§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. FREWENmoved the second reading of this Bill. He said that no person had a stronger objection to placing power in the hands of an irresponsible body than he had, but he believed that by adopting the system of the baronial sessions which existed in Ireland, and on which the magistrates and the higher class of ratepayers were associated together for the management of the roads, that considerable improvement might be effected. What he proposed was to associate the commissioners of assessed taxes with the magistrates of each district for the management of the highways; and he believed that such a plan would be much more advisable than the course that had been recommended of placing the roads under the care of the board of guardians.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read, a Second Time."
§ SIR W. JOLLIFFEopposed the Bill, in which he said there were many clauses of an unusual character. A measure upon the subject of highways was about to be laid upon the table by the hon. Member for Herefordshire, and it would be the better course to allow the Government Bill to be seen before proceeding with the one proposed by the hon. Gentleman.
MR. C. LEWISasked the hon. Gentleman 737 the Member for East Sussex to postpone his Bill until the one he was about to propose on the part of Her Majesty's Government should have been placed in the hands of Members.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ Amendment and Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Bill to be read 2o on Wednesday the 6th of March.