308 The Library. would appear that the population limit in the towns has been removed. The old method of adoption goes with the repeal of section 4 of the Act of 1855, and henceforth the urban authority may adopt the Act by passing the necessary resolution in accord- ance with the regulations, and subject to the publication, pre- scribed by the new Act. This is the principle adopted for urban districts in England by the Act of 1893, but the Irish Act con- tains a necessary and useful proviso to the effect that if the urban authority fail to pass a resolution adopting the Act, any twenty or more ratepayers in the district may require the mayor or chairman to ascertain the opinion of the voters on the question of adoption, or the limitation of the rate, and this is to be ascer- tained not by voting papers but by ballot, the Local Government Board being authorised to make any rules for carrying into effect the object of the Act. The poll will be taken of the voters in the district, i.e., the Parliamentary voters (owners, occupiers and lodgers), and freemen (in boroughs). The majority of answers is to decide any question. It is unnecessary to refer in detail to the Act which will, no doubt, ere long be in the hands of all the members ; but some points call for observation. Thus, if a poll is taken and the Act is adopted, the urban authority is to carry it into execution. Should they fail in their duty, the Local Government Board, on the application of ten or more voters, are to appoint from among the voters five Commissioners to carry the principal Act into execution, who will have all the powers of the urban authority under the Act. The authorities of two or more neighbouring (not necessarily adjoining) districts may, after the adoption of the Act, combine for any period for carrying the Act into execution, or they may make an agreement to share the cost of the purchase, erection, repair and main- tenance of any library (including a museum, school of science, art gallery, or school for art) situate in one of the districts. There is a power to let any part of the premises not required for the Act, which may prove useful where it is necessary to provide a source of income from rents for portions let for business or other purposes. Section 9 authorises an authority to accept any grant from the science and art department towards the pur- chase of the site, or the erection, enlargement, or repair of any school of science or art, or other purpose for which a grant may be made. It is to be hoped that this short but useful measure will result in an extension of the free library movement in Ireland.
