2
iv.
Local OoDernment {Ireland) A(ii\
appointment of successors. In one county, however, where there
has been delay in closing the collections in previous half-years,
the Collectors again failed to lodge the full amount at the end of
September, their explanation being that, owing to labour troubles
in Dublin, which is the market for the agricultural produce of the
county, and to the fact that the harvest season was late, they
were unable to get in the rates in time. We did not consider the
reasons given sufficient to warrant an extension of time for closing
the collection, and we are of opinion that if we accepted such
excuses for failure to lodge rates within the prescribed time a
precedent would be created which uiight be attended with
disastrous results in all parts of the country.
The collection for the second half-year showed an improve¬
ment on that for the like period last year, a larger number of
Collectors lodging the full amounts of their warrants by the last
day of February.
The collection of poor rate in the Urban Districts continues to
improve.
Qualifications for the Offlce of Poor Bate Collector.
We issued an Order dated the 5th December, 1913, dealing with
the eligibility of members of local bodies for the position of
Poor Rate Collector. The Order hitherto in force prohibited
members of any local body, whether the appointing authority or
not, from holding the post of Poor Bate Collector. This restric¬
tion Avas found to be unduly wide in its operation, and it seemed
to us that, in the case of these officers, it would be more
expedient to rely on the general provisions contained in Article 12
of the Schedule to the Local Government (Application of Enact¬
ments) Order, 1898, which limit the disqualification for office to
members of the appointing Council, or of Connnittees thereof, and
on the exercise of our general powers of refusing our sanction to
any appointment which violates the principles underlying this
enactment.
Roads.
The duties of the County and Rural District Councils as road
authorities have steadily become more onerous with the growth in
mechanically propelled traffic, and, to jirevent deterioration of
roads constantly increasing attention with correspondingly in¬
creased expenditure, is involved in keeping the surfaces in proper
condition. Where it can be proved that excessive damage has
been caused by extraordinary traffic, the road authorities are
enabled, under the provisions of the Public Roads (Ireland) Act,
1911, to recover the cost of the necessary repairs from those con¬
cerned in causing the injury, and many County Councils have
found it necessary to exercise their pow'ers under this Act for the
restoration of roads damaged by unusual traffic.
The large contributions made by the Road Board, supplemented
in most cases with ready liberality by the County and Rural.
District Councils, have secured a marked improvement on many
important roads throughout the country. In order to facilitate th
