SECOND READING. REFERRED TO SELECT COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 2 March 1863)

VISCOUNT LIFFORD
, in moving the second reading of the Bill, said, that it came up to their Lordships' House under circumstances which must be regarded as satisfactory, inasmuch as it had passed the other House with the general approval of the Irish Members. This formed the eleventh Bill on this subject presented to the British Parliament during Her present Majesty's reign. The fact was, that no part of the United Kingdom required draining so much as Ireland. Centuries age thousands of acres of some of the finest woods in Europe were, by want of draining, arising from insecurity of life and property gradually sunk in the peat mosses, and large tracts of arable land in Ireland, were rendered comparatively unprofitable from the want of an effective system of drainage. Hitherto those works had been generally done by the Government. The present measure, however, recognised the self-reliant principle, which, he thought, was best calculated to confer upon the country the advantages sought for. The provisions of the Bill were somewhat similar to those of the English Act, the 24 &25 Viet., c. 133. The initiation of its operation was given to the Irish Board of Works. Upon the application of a proportion of the proprietors of any land requiring a system of drainage, the Commissioners of the Board of Public Works were to send an Inspector to the district indicated, and upon his report the Commissioners may, if they think proper, and if two-thirds of the proprietors consent, constitute the district a drainage district. The management of the works was then intrusted to an incorporate Drainage Board, the members of which were to be elected by the proprietors of the district. The 20th and following clauses defined the general powers of these Drainage Boards. The 36th and 37th sections empower the Drainage Boards to borrow money on debenture. When the works were completed, the Drainage Board were to make au award, by which 961 the proportions of the expenses were to be charged on the lands within the district. The Board were also empowered to determine the amount of increased rent to be paid in respect of lands improved; and were to hold annual meetings, and fix the amount to be raised for maintenance and repairs for the ensuing year. The Bill also contains provisions, giving power to neighbouring owners to procure outfalls. Such being the nature of the measure, he trusted their Lordships would assent to its passing as speedily as possible, because in the present distressed state of Ireland, occasioned by the occurrence of three consecutive bad harvests, the Bill would confer a great boon upon the country, by the employment it would open up to the labouring portion of the population. The distress that existed in Ireland had been borne with remarkable patience. This Bill would give great facilities for the relief of that distress, and he trusted their Lordships would pass it without delay.

THE EARL OF LUCAN
said, he was quite willing to allow the Bill to be read a second time, if the noble Lord would let it be referred to a Select Committee. The reference to a Select Committee need not prevent its passing before Easter.

VISCOUNT LIFFORD
said, that he was anxious the Bill should be passed without unnecessary delay, and therefore he was unwilling to refer it to a Select Committee.

THE EARL OF CORK
said, it was a Bill of eighty-five clauses, and the provisions were of such a nature that they could better be discussed in a Select Committee. It had been hurried up to this House, and required the consideration of owners of land in Ireland. He hoped his noble Friend would not persist in his objection to the course proposed by the noble Earl.

THE EARL OF BELMORE
joined in the appeal to allow the Bill to go to a Select Committee.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
said, it had been generally understood by the Irish Peers that the Bill would be referred to a Select Committee.