§ Order for Consideration, as amended, read.
MR. PEELstated, that he desired to introduce Amendments providing that the powers which in the Bill were conferred upon the arbitrator should be exercised by the Board of Public Works.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill, as amended, be now taken into Consideration."
§ MR. SCULLYsaid, the Secretary to the Treasury proposed to introduce an entire page of Amendments into a Bill containing seventy-nine clauses, of which no explanation had been given, either by the Chief Secretary for Ireland or the Attorney General. Practically, this Bill was the same which had been originally introduced by the hon. and gallant Member for Limerick (Colonel Dickson), passed with little discussion through the House of Commons, and cut down to very narrow dimensions in the Lords. It proposed to carve Ireland into petty drainage districts, which would find employment for local attorneys, local surveyors, local engineers, and professional men of all kinds, to the neglect of any comprehensive and beneficial scheme of arterial drainage. The Bill was founded on an entirely misconceived idea of the principle of drainage on a large scale. Drainage, to be effectual, should commence at the lowest outfall, and the works beginning near the sea should be extended up 382 wards to the higher levels. It was not respectful to the House of Lords to pass without discussion a measure upon which they had already pronounced an opinion in the present Session. ["Divide!"] If hon. Gentleman wished to divide, he was quite prepared to do so. In order to carry out their wishes, he would himself move the adjournment of the debate.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. Scully.)
MR. PEELsaid, he hoped the hon. and learned Gentleman would not persevere in in his opposition. The Bill conferred no new powers on the Board of Works in Ireland. He had very little doubt it would meet with the approval of the other House, and confer great benefit on Ireland.
§ MR. MACEVOYbegged the hon. and learned Member for Cork not to delay a useful measure and one that was very much wanted in Ireland.
§ MR. BAGWELLexpressed a hope that the hon. and learned Member for Cork would not press his Amendment. No drainage could be effected in Ireland without the system of arterial drainage provided by this Bill.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill, as amended, considered; Amendments made; to be read 3o To-morrow.