§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
741LORD THURLOW, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that it was a useful measure, which their Lordships would do well to pass.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a" —(The Lord Thurlow.)
THE EARL OF LIMERICKsaid, he agreed with the noble Lord (Lord Thurlow) that it would be very useful for facilitating communication between Limerick and the county of Clare. The matter had been always regarded as one of the greatest interest in the district, especially in the city of Limerick, although the inhabitants of the county would probably use the bridge very little. The work was one which ought to be proceeded with, and he was glad the Government had introduced the measure. There was one matter connected with the Bill to which he should like to draw the attention of the noble Lord. By Clause 2, which dealt with the proportions in which the money would be raised, it was provided that of the cost Clare County should pay three-eighths and Limerick City five-eighths. Why the cost should be thus unequally divided he could not understand.
LORD THURLOWsaid, he had no doubt the matter would be taken into consideration, and put right by the noble Earl (the Earl of Redesdale) in Committee.
§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)said, he was not aware that the Bill would come before him. It was a hybrid Bill, to which there was some slight objection; but it could be amended in Committee. From the Preamble of the Bill he saw that the original cost was £10,000, and that the sum had now been reduced to £7,076. He thought the Bill, as a whole, was rather carelessly drawn, and he hoped the noble Lord in charge of it (Lord Thurlow) would see that an improvement was effected.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed for Monday next.