The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

THE LUNACY RFAIULATION BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second reading
of this bill, said it was for the purpose of diminishing the
expense of proceedings in lunacy, and to provide more effec•
dually for tho visiting of lunatics, and for some other im-
portant purposes. By the third cls.use power was proposed
to be given to the Lord Chancellor, where the lunatic did
not oppose the application, and his property did not exceed
500 L in value, to apply it fur his benefit in a summary mea-
ner, without inquisition. The noble and learned
lord then referred to several cases where persons possessed
of small properties, personal and otherwise, had become
lunatic, but which property could not he secured
by the Lord Chancellor for their benefit, be.
mine the parties had not been found lunatic by
inquisition. Great improvements had of late years been
made in the law of lunacy by Lord Brougham, Lord Bt.
Leunanle, sod other lord chancellors, and he now
to agill further improve the law. Another importe,. proposed
truth, fith, which provided that no person should be en.
Lida as of right to a traverse of any inquisition taken upon
the oath of a jury, whereby any person should be found
lunatic, idiot, or of unsound mind, but any person desiring
to traverse such an inquisition might within three
mouths next after the return of the name present
a petition for that purisme to the Lord Chancellor
ingested as provided by the bill, who should, if be thought
St, ender a traverse. This provision would prevent that ex•
Ma agant expenditure of money which was often the case in
lunacy inquiries. The noble and learned lord laid be could
noteossest to the duties of visitors to visit Inuatica under
theialre of the Court of Chancery being transferred to the
commissioners in lunacy, and therefore the bill contained
clauses in refereoos totheir care and treatment, and mental
and bodily health, and the arrangements for their main-
tenance and comfort. The commissioners had too
much to do already, having 5,000 patients scattered
over the country to visit. The bill also provided that
the visitors and registrar in lunacy should hold their
offices during good behaviour, and might be removed
by the Lord Chancellor in cases of misconduct or neglect in
the discharge of their duties ; and it further provided that
masters in lunacy should not be capable of being elected, or
of sitting or voting as members of the House of Com-
mons.. That was a question whiclebad been in doubt for
many years, and he now proposed to settle it.
Lord CR.INWORTH we. understood to recommend other
improvements in the Masten in Limey offices, and with theit
view he hoped the ociusieitt•• would not be proposed till
after Easter.

- The LORD CHANCELLOR thought his noble and
learned friend would find tluitall which the committee of the
House of Commons had recommended had been provided
for by this bill.
The Earl of tiFIAFTESBURY most conlially «incurred
is the principles and details of this bill, for it was
absolutely acid indispensably necessary that the small sums of
money belonging to thee, unfortunate individuals should
be better taken care of. His noble end learned friend was
in error in supposing that the commissioners in lunacy had
desired that the visitation of Chancery lunatics should be
transferred to them. They were not so ambitious. It was
the wish and desire of the House of Commons, because the
Chancery visitors discharged their duties so badly. The
commissioners said they were ready to undertake this duty
provided certain facilities were afforded to them. If the Court
of Chancery retained the visitation of lunatics, it was must
desirable that the visitors should devote themselves to the work
and not one half of their time to that duty, and the other
half to their profession. The Chancery lunatics were
scattered all over the country, and their visitation would
not be carried into effect unless the visitors gave their
whole attention, and strength, and time to the duty. (Hear.)
The bill was then read a second time.
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF LYDIA.

Lord DE GREY and RIPON, in answer to Lord Lyveden,
said that Lord Owning would for the next few months at
least continue to hold the appointment of Governor-
General of India ; but that no arrangement had been made
as to the precise time during winch be would hold office.

CHARITABLE USES BILL.
mi. hill, with game verbal amendments, loosed through
committee.
RED SEA AND INDIA TELEGRAPH BILL.

Lotd STANLEY of ALDERLEY, in moving the second
reading of this bill, explained that the object of it was to
secure to the shareholders the government guaraatee, not.
withstanding that the law officers of the crown had dia.
covered that wader the terms of the contract the govern-
ment were net baud to pay it.
The bill wee read a second time.