Star.
London, England, 1819-02-18 00:00:00

NOTICES Or RECOGNIZANCE&

Sir JOHN suwPoRT said, that a general mis-1
had prevailed in Ireland respecting the
53d of the King, the Act. which fixed a part►cular
period for entering into recogniz-inces in cases of
Election Petitions. It seas understood that its provi-
sions did not extend to Ireland, and in looking into
the Act, he found that the name of that country had
been omitted. He trusted, therefore, that the House
would not be over severe in the observance of the
law, by excluding Irish Petitions in which the recog-
Dizances had not been entered into in time.

Mr. WYNN admitted the importance of the sub-
ject. and thought that some inquiry ought to take
place into the state of the notices given.
At the suggestion of the SPRAK.ER, an order was
made for a Return. describing the state of notices
for Irish recoguizances.

HIGHWAYS.
Mr. PROTHEROE rose to move for a Select Com.
stiittee to take into consideration the Acts now in
force regarding the Turnpike Roads of England and
Wales, and the propriety of ndoptingcertain regula-
tions for their repair and preservation. He stated,
that at the close of the last Parliament he had moved
for Papers on which to found an inquiry on that sub-
ject, which he intended to have left as a legacy to
abler hands. He wished that the trusts of public
roads should be committed to persons of science and
education, and when it was known that those roads
comprised an extent of 25,000 miles, that their ori-
ginal cost had been £7,008,000, and that from
1:1,200,000 to £1,300,000 were spent annually upon
them, the House would see that the subject was one
of considerable importance. It was the opinion of
the committee last year, that if certain impt ove-
rnents were carried into effect, commerce would be
greatly benefited, many articles would be brought
to market at a reduced price, fewer horses would-be
employed, and an expense of five millions saved to
the Public. He concluded by moving for the ap-
pointment of a Select Committee.
Mr. GIPPS seconded the Motion, and hoped that
the Turnpike Act and the Private Way Act would
also be taken into consideration, as they were at pre-
sent but little understood, and Magistrates had much
difficulty in affixing the penalties which they impo-
sed. He wished the number of horses should be left
out of the question, and the penalty laid on the
weight alone.
qtr mATTREW RIDLEY inquired, whether the.

Honourable Mover intended., callior a &tun of
Turnpike Trusts from * peewit period or whether
he meant prospectively?
Mr. PKOTHEROE said, he meant prospectively.
Colonel WOOD had no objection to the Commt-
tee, but hoped its inquiry would not be confined to
turnpike roads alone. The whole system should bel
sifted to the bottom. It was intimately connected
with the Poor Laws; for how could so many of the
poor be in want of work, when £1,300,000 were an-
nually spent oa the public roads ? lie wished the
statute duty to be done away, and the poor to be
employed, instead of being locked up in workhouses.
Sir HENRY PARNELL said, that he had been
requested by the body of Coachmasters to bring for-
ward a Motion to the same effect as that of the Ho-
nourable Member, which should therefore receive
his support. They complained that whilst the road
duties were doubled, the roads themselves were not
made better.—The Motion was then agreed to, and
the Committee appointed.