5 MAY 1849, Page 9

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY.

In the House of Commons, yesterday evening, Sir CHARLES WOOD moved resolutions for a further loan in aid of Irish improvements. Sir Charles spoke at considerable length, to show that no sudden change can be effected in the condition of the people by mere legislative measures and that the most immediate want for bringing about an improvement of the land is capi- tal. Ile quoted many reports illustrating the immense and instant increase of value given to lands by arterial drainage ; the work also affording in its progress employment for the people. These improvements have already had the best effects, even among the distressed districts, such as Borrisokane, and Bettina. Of the sum which the Treasury was authorized last year to lend under the Drainage Act, 100,0001. still remains; he proposed to ask further votes of 300,0001. to be advan- ced in loans under the Land-improvement Act, and 200,0001. for arterial drainage under the Drainage Act. The advances will partly be made to the distressed districts, and partly in districts not now reckoned: in that class, where useful works have been suspended.

The proposition was received with considerable diversity of feeling: Mr. VERNON SMITH and other English Members evinced dissatisfaction at the renewal of advances; Mr. STAFFORD and some of the Irish Members ob- jected to the Ministerial persistence in fragmentary measures; but other Irish Members expressed gratitude for tha proposed advances. The Go- vernment resolutions were adopted.

The adjourned debate on the Marriages Bill was continued, after a di- vision on the attempt of Sir ROBERT INGLIS to set it aside by adjourning the House. The bill was supported by Mr. BUNBURY and Sir GEORGE GREY; opposed by Mr. A. B. HOPE and Sir ROBERT INGLIS; and, on the motion of Mr. NAPIER, the debate was again adjourned, till Tuesday next.

Earlier iu the evening, Sir GEORGE GREY stated that a measure to pro- hibit interments within the Metropolis is under the consideration of the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.

In the other House, Lord STANLEY asked—

Firstly, whether any official correspondence had passed between Earl Grey and the Governor- General of Canada? and secondly, whether the sole responsibility of approving or rejecting the Compensation Bill was to be cast upon the Governor General's shoulders, or whether Earl Grey had instructed the Governor-General as to the course which he was to pursue on behalf of her Majesty? If the system of private correspondence should be permitted to prevail, Minis- terial responsibility would be at an end, and the control of Parliament would be ousted over any proceedings which her Majesty's Ministers might think proper to adopt in the Colonies. Nay, more, the successor of the noble Earl would have no record by which he could know the intentions entertained or the advice given by his predecessor, or the information afforded by the Governor-General for the purpose of guiding thereby his own course. He hoped that the correspondence would remain among the records of the office.

Earl GREY replied with some minuteness. The proceedings of the Canadian Legislature are not at present in the Colonial Office. Some time ago he addressed a circular to the Governors of the different Colonies, directing the Votes and Proceedings of Colonial Assemblies to be sent as they should accrue by each packet. But that has not been the practice hitherto. Private correspondence has passed between himself and the Governor-General of Canada: the Governor-General had expressed his opinion that it would be his duty, when the Compensation Bill should come before him, to reject it or send it home for the decision of her Majesty in Council. In the usual course bills are not laid before the Governors of Colonies until the close of -the Colonial session: this bill had not yet been laid before the Governor-General; and he bad not thought it ad- vantageous to the public service for him to anticipate his decision by a report. Lord Grey had abstained, advisedly, from giving the Governor-General of Canada, either publicly or privately, any instructions al to the course which he should pursue. The true secret:of the satisfactory management of the Colonies is to select the best man you can for Governor,-and, having got him, to give him a large and wide discretion and a generous and trustworthy support, and never to believe that he is acting wrong except upon strong evidence to that effect. The official records of his department would supply every material for informing his successor, and guiding his judgment .

Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Mr. Charles Saunders, correcting some points in Lord Brougham's speech on railways. Mr. Saunders stated that he had refused to pay the calls on his preference shares because he had not been paid a dividend of six per cent which had been guaranteed for ten years: his refusal had been suggested by a Privy- Councillor. [Sir Edward Ryan.] Mr. Saunders's salary as Secretary of the Great Western Railway is 2,000/., not 3,000/. a year. Lord LYND- HURST, the Duke of BEAUFORT, and Earl GRANVILLE, bore testimony to the high character of Mr. Saunders.

Lord BEAUMONT referred to the malcunstruction of the House, which prevents Peers from being heard by the reporters; it has caused pain to in- dividuals from the misconception of proper names, and has occasioned great trouble to Peers in answering letters of correction. As the subject had better not be discussed before strangers, he should move, on Thursday, that the Standing Order No. 130 be taken into consideration, and that it be referred to the Library Committee.