THE COUNT OUT. (Hansard, 4 June 1851)

§ SIR JOSHUA WALMSLEY
said, he must complain that notice had not been given of Mr. Speaker being at prayers to the Committee of which he was a member—the Kaffir Committee. So soon as he was informed that Mr. Speaker was at prayers, he hastened to the House, and found that it had been counted out.

§ MR. SPEAKER
had certainly given the usual instructions to ring the bell, so as to apprise Members of all the Committee rooms that the proceedings of the House had commenced. It was the duty of the messenger to take care that due notice was given in the several Committee rooms.

§ MR. HUME
said, that upon three several occasions, when the messenger had announced to the Committees upon which he sat that Mr. Speaker was at prayers, he had gone immediately to the House, but found himself shut out.

§ SIR ROBERT H. INGLIS
Four years ago the electric telegraph was used in communicating between the Committees and the House, and he did not see why the same mode of communication should not be established in the new House. He thought every Member ought to be in his place at a quarter before Four o'clock, so that he might join in a solemn prayer invoking the blessing of God upon their deliberations.

§ MR. EWART
thought it only fair to state that the messenger did come to the Kaffir Committee room, and announce that Mr. Speaker was at prayers.

§ SIR JAMES GRAHAM
suggested that the Serjeant-at-Arms should go round with his mace to the several Committee rooms, and give warning to the Members before prayers were proceeded with.

§ MR. BROTHERTON
said, that, yesterday, Mr. Speaker entered the House at ten minutes to Four o'clock, and the bell rung at five minutes before Four. There was ample time for Members to attend.

§ MR. W. WILLIAMS
thought it a great impediment by forty Members being necessary to make a House at Four o'clock. He felt quite sure there was no lack of Members yesterday.

MR. S. CRAWFORD
When the House met at Twelve o'clock it was not competent for any Member to count it out till Four o'clock. A similar rule should be made applicable to the evening sittings, and when the House met at Four, it should not be in the power of any Member to count it out until Eight o'clock.

§ MR. REYNOLDS
said, his excuse for not attending yesterday was that he was engaged on a Committee.

§ MR. H. HERBERT
said, that there had appeared in the Times of that morning a list of the Members present in the House yesterday. His own name was left out, although he was present when Mr. Speaker adjourned the House.