HC Deb 10 March 1824 vol 10 cc870-1
Mr. Spring Rice

said, he rose to move two resolutions; the one declaratory of the expediency and necessity of a new Survey and Valuation of Ireland, the other for the appointment of a select committee on the subject. It would not be necessary for him to detain the House long, as he understood there was no intention to oppose his motion. In fact, when an hon. friend of his gave notice of this motion for him, he was not aware that there was a sum in the estimates for the year to be applied to the very purpose of carrying such a survey into effect. He was glad to find that his majesty's government thought with him on the subject; and, so far would his motion be from interfering with their intentions, that he hoped it would prove in cordial unison with them. It was indispensable that an affair of such magnitude should be first considered in all its details by a select committee of that House.

Mr. Dawson

expressed his perfect concurrence in the hon. gentleman's views, and his hope that the whole subject would be fully and satisfactorily discussed. For himself, he was particularly interested in it; for he represented a county which had suffered more from the present system than any other in Ireland. He trusted that this would be only the beginning of an amelioration of the evils occasioned by the very large and unequal rates now levied in Ireland by grand jury and parochial assessments. Nothing could be more grossly incorrect and deceptive than the present surveys.

Colonel Trench

strongly recommended that the new surveys should be made under the direction of the Board of Ordnance. They would then be executed by men of science, and would be uniform and satisfactory.

Sir J. Newport

expatiated on the evils of the present system, but was of opinion, that if the surveys were executed by the Ordnance, they would take too much time, and when completed would not be sufficient for the required purpose.

Mr. D. Browne

, as an instance of the inaccuracy of the present surveys, mentioned that a gentleman of the name of M. Farlan had surveyed the county of Mayo, when it was covered with snow.

Mr. Goulburn

thought an Ordnance survey a necessary preliminary. An accurate map of the country would be an excellent foundation for further proceedings. The committee, however, would be the place in which this and all other matters of detail might be most advantageously discussed.

The resolution was then agreed to.