The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-07 00:00:00

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS BILL.

Mr. M. M I LNES, in moving the second reading of this
bill, observed that it was drawn up to meet a grievance that
existed with reference to tho voters of the West Riding of
Yorkshire, and to effect a limitation of the number of the
objections which the revising barrister might be allowed to
hear in one day. _ _ _

Mr. E. JAMES considered that the effect of the bill would
be to lead to the introduction of local legislation in regard to
other parts of the country, which would be highly objec-
tionable He concluded by moving that the bill be read a
second, time this day six months.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that the Government had under
consideration a measure of a general character, which
would meet such cases as the hon. member alluded to.
After some discussion the motion and the amendment
were withdrawn.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BILL.
This bill went through commitee, and the house re
sinned.

CORONERS' (No. 2) BILL.
Mr. COBBETT moved the second reading of this bill, the
object of which is to substitute payment of coroners
by salaries instead of fees, which was the present mode of
remuneration. The necessity for the bill was shown by the
fact that 15 counties refused to allow these fees. The hon.
member contended that the effect of such refusal would vir-
tually be to abolish in foto the office of coroner, and there-
fore the legislature was called on to pass some enactment
that would meet the exigencies of the case. He added tha
he proposed, the salaries should be regulated by extent of
area and population, and in cases where the magistrates for
counties could not agree with the coroner, the matter
should be settled by the Secretary of State.
Mr. E. JAMES moved, as an amendment, to leave out
from the word " That" to the end of the question, in order
to add the words "a select committee be appointed, to con •
eider the state of the law and practice as regards the taking
of inquisitions in eases of death, and the remuneration now
paid to coroners ; and whether it is expedient that any and
what, alteration should be made in the manner in which
such remumeration is now made ; and to consider the
effect and operation of the statutes now in force upon that
subject, and to report thereupon to the house." There
would be two substantial questions that could be settled by
a select committee. Firstly, the question of the remunera-
tion ; secondly, the mode of payment, whether by salary or
by fee ; and thirdly, whether or no the office should be abo-
lished. The hon. and learned member referred to the cir-
-1 cumstances connected with the case of Palmer, and the
large increase in the crime of infanticide, to show the ne-
cessity that existed for the retention of the office.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that no doubt existed as to the
importance of the office of coroner, but—owing to modern
improvements, the diffusion of intelligence by means of
newspapers, and the establishment of county police, that
importance was much diminished. There was an evil
which required a remedy, arising out of the conflict between
magistrates and coroners, and the different decisions given
in different counties, in which cases the Home •office had
no power of interference. He had introduced a bill on the
subject which proposed to confer a right of appeal in cases
of such conflicts, and which should be decided by the Court
of Queen's Bench. He strongly objected to applying for
redress to the Home-office, until it had been shown that
the differences could not be judicially settled. He
objected also t• the mode in which the bill pro-
posed to deal with the subject of remuneration,
and he would vote against its second reading. However,
he would not object to the appointment of a select com-
mittee to inquire into the subject.
Mr. M. SMITH supported the amendment, and consi-
dered that, in addition to the questions specified, the com-
mittee might also inquire beneficially into the mode of the
election of coroners.
Mr. V. SCULLY also supported the amendment.
After some further discussion, in which Mr. Henley, Mr.
J. Locke, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Ingham, Mr. Mills, Lord H.
Vane' and Mr. Bovill took part,
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that his bill proposed to apply a
constitutional remedy for an admitted grievance, and left
the questions involved in the bill of the hon. member for
Oldham untouched. However, in deference to the wish
expressed by some hon members, he would not press his
bill at present.

Mr. -COBBETT said that he had elicited an opinion as to
the utility of the office of coroner, and be was quite willing
to accede to the proposition of the hon. and learned mem-
ber, and allow the bill to be referred to a select committee.
The motion was formally withdrawn, and the amend-
ment was agr(*d to.
SPIRITS (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
The bill went through committee, and the house resumed.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.
Lord R. CECIL moved a series of verbal amendments
which were agreed to.
The bill as amended then went through committee, and
the house resumed.

CORON ERS' BILL.
Sir G. C. LEWIS. in accordance with his statement in
the discussion on Mr. Cobbett's bill, postponed the second
reading of the bill for a fortnight.