Star.
London, England, 1831-06-29 00:00:00

CANINE MADNESS BILL•

'Mr. WOOD said, the state of the metropolis, when he
introduced this bill last session, was most alarming. In one ,
hospital, in the course of four months, there were no less'
than filut hundred cases of hydrophobia. Ile had received
reclntly several letters which seemed 'to indicate that the
disease had of late increased.—lf, therefore, any member op-
posed the introduction of the bill, he should certainly take
the sense of the house, and see whether honourable mem-
bers were more attached to their dogs than to the hu-
man species.
heave was given to introduce the bill.
LAW or in' TLEsizer.
Mr. WEYLAND rose to move for leave to bring in a
bill to explain and amend the law of settlement, by hiring '
and service. His object was to do away with the present I
impediments to the circulation of agricultural labour, and
to relieve parishes front much litigation and ttnneussary
bt r :hens.
The motion having been seconded by Mr. ADEANE.
Mr. SLANEY contended that the urgency and impor-
tance of the question was such that his Majesty's Minis-
ters ought to take it up. :Many of the evils of the present
law of with ment grew out of a maladministration of the poor
laws. He trusted that at no distant dos ,the Right Hon. the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would take up the question—
the distress existing in the sixteen southern counties of Eng-
land especially called for such a step. He was of opinion
that three years industrious residence ought to entitle a per-
son, to the benefits of settlement.
Mr. HUNT trusted that his Majesty's Ministers would
lint be in haste to give their support to any measure which
took sway the benefit of settlement irons servitude.
•Mr. BENNET eontended that the charge brought against
the southern counties could not be applied to those who had
the administration of the law in those counties, but to the
system itself.
Mr. T. P. COURTENAY asked of the noble lord (the
Chancellor of the Exchequer) if it were the intention of his
Alaj.•sty's Ministers to institute any inquiry relative to the
state et the Ishouring poor of the country ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
though'hir Majesty's Government was deeply alive to the
importance of the question, PO step had yet been sufficiently
matured to ley it before the House. He bad no objection
to tho Rill proposed by the bon. member.
Mr. COURTENAY explained.
Mr. SADLlCltobserved, that Dalton on the Poor Laws
had laid it down that the object and end of these law/ was
to relieve the poor man-of a surcharge of family ; such he
was able to peeve from the writings of Locke and other phi-

losophert, who all came to the same conclusions. The ori-
ginal principle, however, had been departed from, and he
was prepared to prove, that in those counties where a mal-
administration of the poor laws was most conspicuous, mar-
riages were less frequent than where the first design of the
institution of the poor laws was adhered to.
Mr. SL A NEI and Mr. SADLER mutually explained.
Mr. A DEA NE was convinced that beneficial results were
only to be obtained by stow degrees ; and it gave him much
satisfaction to know that his Majesty's Ministers would
adopt any change in the present system of poor laws with
great caution ; he was sati3fied that much disadvantage'rose
from giving a settlement upon one year's service. He should
go as far as to say, that there should be no settlement but
by birth.
Mr. PAGET contended, that the most beneficial results
would arise if the burden of taxation was more generally
applied.
JAMES said a great portion of the evils arising from
the present poor kiwi originated in the select vestry system.
Mr. WEY LA Ni) said a few words in reply, and leave was
given to bring in the bill.
xtso's pawns.

Mr. HUME nne to .move for leave to cbtain a re-
nppointment of the committee of last sessior, for the purpose
of in:l:thing into the patent and duties of King's printer;
viz. by what authority the patent was granted ; how far be-
neficial it was to continue it ; what drawback was allowed un
paper used fir printing at the Universities ; and if the print-
ing for both Houses of Parliament could be managed with
more economy.
After a few words from Mr. GOULBURN the Com-
mittee was rc-appointed.
Mr. SLA NEI' moved for leave to bring in a Bill for
better rating tenements under a certain value.—Leave given.