§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to amend the law relating to the granting of licences for the sale of beer in Ireland. The two principal provisions of the Bill were, first, to limit the granting of licences in rural districts to houses rated at £8 and upwards, and in towns with a population of 10,000 to premises rated at not less than £15. The effect of that provision would be to stamp out some of the smaller houses throughout the country. The other provision was this—According to the present law the police were enabled to inspect houses between the hours of 7 at night and 7 in the morning, and the present measure proposed to extend that power between the hours of 7 in the morning and 7 at night. The Bill had been introduced by an hon. and learned Member into the other House of Parliament, and the Chief Secretary, after introducing some Amendments, agreed to the measure.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."
§ —(The Lord President.)
§ House adjourned at Six o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Five o'clock.