§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. COURTNEY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, explained that its object was to take the management of the Lower Shannon out of the hands of the Board of Works, in whom it was now practically vested, and to transfer it to local trustees or other local authorities, provided that local persons were willing to undertake such responsibility.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Courtney.)
§ MR. BIGGARsaid, the hon. Gentleman had fairly and rightly stated the object of this Bill—that was to say, it would give leave to any persons who chose to do so to undertake the control over the lower part of the Shannon, if they would bear the expense of keeping the river in order. The Bill, however, was little more than waste paper with that condition in it, for there was not the slightest chance of any trustees accepting such a liability as keeping in order the piers and the river generally, which were now kept in order at the expense of the Government. The people of the locality would be very glad to get 1880 control over the river if the Government would continue to pay the expenses, but not at their own expense; and he, therefore, should move that the Bill be read that day three months.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months."—(Mr. Biggar.)
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHsaid, he hoped the Secretary to the Treasury would explain the point raised by the hon. Member for Cavan—namely, whether the expense of keeping the river and the piers in order would be handed over to the local authority with the control?
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, he thought the piers were for the most part self-supporting.
§ Question put, and agreed, to.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday.