§ Order for Second Reading read.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he would now beg to move the second reading of this Bill, the object of which was to abolish an office the duties of which had become merely formal. As Tuesday next was the last day, according to the rules of the House, on which Bills could be sent up for second reading, he hoped there would be no objection to allowing the Bill to pass another stage that day, and to read it a third time and pass it to-morrow.
§ MR. STUART WORTLEYsaid, the only duties of the Cursitor Baron in recent times had been to make a ridiculous speech in introducing the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, when a certain number of nails were counted and so many sticks were chopped, a ceremony which attracted a good many ladies to witness, but was of no earthly use. He thought some less absurd mode of introducing the sheriffs might be devised.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, the Bill only provided that the duties of the Cursitor Baron should be discharged by one of the Barons of the Exchequer, or by an officer appointed by the Court, but he thought it would be in the power of the Court to make regulations for the ceremony which they thought fit.
§ MR. STUART WORTLEYIt may end, then, in the speech being made by one of the Ushers of the Court.
§ Bill read 2°, and the Standing Orders having been suspended, it passed through Committee, and was reported without amendment.