Mr. Hodgsonpresented a Petition from the County of Northumberland, signed by 1,000 Peers, Gentlemen, and Freeholders, against the Bill for establishing a Registration of Deeds. The proposed Bill had the unqualified, disapprobation of the petitioners 368 and the inhabitants of the neighbouring counties.
Mr. O'Connellexpressed his pleasure that this petition had been presented, as he hoped it would provoke discussion, and by so doing, convince the petitioners of the invaluable benefit of a Registration of Deeds.
Mr. Hodgsonsaid, he would not be tempted into discussion upon this subject on the present occasion. Nor should he have brought up the petition but for an observation of a member of the Government in favour of the Bill.
Mr. Cutlar Fergussonconsidered, that this Registration Bill would confer a great benefit upon the country at large. It would facilitate the borrowing of money upon good titles; and those gentlemen who had not good titles, should not be permitted fraudulently to borrow money. The system of registration worked well in Scotland; and he saw no reason why it should not work well in England.
Sir Charles Burrellobserved, in corroboration of what had fallen from the hon. and learned Member, that he knew a person who had a rent-charge bequeathed to him out of a sum of money lent upon mortgage, but by which for many years he received no benefit, for upon investigation there appeared to have been a previous mortgage, and the difficulties and delays arising out of this state of things caused much vexation and loss. This was one instance of some protection being required by those who lent money on landed property.
§ Petition to be printed.