The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-06 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Mr. GEORGE presented a petition from Kilrush,
complaining of the interference of the Roman Catholic
clergy in elections in Ireland, and praying for measures
to secure freedom of election in that country.

Several petitions were presented against the opening of
the Crystal Palace on Sundays ; and against the admis-
sion of Jews into Parliament.

Sir R. INGLIS presented several petitions from
places in England and Scotland against the Clergy
Reserves Bill, and against the abolition of University
Tests in Scotland.

PHINN presented a petition from Bath in favour
of the Aggravated Assaults Bill, and praying for the in-
sertion of a clause sanctioning corporal punishment in
certain cases.
Mr. BELL presented a petion from Yorkshire, pray-
it for the total abolition of church rates and tithes.
Lord H. VANE presented a petition from Barnard
Castle in favor of the diminution of the hours of labour
in factories.

PROBATES OF WILLS AND GRANTS OF
ADMINISTRATION BILL

On the motion for the second reading of the bill,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL thought it was neces-
-13417 that the house should clearly understand the grounds
on which it was asked that the bill should be read a
second time. He found that it only dealt with a frag-
InentarY part of the evils which now existed on this ex-
tensive and important subject, it being only directed to
remedying the inconvenience arising from the necessity
of taking out probates and administrations in more than
one ecclesiastical court. The bill was, however, so im-
11elfectly worded that, in attempting to remedy that evil,
-,,,,'t"vonid render it ten times greater than it is at present.
would suggest under those circumstances that the
oil be read a second time on the understanding that it
should remain on the table until an opportunity was
afforded to the Government to bring in a larger measure
on the subject. If they were not enabled in a short time
to introduce such a bill, it would then be his earnest de-
sire to engraft such provisions upon the bill now before'
the house, and to so amend it as would render at least a
considerable instalment of that much needed and long
promised reform, relative to the testamentary jurisdic-
tion of the country. (Cheers.) It was his intention in
the bill of the Government to altogether abolish the
Metropolitan court of the Archbishop of York, and to
t'stablish one probate court, which should have entire
4ueisdiction upon all subjects of contentious jurisdiction
111,,,ngland and Wales. He proposed, however, to re-
Zrethe Power of the existing disocesan courts to re-
Nehichat'd pass wills not exceeding a limited amount,
that there proved in the common form. He intended
e
r e metropolitan court should keep a general
all-I."'Y of all wills proved throughout the country, that
re ,he original wills should be transmitted to it by the
pective dioceasan courts, who should only be required
so keep official copies for inspection. He likewise would
kropose to give power to county courts to exercise a
,Ilmited jurisdiction, for the purpose of administering to
Intestate as well as testate estates. The learned Solicitor-
general also entered into an explanation of the reforms
'which he intended to effect, and said, unless the hon.
member consented to the suggestion he had thrown out,
e should feel it his duty to recommend the house to
pause before the second reading of a bill which required
at extensive modifications.
lELITME enquired whether the hon. and learned
, member intended to extend the bill to Scotland and
Ireland ?
ten?, SOLICITOR-GENERAL said he desired to en-
that sto these countries with some little modification, so
Roy aenceforth a probate of a will granted in London
v4d be of universal effect and acceptation throughout
.ae whole United Kingdom.
Mr. HENLEY regretted that the hon. and learned
Member had not given some notice of his intention
to bring forward a scheme of such considerable
liegeatude. He thought it was quite clear from
atement he had made that the bill of the Govern-
ment was in a very forward state, and if that were so,
the better course would be to lay it before the house
'without delay. In his opinion the country had some
season to complain of the measure being announced in
such an irregular way, for a vast number of persons were
interested in the subject, and members ought to have
every opportunity of giving it their serious consideration.
The fairest course would be to postpone the second read-
ing of the bill until it was announced whether it was in-
tended to introduce the larger measure. (Hear.) It
would be very inconvenient to engraft the scheme of the
hon. and learned member upon a bill which was not
only admitted to be very defective, but only dealt with
as an instalment of the reform that was needed.
Mr. PHILLIMORE rose and was
(LEFT SPEAKING.)