§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was a simple one—namely, to determine the rights of the Post Office in respect of the establishment of telegraphic lines on undertakings 1035 authorized by special Act of Parliament, to lay down regulations in respect of compensation and fine for injury to telegraphic lines of the Post Office, and to provide for other such matters. He thought it right to bring in the Bill, in consequence of a wish expressed in their Lordships' House last year that such legislation should be embraced in a general Act rather than in special clauses of particular Acts of Parliament.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.