§ Colonel Sibthorptrusted that when this sum was expended this Commission would cease, and that Parliament would not be called upon to vote any more money for improving the estates of two noble Lords, under pretence of improving the river Shannon. He looked upon the whole 1252 proceeding as a gross job from beginning to end.
§ Mr. B. Osbornesupposed that the two noble Lords to whom the hon. and gallant Officer referred were the Marquess of Lansdowne and Lord Monteagle.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequercould assure the hon. and gallant Officer that the money voted for improving the Shannon, had been applied in that which was an important public work, carried on under the most competent engineers, and would be completed in the shortest possible period of time. With regard to the expense of the Commission itself, one person only as a Member of that Commission received salary.
§ Viscount Sandondenied that the improvement of the Shannon was a job. He felt bound, in justice to a noble Lord who was absent, to say, that having ascertained some years ago, in Liverpool, that it would be an object of great importance to fourteen counties to improve the navigation of the Shannon, he (Viscount Sandon) urged the subject upon the attention of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer (the present Lord Monteagle), who was at length by dint of persuasion induced to adopt means for carrying out the work. He for one believed the improvement would be found of more real value to Ireland, than all the railroads that had been projected.
§ Vote agreed to.