[BILL 116.] SECOND READING. (Hansard, 23 April 1885)

MR. GEORGE RUSSELL
said, he was given to understand that some opposition would be offered to the Bill by a right hon. Gentleman opposite. He would formally move the second reading, and give the right hon. Gentleman the opportunity of stating his objection.

§ MR. RAIKES
said, in the absence of his hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Bulwer), whom he understood would have been there to state the objection felt in the town of Cambridge to that part of the Bill that related to a parish in that town, he (Mr. Raikes) wished to make an appeal to the hon. Gentleman opposite to postpone the second reading for a week. The question was one which, although it had some historical and local interest, was, perhaps, not a very easy one to debate in the House; and he should have thought that possibly the Local Government Board, taking into 462 account all the local circumstances, might have made some other proposal. Practically, the point upon which the opposition was based had reference to the parish of St. Benedict in the town of Cambridge, a parish which had had a separate civil and ecclesiastical existence of 1,000 years; and that parish it was proposed in the Bill to extinguish by dividing it between two adjoining parishes, in spite of the unanimous wish of the inhabitants of the parish, or, if not unanimous, almost so. The ratepayers held a meeting protesting against the Order, and their Petition to the Local Government Board made it impossible that the Order should become final without having recourse to the judgment of the House; and, in consequence, the matter was included in the Bill with other parishes. He thought the right hon. Baronet at the head of the Local Government Board (Sir Charles W. Dilke), who had shown so great an affection for ancient names and historical associations in connection with another subject in which he had interested himself in the House, would be unwilling to act in opposition to the strong feeling which was entertained. He did not know what feeling might exist on the point in other parishes in Cambridge; but, at least, he did know the feeling in the parish of St. Benedict; the inhabitants were strongly desirous that at least their case should be taken out of the Bill and referred to a Select Committee. After what had fallen from the hon. Gentleman opposite, he would be disposed to accept the proposal to allow time for further consideration; and he now moved that the debate be adjourned to that day week.

MR. GEORGE RUSSELL
said, after what had fallen from the right hon. Gentleman he should not oppose the Motion. Local feeling was divided in the borough of Cambridge. A Memorial from the inhabitants of St. Benedict had been presented against the Order, and the Local Government Board would like to have the opportunity of consultation before proceeding further. Any arrangement by which the ancient and archælogical associations of a place might be preserved would have his sym- 463 pathy, and he would be glad to see a way out of the position in which the Board were placed. He had great pleasure in acceding to the Motion.