Next to the Paper Duty discussion, the debate in Committee
on the Bankruptcy Bill ranks in importance. It is time that measure of law reform should be under way. Of the twenty-fonr clauses discussed on Monday, the clause giving the Governnient power to confer jurisdiction in bankruptcy on the County Courts excited the sharpest debate. The Attorney-General, opposed by
Mr. Walpole, Mr. James, Mr. Malin, and other lawyers, stead- fastly fastly maintained the sound and ancient principle of tits pro-)
vincial and local administration of justice, and the Committee stood by the Attorney-General, and negatived an amendment to upset the clause without a division.
The Regium Donum, called in question by Mr. Baxter, was speedily disposed of. Whatever may be the merits or demerits of this Parliamentary grant, the House of Commons feels that the present is not the time to cast any discouragement upon the Protestant interest, especially when the section of that interest attacked is not of a deep Orange tinge. The motion to abolish the grant was therefore summarily negatived by 217 to 58.
Lord Dungannon's motion on the riots in the parish of St.. George in the East, although well meant, did not find favour.;
because, as Lord Chelmsford remarked, it was useless and fu-
tile ; and Lord Wicklow's introduction of Mr. Allen's name was, simply impertinent. We are quite willing to admit that that law ought to put down the scandalous riots first, and settle thi, question between the bigot rector and the equally bigoted vestryi afterwards ; but a resolution of the House of Lords is not the way to do it.
Far more practical than these questions was that which Lord. Naas brought before the House respecting Bermuda. That con- vict colony is a sort of Norfolk Island ; and it is amazing that any Government can tolerate such a system when they have the splendid example of Captain Walter Crofton's success before their eyes. The convict establishment at Bermuda is an anomaly, and the Government ought to get a Crofton to sweep it away, and establish a system on sound principles.
