THE BANK CHA_RTER.

The Committee on the Bank Act of 1844, and the Bank Acts for Ireland and Scotland of 1845, was reappointed on Monday, on the motion of the CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER.

Mr. ROEBUCK and Mr. GEORGE HUDSON wished to know why this inquiry was to be a secret inquiry ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he proposed that it should be so in deference to the practice of the House ; but if the general opinion were opposed to the appointment of the Committee as a Committee of secrecy, he would not press the point.

SAYINGS-BANKS.

In a Committee of the whole House on the Acts relating to Savingsbanks, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved a formal resolution as a necessary preliminary to the introduction of a bill on Savingsbanks. The bill had been submitted to the House in the late session ; it differs from its predecessor principally in the omission of the clause limiting the amount of deposits to 1001.; so that the present limit 200/will be retained. Another distinction is, that in future the price of the Public Funds at which investments are made will be the pride of the day when the investment is made, instead of the average price of the preceding quarter. The principle of the bill is that the Government shall guarantee to depositors all the sums deposited in savings-banks. In return, the Government requires adequate securities against fraud. The Savings-Banks Commissioners are to have the power of regulating the duties of local officers and fixing the amount of security demanded front them. In order to benefit by the bill, the bank must prove its solvency by producing the books of the depositors for examination. This will not be difficult. In Ireland, the law requires production of the depositors' books, and nearly three-fourths of the books are produced. In 1856 there were 1,339,000 depositors ; to whom there was due a sum of 34,899,000/. The amount deposited during the year was 7,740,000Z. the amount withdrawn was 8,020,0001.; sums that prove the necessity of taking due security.

On the whole, the proposed bill was well received. But Sir HENRY WILLOUGHBY, Lord GODERICH, and Mr. CROSSLEY expressed a desire that the bill should be referred to a Select Committee, in order that the views of the managers and trustees of these institutions might be fairly considered. Mr. HENLEY took objection to the stringency of the conditions affecting old banks, especially the requirement that the books of depositors should be produced. Sir llsmtv WILLOUGHBY, Mr. T. BAnrso, and Mr. HENLEY objected to the power lodged nominally in the hands of a commission, but really in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of using the funds in the Savings-Banks to " rig " the money-market and sustain the rate of Exchequer Bills. Mr. SOTHERON ESTCOURT, Mr. SLANEY, and Mr. PAGAN supported the proposals of the Government.

The resolution was agreed to.

LAW-AMENDMENT. •

The LORD CHANCELLOR laid on the table' on Monday, the Probates and Letters of Administration Bill and the Divorce Bill. These measures, he explained, are substantially the same as those introduced last session ; but some alterations have been made. In the bill on testamentary jurisdiction more in deference to the wishes of others than his own, he has separated the Court of Probate not only from the Court of Chancery but from every judge of the Court of Chancery. In the Divorce Bill he has struck out the clause empowering husband and wife to separate by mutual agreement.

The bills were read a first time.

PROPERTY OF MARRIED WOMEN.% Sir ERSKINE PERRY moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law with respect to the property of married women and their separate earnings. In his introductory speech Sir Erskine did not explain the provisions of his bill, but he described the state of our law as contrasted with that of other countries, and contended for such an alteration as would enable a married woman to retain possession of her own property and earnings. He had no hesitation in saying, that with the right to hold property its liabilities would accrue. A wife must be responsible for her debts, whether contracted before or after marriage ; and if she slandered her neighbour she must pay the penalty. A wise and

comprehensive law upon this subject, with something like a compulsory separation in cases of gross ill-treatment, would, he believed, render unnecessary any alteration of the law of divorce. Mr. DRVM.MOND gladly seconded the motion. But he thought the object in view could not be accomplished without giving greater facility for divorces a mensd et thoro.

The ArroRNEy-GENERAL stated his "individual opinions" on the subject of the measure. The bill seemed confined to placing the women of England in an independent position—in rendering them accountable for everything they may say or do. That is a position which the best and most amiable women of England are not anxious to occupy. The law on the subject should be made consistent with itself. He should not be indisposed to give the husband only a life-interest in the personal property of his wife, in cases where that property was not settled on the wife—subject to the condition of maintaining and protecting his wife. Where the husband neglected his duty or ill-used his wife, her lifeinterest should revert to her. With regard to separate earnings, equity recognizes the right to a separate income, and he would make the exclusive earnings of the wife her own property. In the case of gifts made to her after coverture, a court of equity would grant a settlement to the wife; but she ought to possess the right without the necessity of applying to a court at all.

Sir JOHN PAKINGTON warmly supported the object of the bill. Mr. BERESPORD HOPE treated the subject with levity; for which he was severely reproved by Mr. Mosesros Muses.

The bill was read a first time.

PROPERTY QUALIFICATION.

Mr. LOCKE Knee. moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish property qualification for Members of Parliament. He briefly stated the anomalies of the law. The Scotch Members, the Members for the Universities, the eldest sons of Peers, and the sons of Knights of the Shire, take their seats without producing any property qualification. Yet the son of a Knight of the Shire cannot sit after his father's death without producing his qualification. When the Speaker was elected, he could not take his seat without handing in a statement of his qualification. If Members were elected by universal suffrage there might be some argument in favour of a property qualification ; kit as there is no approach to such a state of things, he saw no reason for any longer insisting upon a property qualification.

Lord PALMERSTON said, he thought it had been understood that all questions connected with the representation of the people should be postponed until next session. At the same time, if Mr. King was desirous of laying his bill on the table, he would not oppose it. No reasons were given in favour of the bill, except that there are anomalies in every part of our legislation. It appeared to him that Mr. King had acted on the -understanding referred to, in abstaining from discussion ; and he trusted that his honourable friend would be content to let his bill lie on the table for consideration between this and the next session of Parliament —The bill was read a first time.

EXPENSES AT ELECTIONS.

Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR moved for leave to bring in a bill to alter the law in reference to the payment of the conveyance of voters to the poll, and the hustings-expenses, by the candidates at elections. A Committee which sat in 1834 had recommended that the polling-booths should be provided by the city or county where the election took place. That recommendation he had adopted. It is a doubtful question whether it is legal or illegal to convey -voters to the poll : that doubt should be set at rest. He proposed to make the carrying of electors to the poll illegal.

Mr. WILLIAMS did not object to the principle of the bill, but he was not sure that it would lead to economy ; since if cities and counties were to pay for polling-places every election would be contested. Mr. DRUMmosn said that if the conveyance of voters were prohibited, the poor would be disfranchised, and additional preponderance would be given to towns over counties.

On a division, the motion for leave was carried, by 151 to 58, and the bill was read a first time.

MINISTERS'-MONEY.

The introduction of Mr. Pagan's bill for abolishing Ministers'-money in Ireland was the occasion of the first act of opposition on the part of Mr. Disraeli. Mr. FAGAN simply moved for leave to bring in his bill ; saying he understood it would not be opposed. Mr. STAFFORD then asked the Government to state their views. Lord PALMERSTON answered, that the Government would support the principle of the bill. Mr. DISRAELI said that every Government within his recollection had opposed the measure. It strikes at the root of all Church property. A measure involving such a grave principle should have been introduced by Government. For his own part, he should offer it an earnest opposition. Sir GEORGE GREY said that it would have been ungracious to take it out of the hands of Mr. Fagan. The measure is founded on the recommendation of a Committee that sat in 1847.

After some more talk, the bill was introduced, and read a first time.

CHURCH-RATES.

Iii reply to Sir JOHN TRELAWNY, Lord PALMERSTON said that the Government have had the question of Church-rates under consideration, and that they are not without hope of being able to introduce a measure this session.

Sir JOHN TRELAWNY stated, that unless he obtained a more satisfactory answer, he should bring the subject before the House in the course of the next month.

SALE OF BEER.

In a Committee of the whole House on the Beer Act, a resolution was adopted, on the motion of Mr. HARDY, to enable him to introduce a bill to regulate the sale of beer. This measure is intended to place " beerhouses " and public-houses on the same footing with regard to licences, and to place coffee-houses under the superintendence of the Police. Mr. KER SEYMER suggested, that it would be better to bring in a separate measure relating to coffee-shops. Sir JOHN PAKDIGTON thought that the Government alone should deal with this subject.

Sir GEORGE Gager although not opposing the introduction of the bill, would not pledge hilself to support it. In answer to Sir John Pokington, he eahl that the GovernMent has no intention of bringing in a beer bill this session.—The bill was read a first time.

ASSAULTS ON WOMEN.

Mr. Dnr,wvie obtained leave to reintroduce his bill to amend the law with regard to aggravated assaults on women and children. Assaults of this character in 1854-'5 amounted to 877. In London last year the number was 374. He contended that the present act is inadequate as a check to the evil; and he proposed to diminish the term of imprisonment and to substitute flogging.

Sir GEoiron GREY did not oppose the motion. He believed the existing act had diminished the actual number of these moults. The object of that act was to provide an immediate remedy. Under the old law, Magistrates were bound to send these cases to the Sessions, and as the sufferers would not come forward the culprits escaped. Under the present law, the Magistrate can inflict immediate punishment. It has not stopped the crime, but it has produced beneficial effects.—The bill was read a first time.

DenceritiAL Saloom.

Mr. ADDERLEY moved the second reading of the Industrial Schools Bill. He explained, that the bill had been introduced at the beginning of last session ; and expressed his belief that but for the dissolution of Parliament it would have become law. For the benefit of the now Members, he restated its provisions. Mr. BOWYER, who regarded the measure as one that would be used for proselytizing purposes, moved that the bill be read that day six months. Mr. PALK objected, that it would burden the agricultural parishes. Mr. BARROW opposed it because it provides for "an unjustifiable interference between parent and child." Mr. BRADY and Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN promised strenuous opposition. But Sir GEORGE GREY supported the second reading ; and on a division the motion was carried by 177 to 18, and the bill was read a second time.

MEDICAL REFORM.

Mr. IIEfiams...fa obtained leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend thelaws relating to the medical profession. Its objects arc to secure uniformity of education, to give medical men the right of practising anywhere in the United Kingdom, to provide a system of registration. Mr. Cowrint, though he was disposed to look upon the bill with favour, promised only conditional support. Lord Mono remarked, that the bill introduced by Mr. Ileadlam in the penultimate session of thelast Parliament had been greatly altered by a Select Committee : was this the bill of that Committee ? If so, he would support it; if not, he would ask leave to lay the bill of the Committee on the table. Mr. HEADLAM admitted that it was not the bill of the Committee.Lord Mono said he should then ask leave to bring in the Committee's bill.

Mr. Ileadlam's bill was road a first time.

NEW GRANADA.

In reply to a question from Mr. WY1D, Lord PALMERSTON stated that a naval force sufficient to protect British interests would be sent to both coasts of the Isthmus of Panama.

Having replied to a specific question, he went further, and volunteered a statement of the relations between the United States and New Granada, which, he said, as there was some anxiety on the subject, it might be agree-. able to the House to receive. Sonia months ago, an outrage occurred on the Isthmus of Panama; hew it began nobody well knows, but it ended in bloodshed and the destruction of property. The United States Government applied for redress for the past and security for the future ; and negotiations arose which have net yet led to any satisfactory termination. "The Government of New Granada is bound to provide for the security of persons and property passing along the railway through its dominione. The excuse which it gave for refusing compensation to those who suffered by these excesses was, I think, to a certain degree, its own condemnation ; because it is alleged that the high-handed proceedings of the passengers for a long time before had created great exasperation, and it therefore was not wonderful that a slight cause should produce very considerable results. Now, I must think that if they knew that this great exasperation existed, it was their duty to take measures to prevent the commission of outreither by fore ,,ieners upon their own subjects or by their own subjects upon foreigners. We have been in communication with the United States Government upon this matter,—a matter which evidently concerns not merely the interests of the citizens of the United States, but also those of all other nations whose people are in the habit of traversing the Isthmus. I am happy to say that the United States Government profess, the most just and honourable intentions. They disclaim any desire to occupy or take possession of any portion of the territory, of New Granada, or of the railway. That which they are naturally entitled to expect is security for their citizens inpassing and repassing the Isthmus by railway ; and they naturally also require some redress for the injuries which were sustained upon the occasion to which I have referred. I am happy to say that their requirements are such as would be made by any government in a similar position, and that they entirely disclaim any intention of taking advantage of this quarrel for the purpose of putting forward any unjust or aggressive demands against the Government of the state of New Granada."

TREATMENT OF CHINESE PRISONERS, The Earl of CARNARVOI1 inquired into the truth of certain statements in the China Man' respecting the treatment of Chinese prisoners at Hongkong. According to the journal, forty-two Chinese were confined for twenty days in a room sixteen feet long by fifteen broad, the room having only one aperture for ventilation ; other six were kept in the open air day and night, and not fed for forty-eight hours. He also moved for papers respecting the trial of A-lum and others for poisoning the bread ; and complained of the conduct of the Attorney-General at the trial, as "unparalleled," harsh, and unjust. The Earl of HAILROWRY, in reply, read a statement from the Superintendent of Police at Hongkong, from which it appeared that the room was fifteen feet square, and ventilated by the chimney, the door, and a, hole at the top. Ile expressed his belief that the law was administered at Hongkong with a calmness and consideration towards the prisoners. which had elicited the admiration and astonishment of foreigners of every nation.—The motion for papers was agreed to.

" RISME " IN MADRAS.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE drew attention to the ease of Bhawannr Lallah. This man was requested to wait on Mt; Thomas, a district collector: as he would have to go sixty miles and back again, he did. not do so : Mr. Thomas was absent for two months ; when he returned, he repeated his request ; Bhawanny complied, but was told to call again next day,—a proems repeated for a fortnight, during which time he was in custody : finally he was heard, and fined 100 rupees for collecting a mob. Ithawanny appealed to the Supreme Court ; that court

awarded him 1000 rupees ; but the matter was not settled, for a point reserved on the trial has not been decided. Lord Clanricarde moved for poem Earl Gitaxvirax said, the Government would require a full explanation of the whole case. The Madras Government had declined to proceed against Mr. Thomas, and had advanced money to Bhawanny to proceed with his defence and seek his remedy in his own way. Government is not in possession of all the papers, but no doubt Lord Harris will forward them when the correspondence is closed.—Motion withdrawn.

IMPORTANT COMMTITEES.

Hunsox's Bev COMPANY. On the motion of Mr. LaBelle-Imo, it was agreed that the Committee do consist of nineteen Members—Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Sir John Pakington, Lord John Russell, Mr. Gladstone, Lord Stanley, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Edward Ellice, Mr. Adderley, Mr. Lowe, Viscount S andon, Mr. Grogan, Mr. Kinnaird, Mr. Gregson Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Charles Fitzwilliam, Mr. Alexander Matheson, Mr. durney, Mr. Percy Herbert, and Viscount Goderich.

PUBLIC Mosravs. On the motion of Sir T. BARING, the Select Committee on this subject was nominated as follows—Sir Francis Baring, Mr. Henley, Mr. Williams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Ellice, Mr. Hanlcey, tfie Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, Sir Henry Willoughby, Lord Stanley, and Mr. George Alexander Hamilton.

BANE. Aers. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, it was agreed that the Select Committee on the Bank Acts should conga of twenty-five Members—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Disraeli, Sir James Graham, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. George Alexander Hamilton, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Cayley, Sir Francis Baring, Mr. Vance, Mr. Weguelin, Mr. Hildyard, Mr. Monkey, Mr. Blackburn, Mr, M. Tucker Smith, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Hope Johnstone, Mr. John Lewis Ricardo, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Tile, Mr. Puller, Mr. Ball, and the Earl of Gifford.