The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-02 00:00:00

Zboticti Wlntton

P; UN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS
JUNCTION CONIPA NY.—(THIS DAY.)
A meeting of the shareholders of this Company was held
this day at the London Tavern, in accordance with a resolu-
tion passed at a meeting of the shareholders on the sth inst.,
for the purpose of considering the propriety of an amalga
mation with the Northern and Southern Connecting Railway
Company, and to give the result of the interview between
the committee appointed at the meeting in question.
George Jones, Esq. (the chairman of the committee ap-
pointed by the shareholders), presided.
The CIiAIRMAN said that as ➢ir. Dowling, the secretary,
was absent, his place was supplied by Mr. Payne.
Mr. GAnvArr said he wished to know by what authority
the gentleman (Mr. Jones) assumed the chair. There was
no doubt that he was an efficient chairman. The present
was a meeting to receive the report of a committee of five,
and only three of that body were present.
The CHAIRMAN said he did not wish to occupy his present
position. The committee was not merely a committee of
five, but they represented the whole body of the shareholders.
If it was the desire of the meeting, he would resign the chair.
The Chairman was then elected to the chair.

Mr. PAYNE then read the notice convening the meeting,
which, in addition to the object of the meeting, contained a
statement to the effect that no director or member of the
provisional committee should be allowed to vote.
The CHAIRMAN would now call on Mr. Payne to read the
reports.
Mr. Giaiv-trr said he wished to know whether the persons
who drew up these reports were not brokers of the Company ?
The CHAIRMAN said he would read the names of the gen-
tlemen on the committee, to show that such was not the
case.
Mr. GARvArr said he wished also to ask if all the com-
mittee concurred in that report ? Had Mr. Gilbertson
done so ?
The CHAIRMAN said that they had all given their unani-
mous consent.
Mr. GILBERTSON said that all the committee were not
present at the conclusion of tha report.
The CHAIRMAN read a latter from Mr. Dowling, stating
his concurrence in the viewe of the meeting, and regretting
his inability to attend
Mr. PAYNE then _read a report of the committee, from
which it appeared that they had entered on their duties on
the 7th of January last, and had had interviews with the
committee of the Company, with whom it was proposed they
should amalgamate, but could obtain from them no state-
ment of their affairs; but the accounts confirmed the suspi-
cion that they had not 30,0001. in the bank, free from liabili-
ties. The proposition that they bad made had not been re-
ceived, as being informal.

The CHAIRMAN then read the report of the committee
on the state of their own Company, which stated that
the deposits amounted to 27,8651., the expenditure to
17,701/, and the liabilities to 3,000/., up to the period of their
entering on the inquiry, and that since then 1,0001.
had been obtained. It also accused the directors of
having sold their shares, and signed cheques to a consider-
able amount, without being authorised to do so, and con-
cluded by calling on the shareholders to assert their rights,
and not to submit to conduct so criminal.
The CHAIRMAN said that if they demanded the names of
the directors who had acted in the manner descri:Rd, he
was ready to give them.
Mr. HOOPER moved a resolution that the Chairman should
give the names of the parties.
The CHAMMAN then read a list of the different sums that
had been granted by the directors, and for which cheques
had been given. These were signed by Messrs. Asphethel,
Crofts, and Redden, and amounted to 12;8914 _ _

A SIIAREHOLDER moved that the reports then read be
adopted.
Mr. GILBERTSON seconded the resolution, and said that the
matter should be dealt with properly.
Mr. GARVATT said that he understood that there was a
committee appointed to buy shares.
The CHAIRMAN react the portion of the report stating that
the committee found that the directors have acted in the
way described, and also that the clerk had got orders not to
enter the transaction on the minute-book.
Mr. GAnvarr said, that he would move an amendment to
the resolution, and proceeded to animadvert on what ap-
peared to him the reprehensible conduct of the committee in
not permitting the directors to attend the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said he must interpose to put down these
irregular proceedings.
Mr. GrAnvATT said he considered he had a right to pursue
his present course.
The matter was then put to the meeting, who decided
that the course was irregular.
The CHAIRMAN said that the advertisement did not pre-
vent the directors from attending and addressing the meet-
ing. There was no question he was not ready to have
answered.

Mr. LAIDMAN said he begged to call the attention of the
meeting to the fact of their report exculpating those directors
who had acted correctly. He would second the adoption of
the report.
Mr. HOOPER said he was sorry that the names of those
who signed the cheques were not appended to the report. He
would move, therefore, that the managing committee's
names should be inserted in that report. They were doing
what was unjust and dishonourable (whatever might be
their private character) in paying away the money of the
Company. He would willingly pay double what he had
already paid to bring those delinquents to justice.
Mr. WASHWORTH said he would second the amendment,
which. after some discussion, was negatived.
The resolution was then put and carried by a large ma-
jority.
It was then moved and seconded that the three names of
those who had voted in the minority should be given, two of
them declined to comply.
The CHAIRMAN said he would suggest to them the course
they should adopt. That was, to appoint a committee
to obtain their deposits, and also to pursue criminally
those who had violated their trust to the Company.
He merely threw out these suggestions, which they might
or might not embody in a resuitttion. He would recom-
mend them to have as few as possible on that committee
to facilitate the dispatch of business.
A SHAREHOLDER proposed a resolution to that effect.
Mr. SErtcuM said that he fully agreed in what had been
said respecting the conduct of the directors.
Mr. PAYNE said he thought it would be better to have the
sinews of war before proceeding in the way the meeting
desired.

The CHAIRMAN said he would contribute 1001. towards
the object.—( Hear, hear.) They might tile a bill of dis-
covery in Chancery.
The CHAIRMAN said that the directors had no right to
encroach on the deposits tor Parliamentary expenses as they
had done. He would himself—if full power were given him
to proceed—he would himself find the means to proceed
against the parties in law or equity—(Hear, hear)—pro-
vided a legal document be drawn up by the shareholders.
A SHAREHOLDER said he would beg to call the attention of
the Chairman to a letter which he had given into his hands,
a letter from the directors.
The CHAIRMAN said he would take the sense of the meet-
ing on the matter.
A resolution that the letter should be read was unani-
mously agreed to.
The CILLIRII..IN then read the letter, which was directed to
"The Chairman of the Meeting," and signed by Mr. Cheese,
stating that the directors were ready tri co-operate with the
shareholders in procuring for them their deposits from the
Provisional Committee. Now that letter was not signed by
the Chairman of the Company, and the offer was merely to
delude them in adapting a course that would be unjust to
themselves.
Mr. ETHRIDGE said he would recommend that they should
not proceed further, as he had good reason to believe that
the directors would, in a short time, make arrangements to
satisfy the shareholders.
After a desultory discussion it was agreed that the meet-
ing should adjourn till the 24th instant.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting
separated.

WEST AUSTRALIAN COMPANY.—A general meeting
of the shareholders was held to-day at two o'clock, at the
offices of the Company, No. 33, Old Broad-street, from which
both the public and the press were excluded ; but it was un-
derstood that the object of the meeting was to render a re-
port of the precise state of affairs, and to decide whether the
business of the Company should still be continued or brought
to a close as speedily as possible.

TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING.
Six O'CLOCK.

CHESTER CUP.
20 to 1 agst Sweetmeat
20 to 1 agst Whinstone
20 to 1 agst Best Bower
25 to 1 agst ,Hiss Burns
25 to 1 agst Mickey Free
40 to 1 agst Rode
40 to 1 agst Roderick
40 to 1 agst Salopian
40 to 1 agst Intrepid
40 to 1 agst Baron
40 to 1 agst Colleen Dhas.

DEltilY.

5 to 1 agst Sting
14 to 1 agst Brocardo
25 to 1 agst lago
25 to 1 agst Spithead
30 to 1 ag•t Malcolm
50 to 1 agst Tibthorpe

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY in the absence of the
Lord Chancellor, took his seat on the Woolsack, at Five.
Lord CAMOYS presented a petition from the city of
Oxford, praying for the total and immediate repeal of the
corn and provision laws.

PROTECTION.
Lord BEAUMONT presented several petitions from
the West Riding of Yorkshire, i:favour
of protection,
and expressing great alarm at the
by the Government for the relaxation of the duties on
measure propounded
various articles, but more particularly on corn.
IMPRISONING A BRITISH.
SARDINIA. SUBJECT IN
The NOBLE LORD also resented a petition from
f
individual named Henry Graham, stating that 'ean
had
been imprisoned by the Sardinian Government
other reason than that that Government detesthel v ntline
name of Graham.—(Laughter.) After ten days
released. He prayed their: Lordships to adopt n.
mea-
sures to prevent a recurrence of such conduct, in order
that a person, whose name, and nothing else, might give
offence to the G overouneot, should nut suffer incarcera-
tion for an thing trivial.—(Renewed laughter.)
Y
PROTECTION.
The Duke of BLIGCLi.:UCII presented petitions
from several Protection Sociiaies, praying their Lord-
stops not to orlopi, free-tralle measures.
RAILWAY COMMIS-'TON.
Lord KINNAIRD said he had roov,,d for a return of
the. amount of fees which had beet, ' by the promoters
a of rtilway Bill in its progress throli4h their Lordships'
house, in order that they might le made acquainted
with the hardships which were inflicted both us those
who promoted a Bill and on those who ought to defend
themselves from the injury which it was likely to do to
their Property. He wished to say, however, that he had
no desire to
idnedee
trar from the advantages of railways to
all parties; no one was more anxious to extend
them, and more convinced
of their great importance,
and no one would rejoice
change in the opinions on.ll' than himself to find a
countryi with respect to
them, and he was, therefore, a:
~aet:_every facility
should be given to the parties eitherr omth
----wvaaat or Oppoa in re

the powers given to these parties, and by these means
the Legislature would come at the real facts of the
case. There may be combined great advantages
to the railway companies, and more advantage to the
public, especially it, as he had proposed, plans and
sections were deposited a month or two sooner
than was now required by the standing orders.
There was also another great evil which had arisen from
the present standing orders, the desecretion of the Sab-
bath. He was not one that would advise the House to
interfere with Sunday travellingf as that was a matter to
be left to the good feeling of the shareholders and the
public. Neither did he allude to the 30th of Novemb• r,
as the proceedings of that day, he believed, proceeded
from an oversight of Parliament, and the officers of the
Board of Trade, according to competent legal advice,
had not the power of closing the office, but what be al-
luded to was the practice in Scotland. In that country
it was imperative, on the part of railway companie, to
place their notices for three successive Sundays on the
church doors, and persons were required to be in at-
tendance each day, to swear that the notices were
properly affixed. The consequence of this was,
that during the recent period of giving notices,
the whole conveyances of the country were in
requisition, and the feelings of the people were much
shocked by the desecration which took place. This
could be avoided in future, and the expenses of serving
notices ♦ery much reduced, if the notice required to be
given was advertised in a newspaper, and placed once on
the church door. The present delivery of notices caused
great expenses, by its being required to swear to its ser-
vice, whereas a registered letter might be made to

do all that was reqUired. There was one other subject
for which he blamed her Majesty's Government— it was
in reference to the railway deposits. Whatever feeling
there might exist against giving increased facilities to
railway speculation they shonld recollect the present
mode of paying the deposits into the hands, or to the
order of the Accountant-General, was a serious injury to
many respectable parties in business who never had been
connected with any railway schemes whatever. Ile knew
one most respectable gentleman, who had been often
in the practice in getting accommodation from
a banking- house in the City, yet lately had
been refused, after repeated applications on the
ground that &I the floating capital had been
absorbed in paying railway deposits into the Bank of
Eng!and to the credit of the Accountant-General.
Exchequer-hills or Government securities ought to be
allowed, and, in bis opinion, they were as good as bank
notes ; but unless these were taken great inconve-
nience and derangement would take place. The
banks held large amounts of these securities ; and
in order to liberate their floating capital, they ought
to be allowed to transfer them to the Accountant-
General on the part of the railway companies.
The motion he had to make was for a return of the
amount of fees incurred by the introduction of railway
Bills during the last session of Parliament, upon peti-
tions against such Bills, and how such fees were ap-
plied, distinguishing those paid upon each Bill.
The motion was agreed to.
THE UNITED STATES.
Lord MONTEAGLE rose to enquire if there was any
objection to produce an important document relative to
the affairs of the United States of America. He wished
to know whether there was any objection to the produc-
tion of papers connected with the American tariff ?
The Earl of ABERDEEN rose and said, there was
something very unusual in the request of the Noble
Lord, but he had no objection, notwithstanding, to
give the desired information. He had received a copy
of the document, which was well worthy of theattention
of her Majesty's Government.
The House then adjourned.

- -
them, and that they ought not to be deterred from doing t Sir George Seymour was appointed on the part
so by the expense, which was frequently the case under of the English, and the French Government bad also
the present system, as he found that one-third of the appointed an officer of high rank. The compensation
expense of carrying a line through their Lordships' that they awarded was not thought sufficient, and Mr.
House was swallowed up by the fees of the House. Pritchard was accordingly reque: ted to furnish some
He would mention one case of particular interest:—One additional information. He had not as yet given that
company was formed with the supposition that the whole information, bat when he had dune so he (Sir R. Peel)
expenses of constructing their line would be under hoped that the question would be satisfactorily arranged.
200,0001., all the proprietors of land on the line were Mr. B. COCHRANE begged to 'ask the Right Hon.
favourable to the project, and yet, because another com • Gentleman at the head of the Government whether he
pany conceived that this line would interfere with theirs, intended to introduce any alteration of the law of
they got up an opposition to it in Parliament, which entail as it existed in Scotland? That law compelled
occasioned an additional expenditure of 15,0001. Thus those landed proprietors whose lands had received any
for no reason in the world was there an increased cost damage from railways, or otherwise, to deposit the
occasioned to these parties of no less a sum than 15,0001. money they received as compensation in the Bank of
He thought, therefore, it was well worthy the considera- Scotland. He (Mr. Cochrane) would take the liberty
don of their Lordships at this early stage of the session, of suggesting that the l•nded proprietors should be
when they ware not oppressed by public business, allowed to draw that money from the bank in order to
whether the House should appoint a Committee, which lay it out in fencing, draining, and other improvements,
should base alit the information submitted to it which would be of great advantage to the next heir.
that could be obtained, with a view to ascertaining S:r R. PEEL said that the Government was desirous
whether it might not be advisable to appoint a Board of giving to the landedpreprietors of Scotland the same ad-
or a Commission fur the purpose of deciding upon all vantages that the landed proprietors of England possessed.
the preliminary points in private railway Bills. This D:d the lion. Member propose that it should be obliga-
might be dome without taking away the usual tory upon proprietors possessing entailed estates to de-
power of Parliamento He knew that the Beard of posit such money as they might receive from railway
Trade Commission of last year was not thought companies in the improvement in land. The entailed
to have worked satisfactorily ; but he thought that that estates of Scotland are subject to a variety of
circumstance was in no respect owing to the constitution charges. By an Act called Montgomery's, and also
of the Board itself. He was well aware with what by an Act passed last session, called Aber-
assiduity a Noble Lord at the head of that Board had deen's Act, the possessors of entailed estates
performed the duties of his office. But he was convinced are enabled to charge the reversionary interest,
that no one could have worked satisfactorily under the with a sum not exceeding two-thirds of the sum ex-
difficulties with which he had had to contend. The pended, in the improvement of the estate; they are also
Board was never put in possession of the information enabled to charge upon the heirs of entailed estates a
requisite to judge rightly of the merits of the case'; certain sum as a provision for their widows and chil-
yet it would not follow that by a better arrange- dren. Iu an Act, passed last year, called the " Lands
went the faults of that Board might be amended, Consolidation Act," the Lord-Advocate introduced a
and all the benefits which had been hoped clause similar in effect to the motion which he understood
from it obtained. At the most, that Board had only his Hon. Friend to have made. That clause gave power
a month or six weeks for taking the whole of to the possessor I.of entailed estates, receiving money
the railway cases which had been submitted to them from railway and other companies, to apply that sum to
into consideration. By the institution of such a Board the discharge of those burdens which may press upon
as that which he wished to suggest to their Lordships, the heirs of entailed estates. He considered that the
and by avoiding the fault he had just pointed out, and object of his Hon. Friend would be fully answered by
giving to the members of it a right to require an earlier the Acts to which he had referred.
deposit of the plans and sections, he believed that there Mr. B. COCHRANE was not a ware that these laws
would be no great impediment to the appointment were generally understood.
of such a Commission for the formation of Sir R. PEEL was not aware of any obligation to
a Board ; and that the parties thus appointed deposit the money with Scotch banks. He considered
would be able to decide upon all the proposed rail- they might invest it in Government securities.
ways with a great convenience to the pudic THE MILITIA.
and immense improvement on the present system. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said, that as some misappre-
There was such a Board for the direction of hackney hension appeared to exist in the public mind with regard
coaches and other vehicles, and he was impressed to the mode and time of calling out the militia, he would
with the belief that an approach to that system of ar- beg leave to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, the
raugement would be of great common advantoge. That Secretary-at-War (Mr. Sidney Hr rbert), whether it was
Board might not only consider the merits of the new the intention of her Majesty's Government to call out
lines, but take the general management of the old ones. that body under the existing law, or to introduce a new
He merely suggested this to Government, and looked for measure for that purpose?
their decision upon it at a fature period. One of his Mr. S. HERBERT said the Hon. Gentleman was
reasons fur making the proposition, was the fact that correct in supposing that a misapprehension prevailed in
during the last session of Parliament, several companies the public mind in regard to this question. A very im-
had been put to great expense by the opposition portant distinction existed, and should be main-
of three or four individuals interested in the land, tained, as to the embodying and the calling
on the lines. Now, if such a Board as that which he out of the militia force. In order to correct that
suggested were to send down two or three persons to the misapprehension, he now begged to say that it was the
landowners in the country, they would be ens- intention of the Government to introduce a new law, or
bled to obtain such a report as would neu- rather to consolidate the present law, before taking any
tralise much of the expense. This would in practical steps in the matter. Ile would take this
no way interfere with the general powers of opportunity of stating, with a view to the le moval of
Parliament, and he believed it would give general satis• all further misunderstanding, that the public need give
faction. The other House of Parliament might join in itself no further troeble until the measures the Govein-

ment intended to propose should have been developed.
In answer to a question from Mr. MITCHELL, which
was inaudible in the gallery,
Sir R. PEEL undertook that certain papers ordered
by the House should be laid on the table to morrow.
IRISH SPF,IT DUTY.
Mr. O'CONNELL had seen by the statement of the
Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (the Chancellor of the
Exchequer) that a very cbusiderable reduction was t:.)
be made in the duties upon all foreign spirits imported
into this country. Ile would wish to know whether it
was proposed that any similar measure would
be introduced in reference to sprits distilled in Ireland ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
was not prepared to answer the question at pre-
sent, as be had received no information on
the subject, but he would make inquiry.
RAILWAYS.
Mr. HODGSON presented petitions complaining that
the promoters of the Wandsworth branch of the London
and Brighton Railway, and of the Guildford, Chichester,
and Portsmouth Railway had not complied with the
standing orders, which were referred to the Select Com-
mittee on Public Petitions.
ELECTION COMMITTEES.
The Cletk of the House then read over the list of
Honourable Members who were exempted from serving
on Eleciinn Committees.
Sir ROBERT PEEL begged leave to claim exemp-
tion from selling on Committees, he being a Member
of the Government.—Leave granted.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER claimed
a similar right, which was also granted.

COLONIAL SPIRITS.
Mr. P. STEWART wished to know what were the
intentions of her Majesty's Government respecting the
duties now charging upon colonial spirits, and also the
restrictions in force against the use of spirits and mo-
lasses. He would not ask the question if he thought it
would interfere with the arrangements of the Government.
The duty on native spirits was 7s. 10d., while
that on colonial was 9s. 4d., making a differen-
tial duty of Is. 6d., or one hundred per cent.
He rose for the purpose of calling the attention of
the Right Hon. Baronet to these prohibitions, which he
found were untouched by the Right Hon. Baronet in his
new scheme of import duties.
Sir ROBERT PEEL rose, and said that her Majesty's
Government did not propose to make any alterations in the
duty on rum and molasses. The rates of duty in England,
Ireland, and Scotland he was sure the Honourable Gen-
tleman would not wish to see altered, as there was no
legal prohibition to the use of such articles as those alluded
to. There was no legal prohibition to the use of sugar and
molasses in distilleries, under certain regulations, which
it was necessary to carry into effect for the protec-
tion of the revenue.—(Hear, hear.)
DRAINAGE BILL (IRELAND).
On the motion of Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE, that
this bill be read a second time,
Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH said that he felt it
his duty to oppose the Bill. He had not bad time to read
much of it, because it had only been printed that morn-
ing ; he had, however, read enough of it to see that it
was one which the House should not sanction in its pre-
sent state. There had been an attempt on the part of the
Commissioners that had been appointed some years ago
for the improvement of Ireland, to introduce a clause into
a Bill for the drainage of that country similar to those in-
serted in the present Bill. Those Commissioners under-
took to deal with matters which they had neither the
ability nor the knowledge to interfere with, and this fact
it was that created the great complaints that were at
that time expressed by the landowners of Ireland ; and
the Earl of St. Germans, who was the head of the select
committee being fully informed of the intentions of the com-
missioners, protested againt the introduction of the clause
proposed to be introduced by them, for he saw that the
powers sought by the Bill would be most extraordinary
and also injurious to the landowners of Ireland. The
Commissioners thereupon declared that the Bill, when
deprived of the clause objected to, would be utterly use-
less; but the Noble Lord, who saw the injustice of the
prove al, persisted in his opposition to the measure, and
the Bill was ultimately abandoned. Now it was
on the same grounds that he (Mr. French) opposed
the Bill now under the consideration of the House.
This Bill proposes to appoint a board, at the head of
which was to be Colonel Jones, a gentleman for whom
he had the highest respect, and of whose abilities he
(Mr F. French) had the highest opinion. This board it is
proposed is to take upon itself the direction of the public
works of Ireland. Now, he was of opinion that the
people of that country were perfectly adequate to super-
intend the drainage of their own property. Let the
House take a case where the owner of a thousand
acres of land, all of which the board should be of
opinion required draining, but the proprietor objects
to the expense which this step would entail on
him. He complains to the hoard, but he is then in-
formed that he must be at the expense. This was indeed
what he objected to, it gave the board a most absolute
power to order the carrying out of any project
which they thought proper, regardless of what
cost they put the owner of the land to. They
had power by this Bill not only of putting a dis-
tress on his land—not only of charging 5 per cent. ad-
ditional on any arrears which might remain overjunpaid,
but they had also the power of leasing for ever, or of
selling off, every acre of his land. (Hear, hear.)
Now, he would ask the House if this was a power
that ought to be given over any man's estate? They (the
landlords of Ireland) wanted not the assistance of
50,000 k, and for that reason he had opposed it the other
night. A 1,000,0001. had been already repaid to the
United Kingdom, with an additional 150,000/. interest,
the interest between three and five percent. on the last
three years. All the Irish landlords wanted was that
some facility should be given for borrowing money. If
the Bill were considerably amended in some of its
particulars, and power, as he said, given to the landlords
to borrow money for the improvement of their estate,
then they would take care that such improvements were
made and that the labourers would be sufficiently paid
by those who employed them. They might depend on
it thet in this way landlords would be able to do more
good than if still under the guiding strings of the Com-
missioners. It had been said that consider.
able difficulty had been experienced in work-
ing out this Act, because two-thirds of the
landlords would not assent to its provisions.
Perhaps they had sufficient reasons for the adoption of
this course. They might not have that faith in the
decisions of the Commissioners which others had. He
had some experience in Irish matters, and he could
assure the Right Hon. Baronet opposite that without
considerable modifications the Act would bo received
with dissatisfaction by all classes in Ireland.
Sir T. FREMANTLE said that it there was any man
in the House who would take such a view of the case,
as had just been taken, it was his Hon. Friend opposite.
The expense might be greater than it it were performed
by private parties, if the Board of Works super-
intended it; but it was necessary to have some authority
to reconcile the coeflicting interests of different parties.
The general impression was, that the Board of Works
eedr ft
ai on ri
nm
them,l
yed deservedhaeni
and additional
dutiesth at w
gree
powerll
a t and
confidencew asne impartially,esehs should
hadtrhe epyo
serpo
oerdtehretuto. eHnaeb
dl
dt hneomt
ht e
kc a rr
thisy oquu te stt
oen dwn
at ise sa
timposed
on them. He dd not think this question was altogether
au dy a:bi n
ode
one affecting private property. The Beard of Works
required the power to drain the land immediately ad-
joining thnrivers, the landed proprietors then who lived
at a greater distance from the river would then be induced
to drain the rest of the land at their own private expense.
When they find, however, the water dammed back by
the proprietor of the thousand acres to whom the Hon.

Member had referred as an illustration, it was not to be
considered probable that they would go to the expense
of draining their property.

Sir IL .FEIZGUSSOINT considered that the alarming
preliminary expenses and the great power given
to this Board under the Act was a very serious detri-
ment to the successful operation of his Act. There bad
been but two or three cases of drainage under the Act
on account of these great expenses. These Drainag
Commissioners, when they had prepared a schedule
of what they considered necessary to be done,
were not, then, bound by plans, schedules,
or anything else. He thought that no landed proprietor
would consent to this meddling with their property.
This Bill, without any exception, was the most übjec
tionable that ever been introduced into the House, with
respect to Ireland, and hoped the Government would
give it some further consideration before they proceeded
with it. The Board of Works instead of doing the work
themselves ought to compound with private individuals
for it execution, and then they would prove themstives of
service to Ireland. Under the present system, however,
property, their interference was seldom or never sought
for, except in the case of some old mill, which could not
be got rid of without their interference.
Mr. D. O'CONNELL trusted:that the second read-
in.; of the Bill would be persisted in. Ile had
no complaint to make of the Board of Works. They
were ready enough to complain of things in
Ireland, but he knew of no reason to com-
plain of the Board of Works, except it was
the exorbitance of theiri prelimary expenses. But per-
haps this was more the fault of the Legislature than of
the Commissioners.—(Hear, hear.) At no time was
drainage more wanted in Ireland than at the present
moment, for the waters were to be seen overflowing in
all pa t 6 of the country. lie therefore rose to express
his hearty concurrence in the Bill's being read a second
time.

PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the question being put for the second reading of
this Bill,
Mr. F. FRENCH rose to object to the 6th and 7th
clauses of the Bill, as those clauses would take all power
end control out Of the hands of the landed proprietors,
and placed it in the hands of the Commissioners.
Sir THOMAS FREMANTLE said he intended to
withdraw the clauses, and bring up another on the re-
ception of the report.
Sir Robert Ferguson objected to the sth clause alto-
gether. It was quite unnecessary, and though the object
might have been to give more employment, it would fail
to have that effect. With reapect to the compulsory
powers which were conferred, he was of opinion that they
should be restrained. He would again impress upon
the Right Honourable Gentleman the propriety of
omitting the 3d. clause, as it would be perfectly unnecssary.
Colonel CONNOLLY said he believed that the pre-
sent Bill would have the tendency of increasing the
burdens of the people of Ireland. Under this measure
landowners would have no volition or choice or power
whatsver. lie should be sorry to retard in the slightest
degree the progress of the measures contemplated by the
Right lion. Baronet the Member for Ireland, and
which had been brought before the House with such
evident anxiety to ameliorate the condition of the
people of Ireland. If the measures were good he
should at once ask the House to pass the
13111 into a law as soon as possible ; but
he perfectly agreed with his two Hon. Friends on the
Opposite side of the House that the powers sought for by
the Bill we! e far too compulsory. The Bill would, if passed
in its present shape, tend to increase the odium which
already attached to the presentments of the grand juries
of Ireland ; the course proposed to be pursued by them,
under the direction of the Bill, would be a very injurious
Course.