§ SIR JOHN YOUNG moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make better provision for the paving, lighting, and rating of towns in Ireland, and in doing so he said he wished in the first place to disclaim any originality in its conception beyond that of adapting to it the clauses of various other Bills. The Act which now regulated the towns of Ireland, not regulated by local or special Acts, was the 9th of George IV., c. 82, which, although sound in principle, was one which the necessities of the country had quite outgrown. The present Bill would do away with many of the difficulties which now existed in consequence of that state of things. It first provided for the election of Commissioners (whose qualification would be fixed at 12l. both in large and small towns), for their meetings and proceedings, for the purchase of land, for sewers, drainage, construction of new streets, cleansing, and prevention of nuisances, including the subject of burials and burial grounds. It gave powers with regard to rating and general assessment. Accounts were to be kept and duly audited, and the Commissioners were to be enabled to borrow money under certain restrictions, on the security of the rates. The Commissioners would have power to supply the town with water in those cases in which no water company existed, but considering the difficulties which stood in the way, he did not propose to give them power to supply the town with gas.
§ Leave given.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Sir John Young, Viscount Palmerston, and Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland.
§ The House adjourned at a quarter before One o'clock, till Monday next.