§ MR. PAULTON (Durham, Bishop Auckland)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Local Government Board, Ireland, will take any steps to compel the Board of Guardians of the Mullingar Union to avail themselves of the power to take water from Lough Owel, given in the Mullingar Water Act of 1885; and, if the Guardians allow the compulsory powers given by that Act, and limited to three years from the passing of it to expire, does the whole Act drop?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Local Government Board have no power to compel the Board of Guardians of Mullingar Union to carry out the Lough Owel scheme provided for by the Mullingar Water Act of 1885. The powers of the Guardians for the compulsory purchase of land or waters for the purposes of the Act will expire on the 31st instant; and the period within which the works authorized by the Act may be executed will terminate on July 31, 1892.