MR. J. B. SMITHsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India Whether any arrangements have yet been made with the Nizam for a concession of territory on the banks of the river Godavery, to enable the Indian Government to render that river navigable; and what steps the Government have already taken in respect to the removal of the obstructions to the navigation of the Godavery, and when it is probable the works will be completed.
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, that some time ago instructions were sent to the Indian Government directing them to endeavour to make some arrangement with the Nizam with a view to their being put in possession of one complete bank of the Godavery. He had not yet received any report as to the reception which the Nizam had given to that proposal, but it was obvious that until the Indian Government were in possession of the land they could not be certain what it might be in their power to do. 953 All the necessary arrangements had been made for carrying on the work, and operations would be commenced immediately after an agreement had been come to with the Nizam.