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Leader (1850-1860), 16th May 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 459, Untitled Article

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      tn the provision for limiting the maximum deposit to UiOltbe amount fixed by law at present being 200 ? . that cla ^ e he proposed to abandon . He designed in the Present measure to calculate money invested by tho Lvinffs' Bank Commissioners at the price of money on the current day , instead of , as -in the first bill , upon an » verace of the preceding quarter . He proposed to leave the appointment of the local officers to the managers and trustees and that the daily superintendence of those officers should remain as at present All he asked was JJank Commissioners should have

      that the Savings' power to make regulations as to the duties of tho officers , to fix the amount of the securities to be demanded of them , and to dismiss them when found to be incompetent . The solvency of all savings' banks he proposed to have proved by the production of the depositors ' books . The condition had been in operation in Ireland , and was not found to be practically inconvenient . He also designed to introduce a clause prohibiting a private individual or private company from establishing any bank under the simple title of a savings' bank .

      Sir Henry Willouhgbv strongly objected to the mischievous practice of allowing tho Chancellor of the Exchequer to use the stock of the savings' banks for the purposes of the state in carrying on operations of finance . He suggested a consolidation of the law , and that the subject should be referred to a select committee : proposals which were also enforced by Lord Goderich . , ] V £ r . H . Herbekt hoped the Government would not abandon that portion of the proposed bill which provided

      securities against fraud . — Mr . Estcoukt approved of the bill , with the exception of the part which removed the existing restriction upon the amount of deposits to 100 J . Mr . Slaney supported the measure . —Mr . Thojias Baring dissented from the discretionary power which is lodged in the hands of the National Debt Commissioners . Mr . Henley thought that several points required considerable discussion . —Mr . Fagan supported the bill , and Mr . Crossley urged the appointment of a select committee . —The ¦ Chaxcellou' of the Exchequer , in

      reply , refused to grant the select committee , which would have the effect of shelving the bill for this session . Sir Henry Willoughby's objections were not valid . —The resolution was then agreed to .

      TRANSPOUTATION BILL . Sir Geokoe Grey moved the second reading of this bill , which proposes to abolish the sentence of transportation , and to substitute that of penal servitude for a longer period . The measure does not design to alter the power of granting tickets of leave , as a general rule . — Mr . Bentinck , who thought that the labour of convicts might be advantageously employed in making harbours of refuge , &c , moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months . — Mr . Roebuck : was uf opinion that a convict has no chance of obtaining honest labour inthiscountry , where his antecedents are known , and that he should be transported to some uninhabited spot , after being previously qualified to become a colonist . —Sir

      John Pakington in the main approved of the bill , but objected to tho clement of uncertainty which would enter into the sentences . —The bill was also supported by Mr . Collier , Mr . Philips , Mr . Uyng , Mr . Mkavdegate , Mr . Ewart , Mr . Liddell , Mr . Keating , Mr . Packe , and Mr . Hope . — Mr . Drummond spoke in favour of extending the use of transportation ; to which Mr . Baenes replied that a committee of the House of Commons had shown that , however desirable transportation might bo , it would be difficult , if not impossible , to point out any place to which convicts can be of tho

      sent . —Mr . Henley condemned the abandonment wholesome punishment of transportation . —Mr . Whiteside denounced llio bill , which ho said permitted the judge to pronounce ono sentence , and tho Government to substitute another and a severer punishment . ' — Lord Stanley argued that transportation is not possible , and that tho ticket-of-leave system had never had a proper trial . It was a fair question , however , whether convicts might not be employed on public works at homo . —Mr . Marsh suggested that a convict settlement might be established hi the northern purt of Australia . —Tho bill was then read a uocond time .

      INDUSTRIAL . SCHOOLS 1 ULL . Mr . AomuiusY moved ihu second roading of this bill , which is precisely tho samo as that introduced last session . —Mr . Bowyicr opposed tho bill on two grounds — first , that it introduced principles new to tho judicature of the country , and interfered with the parental authority of tho poor ; secondly , thut tho ollbct , though not tho intention , of the measure was to proselytizo , tnneo ltomnn Catholic children would bo sent to Protestant schools . —Tho measure wan further resistod by Mr . Palic , Mr . Harrow , Mr . liitAuv , Mr . P . O'Hiuhn , and Mr . Ridley . —Sir Gkohoh Guky , while admitting that tho bill required vory cnrel ' ul consideration in committee , trusted that , there would bo no serious objection to the second roading . — Lord Koiii . ut Cecil and Mr . Stanhopjij approved of tho bill , thu soeond reading of which was carried bv 177 to 18 .

      TltE HANK ACTfi ( IK 181 ¦! - <> . The Chancellor ok the Exchequer moved for the raapnointinunt of thd Soloot ComiriiLluu to inquire into tho operation of tho Bunk Act of I Hi 1 ( 7 th and tilh Victoria , cap . IC 2 ) , and of tho . 'Huulc Ads for Ireland and Scotland of 18-10 ( 8 th and Olh Victoria , eap . U 7 , Ut }> . — Aftor aoino diacusdiuH , the motion wnn agreed to .

      INTRODUCTION OF MEASURES . Sir George Grey obtained leave to bring in a bill to make other provision for the exercise of the powers of the General Board of Health ; Mr . Fitzgerald a bill to Consolidate and Amend the Acts relating to Bankruptcy and Insolvency in Ireland ; and Lord Blandfokd a bill to provide further for the mode of securing the incomes of ecclesiastical corporations , aggregate and sole .-The House adjourned at a quarter past one o ' clock . Tuesday , May 12 tA . PROBATE AND DIVORCE BILLS .

      In the House of Lords , in reply to Lord Ltxdhcrst , the Lord Chancellor intimated that , if their Lordships had no objection , he was prepared to take the second reading of the Probate and Administration Bill next Monday , and the second reading of the Marriage and Divorce Bill next Tuesday . It was proposed by the present Probate Bill that the Judge of the couTt should also be the Judge of the Divorce Court ; anil it was intended that eventually the whole of the jurisdiction now exercised at Doctors' Commons in testamentary and divorce cases should be discharged by one judge , who would ultimately take rank with the judges in Westminster-hall . —The Bishop of Oxford endeavoured to obtain n postponement of the discussion ; but he did nat succeed .

      LAW OF LIBEL . On the motion of Lord Campbell , the petitions of various journalists which had been presented to the House , complaining of the law . of libel in reference to the reports of public meetings , were referred to the select committee recently appointed to consider the subject . TREATMENT OF CHINESE PRISONERS AT HONG-KOXG . The Earl of Carnarvon called the attention of the House to an account given in the China At ail , published at Hong-Kong , of the barbarous treatment to which the Chinese prisoners at that place had been subjected . They had been crammed , to the number of fift 3 ' , into a room sixteen feet long by fifteen broad , with

      but a small aperture for ventilation , and with no accommodation for the requirements of nature . In this reproduction of the Black Hole of Calcutta they were kept for twenty days , and , but for the help of the neighbours ; who were roused by their cries , they would have starved , having been left without food for eight-and-forty hours . Lord Carnarvon also referred to the extraordinary language reported in the Hong-Kong journals to have been used at the trial of Allum by the Attorney-General . That functionary seemed to have adopted a line of conduct which no Attorney-General for many years had taken , and to have behaved in a manner which caused one of the jury to complain of his conduct . It seemed to him to be one of the most monstrous cases he had ever

      heard of ; and , if those statements were substantiated , he trusted the Government would not shrink from censuring , as they were bound to do , the parties who were to blame . —Lord Harrowjb y said he had not previously heard of the speech of the Attorney-Gen oral at Hong-Kong ; but he believed that justice is administered in the colonios with perfect fairness . With respect to the confinement of tho prisoners , he begged to call attention to a report received from the superintendent of police in answer to the charges that had been made . It was stated in tho report that the prisoners were placed in a room on tho ground floor , fifteen feet square , lighted by an opening from tho top ; that the chamber contained sufficient accommodation ; that none of the prisoners wero ill ; and that tho usual rations had been given to them .

      (// cm ; hear . ) The charges , ho felt bound to say , had been brought in rather unmeasured terms , and language had been used which was not justified by the circumstances . Tho Government had written for further information on tho subject , and in tho meantime tho papers moved for would bo produced . —Tho Earl of Malmesbury denied that" unmeasured terms had been used . Lord Carnarvon had not expressed any opinion of his own , and had only evinced a desire to elicit tho truth . — Tho Earl of Ellenisorouuh hoped tho Government would think it right to inquire , into tho conduct of the Attornov-Gonoral at Hong-Kong . —The motion for tho production of papers was then agreed to , and tho House adjourned shortly after six . o'clock .

      In tho House ok Commons , tho Queen ' s reply to tho Address of the House on tho opening of tho session was brought up by Lord Custloroase . PASSING TOLLS . Mr . Lowe , in answer to Mr . Hudson , said it was the intention of tho Government , when the . state of public business permitted , to introduce a bill founded upon the recommendations of tho committee of 18 / 51 upon Shipping Dues , ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION . Iii reply to Lord Roistiirr Cecil , . Sir George Grky said ho hoped soon to bo ablo to introduce a bill embodying such of tho suggestions of the Kcclusiastical Commission as required the sanction of Parliament .

      THE LONDON CORPORATION . Sir George Grey , in answer to Mr . Lauiui ; na to whether it was tho intention of the Government to proceed with tin ) Dill for the Kisfonn of the London Corporation , remarked that , before deciding , he must aoo tho fate of other bills of moro pressing importance .

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      iUi 16 , 1857 . 3 THE IE ACER . £ 39

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      NKW GfRHNADA . In reply to a question from Mr . Wyx » , Lord PaXtmerston stated that the Government is about to station , on botli sides of the coast of Central America , such a naval force as may be thought necessary for the protection of English interests . He thought the Government of New Grenada much to blame in . the dispute with the United States . The Washington Cabinet professes . most just and honourable intentions . It disclaims all intention either of occupying any portion of the territory of New Granada , or of seizing the railway ; and merely demands that reparation should be made for the injuries done to American citizens .

      AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS ON WOMEN" AND CHILDREN ; Mr . Dillwy . n asked leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Act 16 and 17 Vic , c . 30 , and to make better provision for the prevention and punishment of aggravated assaults upon women and children , and for preventing delay and expense in the administration of certain parts of the criminal law . — Sir George Grby , although doubtful of the efficacy of the means proposed , did not object to the Introduction of the bill . He thought , however , that the existing law had not so completely failed as Mr . Dillwyn seemed to suppose . —Leave was then given .

      PLACES OF REFRESHMENT . On the motion of Mr . Hardy , the House resolved itself into a committee , to enable him to move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the laws relating to the general sale of beer by retail , and to regulate certain places of public resort , refreshment , and entertainment . His main object was to compel the keepers of beer-shops to get their certificates from the magistrates instead of from the excise . The keepers of public-houses had fro undergo that ordeal , and it was quite anomalous that

      the keepers of beer-shops should escape all inquiry into their characters . With the view of meeting the difficulty arising from the capital embarked hi beer-shops , he proposed to exempt all existing shops , the exemption to be lost in the event of misconduct . He proposed also to put coffee-shops under the control of the police . —Mr . Ker Seymjeu opposed the bill . —Sir George Grey , in answer to Sir John Pakington , said he could not promise to support the measure , but thought its discussion would prove beneficial . —Leave waa then given , to bring in the bill .

      ABOLITION OF PBOPERTT QUALIFICATION " . Mr . Locke King , in a very brief speech , moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish Property Qualifications for Members of Parliament . He pointed out existing anomalies on this subject . The qualification for counties is 6001 . a year ; for boroughs , 3001 . But , while this is the general law in England and Ireland , members for the Universities , as well as the eldest sons of peers , and even the eldest sons of knights of the shire , require no qualification , and in Scotland no qualification exists . —Lord Palmerston thought it had been the general

      understanding of the House that all questions connected with a change in its organisation should be postponed till the next session . { Hear , hear . ) At the same time , if his friend was desirous of laying before Parliament the ideas which ho wished to embody in his bill , he ( Lord Palmerston ) would not oppose the introduction of the measure for which , however , he saw no necessity ; but ho trusted Mr . King would let the bill , as well as tho other of which he had given notice ( with respect to the County franchise ) , lie on the table till next session . — Leave was then given ; the bill was read a first time , and tho second reading fixed for the 10 th of June

      SUPPLY" . The House resolved itself into Committee of Supply Mr . Fitzroy in tho chair , and ( on tho motion of Mr . Wilson ) voted the usual estimates . Tho House resumed ; tho vote was reported ; and the report was ordered to be received tho next day . Tho House adjourned at a quarter past six o ' clock . Wednesday , May 13 th . JUDGMENTS EXECUTION , & ( J ., RILL . In tho llou . sii ok Commons , Mr . Ckaufurd moved tho socond reading of this bill , which had been repeatedly introduced ami discussed in tho last Parliament . Its object is to remove an anomaly in our law procedure ,

      by making a judgmunt obtained in any court of competent jurisdiction in tho Unitod Kingdom available for execution , by simple registry and notification , without action , in uny other such court in England , Scotland , or Ireland .- * -Colonel French , conceiving that tho measure would give facilities- to fraudulent , creditors , moved that it b « read a seaond time that day six months . —Mr . Bland seconded this amendment , and the bill was likewise opposed by Mr . Ayrton , Mr . M'Mahon , Mr . WiiiTusiDM , and Mr . Napxhk . Its supporters wcro—Mr . Neate , Mr . Mahns , tho Loiid-Ajdvooatk , Mr . IIadvhsld , and Mr . Stkuart . —Upon a division , tho second reading was ailirmod by 18 7 to dD .

      Tho report of tho Committeo of Supply was brought up and ngeed to . ELECTION EXPENSES . Lord IlojtKitT- GnoavisNoit moved for loavo to bring- in ft bill to alter tho law in reference to the payinont ofcowvoyiuico of voter * to , tho poll und tho hustings' e xpenses by the ' candidates at elections , observing that his proposition was based upon u recommendation of ncawiniKtou ol tho Houso in itiSL ami wau coiwiotcut with the spirit ol our

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 16, 1857, page 459, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2193/page/3/