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HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY,…
HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, MAY 1. PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. Sir. EWART having presented a large number of petitions n-gamst the punishment of death, proceeded to move for leave to bring in a bill to abolish it, remarking that if he were not con- vinced that the feeling of the country was against it, he should not have troubled the House with the motion. Every day, however, convinced the people more and more of the impolicy of continuing this law upon the statute book, and the feeling in the country against it was stronger than some honourable members were dis- p<w€d to admit. They were at a crisis on this subject-the time bad come when the question must be settled. The number of murders had unfortunately increased but unlike others, he drew this inference from this melancholy fact, that their institutions had produced no effect. As on all former occasions on which he had submitted this question to the House, he should on the present alfoid fitiy allusion to the theological part of the subject. He looked upon the punishment of death as a desecration of our reli- gion. The question was one, he considered, of expediency, and he took his stand in opposing it upon that ground. To show that they could safely do without capital punishment he would simply mention that the returns before the House went to show that when- ever they iiitd mitigated tne law, the experiment had proved most micvessful. He could urge many reasons why capital punishment tstwm'd be done away with. In the first plèce it was an uncertain pun aliment. The excellence of a punishment consisted ill its cer- truity, and to make this punishment certain they must be pre- pared to execute every criminal convicted of the crime ot murder. He apprehended, however, that no advocate for capital punishment was prepared to go that length. Considerable sensation had re- cently been excited upon this subject by the execution of two cri- minals, between the extent of whose crimes there was a very material difference. He alluded to the unfortunate woman exe- at Bristol and the notorious criminal recently executed at Norwich. Ought there not to have been a distinction between these two criminals ? Even the stanchest upholders of the neces- sitVot>a..U"! {1_yrt;Hpl merit in cases like those in relation to the crime, and he insisted, therefore, that, with a due regard for public feeling, the right lion, baronet could not execute in all cases of murder. Then he lost the advantage of certainty in the punishment, while, on the other bund, if he adopted this measure the punishment would be made certain. No one could deny that public executions bad a demoral- ising tendency. So long as they continued capital punishments, not oniy would they have the demoralising spectacle of the scaffold, but they would have the accounts, in all the pomp of circumstance, from the first beginnings of crime to its last ignominious expiation, recorded by their liberal press, which narrated all those demoral- ising circumstances, and thus produced the worst possible effect on the tastes, the morals, and the religion of the people; and so long would they throw around the assassin that morbid degree of interest which now always attached to him. Under the present instead of leaving the criminal to dwell on those motives Itir repenranee which his position was calculated to awaken, they diverted his mind from that wholesome exercise, by calling his attention to the sufferings of his ignominious death on the scaffold. Again, he held capital punishments to be objectionable in that they inflicted on the criminal the same dreadful crime that he had inflicted on his victim. But there was another great objection, and it was that when once capital punishment was inflicted it could not be recalled it was beyond compensation, and if once exe- cuted the criminal Was placed beyond the pale of repentance. Capital punishment had been abolished in Belgium and in our own jjossessions in the West Indies, and during the best years of the Roman Republic capital punishment had never prevailed. He leit btrongly that the principle which he was advocating was gain ing hold on the people of this country. A greater number of the clergy are daily coming over to his views he had the opinion of several recorders of large towns, of three English judges, and of two Irish judges in favour of the repeal of punishment by death and he thought the day was not far distant when the repeal of that ignominious and demoralising punishment will be successful, and when the people of this country would call on that House to wipe from its statute book the spirit of revenge, and to leave un- lettered the exercise of the merciful precepts of our holy religion. Sir George (iRKY opposed the motion, feeling the strongest con- viction that the time was far distant when the infliction of the ex- treme penalty of the law in cases of guilt could be dispensed with. Many of Mr. Ewart's arguments, he remarked, applied to a period ailteictieiit lo 1841, since which time no criminal had suffered the punishment of death but for wilful and deliberate murder. He maintained the necessity, although it might not be capable of actual demonstration, for the of human life, of throwing around it that tenor which was entertained of the punishment of death, and which being entertained had a deterring effect. He denied that the crime of murder had increased, as Mr. Ewart had assumed on the contrary, taking a series of yearsj murder was the or.iy crime that had lIut materially increased. Sir George then eiiamined the statistical arguments of Mr. Ewart, drawing very different conclusions from the oftlcial returns, to which, however, lie did not attach much value, preferring to take a common sense View of the question, and he asked the House whether it could be affirmed that the time had arrived when capital punishment could be abolished for murder and for high treason, no substitute being suggested which would afford an equal protection to society. He admitted the evils arising from public executions, which furnished Of strong objection to capital punishment; but whilst it was retained public executions were unavoidable. Air, BRIGYIT supported the motion. He thought it was a fair ii'ference that if hanging had tailed to put down minor crimes, it must fail to check a crime which in most instances was committed 1-,0111 the impulee of intense passion, and the deterring effect of any punishment must be small with respect to such a crime. The !'(Ted of punishment to deter from crime in general, he thought, was greetly overrated, and the principle of meting out punishment in exact proportion to offences was an erroneous one. He en- larged upon the demoralising incidents of public executions, which, as ancient examples proved, aggravated the ferocity of a people. Mr. Bright adduced various cases illustrating the inequality and iiisufficiency of capital punishment, and the repugnance to it not only of juries, but of public opinion generally, which, he contended, was ripe for this amendment of the law. ill r. I) r in a few pithy sentences, opposed the motion, u well as bn" E. Bt-XTOK. Air. BKGTHEKHJN supported the motion, Sir George STKICKLAKD hoped to see the day when capital pu- nishments could be abolished; he had, many years agu, at the bar. been impressed with the imjieiiectiou of human tribunals, believing that many innocent persons had been executed, (Vitonci THOMPSON recommended, ad a preliminary to the abo- huoti ci cap.ial piiiiiiLtnent, the preparation and improvement-of some secondary punishment, and trying its effect in crimes inferior ill gravity to murder. Lord NUGENT, in supporting the motion, insisted that the burden of proof was with its opponents, who must show, first, that capital punishment had a tendency to abate crime, and, secondly, that crime could not be equally well encountered by another form of punishment. He complained that Sir George Grey had omitted to notice the fact that the great majority of the judges had given an opinion in favour of the remission of capital punishments. Upon a division, the motion was negatived by 51 against 25. For Mr. Ewart's motion, Pryse Pryse, John Williams against it, John Evans, David Morris, Sir J. Owen, David Pugh, R. Richards, Col. Watkins. After the transaction of some business, the House aajourned at nine o'clock. ————
HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY,…
HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY, MAY 2. The Cattle Stealing (Ireland) Bill underwent a discussion on the second reading, which was thrown out by a majority of 86 to 67.
CLERGY RELIEF BILL.
CLERGY RELIEF BILL. Upon the motion for going into committee on this bill, several amendments were proposed and lost. The chairman then reported progress, and the House adjourned at six o'clock. IIf'Y'oor: nMI'JOIi'!IõI<
Advertising
TO ])RAPERS' ASSISTANTS. WAITED immediately, a respectable YOUNG MAN, well V acquainted with the trade, whose character will bear in- Apply (stating particulars) to Mr. Thos. Price, Waterloo House, Merthyr. TABERNACLE, CARDIFF. THE ANNIVERSARY of the RE-OPENING of the above Chapel will take place on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, MAY 9th and 10th, 1849; when SERMONS. Will be preached by the REVS. F. HILEY, Lanwenarth D. D' EVANS, Pontrhydyryn T. THOMAS, Bassaleg, Monmouta- shire and J. JONES, and J. ROBERTS, Merthyr. PUBLIC SERVICES to commence at seven o'clock on Wednesday evening; and on Thursday at ten in the morhing two iu the afternoon and at seven in the evening. MR. EVANS will preach in English at two o'clock on Thursday. The case of the above chapel Is respectfully submitted to the friends of evangelical religion in the town of (ardiff and its vici- nity. The members of the Church have determined by their own exertions, and the kind liberality of their friends, to pay off (if possible) iClOO of their debt on the above day. Bear ye one another's burden." TO CORRESPONDENTS. We are compelled, by a pressure of other business, to postpone our replies to several correspondents till next week, when they will be faithfully attended to. A few paragraphs of local news are also omitted. „ «*« KNNATTM.—In last week's PMNCIPALITY, under the head of "Births," for the wife of Mr. Lankey, gardener, ironmonger, &c., read the wife of Mr. Saniey Gardner, ironmonger, &e., of a daughter.
WHO IS MR. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS?
WHO IS MR. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS? AT the foot of a green slope, in one of the beautiful valleys that open into the picturesque valley of Stroud, there stands a neat little edifice dedicated to the worship of the Supreme. Upon its unpretending facade is this inscription Erected bv voluntary contributions." Referring thereto, the ques- tion was proposed which we prenx to this article. Who is Mr. Voluntary Contributions ? said a geneel young lady, with a naivete peculiar to her class, as she for the first time passed by with her new schoolfellows towards the parish church, which stood in the distance, embosomed in the rich foliage so characteristic of the district. Aye, who could ho be, the good, dear old gentleman? Some chari- uitne squue nu doutit; some eccentric peer, or pernaps a bishop. • The school girl is the type of a very numerous class in this country. Many are as ignorant as she of Mr. Voluntary Contributions." They pass along through our cities and our and although on every hand the marvels he has wrought exhibit themselves to their view, they know and understand him not. Hospitals, asylums, alms-houses, houses of worship, school houses, colleges, and literary and educational institutions have arisen at his mandate. To the four quarters of the globe he has sent on the wings of the press messages of good-will, and missions of mercy. Vast have been his operations, at home and abroad. He has en- circled the whole world with his mighty influences. No potentate has wielded so gigantic a power. No treasury has been so exhaustless in support of everything benevolent, good, and true. And yet how many are ignorant of his lineage, and that scarcely know his name How many there are that affect to despise him, and now turn away to woo a power that has always shown itself tardy to do right, and thoroughly inefficient to conduct and arrange those great enterprises which contribute to make a nation great, by the, cultivation of its intelligence, the refinement of its morals and the expansion of its trade at home, and its commerce abroad. The voluntary principle is little understood. Its history is quite eclectic. Its operations in religious matters have been of mighty benefit. It has restrained the violence and tyranny of a State priesthood, that, but for its operation, would ere now have had us, bound hand and foot, in servile bondage. By its simple, but heaven-born energy, it has spread religion pure and undefiled amongst races and amid regions that otherwise would have been without it to this hour. And here, in our owm land, it has been the ark which, floating upon the conflicting elements of a political society, that by its licentiousness and blind adherence to a State religion, and a wholly political clergy, had well nigh involved all in one common ruin,has preserved to us tnat greatest of all treasures Religion, free from the corruptions of men and human institutions,—such as ll came from God. In education it has done nearly all that has been done. Were it not for voluntary agency in the establishment, of schools for the education of our poorer classes, of institutions for the diffusion of knowledge amongst our artisans and inquiring young men, and in the use of other means for the mental elevation of our people, we should be at this hour enveloped in the ignorance of the middle ages we should be a nation of half-cultivated serfs, with, here and there a sage, by his light to make the darkness visible. And in com- merce, too, it has done more by its own unaided ef- forts than has been accomplished by all the artificial interferences of legislation. Indeed it is in spite of that interference that our maritime importance has been ac- quired. The commercial enterprise and spirit of our people have found nothing but impediments thrown in their way by parliamentary enactments. Parliament has done nothing, and can do nothing, but to prohibit and protect, restrict and monopolize of such a nature all its interference must necessarily be but then to prohibit is to destroy, and to protect (in a parliamentary sense) is to crush, to restrict is to injure, and to monopolize is to undermine the very spring of the commercial principle. Our commerce then has sustained itself by the voluntary efforts of our enterprising people, and it has become what it has in spite of law-made trading corporations and chartered companies. The vast commerce of India was almost strangled by the au.thorit if:£ at LeadenhaU-streek. Thftt great monopoly was pone away with. Free-trade with India was obtained, and that has done more to open up the treasures of our Indian empire, and to establish our maritime ascendancy on the high seas, than any legislative enactment ever could have done. The work is going on; the Voluntary Principle has hitherto been working against great obstacles; it has laboured amidst the sneers of the overwise, and the opposi- tion of all human government, and yet it has done immense good. We have already emancipated commerce from most of the officiousness with which Parliament had hampered it. By degrees we shall have complete Free-trade. When the Navigation-laws arc repealed we shall have advanced another step towards its accomplishment .A few more steps, and commerce will be left as it should be, to that nation and that people whose skill, enterprise, and economy will enable them to do it the cheapest and best. The work is going on. The State Church is tottering. Divided within, and assailed without, it must fall, and reli- gion be left to be supported by the voluntary efforts and contributions of those who love religion for its own sake, and not for the loaves and fishes. Religion must exist with- out depriving the poor of their bread, and without diverting from its proper uses that vast property belonging to the nation which she claims. Religion then, freed from State control, supported by the free contributions of a free people, and disseminated by those who love her for her own sake, will then appear to the world in her own beautiful gar- ments, and will not any more be the reproach of the Godly, and the scoff of the infidel. The work is going on; and although our Parliament still continues to meddle with things beyond its own proper pro- vince, yet we are sanguine that at no distant day it will be taught by an enlightened and extended constituency to leave religion, education, and commerce entirely to their own vo- taries, and to content itself with administering justice to all, restraining but not avenging.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. THE Hungarians have once more entered their capital. Austrian cuirassiers no longer profane the streets of Pesth they have been driven out by the avenging swords of an oppressed and outraged people. Austria is striving for mastery, Hungary for independence. Flushed with their victory over the brave students and sturdy citizens of Vienna, the troops of J ellachichand Windischgratz pushed on into the plains of Hungary to suppress the insurrection that had there arisen, on account of the bad faith that had been kept with the Magyars by the Court of Olmutz, and on account of the treachery and tyranny with which they had been treated by his Imperial Majesty the late throned ignoramus of Austria. At first the insurgents retired before superior numbers and superior arms. They abandoned their capital and retired to the fastnesses and strong positions beyond the Theiss. They fought as they retired, and learned the art of fighting as they retreated. Kossuth, undaunted and indomitable, per- severed, and, appealing to his patriotic countrymen, they have risen to his assistance, and now they have turned upon their pursuers, over whom they have gained a series of as brilliant victories as ever were woa by the sword. The Theiss and the Danube a're now behind them. Pesth is their own again, and Kossuth, the proscribed and vilified leader of the insurrection, is already hailed as the deliverer of his country, and immortalised by his exploits. Had he been taken in the first hour of his revolutionary enterprise, he would have been shot as a traitor; but now he is applauded as a patriot and a victor; and the reactionary press, who calum- niated and accused him of everything that was vile, are urg- ing Austria to make terms with him before he dictates them at the gates of Vienna. This would be humiliation, indeed for the proud and youthful Austrian monarch. It would appear, however, that it is what he will inevitably be subject to, unless he grants to Hungary what she has a right to demand, and what has been promised to her, or-fearful al tern ative, !-unless he obtains aid from Russia still greater than he has yet done, even to the garrisoning of the chief city of the empire. Germany and Denmark are still engaged in deciding their dispute by force of arms. The latter, deserted by Russia, who is anticipating a revolt in Poland, and preparing therefor, as well as to support the beaten forces of Austria, seems already to have had the worst of it. Colding, a Danish town on the frontier between Schleswig Holstein and Denmark, has been taken by the Schleswig Holstein troops. Great preparations are making for continuing the war. The various states of Germany are dispatching their contingents to the scene of action and from Copenhagen we hear that, notwithstanding their recent defeats, the Danes are determined to resist to the utmost. There is no great principle involved in this struggle. We opine the interests of the inhabitants of the duchies are but little consulted in the matter. It is a fight for supremacy rather than for right. The Bourbon King of Naples, the big butcher of Italy, has it all his own way in Sicily. Catania has been demo- lished, Syracuse taken, and Palermo all but fallen. Sicily is now at a tyrant's mercy. We shall see how the brave islanders will fare. Recollecting recent atrocities by the unrestrained troops of his Neapolitan Majesty, we fear the result. The accounts tell us of the presence of the fleets of France and England in the Sicilian waters, to protect the interests of their respective countries no doubt; say rather for intrigue. At Rome as yet things continue as they were; but the Republic is doomed. The tricolor of the French Republic floats over Civita Vecchia, and entwines itself with the en- signs of the Pontificate. Pope Pius is to be restored to the throne of his spiritual despotism by the arms of a Republic. What strange occurrences take place! What an anomaly France, that but yesterday overturned a monarch, and esta- blished a Republic, to-day lands her legions on a foreign strand to overturn a Republic, and establish the most odious of monarchies. We await results, but are firmly convinced that the days of the Popes are ended. Pope Pius may re- turn to Rome, but his sway will be short-lived, and his in- fluence circumscribed. The reign of his holiness of Rome is over, and that great system of superstition and spiritual oppression of which he is head is passing away. In India the war of the Punjaub is ended. From last accounts we learn that the Sikh chiefs have delivered up their swords to the commander of her Majesty's forces. The greatest question, however, has yet to be settled. Com- paratively, it is of small moment that we have conquered the Sikh rebels, as they are called by some. The question is, are we to annex the Punjaub? Aio we to be contented with our present position on the banks of the Sutlej, or are we to push forward to the Indus? Our Indian magnates at Leadenhall-stveet seem inclined to annex. We have little doubt but that our troops will retain permanent occupation of the territory they have conquered. This will be a fatal error, in our opinion. We have more territory now in Hindostan than we can govern well. Wider dominion will only weaken. Besides, we have no moral right thus to take possession of the countries of othor people. Our Indian policy, from the courueiicuinent, has been a great mistake. If we would make Britain a bleasmg to the world, we mu show a better example. Our mission to the Punjaub was ostensibly to punish, but in reality it was to rob. —■ 1 1
THE MAY MEETINGS—THE BAPTIST…
THE MAY MEETINGS—THE BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES. A CONSIDERABLE portion of the PRINCIPALITY of to-day is devoted to reports of the proceedings of the anniversaries of societies connected with the Baptist denomination. The reports will be found interesting, not merely to the denomi- nation to which they more immediately refer, but also to the religious public generally. We are glad to find the vexed question of incorporation has been satisfactorily disposed of, never, as the Baptist Magazine says, to be mooted again. There is a falling off in the income of most of the mission- ary societies this year; the cause of which is a subject of interest and importance to every flanking and religious mind. There is evidently a crisis approaching in our reli- gious institutions, and it behoves the leading men of our various societies to observe the signs of the times and provide for the emergency.
CARDIFF.
CARDIFF. TUB HEALTH OF TOWNS ACT.-There is now every proba- bility that the provisions of the above act will be extended to this town. The arrangements for that purpose are, we under- stand, in a forward state. In the meantime we would recom- mend the rate-payers who signed the petition to bestir them- selves, and make preparations for sending men of public spirit and independent minds into the town council—men who will serve the public weal without reference to the smiles or the frowns of any party. Without this precaution we beg to assure our fellow rate-payers that, however efficient the provisions of the new act may be, it will prove of no effect unless men of the right stamp are chosen to manage the affairs of the town. An i instance of the servility toe commonly manifested in Cardiff was seen last week. It appears that at the last meeting of the Street Commissioners it was stated that several persons had signed the petition in favour of the Health of Towns Act under wrong impressions. One gentleman—a member of the Street Commission—said that if he had known its object he would not have signed it. Soon after the meeting was over this gentle- man was asked how he could have made such a statement, since the object and nature of the new act had been clearly ex- plained to him previous to his signing the petition. Why," said he, I had no idea that Mr. Itiehards was opposed to it!" This we fear is only an instance of what is generally pursued in this town. Now Mr. Richards may be a very clever and disinterested man—and we have not-been backward in offering him our meed of praise whenever an opportunity offered itself -still, gentlemen should be enabled to form their own opinion, and act upon it too, without in the first place ascertaining the views of Mr. Richards or any one else. We counsel the rate- payers to bear this matter in mind. The power is in their hands if they neglect to exercise it well they have none but themselves to blame, where public interest is sacrificed to gra- tify personal and private ends. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—The Cambrian says that C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., is likely to succeed Charles Russell, Esq., as chairman of the South Wales Railway. TAFF VALE RAILWAY.—A petition to the directors of the i Taff Vale Railway is in course of signature in this town, com- f plaining of the inconvenience experienced by the inhabitants of Cardiff on account of the recent change in the passenger trains. Tradesmen and others having occasion to go to Merthyr, Pont- ypridd, and Aberdare, are, by the present arrangement, pre- vented from transacting their business in the course of the same day. We have no doubt the petition will receive immediate attention, and that, if possible, the proposed change will be adopted. DEATH BY DROWNING IN THE CANAL.—R. L. Reece, Esq., coroner, held an inquest on Monday last, on the body of a boy, named Thomas Jenkins, aged six years, living in Hill's-terrace. It appears that about eight o'clock, on Saturday night, the boy was playing on the bank of the tunnel, and fell into the canal. His brother, who saw him falling, ran home to inform his pa- rents, who returned, and getting him out, he was found dead. He was in the water half an hour. Verdict, "Accidentally drowned." BAPTISMAL REGENERATION.—A few days ago, a lady full of zeal for the Church as by law established visited a poor family in this town, where the mother had lately been delivered of a child. The lady inquired if the child had been baptised. The poor woman answered, "Yes, ma'am, Mr. baptised it, as well as my other two children." The lady informed her that. the baptism of a Dissenting minister was of no effect, and recommended her to take the three children to the minister of St. John's, whose baptism alone would prove effectual] THE PEACE QUESTIOTi.We noticed some months ago, that a branch of the Brotherhood Society was established in this town, and that they were to meet once a month, for the pur- [ pose of promoting the objects in view. We regret to find that the attendance has fallen off, and the new. born zeal of some has cooled considerably. We regret to find the religious public so apathetic with regard to this important question, and that I professed disciples of the Gospel of Peace should treat it with such indifference. A SUGGESTION.—A correspondent suggests that, since the Cardiff authorities are so fond of sending to London for an opi- l nion on the relative merits of plans, &c., for the town, that plans of Union-street, Mellicent-street, and Bridge-street, be also sent up, accompanied by the town surveyor and the per- petual chairman of the Street Commissioners, for the judgment of an experienced professional gentleman, on the paving, pitch. ing, and levels of the said streets. WESLBYAN SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.—We understand that the ta- lented and popular preacher, the Rev. J. S. Jones, of Newport, will preach at the Wesley an chapel in this town, on Sunday next, morning and evening, on behalf of the above schools. AGED BAPTIST MINlSTEltS' FUND.—We are requested by the treasurer to state, that Mr. W. Owen, the proprietor of the Bedyddiwr, has paid into the hands of the treasurer the sum of L5, being the first instalment of the £ 50, which Mr. Owen has promised, on certain conditions, to contribute annually from the proceeds of the Bedyddiwr, to the Aged Baptist Ministers' Fund. It is to be hoped that the increasing circulation of his magazine will sustain and reward the zeal and liberality of Mr. Owen. TURNPIKE 110ADS IN SOUTH WALES.—An abstract of ac- counts presented to Parliament, pursuant to the Act 7th and 8th Victoria, cap. 91, shows that the gross receipts on account of turnpike roads in South Wales, in the year 1848, amounted to £ 37,785; the estimated receipts this present year to E34,430 the total expenditure, in 1848, to -el(,,174 and the estimated expenditure, this year, to 115,35 1. of Thursday. STRIKE AMONGST THE MASONS ON THE SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. —Yesterday morning, the masons employed on the South Wales Railway, in this neighbourhood, struck for an advance of wages. We have been told that they have taken advantage of the position in which the contractors are relative to the bridge to be erected over the Taff, which must be proceeded with during the low tides with every possible expedition. The contractors, therefore, rather than submit to what they deem an imposition, have sent to Bristol for a number of fresh hands.
NEWPORT.
NEWPORT. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, The quarterly meeting of this body was held on Tuesday last, when most of the members were present. The mayor presided. The town-clerk read the minutes of the watch committee, which were approved of, and the accounts for the quarter passed. It appeared on the minutes of the watch committee, that the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John Steel Parsons, who had been recently appointed, was not to be filled up. A member of the council requested to know upon what grounds this reduction took place, especially as there was no diminution in the number of prisoners brought before the magistrates. The superintendent stated that less crime was generally committed during the summer months than in the winter, and hat the prisoners lately brought before the magistrates, were chiefly charged with crimes of a trivial nature. Mr. Mullock said, it would be very desirable to try the ex- periment, and that the superintendent might, at any time, if he found it necessary, apply to the watch committee for additional assistance, On the motion of Mr. Henry John Davies, it was resolved that the town-clerk be directed to copy the resolutions aad orders which have emanated from the watch committee, from time to time, for the government of the police force, in order that they may be revised, and the duties of the force more clearly defined. Mr. Toogood, auctioneer, applied to the council to be allowed the use of the large room of the town-hall, for the purpose of i-ules, but upon some discussion was refused, upon the ground that the room was more immediately for the purpose of lioluin, g pu-1 c meeting, &c. The council then adjourned.
COMMITTEE OF SUPP"-Y.-N iVY…
Mr. COBDHN hoped his hon. friend (Sir W. Molesworth) would take the sense of the House as to whether any further expense should be incurred until the House or a committee had an oppor- tunity of seeing plans of the docks and basins, and of ascertaining what would he the total cost of their construction. He had reason to know that the whole thing was considered by practical engineers to be disgraceful to the country from beginning to end (hear). As to the necessity of these decks, the committee of last year came to the resolution that if they bad not been begun, they would not have recommended their construction, because they were satisfied that this country had already docks and basins enough for the repair of all her steamers. Was the House aware that these pre- parations were made, not in order to construct engines for their hteanisbips, but for the repair of these vessels in the event of a great war P It seemed to be assumed that they were to have ano- ther general war to-morrow, and that they must therefore be pre- pared with steam-basins, and have everything in order, to be ready for another Trafalgar. Now, was that a wise policy with reference to the taxpayers ? He denied the necessity of having a steam-basin ?t all; and his reason for doing so was, that private builders of steamboats had no basins. Mr. Peno said that he had examined the works at Keyham, and there would have been, in his opinion, no difficulty in having a dose estimate of the total outlay before the commencement of the works. lie never saw a position in which works were placed on a better foundation, and in respect to which fewer contingencies existed, and therefore it was inexcusable in any Government undertaking such works without the most accurate previous infor- mation (hear, hear). The committee divided. The numbers were— For the amendment. 27 Against it 101 Majority 74 The vote was then agreed to as was also a vote of £ 68,400 for miscellaneous services. The next vote, which was for £ 232,252 to complete the sum necessary for the charge of half-pay to officers of the Navy and Royal Marines, after A few words from Mr. M. GIBSON, Sir F. BARING, and Sir H. WiLLOOOHBT, was agreed to, as also was a vote of L300,551 to complete the charge for military pensions and allowances, of £ 61,357 for civil pensions and allowances, and £ 147,200 for freights and stores on account of the army and navy ordnance department. The net vote was a sum of L748,2913 for the Post-office packet service which after some discussion was allowed. The House then resumed. The report was brought up, and or- dered to be received on Wednesday. 1 he other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a quarter past twelve o'clock.