HC Deb 16 May 1878 vol 240 cc122-4

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."—(Mr. Meldon.)

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

moved, as an Amendment, the adjournment of the debate, and appealed to his hon. and learned Friend (Mr. Meldon) not to press the matter upon the present occasion. The Bill had arrived at this stage without having attracted much attention on the part of Irish Members; and, unfortunately, as he was advised, it was a measure which affected a case that was now sub judice. At all events, he again appealed to his hon. and learned Friend to give him some further time in order to examine into the effects of its provisions.

MR. BIGGAR

seconded the Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. O' Connor Power.)

SIR JOSEPH M'KENNA

said, the Bill was simply a declaratory enactment, assimilating the law of Ireland to that of England in certain important legal particulars.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)

hoped that no opposition would be offered to the passing of this simple measure. The object of the Bill was to enable the Courts to do a simple act of justice, and to put parties under such terms with regard to costs as they might think proper. The law had been amended in England under precisely the same conditions a few years ago; and the present Bill simply gave to the Irish Courts the discretion which was already enjoyed in England.

MR. DODDS

hoped the Bill would be allowed to pass.

MR. MELDON

was afraid that if the measure were not passed, the effect might be to unsettle hundreds of settlements of sales.

Question put.

The House divided:—Aye 1; Noes 79: Majority 78.—(Div. List, No. 137.)

MR. BIGGAR

moved the adjournment of the House. He did so because—

MR. SPEAKER

, interposing, pointed out to the hon. Member that, having seconded the Amendment for the adjournment of the debate, he had exhausted his right to speak.

MR. MELDON

moved, in Clause 5, line 4, after the word "the," to insert the words, "Common Pleas Division of the."

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

said, he did not desire to put himself in opposition to an overwhelming majority of the House; but, really, he did not understand why there should be all this hurry in regard to the Bill. He asked once more that some further time should be allowed for its consideration.

MR. SPEAKER

said, the hon. Member must confine his observations to the Motion immediately before the House.

MR. O'CONNOR POWER

had only further to say, that he felt himself reluctantly bound to exhaust all the Forms of the House in opposing the Bill.

MAJOR O'GORMAN

desired to state that in the last division he had voted in error, and had gone into the wrong Lobby. He was very much in favour of married women possessing their own property.

Question put.

The House divided:—Ayes 77; Noes none.—(Div. List, No. 138.)

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Bill be now read the third time."

The House divided:—Ayes 77; Noes none.—(Div. List, No. 139.)

Bill passed.