The second reading of the Irish municipal corporations bill was moved on
the 14th of February in the commons by Viscount Morpeth. It was carried
by a majority of one hundred and forty-nine against fourteen; and the
house, on the 24th of February, went into committee on the bill, when
several amendments were proposed and negatived. The bill was read a
third time in the commons on the 9th of March; but the second reading
was not moved in the lords until the 4th of May. The Earl of Winchilsea
moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months, which
amendment was supported by the Marquis of Westmeath; but the Duke of
Wellington recommended their lordships to vote for the second reading;
and, after a few words from Viscount Melbourne, it was carried by a
large majority. The house went into committee on the 19th of June,
when the Bishop of Exeter delivered a powerful speech against it. Their
lordships, however, went into committee, and Lord Lyndhurst proposed
several amendments, which were ordered to be printed. On a subsequent
evening, Lord Lyndhurst explained the nature of his amendments, and when
the house was in committee, he moved and carried an amendment which went
to preserve the inchoate rights of freemen, which under this bill were
threatened. Several other amendments were agreed to without a division,
and some clauses were struck out; and on the 6th of July the bill was
recommitted in the house of lords. The third reading was moved by
Viscount Duncannon on the 31st July, when Lord Lyndhurst proposed and
carried an amendment relating to the recorder of Dublin. He proposed to
strike out of the 161st clause, which had reference to the holding of
the recorder's court, these words, "or as the lord-lieutenant shall
from time to time think fit to direct." This proposition was resisted
by ministers, but was carried by a majority of sixteen. On the question
that the bill do now pass, it was again opposed by the Bishop of Exeter,
who predicted that "it would not, and could not come to good;" but it
passed, and the bill was, on the 3rd of August, brought down to the
commons.

After a brief discussion in the lower house, managers were appointed to
conduct a conference with the lords on the subject of their amendments,
and the result was more harmonious than heretofore: in some things the
commons gave way to the lords, and in others, the lords gave way to the
commons; and by this mutual concession, the bill finall