88 



[^PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS. 



[June 1895. 



Department charged with the inspection of railways, which, 

 it may be assumed, would be exercised with due regard 

 to the existence of such local control and responsibility. 

 If this were done the initial cost of construction, and the 

 expenses of working, could be so greatly reduced that 

 many light railways and tramways, promoted either by 

 independent companies, or by the existing lines of railway 

 and tramway, could be undertaken to the great advantage 

 of districts, and especially agricultural districts, at present 

 without satisfactory means of transport. 

 The Committee suggest that proposals for the construction 

 and working of such lines shoidd be submitted in the first 

 instance to the County Council (with exceptional pro- 

 visions as to large municipalities), subject to precautions 

 ensuring that the interests of those directly affected are 

 duly safeguarded. In all cases a majority of assents in 

 number and value of owners and frontagers should be 

 required, and in cases of compulsory acquisition of land 

 there should be a power of appeal to the Board of Trade. 

 If any doubt should arise as to whether a proposed line is a 

 light railway, to be dealt with locally, or is a scheme which, 

 on account of its magnitude or otherwise, should properly 

 be dealt with by Parliament, the Committee think that the 

 Board of Trade should determine the question. 

 The Committee are doubtful whether it would be within the 

 terms of the reference to them, and they refrain from 

 giving an opinion, as to whether, and if so, on what con- 

 ditions, it is desirable that local authorities should be 

 empowered to contribute funds towards, or otherwise take 

 part in, undertakings of this character. 

 The Report is signed by all members of the Committee 

 (except Sir Courtenay Boyle and Mr. Hopwood, the ofBcers of 

 the Department concerned), subject to memoranda by individual 

 members which are a])pended to the Report. 



Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the 

 effect of Food derived from Tubercidous Animals on 

 Human Health. Part I. [C— 7703.] Price 2^d. 



The Commission was appointed to inquire and report what 

 is the effect, if any, of food derived from tuberculous animals 

 on human health ; and, if prejudicial, what are the circumstances 

 and conditions with regard to the tuberculosis in the animal 

 which produce that effect upon man. 



The Commissioners recapitulate the information they have 

 obtained from the witnesses who favoured them with their 

 experience, and from the results of three experimental inquiries 



