Then,

should call a meeting after 14 days' | fear they should place too great a burden notice, and, if satisfied that such was upon the rates. In the first place, the the case, should pass a resolution, and Sanitary Authority was obliged to purmake a scheme for improvement. The chase the fee-simple of the land, and 12 ratepayers were to suggest the most the cost of proof of title and conveyancing suitable positions for the houses re- was very heavy, and entirely disproquired. The Sanitary Authority, after portionate to the size of the plot of land having published a statement of the required, the cost being to all intents scheme in the months of September, the same as if the Sanitary Authority October, or November, and served notice was purchasing a large estate instead on the owner and occupier of the land of half-an-acre. Secondly, the cost of which they proposeed to acquire, were Parliamentary confirmation which was to petition the Local Government Board, incurred in every case where the praying that an Order might be made scheme was opposed was very great. confirming the scheme. With the Peti-Thirdly, the rate of interest charged tion were to be sent maps and estimates by the Treasury and the shortness of the proposed undertaking, and also a of the maximum term allowed for restatement as to whether the owner or payment made the money borrowed a occupier dissented from the proposal. heavy charge upon the rates. The Local Government Board were then again, there were other causes which to hold a local inquiry, and, if satisfied prevented the Act being put into operawith the proposal, were empowered to tion. It obliged the Sanitary Authority make a Provisional Order sanctioning to buy land, and build a new cottage the scheme; but that Provisional Order upon it; but there was no provision would not take effect in cases where an made for repairing existing cottages, objection was raised by owners or occu- and allotting plots of land to them. Morepiers, or where three ratepayers had over, the arrangement which limited the petitioned within the specified time service of notices to the months of Sepagainst the scheme, unless it was con- tember, October, and November was firmed by Act of Parliament. When found not to be sufficient. It was shown that confirmation had been obtained, the in evidence, that the cost of building a Sanitary Authority were empowered to cottage of a kitchen and two rooms, with purchase the land compulsorily and all the sanitary arrangements required carry the scheme into execution, and the by the Local Government Board, would Treasury was bound to advance the be about £70, and the legal and other money, paying off the interest and prin- expenses, including the purchase money, cipal in a certain number of years, in would come to some £35 more, making order to enable the Sanitary Authority in all £105. The annual payment to to carry the scheme into effect. The the Treasury for 35 years for that sum Act had been found to be almost in- would be something over £5 128., a sum operative, and he was afraid it would which it would be perfectly impossible be found, as time went on, more inope- to expect an agricultural labourer, from rative still. There were a number of the small wages he received in the schemes proposed; but so great were greater part of Ireland, to pay in the the difficulties of carrying them out, that shape of rent for his cottage and plot of very few houses were built, and, unless land. About 1s. to 1s. 3d. was as much the Act were amended, there would be as an agricultural labourer could pay in even fewer for the future. A Committee Ireland; and, therefore, if that rent sat upon this question in "another were put upon the houses, the rates place" last year, and obtained a great would have to bear more than half the deal of valuable and interesting evi- charge for 35 years, with the risk that if dence, and upon its Report the present the house became untenanted, or the Bill was mainly framed. The reasons labourer became unable to pay even that set out in that Report why the Act of rent, the rates would have to bear it all. 1883 was not workable were shortly The Bill got rid of many of these diffithese that the expenses attending the culties. In the first place, it got over working of the Act of 1883 were so enor- the difficulty and expense of purchase mous that they discouraged the Sanitary by empowering the Local Government Authorities and Boards of Guardians Board, with the consent of the Lord from taking action in the matter, for Lieutenant and Privy Council, to make

state of comfort, indirect benefits would be conferred on all classes of society. The House had already assented to the principle by passing the Act of 1883, and ought, therefore, to pass a Bill which would give the labourers an Act which would really be workable. In some quarters a fear was felt that the measure might be used for political purposes; but he hoped that would not be the case, and there were provisions in the Bill that were intended to guard against such an unfortunate result. Should that precaution prove efficient, the Bill would be a real blessing to the class whom it was intended to benefit. The noble Marquess concluded by making the Motion of which he had given Notice.

Moved, "That the House do resolve itself into Committee."—(The Marquess of Waterford.)

THE EARL OF WEMYSS said, he wished to know whether the Bill was to enable Sanitary Authorities or others to build houses for the working classes, partly out of the rates and partly out of the public funds?

a Provisional Order to enable the Sani- | and it was hoped that, while these tary Authority to take land compulsorily classes were by these means put into a upon lease for 99 years, and limited owners were given power to grant such leases. There would be very little expense in taking such a lease compared with the expense of purchasing the feesimple, and the rates would be saved to that extent. In cases of dispute, the Land Court was to fix the rent which was to be paid by the Sanitary Authority. If the land were liable to quit rent, Crown rent, or in the occupation of a tenant, the apportionment of such rent was to be settled by agreement. If not so settled, the Court was to apportion. The owner, if aggrieved, could obtain a re-hearing of his case by the Land Commission under the 44th and 48th sections of the Act of 1881. A Provisional Order made by the Local Government Board did not require to be confirmed by Act of Parliament, in cases where a Petition was lodged; but, instead of going before Parliament, arrangement was made that the petitioner's case be heard by the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council, who then could confirm or reject the Provisional Order. The Lord Lieutenant in Council was to make rules for the procedure, the payment of fees and costs, &c. In addition to these provisions, the Sanitary Authority could purchase and put into repair any existing cottage, and add half-anacre of land to it, or could take an existing cottage on lease. The time for serving notices of the improvement scheme, instead of being limited, as in the Act of 1883, to the months of September, October, and November, was, by the Bill, extended to the whole year. An Inspector of the Local Government Board was to report if a house were unfit for habitation, and the Sanitary Authority was to require the owner to repair it, or prevent it being further used. Anybody disregarding the order of the Sanitary Authority in this respect was liable to a fine not exceeding 10s. a-day. The definition of an agricultural labourer was revised and enlarged, and the term fixed for the continuance of the Act would be fixed at seven years from 1883, instead of for five years, the date named in the original Act. The Bill, he thought, was distinctly a step in the right direction. Its object was to provide house accommodation for one of the most deserving classes in Ireland;

The Marquess of Waterford

THE MARQUESS OF WATERFORD:

No.

THE EARL OF WEMYSS: Well, out of the rates?

THE MARQUESS OF WATERFORD: Yes, out of the rates.

THE EARL OF WEMYSS said, that the noble Marquess had spoken of the Bill as a step in the right direction. What was the terminus of the road along which the noble Marquess desired to travel? Was any limit to be imposed to the advance of money for such purposes?

THE MARQUESS OF WATERFORD said, that he must remind the noble Earl that this was not a new departure in legislation. He used the expression to indicate that the object of the Bill was simply to render operative an Act the principle of which their Lordships had accepted in 1883.

the

LORD FITZGERALD said, he perfectly agreed that the Bill was a step in the right direction with respect to a subject of considerable importance improvement of the condition of Irish agricultural labourers. That question had been a subject of controversy for the last 30 years. A Bill on the subject

On the Motion of The Marquess of WATERFORD, Amendment made in page 8, line 22, at end of the line, add

had been passed in 1857, but it failed; proposed without Notice, he should be and several intermediate attempts had glad if the noble Earl would move it on been made to deal satisfactorily with Report. the question, but without success. No Amendment (by leave of the Comdoubt, on large estates, and especially mittee) withdrawn. on that of the noble Marquess himself (the Marquess of Waterford), sufficient cottage accommodation was already provided by the landlords. But outside those estates the condition of the Irish labourers in regard to residence was a reproach to civilization, and it was impossible for any considerable advance in their well-being to be made unless their homes were greatly improved. He hoped their Lordships would pass the Bill, and thereby give a most deserving class a chance of advancing in prosperity and comfort.

Motion agreed to: House in Committee accordingly.

Clauses 1 to 11, inclusive, severally agreed to.

Provisional Orders.

Clause 12 (Provisional order may be confirmed by the Privy Council). On the Motion of The Marquess of WATERFORD, Amendments made in page 5, line 12, after ("than ") leave out ("twelve") and insert ("six"); in line 17, after (" not ") leave out ("more") and insert ("less"); and in line 28, after the word ("Council') to insert the words ("after hearing the petitioner or giving him an opportunity of being heard.")

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 13 (Amendment of provisional orders made before this Act).

On the Motion of The Marquess of WATERFORD, Amendment made in page 6, after (" not ") leave out ("more") and insert ("less.")

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 14 and 15 severally agreed to. Clause 16 (Powers of the sanitary authority relative to purchase existing cottages, and allot land to existing cottages).

THE EARL OF COURTOWN moved, as an Amendment, to insert words to render it clear that the purchase should be by agreement.

THE MARQUESS OF WATERFORD said, that as this was a new Amendment VOL. CCC. [THIRD SERIES.]

"Provided also, that, except in the case of a tract of land in the neighbourhood of a town or village as aforesaid, a sanitary authority shall by them under the said Act as amended by this not let or permit to be held any land acquired Act to or by any person who is not also tenant to the sanitary authority of a dwelling-house."

On the Motion of The Earl of COUR

TOWN, Amendment made by omitting, in the same page, lines 24 and 25.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 17 (Closing of dwellings unfit for habitation) agreed to.

Clause 18 (Area of charge for rate levied by the sanitary authority).

LORD VENTRY, in moving an Amendment with the object of creating a right of approval to the Local Government Board against unjust assessment by Sanitary Authorities, said, that, unless the Amendment were accepted, it would be in the power of Boards of Guardians to favour particular districts at the expense of others.

Amendment moved, in page 9, line 36, after ("authority") insert ("subject to the approval of the Local Government Board.")-(The Lord Ventry.)

After some discussion,

THE MARQUESS OF WATERFORD said, that in deference to what appeared to be the sense of the House he would accept the Amendment.

Amendment agreed to; words inserted accordingly.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 19 (Miscellaneous amendments of Act of 1883. 46 & 47 Vict. c. 60) agreed to.

LORD VENTRY, in moving the insertion of a new clause (194), the object of which was to enable a landowner, from whom it was proposed to take land compulsorily, to offer, as an alternative, other land in lieu of that proposed to be taken, said, he believed it would make the Bill work much more smoothly, and

3 A

Clause (by leave of the Committee) of a certificate, under the Cruelty to withdrawn.