THE EARL OF LONGFORDasked, When it is intended to appoint a Commissioner of Church Temporalities in Ireland, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Eight Honourable G. A. Hamilton? The noble Earl said, that under the Irish Church Act of 1869, three Commissioners were appointed to carry out its provisions, and very large powers were given to them. Any person affected by an Order of one of the Commissioners was entitled to have his case brought before the three; but, by the death of Mr. George Alexander Hamilton, which occurred last year, a vacancy had been created, and since there had been only two Commissioners. One of these was a noble Lord, who very properly desired to take part in the business of that House; and he had also other engagements. The other Commissioner was a learned Judge, who had his judicial duties to perform on 181 the Irish Bench. Again, any person who now desired to appeal from an Order made by one of the Commissioners was obliged to have his appeal heard by only two, one of whom was the Commissioner who had decided the matter in the first instance. It was not alleged that there had been any failure of justice, or any neglect of business on the part of either of the Commissioners; but he submitted that, as the Act provided for three Commissioners, it was not a satisfactory state of things to have only two.
THE EARL OF DUFFERINreplied, that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to fill up the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Hamilton, because, in their opinion, two Commissioners were amply sufficient to perform the duties for which three had been originally appointed. A Bill would be introduced for the amendment of that portion of the Act providing for the hearing of appeals by three Commissioners.
§ LORD ROMILLYdesired to bear testimony to the efficient manner in which the late Mr. Hamilton had performed his public duties.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Five o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Four o'clock.