The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-12 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS

The Lords' amendments to the Milford Haven Railway and Docks Bill, and the Waveney Valley Railway Bill
were considered and agreed to. The Monkland Railway
Bill was considered, and ordered for third reading; and the
Atheney and Ennis Junction Railway Bill was read a
second time.

BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY BILL.
On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL the
house went into committee, resuming at clause 78, which
was agreed to. Clauses 79 to 81 inclusive were also agreed
to with some verbal amendments.
On clause 82,
Lord HENLEY moved an amendment to the effect that
there should be certain prohibitions imposed on solicitors
acting as official assignees carrying on business in bank-
ruptcy and insolvency. '
Mr. E. JAMES considered such prohibitions were neces-
sary, and that it would not be desirable to have a solicitor
acting in regard to an estate in bankruptcy or insolvency
when his partner was an official assignee.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he would make
provision in the bill to carry out the views of the noble
lord (Henley).
After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn,
and the clause was agreed to.
On clause 83,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in reply to Sir F.
KELLY, stated that it was not intended to abolish the office
of messengers during the lifetime of the gentlemen who
filled these offices at present.
Mr. HENLEY and Mr. E. JAMES considered that the
clause was not sufficiently clear, and was calculated to
create a double jurisdiction—that of bailiff as well as mes-
senger.

The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 84,
Mr. MURRAY moved an amendment to the effect that
the office of "Accountant in Bankruptcy" should be
abolished. The expense s,f the accountant's remuneration,
together with the costs of his clerks, amounted last year to
, 127, and the duties of accountant consisted merely of keep-
ing a pass-book between theßank of E n gland and the assignee.
The bill proposed to do away with the office, but not until
the death of the present occupier, while he was anxious for
the immediate abolition of an office that was costly and
useless, and for the transfer of the duties to the registrar-
general of the Court of Bankruptcy.
Mr. BOUVERIE said that as they would have to com-
pensate the present accountant-general and to pay the
registrar-general, it would be more economical to retain
the services of the former during his lifetime. Besides, the
house ought to be cautious in removing any check in deal-
ing with so large an amount of money as was entrusted to
the care of the Bankruptcy Court.
Mr. E. JAMES and Mr. WILLIAMS advocated the imme-
diate abolition of the office.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he had thought it
more advisable to retain the services of a legal officer than
to dismiss him, and give him his salary for doing nothing.
If they sent this officer away without giving him his full
salary they would be doing what was never done before.
Mr. HENLEY thought that the Attorney-General
ought to inform the house what were the duties of the ac-
countant, as the office was described as a sinecure.
Mr. PONINGH AM strongly objected to the principle of
compensating officials with full salaries.
Mr. HUNT thought that the accountant might be
placed in some other office, the duties of which he could
discharge without receiving any additional remuneration,
and that the chief registrar should discharge the duties
which now devolved on the accountani without an augmen-
tation being made to his salary. (Hear, hear.)
After some further conversation,
Mr. CROSSLEY suggested that the house should
divide. •

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL considered that would
be the most desirable course to make progress with the
bill. He denounced the suggestion of depriving the ac-
countant of his office without compensation, which he said
emanated from the other side of the house, as a measure
that would justify the more extravagant and democratical
propositions.

Mr. HENLEY strongly objected to the terms of the
right hon. and learned gentleman as applied to members of
his (Mr. Henley's) side of the house, and he would not
allow the imputation cast by him (the Attorney-General)
to remain uncontradicted. His party never advocated
the doctrine of not compensating officers. He advised
those hon. members who were desirous of making progress
with the bill to endeavour to keep the hon. and learned
gentleman quiet. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
The house then divided, when the numbers were—
For the amendment
Against
Majority
The clause was then agreed to.