The Sun.
London, England, 1830-07-14 00:00:00

COAL METERS' BILL.

On the motion for the third reading of the Coal
tern' Bill,

Lord ICI&(4 objected to throwing the expense of
the Bill on the county rates, and proposed the omis-
sion of the county of Surrey from the operation of,
the Bill.

Earl BATHURST said he had made inquiry into
the case, and did not find that the county of Stirrer
was unfavourable to the measure..

The Duke of RICHMOND and the Earl of MALMES.
BURY supported the amendment.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said a feNN
word., in opposition to it (us we understood).
Their Lordships then divided—
Contents l7
Non-contents 26
Majority —9
The amendment was, therefore lost, and the Bill
read a third time.
ADMINISTRATION OR JUSTICE RILL.

- -
On the Order of the'Day for the second reading
Of this Bill,
The LORD CHANCELLOR rose to state as
briefly as the ease would allow the principle of this
Bill, and the amendments which it 'introduced in the
Administration of Justice in Enghind and Welles.
His Lordship commenced by drawing the attention
of the House to the present condition of the judiciel
office in Wales. In that country, possessing not it
greater population than the &mutt of York, and in-
ferior to it, perhaps, in the importance of the busi.
ness to be transacted in its Courts, there were no
less than four distinct Circuits, with Chief Justices,
Puisne Judges, Attorney-Generals, and all the ac-
companiments of separate independent jurisdictions;
so that this small Principality could actually boast
of possessing eight Judges, although the number for
the whole of England was only twelve. The ave-
rage number of causes tried at each of the Circuits
Of these Judges was only eight, the number of pri-
soners arraigned for criminal offences six, and the
causes in Equity two ; being a smaller amount for
the whole Circuit than was ever brought before an
English Judge in the smallest and least populous
county of an Assize in England. Notwithstanding
this number of Judges, the Welsh had no confidence
in their own tribunals, for the number of causes eti-
moved every year into 'Englund were exceedingly
numerous, and the appeals in Equity were frequent,
and ruinously expensive: The expedients for com-
pelling the attendance of witnesses, and for taking
the evidence of persons by commission from the
Equity Jurisdiction, were also the most clumsy that
can be conceived, for it was actually necessary .to
have the authority of the Court of Exchequer in
England to compel the attendance of witnesses who
might refuse to come forward and give evidenee.—s
The manner of disposing of the Equity part of the
judicial business of Wales was more clumsy still, for
the whole of it was hurried over MA few days, and,
as a consequence, appeals to
,the Courts of Equity
in this country were things of constant occurs
settee. There was, indeed, something in the con-
stitution of the ourts, as Well as in the haste
with which the business was despatched, which
rendeied the Welsh Judges unfit for the proper des-
patch of the business in Equity. They wereahnost
all Common taw Lawyers'; and although he did
not mean tb say that a Com Mon Law Lawyer might
not obtain a competent knowledge of Equity by, a
proper attention to its details, yet, when it was con-
sidered that the Welsh Judges heard nothing
equity from one year to the other, except for the
two days they were called on to preside in the Eqitt
Court of Wales, be 'thought it must be admitted
they were not the fittest persons to entrust with the
decision of causes which frequently involved poinis
of very , great importance to the parties It was
under these clieutnstinces that it was proposed to
unite the jurisdiction of Wales with that of this
country ; end to effect it with the greatest benefit to
both countries, it was foetid necessary to give an 0.1-
ditional 'Judge to the Courts of King'S Bench,
Com Mon Pleas, and Exchequer of England. The':
Noble and Learned Lord then briefly explained the
manner in which that addition was to be effected,
and conclUded by moving that the Bill be now read
a second time.

The Bill was read a second time accordingly, and
ordered to be committed in a Committee of die
whole House on Friday next.
The Earl of ELDON had not been able to make
any observation's on this Bill which so deeply affected,
the administration of Justice in Wales, because thei
Bill had not been put kiln his hands more than five
minutes before the Learned Lord moved the second
reading.
The Earl of ELDON gave notice of his inter'-,
lion to move to-morrow the omission of the clause'
which 'applies. to the Commissary Court when this
Bill came to be committed.
Several Bills were then forwarded a stage.
Olt thsk,m otiou of the Duke of 'WE LLINGTON,
their lordships resolved themselves into a Con).
1 nil LsteirEt .4,04 h
tO, e...oanapii:leeaed
rfunattiteirie tißlerc:sattoodf
stSaitreiJiot:itii
he 110..reeviyed no notice that the case was to 11..?
ifiveWgoteitthat night till within half an, how.
had had nopapqa with him, and was quite unprei

tcx 71).

pated. He, had no, opportunity of impeding the,
books which he hill ticked for, and 'which arriv'e'd
lonly yesterday. When their Lordships inspected
Hhem, his acquittal would in d &eat, measure be',
tound in them. He hoped their Lords: firs would
give him time to see the books. He was an intin'l
cent man, so help him God• and be was glad to be
tried, for he had been punished for years. He wanted
the opportunity of eross-examining those who de•
posed against him.
The LORD CHANOELLOR reminded Sir
Jonah that the only„qtiestiOti wall whether they
should then proceed or not.
Sir Jonah Barrington again begged their Lord
ships to give him time.
The Duke of WELLINGTON had no desire to
press this inquiry, if he (Sir Jonah) were not pre-
pared. But their. Lordships would recollect that
the case had been formerly postponed on account of
the Counsel not being prepared. lie nuggested
that the Counsel against Sir Jonah should proceed
with the case as far as they could, and then Sir
Jonah might have time to prepare himself.
Sir Jonah Barrington acceded to this plan.
Vie" Cotinsel were then called in, and witnesses
examined.

Mr. Bunford proved the service of the regulni
notice on Sir Jonah to appear.
Several letters were put in and provede.4fr,
Nnnean was examined, and partially cross-examined,
Sir Jonah Barrington requiring time for further
examination, the case was then adjourned till to-
morrow ; and their Lordships adjourned.