Star.
London, England, 1828-07-18 00:00:00

IILOX THIC COMMoNS.

Sir A. GLANS, and other Members, brought up the Customs
Bill, the Naval and Military Pensions Act Repeal Bill, the Slave
Trade Act Consolidation all, the Deserted Children (Ireland)
B.U, the Turnfrike Acts Consolidation Bill, the Lambeth Charity
Estates Bill, and two Private Bills, which were severally read a
first time.

The Cinque Ports Bill passed through a Committee.
The Savings Banks Act Amendment Bill was read a second time.
The Duke of WELLINGTON moved that the Promissory
Notes (Ireland) Bill be read a third time.
The Marquis of DOWNSIIIRE would oppose the MI. It
bad taken the persons interested by surprise. He hoped the Noble
Duke would postpone the third reading until to-nuntow, when he
gave owl ce of his intention to propose that the measure be defer-
red until neat Session.
The Duke of WELLINGTON said, that the Bill did not or&
' ginate with his Majesty's Government, but as be approved of its
provisions be had undertaken to watch its progress through their
Lordship' House; but he had no wish to urge it forward precipi.
Lately. He would therefore consent to postpone the third reading
-until to-morrow. He certainly did wish that it should pass this
Session; bur if it should appear to morrow that the House were de-
sirous of its postponement to the nest Session, he should not resist it.

. .
The Marquis of DOWNSH expressed bis thanks to the
Noble Duke for his ready compliance with his request.

CORPORATION FUND BILL.

Lord GODERICH moved that this Bill be read a
,econd time. He would occupy their Lordships for a
very short time, while he stated his reasons for support-
ing this measure. The funds of Corporations were en-
trusted to them for special tit poses, far local improve-,
ments or charitable objects. It was highly objection-
able that Corporations should retain the power of ap-
plying these funds to any kind of speculation ; to trad-
ing speculations, or to speculations in joint stock com-
panies. But it was still more objectionable that they
should be at liberty to speculate in Members of Parlia-
ment. He would not dwell upon the circumstances
which bad taken place at Northampton, or at Leice ter,
as they were already very notorious, particularly with
respect to the latter place. Their Lordships would be
astonished to he.; that the Corporation of Leicester had
expended a sum of 27,0001. for election purposes. If
this was to be tolerated, there could be no limits. They
might expend 270,0001. as well as 27,0001. and not con-
tent with influencing the election for their own boroughs,
they might even aspire to govern the elections for other
boroughs or for counties.
The LORD CHANCELLOR had paid great atten-
tion to this Bill, and be felt it to be his duty to oppose,
it. He was somewhat sui prised that the Bill had the
support of his Noble Friend. In the last Session a si-
milar Bill had been before Parliament, arising out of
some supposed irregularity in the conduct of the Cor-
poration of Northampton. He opposed that Bill, and
it his memory did not greatly deceive him, his opposi-
tion had the silent acquiescence of his Noble Friend.
Corporations, with respect to their trust funds, were