The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-24 00:00:00

LAW AND EQUITY BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading
of this bill, the object of which was to give to equity
judges the power of deciding incidental questions of com-
mon law. In this country there existed a distinction be-
tween one important class of laws and another, such as he
believed did not exist in any other country, and with a
view to remedy this the present bill was introduced. The
subject had for some time engrossed the attention of
many eminent legal reformers, and much had been
done towards remedying the anomaly, but still
much required to be done, especially in the courts of com-
mon law. A commission had been appointed to inquire
into the subject, and they had made a report, in which they
stated that much evil and inconvenience was occa-
sioned by the divided jurisdiction. The present
bill proposed that suitors should be enabled to try
one cause in one court. By this arrangement, in case an
accidental question arose, it would be competent for the
presiding judges to decide the point, and thus the great ex-
pense of engaging counsel to try the question in a second
court would be altogether avoided. The bill was founded
entirely upon the report of the eminent lawyers who com-
posed the commission, and was drawn up by Mr. Justice
Willes. Lord Justice Knight Bruce and Lord Justice
Turner both approved of the bill, and were of opinion no
more could be done to bring about a fusion of law and
equity. As the measure was so highly approved he trusted
their lordships would consent to read the bill a second time,
when it could be referred to a select committee, where the
objections of some of the judges to certain parts of it could
undergo full consideration.
Lord S.C. LEONARDS said he should oppose the bill.
The noble and learned lord had been careful to inform
their lordships that the bill had been founded upon
the report of the common law commissioners, and that
he had not uttered a single word on it after it had been
drawn up. Thus be was not responsible for the precise
terms of it. He thought the Common Law Commissioners
had gone beyond their powers in interfering with the equity
jurisdiction.

(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(This EVENING.)

Tho SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Conway and Llanrwst Railway Bill was read a third
time.

The Horsham and Steening and Beeding Roads Bill was
considered, and ordered for third reading.
The Bainbridge Junction Railway Bill was read a second
time.

..... -.
Tho Sovereign Life Assurance Company (Stamp Duties
on Memorials) went through committee.
NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Mr. MOWBRAX, a new writ was
ordered for Berks, in the room of Capt. Vernon, deceased.
PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented in favour of and against
the Wino Licensing Bill, against the extension of the Bleach
and Dyeing Works Bill to Ireland, against the abolition of
church-rates, in favour of and against legalising marriage
with a deceased wife's sister, from medical practitioners in.
Surrey praying for a more adequate remuneration to medi-
cal officers employed in poor-law unions, for the extension
of jurisdiction in bankruptcy to county courts.
JAPAN.
Mr. B. COCHRANE gave notice that on the motion for
the adjournment of the house on Friday, the 4th May, he
would ask the Government what steps were taken with a
view to protect British commerce in Japan.
REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS, &c.

(IRELAND).
Lord NAAS gave notice that on an early day he would,
move for leave to bring in a bill to assimilate the registra-
tions of births, deaths, and marriages in Ireland with the
law of the country.
THE FRANCHISE.

l‘fr. HOWES asked whether it was the intention of the
Government to cause to be laid upon the table any further
returns vs hiek might afford information as to the probable
effect of the extension of the franchise proposed by the Bill
for the Amendment of the representation of the People of
England and Wales, or might throw light on the grounds or
scope of the provisions of the bill ; and, if so, when such re-
turns would be laid upon the table ?
Sir G. LEWIS said that the Government had laid on the
table all the information of which they were possessed. The
house must be aware that it was impossible to make any
attempt to obtain so correct a census as that which the hon.
member required in reference to tenements rated to the
poor and other rates in this country. All the Government
could effect was to obtain returns of the existing rates, and
it would be for the house to consider how far that abstract
was satisfactory.
FISHERIES IN SCOTLAND.

Col. SYKES asked the Lord Advocate whether it was
his intention to introduce amendments into the Herring
Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, in accordance with views ex-
pressed at recent public meetings by persons having a prac-
tical knowledge of the fisheries in Scotland ?
The LORD ADVOCATE said it would be impossible to
give a general answer to the question of the hon. mem-
ber. The object of the bill was, as far as practicable, to
prevent the exercise of a practice in reference to fisheries in
Scotland, which was very. objectionable ; but, at the same
time, he assured the hon. member he was quite willing to
introduce any provisions in the bill which were calculated
to render its operation more effective.
THE VACANT PROFESSORSHIP AT THE
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.
Mr. A. STEUART asked the Secretary of State for the
Horne Department whether any special cause has pre-
vented the filling up of the vacancy existing in the Pro-
fessorship of Modern History for the University of Cam-
bridge ; and whether the vacancy would soon be filled up ?
Sir G. LEWIS said he had no official connection with
the University of Cambridge, and was not in a position to
answer the question, which the hon. member might repeat,
and obtain from some other member of the Government the
information he required.
TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAND IN