SECOND READING. (Hansard, 15 May 1860)

MR. DEASY
said, he rose to move the second reading of this measure. [Cries of "Adjourn."] He hoped he should be allowed to proceed with the second reading of this Bill. It was merely a measure of law reform which all sides of the House consented to, and his object in moving the second reading was to advance it a stage. It was a Bill for consolidating the existing law of landlord and tenant in Ireland, and was principally taken from the Bill of the late Lord Chancellor for Ireland (Mr. Napier). It repealed partially or wholly fifty-five Acts of Parliament. The principal Amendments in the law it proposed to introduce were these. It made the relations between landlord and tenant a matter of contract. It proposed to restrict the power of distraining for rent for one year, and to provide that all receipts should 1347 specify the date for which they were given,; and that in the absence of date the receipt should be held to apply to the last rent due. It proposed to give remedies against waste. It proposed to extend the right of ejectment for non-payment of rent to yearly tenancies; but so that the tenant should, on payment of rent, get back his land; and it proposed to extend the jurisdiction of the Civil Bill Courts from £50 to £100. These were the principal provisions of the Bill. He would most gladly receive suggestions as to its Amendment, from any quarter. The Bill involved no social changes, but, as he had said, it was simply a measure of law reform.

§ MR. WHITESIDE
said, that it was true that the clauses of the Bill were similar to that which had been introduced some years ago; but there was this difference, that neither the law of distress nor the law of fixtures bad been dealt with. The Bill he had prepared was, no doubt, a better Bill than that introduced some years ago, and the law of distress was dealt with. It had been thoroughly revised and reprinted, and he would compare it with the Bill now introduced, and on a future occasion submit it to the House.

§ MR. VINCENT SCULLY
said, he must protest against the Bill being now read a second time. It was a very long Bill, and required great consideration.

§ LORD FERMOY
said, he was of opinion that if this Bill was not read a second time, they would never get on with their legislation. It appeared to him that there was nothing in the Bill that would press heavily on any tenant who was desirous of paying his rent and managing his farm properly. The details could be more maturely considered when the Bill got into Committee. At the same time, he should be very glad to see the Bill of the right hon. Gentleman opposite dealing with the law of distress introduced. The two Bills might be considered together, and, if necessary, referred to a Select Committee.

§ MR. HASSARD
said, he also should support the second reading of the Bill. The measure of his right hon. Friend (Mr. Whiteside) was not the objectionable Bill before referred to; but the one which had been privately printed and circulated, and was a measure he should be glad to see introduced and considered with the present Bill.