The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-19 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented against the Highways
Bill, against the alleged aggression on the rights of the
House of Commons by the rejection of the Bill for the
Repeal of the Paper Duties by the House of Lords, and
praying the house to preserve its privileges intact ; from
females-, against the Aggravated Assaults Bill, &c., &c.

. ,
TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF L IND (IRE-
LAND) BILL.
The house went into committee on this bill, resuming at
clause 10.

Lord NAAS moved an amendment to the effect that the
Landed Estates Court should be substituted for the chair-
man of the Quarter Sessions as a tribunal far appeals in
differences arising respecting improvements proposed to be
made by landlords having a limited in' erest in their estates.
The noble lord contended that the duties of the chairman of
Quarter Sessions were already too onerous, and they could
not consequently discharge efficiently the jurisdiction which
this bill endeavoured to impose on them. He believed the
adoption of his amendment would afford considerable satis-
faction to the landlords in Ireland.

Colonel FRENCH opposed the amendment, on the
ground that the Chairman of Quarter Sessions enjoyed the
confidence of the country, and there would be a large and
unnecessary expens2 in conveying witnesses to Dublin in-
curred if the proposed substitution were adopted. He
denied that the Landed Estates Commission had given
satisfaction in dealing with a large number of estates,
though he admitted that there had been an improvement in
that Court lately.

Mr. BRADY congratulated the house on the temperate
tone of members in reference to this question, and trusted
that nothing would arise to delay its settlement. He
thought it would be unjust to compel a landed proprietor
to go to Dublin and remain there for days, besides incur-
ring the expense of bringing witnesses to prove his title.
He believed the,adeption of the amendment would entirely
paralyse the operation of the bill.
Mr. MOORE O'FERRALL supported the amendment,
as he considered that although there were some able law-
yers amongst the thirty assistant••barristers in Ireland,
there were others who were not, and he certainly preferred
the Landed Estates Commission as a tribunal of appeal.
Mr. DAWSON opposed the amendment.
Mr. H. HERBERT followed on the same side, as he
considered that a lawyer, of ordinary capacity would be
competent to decide any question brought before him under
the jurisdiction conferred by this bill.
Mr. GEORGE supported the amendment, and expressed
his pleasure at the manner in which the bill had been dis-
cussed by both sides of the house, and the general desire
exhibited on the part of honourable members to pass
this measure. He approved of the reasons which
induced the framers of the bill to select the chair-
man of Quarter Sessions in preference to Landed Estates
Commission—in the first place, the former was a
local tribunal, cheap, expeditious, easily accessible, and
capable of being appealed to on every occasion. This bill
dealt with small as well as large estates, and the proprie-
tors of the former would be deterred by the expense from
availing himself of an appeal to the Landed Estates Court.
Powers similar to those proposed to be given to the chair-
man of Quarter Sessions had been conferred on Sheriffs'
Courts in Scotland, an analogous tribunal, and the result
had been very satisfactory. A chairman of Quarter Ses-
sions would be quite able to decide on any question arising
out of this new jurisdiction, and he would also have the
advantage of being able to inspect all property personally.
Mr. HASSARD referred to the amendment he had
placed on the paper, and contended that the Board of
Works would be the proper tribunal of appeal.
After some discussion,
Mr. CARDWELL said that the bill was framed most
carefully, and he believed that its operation would prove as
beneficial in Ireland as the Enclosure of Land Act'had done
in this country. He did not consider that, whichever tribunal
was decided on, much expense would be incurred by suitors,
and as the majority of speakers seemed in favour of the se-
lection of the Landed Estates Commission, he would make
that concession, though he was in favour of the chairman
of Quarter Sessions.
After some further discussion,
The committee divided, and the numbers were—
For the amendment
Against

Majority —76
Colonel FRENCH considered that after the adoption of
the amendment the bill would be a dead letter, and there-
fore he would move that the chairman should report
progress.
After some discussion the hon. and gallant member with-
drew his motion.
Mr. LONGFIELD moved the following amendment :
" Line 21, after ' outlay,' insert to a charge upon the lands
upon which such improvements shall be made, not exceed-
ing four years' rent of such lands, or shall be entitled as he
may elect."
Some conversation ensued, and the amendment was with-
drawn.
Mr. V. SCULLY moved a series of resolutions having
for their object giving the Landed Estates Court the power
to use the machinery of the Board of Works and the Gene-
ral Valuation Office, and also to avail themselves of the
services of the assistant barrister in the discharge of their
duty as an ultimate court of appeal. He stated, however,
that if the Government were opposed to his view he would
not press his amendment.
After a few words from Mr. CARDWELL, the clause, as
amended, was agreed to.
On clause 11,
Mr. M'MAHON suggested the omission of paragraphs
2 and 3, in order to prevent landlords claiming as their pro-
perty land covered with tidal water.
Mr. CARDWELL said it was not r roposod by these
paragraphs to confer any power other than that which was
exercised daily, and merely enabled a landowner to spend
money on his own land.
After a short discussion, the clause as amended was
agreed to.
Clause 12 was also amended and agreed to.
The clauses from 13 to 20 were agreed to, with some
verbal amendments.
The house suspended its sitting at four o'clock.

/
Tho house resumed at six o'clock, and was
[LErr SITTIN9.]