§ Sir C. Polemoved the 2d reading of the Public Harbours bill.
Colonel Wooddid not mean to oppose the 2d reading of this bill; but, as much and valuable private property might be affected by its operation, trusted that care would be taken, in the committee, to provide for the protection of that property. No objection could be felt to the measure, if it was only to extend to the king's harbours of Plymouth, Portsmouth, Sheer- 1146 ness, &c.; but, to other places it might be seriously injurious.
§ Sir C. Poleinformed the hon. member, that the bill was to extend to all harbours in the united kingdom, commercial as well as naval. Its object was, purely, to prevent nuisances, .and to preserve the anchorage in the state in which it is at present in each.
§ Colonel Vereker,as the bill was to prevent nuisances, suggested to the hon. bart. and to his noble friend (lord H. Petty), the propriety of introducing a clause into it, for removing nuisances in harbours. The harbour of Limerick, the city he represented, and one of the best commercial harbours in the kingdom, was choaked up by rocks, which, by estimate, might be removed at an expence of 2,000l.
§ Mr. Huskissonreminded the hon. col., that these rocks were a natural obstruction, not a nuisance in the harbour; and, that the proper mode of originating any grant, for the removal of them, would be, to submit a proposition, to that effect, in a committee of the whole house.
§ Lord H. Pettyadmitted, that the suggestion of his hon. friend was entitled to the consideration of the house, and might be a subject for future discussion. As the object of it, however, was a grant of the public money, no clause, to that effect, could be introduced into the present bill.
Mr. Fosterrecommended his hon. friend, not to press his suggestion in this instance; the mention of it, however, had been attended with this good effect, that, by the observations of the noble lord, his hon. friend was directed in what manner his object might be attained next session.—The bill was then read a 2d time.