§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he can state whether the preliminary inquiry by the Board of Works in reference to the question of the Barrow Drainage has been completed, and generally how the matter now stands?
§ MR. COURTNEYThe hon. Member will remember that the Government have promised an inquiry by a Committee or Commission into this important and difficult matter. But in order that such inquiry may be of any use, it is necessary to have certain information as to the engineering aspect of the question; and also a valuation of the lands, &c, affected. The Government has undertaken to do this preliminary work, and to pay half its cost. Owing to local apathy there was some delay in the commencement of the work; but no effort is being spared to press it forward. The engineering part is far advanced; but the floods have very much retarded the work of the valuator. Only last week the river was in high flood and the lands covered with water, so that the valuator could do nothing. As soon as the Reports have been received the Government will be able to press on its part of the work.
In answer to a further Question from MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR,
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, he did not think that the survey was confined to one section of the river near Portarlington.