§ Mr. John Woodtook the opportunity of asking the hon. member for Dorsetshire (Mr. Portman), whether it was his intention to proceed with the Highways Bill. The subject to which it referred was one of very considerable importance, and it was very desirable, that the course to be taken with respect to it should be known.
§ Mr. Portmanwas glad of the opportunity given by the hon. Member, for stating what it was he intended on the subject of the Bill. The Bill had been in the House since November last, so it could not be said, that there was any hurry with respect to it. His object in introducing it was, to correct some of the monstrous evils which had grown up with respect to the management of highways, but some hon. Members seemed to be of opinion, that it would not have, in its present form, the intended effect. Indeed, some of those evils to which he referred, were so monstrous, that he despaired of their being effectually remedied, unless the matter was taken up by Government. He did hope, therefore, that some measure would be introduced by the Home Department. One of the evils of the present system to which he referred was, the facility with which public and most useful highways might be stopped up by the order of two Magistrates, and the great difficulty of getting such order quashed by appeal to the Quarter Sessions. Another evil which he wished to correct was, the system of expenditure on highways, by which, at present, a surveyor might go to a favourite Magistrate, and get his accounts passed, without almost a possibility of appeal. He despaired, however, of being able to 1036 carry the Bill through in the present Session; and if he should understand, that his Majesty's Government would undertake to introduce some measure on the subject in the ensuing Session, he would, on the proper occasion, move that his Bill be postponed for six months.
Mr. Lambsaid, that before the next Session of Parliament, this subject would receive the most mature consideration of Government, and he had no doubt that he would be able to prepare a Bill on the subject, between this and the next Session.
§ Mr. Briscoeconcurred in thinking, that the present system called loudly for a remedy. Under the existing laws, no appeal could be had against the decision for stopping up of a public highway, without an enormous expense. He was, therefore, glad to hear the subject was to be taken up by Government.