§ LORD BEAUMONTpresented a petition from the inhabitants of Colombo, in the island of Ceylon, complaining of a gross interference with the rights of property on the part of the Ceylon Government. The noble Lord observed that nearly all the houses in Ceylon had verandahs before them, the greater part of which had been standing from time immemorial, few of them having been erected within the last sixty years. From their position there was no doubt that in the narrow streets of Colombo they were impediments to the passing of carriages; and in consequence of this, an order was issued by the Government in 1846 that these verandahs should be destroyed, but without giving their owners any compensation; while in the wide streets, where they were no impediment, the people were compelled to pay from 2s. to 2s. 6d. a foot for them, besides being put to a heavy expense for title-deeds. This was done on the ground that they were erected on the property of the Crown, though it was alleged that in all previous 1255 cases where these verandahs had been removed, compensation had been given. A proposal had been made by the inhabitants that all verandahs erected within ten years should be destroyed, but that those of longer standing should have compensation given for them. This was not acceded to, however, and the petitioners now asked for justice from that House. Many of the persons affected were very poor, and severely felt the pressure of the Government measures.
§ EARL GREYsaid, there could be no doubt whatever that these verandahs were encroachments upon the narrow streets of Colombo, and therefore, in 1844, an ordinance was first issued by the Government, calling upon the occupiers to show that they had any right to the ground on which they were built. In the cases where parties proved their right, compensation was given; and in those cases where the verandahs were sold, the proceeds of the sale went for the general benefit of the island. He believed that in no case had the Government interfered without a full right to do so, and that there was no doubt that the object was the removal of what was felt to be a great nuisance. In his opinion, therefore, there was no case for the interference of the House.
§ House adjourned.