§ Sir H. Hardingemoved for leave to bring in a Bill for improving the Administration of Justice in Ireland. The Bill would relate chiefly to the office of Sheriff: it was one which had been introduced in the last Parliament, and which, owing to the abrupt manner in which the Session terminated, was dropped. The Bill which he intended to introduce would differ only in merely technical matters, and when it came to be printed, hon. Members would see, that the Bill was calculated to promote the object proposed; namely, an improvement in the Administration of Justice in Ireland, and for the better regulation of the office of Sheriff in Ireland.
Mr. Ricehoped some improvement would be effected in the mode of appoint- 316 ing Sheriffs in towns corporate. It was a reproach to the Irish Members that the Report upon the subject in question had remained so long a dead letter—they had now made a beginning, and he hoped that it would energetically be followed up. The abuses growing out of the present system were enormous, and reform was absolutely necessary.
§ Sir H. Hardingesaid, that though there might be abuses in towns corporate, yet the Report did not allude to that subject.
§ Leave given.