246 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK III. 



or other district to overlook the repair of sea-banks and 

 sea-walls, and the clearing of rivers, public streams, ditches, 

 and other conduits whereby any waters are carried off. 

 The Commissioners are a Court of Record, and may fine 

 and imprison for contempts, and in the execution of their 

 duty may proceed by jury or upon their view, and may 

 take order for the removal of any annoyance or the safe- 

 guard and conservation of the sewers within their Com- 

 mission. They may also assess such rates or scots upon 

 owners of lands within their district as they shall judge 

 necessary ; and if any person refuses to pay them, the 

 Commissioners may levy the same by distress of his goods 

 and chattels ; or they may, by statute 23 Henry VIII., c. 5, 

 sell his freehold lands, and, by 7 Anne, c. 10, his copyhold 

 also, in order to pay such scots or assessments. 



We recommend that both draining and fencing, where- 

 ever necessary, shall be enforced by law, and that the 

 Board of Improvement shall be authorized to appoint local 

 Commissioners for any district they may think proper for 

 the purpose. 



We propose that the local Commissioners shall be a 

 Court of Record for their district, and shall hold sessions 

 when required so to do by the Board of Improvement ; 

 that an engineer shall be named for each district by the 

 Board of Works ; that before each sessions the engineer 

 shall visit all parts of the district, and then make a report 

 to the Commissioners, stating whether any and what 

 works are required respecting any rivers, streams, water- 

 courses, or pieces of water, or for the making, cleansing, 

 or amending any drains therein ; also whether any and 

 what fences require to be made or repaired for preserving 

 the boundaries of property and preventing trespass or 



