§ Amendments reported (according to Order).
§ EARL GRANVILLE moved further Amendments, which, he said, would meet certain objections stated by the noble Earl opposite (the Earl of Derby) when the Bill was read a second time.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYsaid, that there would still remain two contradictory definitions of the word "owner," and it would be better to omit the whole of the second definition which appeared in page 9 of the Bill, As to the provisions in another Bill, which had not yet reached their Lordships' House, with regard to rates in aid, he earnestly implored the Government to consider whether it was worth while for so small an object as £35,000 to incur the immense dissatisfaction which the operation of those provisions would certainly create. Yorkshire, on the immediate borders of which there were many distressed parishes, was altogether excluded; and a portion of Lancashire, fifty miles distant from the distressed districts, was included. He begged that he might not be under- 412 stood as arguing in favour of a general rate in aid; but the rate as proposed would fall so inequitably that he knew that even parishes which had the power refused to apply for a rate in aid, because of the strong feeling which prevailed against it; and he believed the Government would do a popular and a wise thing if they omitted the clauses from the Bill.
§ Further Amendments made: Bill to be read 3a To-morrow; and to be printed, as amended. (No. 203.)