§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. C. P. VILLIERS, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said it was recently decided by the Court of Queen's Bench that overseers were not entitled to apply any portion of the poor rates to the building or hiring of any place in which to transact their business. Great inconvenience had resulted from that decision, especially in populous parishes, and the object of this Bill was to enable overseers, with the consent of the vestry, and also of the Poor Law Board, to apply a portion of the poor rates to the purpose he had stated.
MR. HENLEYsaid, the measure might be needed in towns of 5,000 inhabitants, but thought it would lead to extravagance if the principle were extended to towns with only 2,000.
MR. C. P. V1LLERShad adopted the limit of 2,000 in consequence of the wording of a former Act defining a "populous place," but had no objection to adopt the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Bill read 2°, and committed for Tomorrow.