HC Deb 06 July 1896 vol 42 cc777-8

In each ward one of the two aldermen elected on the twenty-fifth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six shall go out of office on the twenty-fifth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine, and the remaining one on the twenty-fifth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and two, and the alderman who is to retire in the first instance in each of the five wards shall be the alderman who was elected in that ward by the smallest number of votes at the first election, the majority of the whole council always determining when the votes for any such aldermen shall have been equal or when there shall have been no contest, who shall be the aldermen to go out of office. Provided always that any alderman on going out of office may be forthwith re-elected if duly qualified.

MR. KNOX moved to omit the word "six" before "councillors," and to insert instead thereof the word "three." He explained that this was the first of a series of Amendments, the object of which was to alter the number of the corporation from 40, as proposed in the Bill, to 25. The majority of the inhabitants of Londonderry, on both sides of politics, were in favour of the smaller number. The hon. Baronet the Member for Manchester, who presided over the Hybrid Committee, submitted to the Committee this very proposal; but it was rejected because one of the Opposition Members happened to be absent, and the casting vote of the Chairman was therefore not exercised.

MR J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)

seconded the Amendment.

MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)

said it seemed to him, as one of the Members of the Hybrid Committee, that the number of 40 was supported by the balance of convenience.

Question put, "That the words 'six' stand part of the Bill."

The House divided:—Ayes, 200; Noes, 109.—(Division List, No. 310.)

MR. KNOX

said the last of his Amendments referred to some illegal loans which the Corporation had raised without any powers, and which, as the clause now stood, they might be able to pay off by the Bill. The point, however, was really one for the Examiners, and, as he believed it would be brought to the attention of the Examiners in the House of Lords, he did not propose to trouble the House with the matter.

Bill to be read the Third time.