HC Deb 02 March 1849 vol 103 cc89-90

Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. GROGAN moved, as an Amendment, that the second reading of the Bill be postponed to Tuesday, the 13th March, the day to which the second reading of another Bill, connected with the same subject, had been postponed.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon Tuesday the 13th day of this instant March."

MR. REYNOLDS

stated, that the object of the Bill was to enable the corporation of Dublin to supply the citizens with pure water. They asked for no new assessment, intending to construct the necessary works out of the profits. He believed that his hon. Colleague's opposition was wholly political, and had no reference to the intrinsic merits of the measure.

MR. SIDNEY HERBERT

was aware of the existence of two political parties in Dublin, who violently opposed each other on this and other municipal questions; but their struggles were a matter of perfect indifference to him. His only reason for interfering in this matter was, that he owned some property in Dublin, and that his tenants had a strong feeling against the hon. Member for Dublin's Bill. They complained of being exposed to the expense of an annual struggle, and were anxious that the matter might be finally settled by Parliament, one way or the other. He thought that the best thing to be done would be to send all the contending parties before a Committee, and therefore he should support the Motion for postponement.

SIR W. SOMERVILLE

said, it was most desirable to put an end to those annual applications to Parliament from the corporation and citizens of Dublin with respect to the Bills before the House, which were attended with very great expense both to the parties applying and to the parties opposing. He would support the adjournment to the day named by the hon. Gentleman opposite.

MR. J. O'CONNELL

said, the postponement would be attended with considerable expense, and, therefore, he could not support the application for delay.

MR. GROGAN

asked, if his hon. Colleague would consent to postpone his Bill, with the view of referring both Bills to the same Committee?

MR. REYNOLDS

could not accede to the proposition.

Question put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question." The House divided:—Ayes 35; Noes 93: Majority 58.

Words added:—Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to:—Second Reading deferred till Tuesday 13th March.