§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. M'LAREN, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that in England the word "burgess" and "householder" were equivalent and convertible terms. It was so once in Scotland; but now burgesses had dwindled down to a comparatively small number, and the charities and other ad-vantages connected with the burgesses were now monopolized by comparatively a few persons. The object of this Bill was to assimilate the law of Scotland to that of England, subject to this qualification, that, whereas by a recent Act a burgess in England required only one year's residence, the Bill before the House required three years residence, and required also not only that the poor rates should be paid, but that rates of every kind should be paid. Under these circumstances, he hoped there would be no objection to the second reading of the Bill. He had taken an opportunity of consulting the Lord Advocate, and he understood that his Lordship had no objection, but believed it to be a good Bill, and worthy of passing the Legislature.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. M'Laren.)
MR. ASSHETON CROSSsaid, he did not think it right that he should allow this Bill to be read a second time in silence in the absence of the Lord Advocate. He did not actually know what the views of the Lord Advocate were upon this matter, and therefore he should reserve his opinion on the Bill until it came before Committee.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read a second time, and committed for Friday.