HC Deb 01 April 1852 vol 120 cc545-6

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

Clause 1. (Proprietors of Newspapers not to be deemed contractors by reason of Advertisments.)

MR. HEADLAM moved the following Amendment:— In page 2, line 15, to add the words 'or in any Backing Company which may have had or may hereafter have dealing or transaction with any such Council, Commissioners, or Trustees of such Borough.'

The ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, he must object to the Amendment.

Question put, "That those words be there added."

The Committe divided:—Ayes 13; Noes 37: Majority 24.

MR. EDWARDS

It is not my intention to trouble the House at any great length at this hour of the morning, as the clause I am anxious to introduce fully explains itself. Having, however, been pressed by various interested parties connected with my own borough and many others to do that which I trust the House will consider an act of justice, I hope to be supported. It appears by the Municipal Corporation Act, 5 & 6 Geo. IV., cap. 76, sec. 92, that the council of any borough, not possessing corporate property, have power and authority to call upon the churchwardens and overseers to pay away monies which may be required at any time in aid of the borough funds, and towards the expenses of carrying into effect the several Municipal Acts, out of the rates levied for the relief of the poor. It appears to me, I must say, inconsistent and improper that money required for municipal purposes should be collected in such a manner. I contend that the corporation should lay and collect the rates required, and that neither the churchwardens nor overseers should be subjected to proceedings at law to meet exorbitant demands made upon them by the town council. Meetings upon the subject have been held in Halifax, Bradford, Gateshead, and many other important places, and many petitions have been presented to this House. Before I sit down I will just mention this fact, viz., that before the amount necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of the Charter of Incorporation in the borough of Halifax, it was necessary to distrain upon the goods and chattels of one of the overseers; and under a conviction that no such arbitrary power was ever contemplated by the framers of the Municipal Corporation Act, I submit this protective Clause to the consideration of the Committee.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL

hoped that his hon. Friend would not press the clause which he had proposed.

Clause withdrawn; House resumed.

House adjourned at a quarter before One o'clock.