The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-23 00:00:00

BILL.

On the motim for the second reeding of this bill,
Lord WEI ARNCLIFF E present2d a petition from the
lord of the manor of St. John, Clerkenwell, praying for pro-
tection from certain provisions of the bill, and stated at some
length the object which the petitioner had in view. As far
Ad as c d be collected in the gallery, the petitioner objected to
a compulsory valuation of his property, and prayed exemp-
tion from the operation of the bill.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said the bill was not in-
tended to interfere with any voluntary arrangements. It
professed only to deal with particular circumstances of the
tenure, which at present rendered the property less valuable,
and its object was to make the property more valuable to
both landlord and tenant. Great inconveniences arose from
the present copyhoid tenure. The bill dealt with fines,
heriots, wastes (including the mode of dealing with the
timber), and sought to improve the interests of all parties
concerned. The operation of heriots was most injurious :
if the holder of a cepyhold tenement died, his most
valuablelproperty might be seized by the lord of the
manor. There were many other equally injurious things.
connected with the eopykold tenure. Wastes were a very un-
certain source of profit to the lords of the manors owing to
the difficulty of making a just estimate. To remedy this,
the bill proposed to give a settled sum to the landlord, to be
made the subject of previous estimates. The system 01
fines had operated most prejudicially ; its tendency in many
cases waster prevent improvement by the tenant. He could
cite a case in point, where a small estate of six acres, in
Herefordshire, had been subjected to a fine of 4,0001., be-
cause the Court of Chancery had appointed the trustees and
these were held to be so many new lives in the lease, and a
proportionate fine on renewal was charged. The question
was only settled after thirteen years' litigation, and four trials.
The bill also proposed important improvementa in the maims.
sot timber, for the purpose of adjusting contending claims.
It was admitted at present that copyhold tenure prevented
the parties from deriving the full benefit of the property ;
and to put an end to this state of things, it was proposed to
'.onvert such property into freehold, by giving tenants a right
is call on the lords to accept a fair compensation for their
Interest. One great difficulty which they had had to deal
with was the stewards' fees, which were regulated by dif-
ferent customs in different manors. These would be simpli-
fied, by the establishment of a scale, and interfered with as
little as possible. It had been suggested that in some cases
an arbitrary fine might be necessary u a protection ; and to
meet these cases he should propose a clause in committee.
He hoped their lordships would consent to the second read-
ing of this bill, which he now moved.
The Marquis of SALISBURY said that in all cases of this
kind, where legislative interference had been exethised, it
had been customary to give a compensation, or at least an
option, to the parties who were likrly to be aggrieved.
Ito believed that under the operation o this bill cop hold
tenures would totally disappear. He therefore moved that
it be read a second time that day six months.
Lord BEAUMONT thought the bill desirable, but ob.
jetted to its taking away from the lord of the manor the pro-
tection he now enjoyed without giving him anything in lieu
of it. It gave the copybold tenant the power of forcing a
sale to the prejudice of the lord of the manor, while the
latter had no power of forcing the tenant to a commutation
or sale of his interests. He would support the bill, bat
hoped to see It altered in this respect.
Lord REDESDALE said that the bill amounted to such
a dangerous violation of principle that, if carried one step
further, it would place property in the same position it now
was in on the Continent, and materially affect the whole
system of leases and lives. He, therefore, supported the
amendment
Lord CAMPBELL defended the bill.
The Earl of HARROWBY observed, there was one uni-
versal feeling in the country as to the great inconvenience
resulting from the existing system.
Lord STANLEY said the bill went much further than
the recommendation of the commissioners, for it not only
made the enfranchisement compulsory as against the lord of
the manor, or a certain number of the tenants joining toge-
ther in demanding it, but it also empowered the lord, he
having consented to such demand, to compel those tenants
whose assent had not been obtained, to commute their copy-
hold into a permanent tenure.
Lord ABINGER thought it better to adhere to the jaw
seat system of voluntary commutation.
After a few words from the Lord CHANCELLOR in repay,
Their lordships divided—Contents 3l
Non-contents l6-16
The bill was then read a secoad time.
EVICTED DESTITUTE POOR (IRELAND) BILL.
The Earl of CLARENDON moved the further considera-
tion of the amendments proposed on the report
Lord MONTEAGLE said that he had assented to the

snood reading of the bill, believing that its principle was in
all lair and just cases to make provision for everted tenants.
In its present shape, however, it was open to assay objeo-
tie's. Be would now move that the bill be recommitted.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said ke should not
object .0 the re-committal of the bill, having himself sundry
amendments to propose-
After a conversation, the LORD CHANCELLOR quitted the
woolsack, but the house wu delayed going into committee
by the absence of Lord Shaftesbury.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved dist Lord Beau-
mont should take the chair.
Lord REDESDALE objected that no one could legally
put this question, the Lord Chancellor having left the chair.
After • desultory discussion, the house went into commit-
, tee, Lord Beaumont in the chair.
On the Ist clause,
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE proposed an amend-
ment as to the hours within which the notices of evictions
were required to be served on the boards of guardians, ren-
dering it necessary that they should be served between sun-
rise and sunset, and a week before the eviction.
Lord S lAN LEY renewed the question as to the point of
order on Lord Beaumont taking the chair, and suggested
that in order to be perfectly regular the Louse should resume
and the question should be put from the woolsack that Lord
Beaumont do take the chair.
After a few words from the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, the
LUND CHANCELLOR, Lord CAMPIieLL, Lord REDEsUALE,
Earl GREY, and the Earl of !MA TO, the subject dropped,
and the &au.e as amended was agreed to.

On clause 2,
Lord hIONTEACiLE proposed an amendment requiring
notice of the num.& of evicted persons to be relieved to be
given to the relieving ollicer of the union instead of to the
beard of guardians.
Earl °HEY said he attached great importance to the bill,
because there was grossing up in Ireland a disposition to
rteist the fair rights of property, which it would correct, and
he hoped t' tic lordships would accept it in its present form,
passed as it hail been by the almost unanimous assent of the
other house, and not endeavour to reduce protection and
reliet to the tenant to its minimum.
Lord DIONTEAULE said his obk ct was not to turn the
landlord against the tenant, but to give relief by the reliev-
ing °Seer more rapi.dy and certainly than was propos:d by
the bill.
Earl GLENGALL thought the bill so clumsy and ill-
dige,ted that it would be practicably inoperative.
After a few words from the Ein St. Cleastass,
'their lordships divided on the amendment—
Contents 23
Non-contents 23
The numbers being equal the amendment was carried, and
the clause as amended M. 131 agreed to.
The remaining clauses were also agreed to, and on the
house resuming, the bill was reported with the amendments.
Their lordships adjourned at ten minutes to 12 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TIIURSDAT, JUNG 22.
The Bream's' took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
REPORT CONSIDERED.-Londonderry Improvement Bills.
THIRD READINGS.-Dover harbour; Edinburgh and Northern
Railway tßiwoolne, licltyhead, and filet eraite branches, t Great
%hitt en Railway (branch from Slough to Windsor) ; Great Wentern
Railway (to cooler additional powers on the company, with referener
to the purchase of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction, Sic., Rail-
ways) ,• Great Wextern Railway (loop line from the Birmingham and
Oxford Junction Railway through Lamin. ton); Liverpool, Men-
Seater, and Seise:gall...upon-Tyne Junction Railway (bun
of the railway and doaolutiun of the company) ; London and South-
Western Railway Company and Southampton and Dorchester Railway
Company Amalmumition ;
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS.-By Load It STUART, from Mr. Nash and a com-
mittee, setting forth his exertions In prosecuting and defeating gongs
of railway depredators, at great expense, and praying for an investi-
gation at d an ulteratioa in the law to prevent interference with pro.
OBAMOIII4 by the appointment of public pro xecutont-lord Id. ISEN-
TINCE, from West India agent., complaining of the ineMeiency of
the government proposal for relieving the dixtress of ltic.c columef.
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (BRANCH FROM
WINDSOR TO SLOUGH )
On the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Mr. DIsItAELI opposed the motion on the ground that
the railway would prove injurious to Eton College. The
South Western Company had a project for the same purpose
Lot it wit thrown out by the committee on the bill mainly
on the evidence of the noble lord the First Commissioner of
Woods and Forests. Wculd the house believe that, after this,
the Great Western Company were supported by the noble
lord in a project of the same kind? He was not there to ad-
vocate the cause of the South Western Company, whose in-
terests had been sacrificed ; but he was there to advocate the
interest/ of his constituent/ and of Eton School, to which
this bill would do irremediable injury. How was it that the
government gave their support to this bill whilst they gave
the most strenuous opposition to a bill for a similar purpose ?
Was it because the Great Western Company had paid 25,0001.
into the drpartment of the Woods and Forests to disturb the
sottlement for which the South Western Company had'
already paid 60,0001.1 The hon. gentleman concluded by
moving that the hill be raid a third time this day mix months.
Mr. CAMPBELL seconded the motion.
Col. REID bore testimony to the patience which the
committee gave to the consideration of the bill, but he be-
lieved they came to an unsound conclusion. He was sorry
to feel obliged to complain of the conduct of a minister et
the crown on this occasion. lie accused the noble lord (Mor-
peth) of a breach of faith, and of a violation of the agree-
ment which was entered into with the South-Western Com-
pany. Out of consideration to the crown the South-Western
Company had abandoned their original scheme, and paid
60.0001. for works which were performed under the super-
intendencel of the Woods and Forests department. But the
house would judge their astonishment when an agreement
between the noble lord and the Great Western Company was
afterwards produced, by which the consent of the crown
was-he would not mince the matter-sold for 25,0001, to
that very project which woo opposed in the ease of the South-
Western Company, and which they consented to abandon
out of respect to the crown. (Hear, hear.)
Lord MORPETH said that he would leave to those who
represented the interests of the Great Western Company in
that house the task of illustrating any antecedents in this
question with which that company was concerned, and he
would leave the committee who reported on the bill the
task of elucidating the details which were brought before
them. But as a direct charge was brought against himself
individually, inculpating him of breach of faith and trust, he
hoped the house would allow him to offer a few observa-
tions on the question, both with regard to that part of the
bill which related to Windsor, and that part of it which re-
lated to the interference with Eton Col:ege. But, grave as
the charge of breach of faith sounded be viewed it with
little concern, feeling in his own mind perfectly conscious
that, throughout these complicatedtranseetions, he had acted
with candour, frankness, and fairness towards all the parties
with wham he had successive yto deal. (Hear, hear.)
It was not desirable to use the name of the crown or to re.
present the private feelings of the crown in that house. But
when a measure was under consideration that involved the
personal comfort of the crown and the beauty of the Windsor
demaus, he thought the house would treat the crown with as
much respect as any other party. The proprietors of
Windsor Castle were not anxious for further railway &acorn.
modation between London and Windsor; but the inhabit-
ants of Windsor, feeling anxious for a direct communication
between their town and the metropolis, and certain improve-
ments for the health and recreation of the crown being also
desired by the same parties, the proprietors of Windsor,
through the proper channel, intimated to the Great Western
and South-Western Companies that if they would
promote the improvements in question the crown
would withdraw its objections to their schemes. As
far as he was concerned, he had never, in his dealings
with one of those lines, at all committed himself as regarded
his arrangements witlithe other. It was said that be had
entered into a conclusive arrangement with the South-
Western last year. No such arrangement, however, had
ever been entered into. He did not disguise, however, that
he anxiously supported the South-Western bills last year.
Had he not done so, those bills would never have been
passed, and certainly he felt little prepared for the return
which they were now making him. In his evidence before
the committee on those very measures he had distinctly
given his opinion in favour of the line proposed by
the bill now before the house. [The noble lord
quoted his evidence to that effect.] Ife had distinctly
stated on that occasion that this measure should have

the consent of the crown; and yet he was now told by the
South Western that he was guilty of a breach of faith. Now
as to the circumstances of this line as they affected Eton
College : he hoped he yielded to no one in his reverence for
Eton College, not even to the hon. member for Bucking-
hamshire, over whom he had the single advantage of being
an Etonian: but he thought it very possible that the autho-
rities of Eton College, like other learned bodies, were some-
what too timid respecting the approach of rimy disturbing
influence to a seat of learning and of education. Eton Col.
lege, however, as far as its men of business were concerned,
was far from being opposed to the construction of this line.
He held in his hand a letter from the College registrar
repudiating all participation in the opposition to this
measure, and thanking him (which was some consolation
under these attacks) for the attention be had paid to the
interests of the college. On a review of all the circum-
stances he must conclude by saying that he thought this bill
had great claims on the consideration of the crown and on
the justice of the country.
Mr. WALPOLE, as an old Etonian, thought it easy to
show that the report of the committee upon this bill ought
to be upheld.
Lord H. VANE, as chairman of the committee last year,
was anxious, first, to exonerate the noble lord from the
charge of bad faith to the South Western Cesupeny ; and,
secondly, to state that he felt entirely saddled from what
had been said that the interests of Bun College would not
be affected by the bill. (Divide.)
Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE thought that, as a matter of
convenience and of justice, they ought not to pass this bill.
Mr. F. SCOTT, as a director of the South Western Com-
pany, wished to say that in 1847 he had pl.dged himself to
pay 60,0001. for the very advantages which the noble lord op-
posite now proposed to take away from them. The College
of Eton was not unanimously in favour of this bill, whilst
the school was unanimously against it. The registrar,
whom letter had been referred to, had always been the par-
tisan of the Great Western Railway.
Mr. RICE, as a member of the committee, had always
felt that the Great Western Railway had the beet claim to
the communication with the town of Windsor.
Mr. K. SEYMER observed that last year Lord Morpeth
had been supposed, even by officers of the crown, to have
given evidence against this bill.
The house divided—For the third reading 224
Against it
The bill was then read a third time and passed.
GREAT WESTERN AND OXFORD_AND RIR-

MINGHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL.
The third reading of the bill for conferring on the Great
Western Railway Company the power to purchase the Bir-
mingham and Oxford Junction Line, &e., was then moved,
but we did not collect by whom.