§ Amendments reported (according to Order).
§ EARL SPENCER, in briefly referring to the circumstances surrounding the introduction of the Bill, said, that originally it was connected with the main drainage scheme for Belfast, when great opposition was offered; because it was proposed, at the same time, to extend the municipal franchise. Ultimately it was agreed to separate the question of the franchise from that of drainage, and the present Bill had been introduced, which, as it no w stood, would come into operation in November, 1888. It was, of course, desirable that the large drainage scheme which had been, sanctioned should be carried out, if it were possible, by a municipal council representing the enlarged municipal electorate; but it had been represented that that was impossible, and that the Bill could not possibly come into operation before next year. He had, however, caused inquiries to be made, which satisfied him that the thing was practicable, and that the Bill could be put into operation this year; and he would therefore move an Amendment, providing that the Act should take effect immediately after its being passed, so as to be effective next November.
§ Moved, to leave out from ("borough") in page 1, line 8, to the end of the Clause.—(The Earl Spencer.)
§ THE EARL OF ERNEsaid, he was reluctant to oppose the Amendment of the noble Earl, because he himself concurred with the object which had prompted its proposal—namely, that those invested with the municipal franchise should 28 enjoy the privilege at the earliest possible moment. It was, however, not so much a question of what was desirable as what was practicable, and his opinion, which had been derived from the best possible sources, was that it would be quite impossible that such a mass of voters could be brought in within the short period indicated by the noble Earl in his Amendment.
§ LORD FITZGERALDsupported the Amendment.
§ On Question? Their Lordships divided:—Contents 18; Not-Contents 9: Majority 9.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ LORD FITZGERALDsaid, he should like to throw out as a suggestion to the noble Earl that at least at the first election under the Bill the revising barrister should be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant.
§ THE EARL OF ERNE, in reply, said, that those for whom he was acting in the conduct of this measure had pointed out that as the ratepayers had to pay the revising barrister, it was only right that they should have a voice in his selection.
§ LORD FITZGERALDasked, whether the noble Earl would consider the matter before the next stage was taken?
§ THE EARL OF ERNEsaid he would.
§ A further Amendment moved; objected to; and (by leave of the House) withdrawn; further Amendments made; Bill to be read 3a To-morrow, and to be printed us amended. (No. 162.)