§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, If he has seen the following statement in the "Freeman's Journal" of 20th November:—
On Saturday a fleet of herring boats went out to fish, but, owing to the boisterous character of the weather, they were forced to relinquish the attempt. When returning all the vessels save two failed to take the bar, and two boats were wrecked. One boat was smashed to splinters, and, but for the assistance promptly rendered by a number of other boats, the men would, it is only too certain, have been lost. The crews of the boats that failed to take the bar put in at Wicklow, and they were compelled to walk home to Arklow, a distance of fourteen miles;and, if he will communicate with the Board of Works in Ireland with a view to having the Arklow Harbour works begun immediately?
§ MR. COURTNEYI stated the other day that there would be no avoidable delay in getting the Arklow Harbour works carried out, and I can only repeat that promise now. I learn by telegraph that the tenders have been opened and one selected; the successful competitor has been informed and requested to proceed with the least possible delay; and the formal contract will be completed as soon as possible.