HC Deb 24 April 1882 vol 268 cc1365-6

(Mr. Herbert Gladstone, Lord Frederick Cavendish.)

[BILL 137.] COMMITTEE.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.

Clause 3 (Charge upon baronies. Payment to Wicklow Copper Mine Company. Transfer of Harbour to Board).

Amendment proposed, in page 5, line 6, to leave out the words "and other buildings."

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 4 agreed to.

Clause 5 (Special meeting to consider as to charging town rates with expenditure in excess of estimate).

MR. WILLIAMSON

said, the Bill stipulated that if, from any unforeseen cause, the estimate was insufficient, the Government should be authorized to advance by a further loan whatever might be wanted. Clause 5 proposed that in such an emergency a special meeting of the Arklow Town Commissioners should be called to consider it. Suppose they came to the conclusion that the whole money was thrown away, and that they would not charge the rates with any further sum, what would be the condition of affairs then?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

said, this provision was only inserted to meet a contingency of which it was believed there was no danger. The estimates had been most carefully considered; but, from experience of all estimates, they could not be absolutely certain that no further cost could possibly be incurred. If there was such a necessity, it was intended to be met by this clause, which had been framed with every possible care.

MR. WILLIAMSON

said, he did not wish to throw any obstacle in the way of the Bill; but he was satisfied that more consideration ought to be given to the subject involved.

MR. W. H. SMITH

agreed with the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Williamson) that there was a real danger to apprehend; but he had no doubt his noble Friend (Lord Frederick Cavendish) had taken great pains to satisfy himself that the estimates were correct and sufficient. He believed that if the noble Lord had to meet the House two or three years hence he would have to propose an additional Vote, and that it would not be met by the Town Commissioners of Arklow.

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

said, the estimates were made by their Predecessors, and the Government had taken every possible care to guard against the risk incurred by their Predecessors.

Clause agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

House resumed.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow, at Two of the clock.