the quick concentration of the Austrians on Bohemia : our own army is not large, fro we must "not part with that great naval arm of defence," or France can, as was shown by a very intelligent naval officer, the Prince de Joinville, in a pamphlet published some years ago," land from 50,000 to 100,000 men ; and the late change of the Corn- law makes these changes in steam more injurious than they otherwise would be, as, for the last two or three years, we have had 8,000,000 or 9,000,000 quarters of grain imported. "Let any one think what a loss it would be to this country, being m the practice of having part of our food to that amount come from foreign countries—(" Hear, hear!" Shouts of ironical laughter from the Protectionists)—if in the event of war we had no sufficient naval force." (Renewed cheers and laughter.)

Of the vote come to last session in reference to the slave squadron—that it should not be abandoned—the House has reason to be proud. Among other consequences, the Government of Brazil, seeing the Government and Par- liament of this country determined to persevere in their policy, has taken measures to suppress the slave-trade. All the slavers have been sold in Bra- zil, and he was glad to say at a great loss. Many slave-dealers have been ruined. The captures have been more numerous. By accounts from the British Consulate at Rio Janeiro, it appeared that during the latter half of 1850 the number of slaves landed was 5108 ; the number during the latter six months of 1847, 1848, and 1849, having on the average exceeded 24,000 for each year; so that last year very little more than one- fifth were landed of the average number landed during the preceding three years. That was a circumstance encouraging the Government of this coun- try to persevere in an enterprise in which they had been engaged for many years ; and every one must admit that we should have been covered with shame and humiliation had we left that great work unfinished; and allowed the slave-trade to begin again and be carried on to the same extent as before.

The other speakers for Mr. Hume's amendment were, Mr. atuaiaa. Ginsoar ; Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD, "on the principles which used to be those of the Whig party, Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform" ; and Colonel TnoraPsoar—unseduced, however, by any of Mr. Hume's reasons. Against Mr. Hume's amendment, Admiral BERKELEY and Mr. Paanaarna ; with Mr. CARDWELL—who felicitated Lord John Russell on the news from Brazil, in happy confirmation of the wise and enlightened policy to which he ad- heres on the question of the African squadron. On a division, the amendment moved 'by Mr. Hume was negatived, by • 169 to 61; and the vote of 39,000 rnen maked by Sir Francis Baring was agrded to. The remainder of the discussion on the Estimates was uninteresting. Colonel StairmaaP moved an amendment on the vote for the Admiralty, proposing to strike off the salaries of the two " Lay Lords" altogether, and reduce the salary of the Secretaries and Solicitor, so as to save in the whole 4600/. After a desultory discussion, in which Mr. HUME and Mr. COBDEN exchanged economical repartee with Mr. HEYLEY, and Mr. HENRY DnuuMoxn made independent criticisms of useless expenses which he detailed, the House divided. Colonel Sibthorp's amendment was negatived, by 193 to 34 ; and the Colonel, declaring in reference to the Protectionists who sat below him, " I have lost all confidence in them," strode out of the House amidst great Ministerial cheering and laughter.

An amendment by Mr. HUME, to reduce the vote for wages to artificers, &c. from 676,416/. to 400,0001., was negatived, by 127 to 68.

MANAGEMENT OF THE WOODS AND FORESTS.

The gist of the motion made by Viscount DUNGAN was, that inasmuch as out of a seven-years revenue from the Woods and Forests, amounting to about two millions and a half, only about three-quarters of a million have been paid into the Exchequer, while more than a million and a half has been withheld for charges of collection and management and other charges, it is expedient that the gross income of the department be paid into the Exchequer, and the expenses of collecting and management be voted by the House on estimates annually submitted by the Government. The motion was supported by a speech historically recounting the origin of the department of Woods and Forests, and its adjunct the Board of Public Works; explaining the various sources of the revenue en- joyed by the combined departments; and setting forth in fresh colours the leading points of maladministration exposed by the recent Parliamentary inquiries originated by Lord Duncan. The present management of the Crown revenues in the department of Woods and Forests commenced with the accession of Queen Anne to the throne. In return for a civil list of 700,0001. a year, the Queen placed her hereditary revenues at the disposal of Parliament for her life ; and a similar arrange- ment has been made on the accession of every Sovereign since. As soon as the Crown property got into the hands of the Government, it was so cor- ruptly- used as an instrument of political reward, that when in 1797 Mr. Pitt appointed Commissioners to inquire about it, they reported that the yearly value of the receipts had sunk to 5000/., but that by improved management they might be raised to 200,000/. a year. Despite all the surviving abuses of management, the income has risen to a present gross receipt of about 300,000/. a year. The source of these receipts is threefold,— household property in London (in Whitehall, St. James s Street, Regent's Park, Regent Street, the Tower, &c.) ; landed estates, as parks and forests ; fee-farm rents, mining royalties, and manor dues, &c., throughout the United Kingdom. The management of these sources of income has been such that no rental has ever been derived from the property in Wales, Scot- land, Ireland, and the Isle of Man; the Metropolitan Parks have cost more than sixty thousand pounds, and have brought in but eleven thousand pounds; while the fifteen Royal Forests-110,000 acres in extent—have cost 36,784a, a year, and have brought in only 36,393/. a year; so that a property valued at 2,000,000/. actually caused a yearly loss. In the seven years from 1842 to 1849, the gross income of the department was 2,446,785/. ; and of this sum only 774,0001. was paid into the Exchequer. The gross load re- ceipts were 1,983,9841., and the expenditure on that was 639,644/. The aye' rage receipt per annum was 280,000/., and the average expenditure 90,0001. ; so that the yearly charge was thirty per cent on an income chiefly derived front rents. In the seven years, the income from the Forests was 251,5631., and the expenditure was 271,563/. ; the income of the Landon Parks was 191,308/., and the expenditure on those Parks 640,4b21.— an excess over income of 449,144/. In the same period, the bill of the Solicitors of the Office of Woods and Forests was 79,2411. Lastly, in the sixteen years between 1832 and 1848, Crown property to the amount of 696,275/. had been sold by order of the Treasury ; and Parliament was not made acquainted with the transactions till it was too late to revise any cue of them. Lord Duncan wished not to bring any charge against a public de- partment, but to vindicate a great principle, and to raise the question, ' Whether it is for the advantage of her Majesty's service to leave a depart- ment to expend the public money without the control of Parliament ?" The control required was not over the office of Woods, but over the Treasury and the Government, without whose connivance the office of Woods could not act. Many of the charges of the department of Woods were of the same na- ture as other charges in the Miscellaneous Estimates ; therefore, if the Go- vernment wished to incur an expense without the knowledge of Parliament, they had only to defray it out of the land revenue, and omit it in the Mis- cellaneous Estimates. It appeared to him that the gross' amount of the in- come should be.paid into the Exchequer, and that nothing should be paid out otherwise than by a vote of the House of Commons.

Lord SEYMOUR pitched his reply in a tone of respectful deference to Visaount Duncan ; whose opinion " ought to have great weight with the House," from the great attention he has given to the subject, "not only in Committee, but by examination of papers, by visiting Crown property, and by making himself acquainted with every important fact relating to the land revenue."

But the Crown revenues are not so very badly administered as Lord Sey- mour had himself supposed he should find. The land revenue has increased from 19,600/. in 1789 to 203,000/. in 1850. For the year ending March 1850, the cost of collecting the Crown rents of the London property was only 1000/. for 137,88.51. The assumption by Lord Duncan, that out of 2,446,785/. a sum of 1,672,000/. altogether evaporated without the knowledge of Parlia- ment, and without the proper exercise of its control, is inaccurate. From the sum of 1,672,000/. must be deducted a balance to the credit of the laud revenues of 145,269/. ; a sum of 116,920/. for the Victoria Park, appropriated by Parliament as clearly as any vote of the House of Common*, and further sums amounting to 216,000/., charged on the revenues by other acts of Par- liament, and paid in the seven years referred to by the resolution. For the disposition of all these sums Parliament is alone, and specifically, respon- sible. The resolution therefore implies that which is not the fact—that 1,672,000/. has been withheld without the knowledge of Parliament. Lord Seymour admitted the existence of evils which need amendment ; but lie urged that the resolution moved would not be the app'r'opriate remedy. Though the subject were brought annually before Parliament, the House of Commons could not deal with all the minute details connected' with the col- lection and management of the land 'revenues of the Crown a nor over such matters exercise any effectual control. It Might lay down.ruies and r riv-

M i ples, and see that in the mass of transactions they were generally carried out : but it could not in any other manner into ere with advantage. The real requirements of the case would be better niet by proceeding with the bill of which Lord John Russell gave notice at the beginning of the session ; which would divide the office of Woods and Forests from that of Public Works, and render the administration of the Woods and Forests subordinate to the Treasury. He therefore moved, as an amendment, for leave ta bring in a bill to make better provision for the management of the Woods and Forests and Land Revenues of the Crown, and for the direction of the Public Works.

The original motion was supported by Mr. HUMS, Sir BENJAMIN HALL, and Sir HENRY WILLOUGHBY ; the latter adding the statement, that between 1831 and 1849 not less than 1,200,0001. of the capital of the Crown property has been sold, while in March 1850 the department had incurred debts to the amount of 1,150,0001.

Viscount Dericari briefly summed up. On a division, the numbers were—

For the original motion 120 Against it 119 Majority against Ministers 1

RATEPAYERS' CONTROL OF COUNTY EXPENDITURE.

The second reading of the County Rates and Expenditure Bill was moved by Mr. MILNER GIBSON with a very brief statement ; as repeated discussion had made the House familiar with the subject, and the Com- mittee to whom was referred his bill of last session had sanctioned the principle of the measure. It is now proposed that the financial boards should be composed half of magistrates and half of representatives of the ratepayers. The opposition, headed last year by Sir John Pakington and his party of country gentlemen, was again arrayed against the bill. Sir JOHN PAXINGTON inveighed at great length against the insidious aim of the bill to sweep away one of the most delicate and peculiar, and he be- lieved one of the most valuable institutions of England—the duties which are now exercised by the unpaid magistracy of England." He moved that the second reading be put off till that day six months. Sir GEORGE GREY extended his protection to the bill ; whose principle he regarded 'without apprehension, and indeed with approval. Many of its voluminous details would, however, need amendment. Sir George declined to undertake the conduct of the bill as a Government measure ; but if it were referred to a Select Committee, not for the purpose of tak- ing evidence, but of considering its details, he would be most happy on the part of the Government to serve in that Committee, and give all the attention to the question which is in his power. He therefore supported the motion to read the bill a second time now.

The weighty interference of the Home Secretary checked Mr. Gibson's opponents ; and one of them, Mr. ROBERT PALMER, suggested that it would not be unworthy of Sir John Pakington to agree to affirm the prin- ciple only, reserving full liberty to discuss the details. Mr. HENLEY also thought the question altered since Sir George Grey is of opinion that he sees his way to a separation of the administrative and executive functions of the magistracy. Lord JOHN RUSSELL repeated the offer that Sir George Grey should serve on the Committee, and would be ready to state the amendments that he thought ought to be introduced : if Sir George's views were not adopted, of course he could not further adopt the plan of the bill. Mr. HENRY DRUMMOND, Mr. SPOONER, Sir HARRY VERNEY, and several other speakers from different sections of the House, expressed an approval of the principle of giving the ratepayers a representative control over the rates. On the understanding explained between the Ministers and the country gentlemen, the amendment moved by Sir John Peking- ton was withdrawn - the bill was read a second time, and was referred to a Select Committee.

PROTECTION OF SERVANTS AND APPRENTICES.

Moving the second reading of the Apprentices and Servants Bill, Mr. BArNES explained, that it amends the defects in the criminal law which were disclosed in the trial of the Sloanes for cruelty to Jane Wilbred. Jane Wilbred could have maintained a civil action against her master, but the offenders could not be indicted criminally, because Wilbred was upwards of sixteen years of age. The bill remedies that injustice. It provides that where a young person is separated from those who have the management of him or her in the workhouse, or elsewhere, it shall be the duty of the Guardians to have periodical visits made to that young person at least four times a year, by properly-appointed officers. It also gives a discretionary power to Magistrates to direct the Guardians to pay ex- penses of prosecution out of the poor-rates. Mr. HENLEY accorded the highest praise to the principle of the measure, but suggested some detailed amendments. The bill was read a second time.

SALE OF ARSENIC REGULATION BILL.

On moving the second reading of the Sale of Arsenic Regulation Bill, the Earl of CARLISLE explained its simple enactments.

It forbids any sale of arsenic without the contemporaneous entry, in a book to be kept for the purpose, of a full statement of the quantity sold, the name and residence of the purchaser, and the purpose to which it is to be put. Arsenic, from the comparative absence of taste and colour, affords such peculiar facilities for poisoning, that where the crime is rife, "arsenic" and " poison " are looked on as synonymous. Other poisons are as fatal, but they are so little known that a schedule of them would be an ill-advised adver- tisement of them. It has been suggested that only a minimum of arsenic shall be legally saleable : but " if persons are compelled to buy more than they want, they will leave it lying about as soon as they have used what they require "—to the obvious facility of intentional or accidental evil. "This species of crime is not familiar to the English people, nor was it to the Christian world of ancient times ; and the only way of grappling with it now will be by instructing our population in the doctrines of Christianity."

The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL regretted that other poisonous articles— prussic acid, for instance—are not included in the bill ; and pointed with approval to the French law, which forbids that any one should obtain poison except on an order from a medical man.

The bill was read a second time.

THE PASSENGER. Aare.

Moving the second reading of the Passengers Act Amendment Bill, Earl GREY explained that the measure will give the Commissioners power to determine what shall be the length of the voyages," more effectual control over the victualling of the ships, and powers to supervise 'vessels which have started on their voyage but been driven back into port by stress of weather. Lord WODEHOUSE craved some consideration of the case of cabin-passengers ; who are erroneously assumed to be always quite capable of taking care of themselves, but who often suffer great inconvenience and even hardship for want of that degree of protec- tion which is extended to steerage-passengers. Earl GREY admitted the value of these suggestions, but would not risk his bill by including too much. Manciarruas MARINE Law.

Mr. Lanotrormin has stated as to the Mercantile Marine Bill passed last session, that it is not his intention to call on the House for any altera- tion of its main provisions. Some points of detail may, however, he amended ; and for this purpose, he will, after some further experience of the working of the measure, bring in an amending bill.

OYSTER FISHERIES.

The Earl of WiegLow asked the Marquis of Lansdowne, whether the Government have received any communication from the French Govern- ment respecting the regulations of the oyster fisheries established by treaty between the two nations.

The treaty restricts the fishermen of each country from fishing within three miles of the coast of each other's country ; but since the treaty was made, great oyster-beds have been discovered in the mid channel between Brighton and Dieppe—about fourteen and fifteen miles from Dieppe—from which the English market was supplied with excellent oysters in the un- usual months of May, June, July, and August. But the French Govern- ment have stationed gun-boats to prohibit this practice ; and have captured, and punished under sentence of their courts, many of our fishermen. The French do not fish the beds themselves, and they seek to prevent us. Some- thing ought to be done.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was not very clear in his reply.

He observed, that the English fishermen who " violated the law " were dealt with leniently by the French authorities : " at the same time, it is undoubtedly true that both parties have an equal right to fish at the newly- discovered beds." [In the proper season ?] No complaint has been made by any party; and "if anything of the sort should occur, no doubt measures would be taken to settle the matter in an amicable spirit."

INCOME-TAX RETURNS.

Lord BROUGHAM felt it his duty to inform the Government, that he has been furnished by a correspondent with copies of four returns of in- come made by the persons to whom they had been sent by the Collectors of Income-tax.

Those returns had been "left carelessly lying about the office," and had come by accident into the possession of Lord Brougham's informant, "who could have got fifty similar returns if he liked." Lord Lansdowne might see these returns, on condition that the Collectors were not injured by it, as It might have been the fault of their clerks. The two great evils of the tax are its inquisitorial nature and the danger of disclosure that might prove injurious to individuals. Steps should be taken to guard these returns more carefully.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE thanked Lord Brougham for the notice thus taken of the facts that had come to his knowledge. Instructions would be conveyed to the Collectors, and no doubt greater care would re- sult in future.

Lord Lansdowne thought that these returns should be most carefully pro- tected from all observation, till the happy day should arrive when a motion would be made in the other House of Parliament for the final abolition of the tax—[Lord Brougham exclaimed, "If ever !"] —and then he should feel glad to move that all the papers relating to it should be burnt.

Tax NEW CAFFRE WAR.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL informed the House of Commons on Monday, that he had now received some official information concerning the recent out- break,—despatches from Sir Harry Smith, of the 20th December, stating that he had no apprehension of disturbance ; of the 24th December, de- scribing the ineffectual attempt to capture Sandilli ; and a subsequent de- scription of the murders in the villages.

According to the latest accounts, the military force amounted to 3699, in- cluding four battalions of the Mounted Rifles. The stores were abundant. Immediately on the breaking out of hostilities, Sir H. Smith made large re- quisitions on the Commissary-General at the Cape for rations, and for arming and equipping the Burghers and Militia. The Commissary-General of course, as in duty bound, complied with all the requisitions of the Commander-in- chief. Earl Grey. has written a despatch approving of these vigorous mea- sures, and of the increase of expense to terminate the war by a prompt exhi-- bition of overwhelming means ; but reserving his judgment on the question as to how the expenditure is to be provided for' till he is in possession of further information. In former despatches Earl Grey bad set forth the duty of the Cape colonists to take on themselves the charge of all measures re- quired to defend themselves against the barbarous tribes on their frontier, beyond the charge of the troops allotted to the colony with a due regard to the resources of the empire ; but he has now stated, that "it will still be matter for consideration whether the extent of the present calamity and the circumstances under which it has occurred are such as to justify her Majesty's Government in recommending to Parliament that assistance should be given to the colony in meeting the heavy demand upon its resources which this war must have occasioned." "Meanwhile the sums drawn from the military chest for the payment of the force you have raised, or for any other expenses not incurred on account of her Majesty's regular troops, must be regarded as advances to the Colonial Treasury." Mr. Hum; Mr. ADDERLBY, Mr. VERNON SMITH, and Mr. Rumor, made some remarks.

Mr. Adderley, in particular, expressed his firm conviction, and after a careful investigation of the whole subject, that though the Government is not altogether to blame that the colony is not at this moment in possession of a representative government, still it is the want of concert between the Government and their agents on the spot, which has deprived the colonists of institutions the absence of which will involve this.. empire in great ex- penses. They cannot therefore wholly wash their hands entirely of the evil consequences. But he reminded the House, that British Caffraria, where these disturbances have taken place, is no part of the Cape colony, but is altogether a separate British possession ; it is under a totally, dif- ferent administration, and neither politically nor fiscally connected with the Cape of Good Hope : therefore the Government must not delude itself for one moment with the thought that they can call on the Cape of Good Hope to pay a single farthing of the expenses of the war.

Tax CEYLON EVIDENCE.

In reply to Mr. HUME, Mr. HAWES stated on Monday, that the evi- dence in the case of Captain Watson had been sent to the Horse Guards, and by that department transmitted to the Commander at Ceylon. The mass of evidence was so great that he is not able to supply a duplicate, as the copy was sent to Captain Watson for the purposes of his defence. In reply to the inquiries of Mr. H. Barra"; for information on whose au- thority the report and evidence were sent to Ceylon, and in course of what sort of usage have original documents thus been sent to the Colonies without copies being taken, 'Mr. Fox Matrix replied, that the matter rests with the Commander-in-chief; it is not in Mr. Maule's department, and he knows nothing about it.

THE CEYLON CRUELTIES.

Mr. HENRY Bamme has given notice of the following Resolutions, to be moved on Tuesday the 26th of April- " 1. That this House, having taken into consideration the evidence ad- duced before the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the grievances complained of in the Crown colony i of Ceylon, is of opinion that the punish- ment of the natives of that island implicated in the disturbances of 1848 has been excessive and unnecessarily severe.

"2. That this House is of opinion that the execution of eighteen persons, and the transportation, imprisonment, and corporal punishment of one hun- dred and fifty persons, by military tribunals, for alleged offences after those disturbances had been suppressed, (during which one individual only of her Majesty's troops had been slightly injured,) is at variance with the merciful administration of the British penal laws, and is not calculated to insure the future affections and fidelity of her rajesty's Colonial subjects. " 3. That this House is therefore of opinion, that the conduct of Earl Grey, in signifying her Majesty's unqualified approbation of Lord Torrington's administration of Ceylon, has been precipitate and injudicious, tending to establish precedents of rigour and severity in the government of her Majesty's foreign possessions, and injurious to the character of this country for justice and humanity."