HL Deb 11 May 1876 vol 229 cc350-1

Bill read 3a (according to Order).

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON

said, that in order to meet the views of his noble Friend the noble Duke opposite (the Duke of Argyll), who thought it was not advisable that the Inclosure Commissioners of England should be the authority to appoint the oversman, he proposed that the following clause should be substituted for the 23rd clause:— Provided that where two referees are appointed an oversman may be appointed by the sheriff as follows: If either party on appointing a referee requires by notice in writing to the other party that the oversman shall be appointed by the sheriff, then, unless the other party dissents by notice in writing there from, the oversman and any successor to him, shall, on the application of either party, be so appointed. At the same time he must explain that the Inclosure Commissioners were already operating in Scotland in the matter of drainage, and had a large number of Inspectors there; but he had no objec- tion to substitute the Sheriff for them for the purposes of this Bill. He wished further to explain, in reference to a point to which the noble Earl (the Earl of Airlie) had called attention in the Committee, that the letting of grass lands was not included in the Bill.

Amendment made; Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.