§ Order for Second Reading read.
MR. ACLAND,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, explained that the object of the Bill was to enable Highway Boards to take proper care of the fences and the trees overhanging highways, and to act for this purpose in such a manner, and at such times, as might be most useful for the purpose, and most convenient to the ratepayers and other inhabitants of their districts. By the present law owners and occupiers only could be compelled to act for this purpose during part of the year, and that part was not the spring or summer.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Acland.)
§ MR. ELTONsaid, that he had assisted in drafting the Bill, which had the unanimous support of the people of the West of England.
§ MR. WARTONobjected to this Ministerial way of moving the second reading of a Bill, and he objected also to the Bill, which embodied a mischievous interference with the rights of property.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTwished to know what was the present state of the law?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLsaid, the Bill had been carefully considered by the permanent officials of the Local Government Board, and it extended to the whole year what could only now be done during part of the year. The Bill was permissive only, and enabled Local Authorities to charge upon the rates, if they thought proper, the costs of carrying the Bill into execution.
§ MR. P. PHIPPSsaid, the Bill, though short, contained a pernicious principle. The rates were already too heavy on houses and landed property. He protested against hasty legislation of this kind, and intimated his intention to vote against any measure which put an additional burden on the rates. Common decency called upon the promoters of 415 the Bill not to press for a second reading that afternoon.
§ Question put.
§ The House divided:—Ayes 87; Noes 28: Majority 59.—(Div. List, No. 120.)
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Friday.