§ THE EARL OF RANFURLY,in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said that it amended the law relating to public health in Ireland, and assimilated it to the law in England. It gave additional powers to the Local Government Board and enabled them to vest rural authorities with the powers of urban authorities. It also enabled sanitary authorities to combine for the purpose of executing work within their own districts. The Bill enabled urban authorities to divide a district into parts, to put a separate assessment on any part or parts, a proviso being inserted that such assessments should be fair and equitable, to levy a private improvement rate, a water rate, and to grant superannuation allowances for duties performed under the Public Health Act. The Local Government Board was also given power to constitute port sanitary authorities where 366 needed, and to assign them certain jurisdictions, powers, rights, and duties.
§ Bill read 2a, according to Order, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow; and Standing Order XXXIX. to be considered in order to its being dispensed with.