§ Officers and Offices.
§ Clause 73 (Transfer of existing staff of officers to Court of Judicature.)
§ Amendment proposed, in page 44, line 12, after the word "Chancellor," to insert the words "with the concurrence of."—(Mr. Law.)
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)opposed the Amendment.
§ Question put, "That those words be there inserted."
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 42; Noes 170: Majority 128.—(Div. List, No. 236.)
§ MR. BIGGARmoved the omission of that part of the clause which empowered the Lord Chancellor, with the consent of the Treasury, to increase the salary of any officer whose duties may be increased by reason of the passing of the Act.
§ Amendment proposed, in page 44, line 37, to leave out from the word "officer," to the word "Act," in line 41, inclusive."—(Mr. Biggar.)
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)objected to the Amendment.
§ Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 211; Noes 12: Majority 199.—(Div. List, No. 237.)
§ MR. LAWmoved, in page 45, line 16, after "office," to insert—
Except in the case of any officer who shall, at the time of the passing of this Act, have served forty years, in which case the annual sum so to be awarded may be equal to the entire of the salary and emoluments to which at the time of his release such officer shall have been entitled.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)said, that the 1547 matter must be considered on broader grounds. It was not a case of abolition of office, and the Act really added to the pension to which he was entitled.
§ Amendment negatived.
§ Clause agreed to.
§ Clause 74 (Appointment of future officers of Supreme Court.)
§ MR. BIGGARmoved, in page 46, line 11, to leave out from beginning, to "increase."
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)said, that this Amendment would prevent any addition to the duties of the officers.
§ Amendment negatived.
§ MR. BIGGARmoved, in page 46, line 22, to leave out from "thereto," to end of line.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)opposed the Amendment, thinking that the object in view was already sufficiently met by the Bill as it stood.
§ Amendment negatived.
MR. MACARTNEYmoved, in page 46, line 33, after "following," to insert—
All officers attached to the Supreme Court of Judicature, or to the High Court, or to any Division or Judge thereof, who have been heretofore appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, shall continue to be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant in the same manner as heretofore.He considered it of great importance that the appointments of officers in those Courts should continue to be vested in the Crown, and not be transferred to the Judges.
§ MR. BUTTsaid, the Amendment was a very important one that required discussion, and as it was then too late to discuss it he moved that the Chairman report Progress.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERadmitted that the question was a very important one, and agreed that it appeared desirable to report Progress, with the understanding that the Committee would resume to-morrow at 2 o'clock, and continue the consideration of the remaining clauses of the Bill.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow, at Two of the clock.