asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether, having regard to the number of poor persons desirous of visiting Batter-sea Park, during the Bank Holidays, any arrangements can be made by which they may be permitted to cross Battersea Bridge free of toll?

Under the provisions of the Chelsea Bridge Amendment Act of 1858 an exemption from the payment of toll exists on Sundays, Easter Monday, Whit-Monday, and Christmas Day, and knowing how largely the people avail themselves of this privilege, I have applied to the Treasury in order to obtain their sanction to extending this exemption from toll to the other Bank Holidays—namely, August 3rd and December 26th. I have as yet received no definite answer; but I have every hope that on Monday next thousands of those poorer classes referred to by my hon. Friend will pass over Chelsea Bridge free of toll on their way to Battersea Park.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, On what grounds it has been recommended to the Lord Chancellor to add three magistrates to the Rochester City Bench; if he is aware that the late Lord Chancellor declined to appoint any because sixteen acting magistrates (including the ex officio members) were alleged by him to be more than sufficient to attend to the business; and, whether any previous communication on the subject was made to the Mayor and Corporation of the City?

in reply, said, he had communicated with his noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on the subject, and found that he had appointed the three magistrates in question to the Bench because he believed they were persons who were highly eligible for the office, and because he learnt that two magistrates out of 13 were unable to attend from ill-health; while there were two vacancies from death. His noble and learned Friend had no information with respect to the late Lord Chancellor having declined to make any appointments. If, he might add, the Question had been put with a view to show that there was any political bias with reference to the Rochester Bench, he would only say that out of the 13 magistrates, nine belonged to the Liberal party.