§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading of these Bills, read.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDsaid, that these Bills had been brought in as Private Bills; but it seemed to him that they more properly belonged to Public Bills.
§ LORD CAIRNSsaid, he concurred in the objection of the noble Duke; and the noble Viscount (Viscount Eversley), who at present presided over the Committee of that House, had intimated his opinion that there would be great difficulty in proceeding with these measures as Private Bills. He had been communicated with by the promoters, who were anxious to withdraw them as Private Bills. He believed the objects which it was sought to attain were such as would commend themselves to their Lordships; and he therefore proposed that the Bills should be withdrawn and should be re-introduced as Public Bills—with the omission from the second of a scheme of incorporation which appeared objectionable, whether in a public or private measure.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR, whose attention had been called at an early date by the noble Viscount who at present 1969 acted as Chairman of Committees to the peculiar character of the Bills, concurred in this course. The objects of the measures, with the exception of the scheme of incorporation referred to by his noble and learned Friend, appeared legitimate.
§ VISCOUNT EVERSLEYsaid, he was glad the Bills were to be withdrawn in their present shape. Lord Redesdale had had an opportunity of reading them, and was of opinion that they should be Public Bills. His own somewhat lengthened experience in the House of Commons led him to the same conclusion, and he should have felt bound to oppose the measures as Private Bills.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading discharged. Then—
§ A Bill for the incorporation of the Irish Presbyterian Church Trustees—Was presented by The Lord CAIRNS; read 1a. (No. 41.)
§ A Bill to alter and regulate the proceedings and powers of the Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Society of Ireland, and for other purposes—Was presented by The Lord CAIRNS; read 1a. (No. 42.)