§ MR. MAGUIREsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the plans have been finally decided upon for the new Docks at Hawlboline, for which £5,000 was voted in 1865, and £15,000 in the present year; if he will say what works have been actually commenced, and how much has been really done in furtherance of the general plan as stated to Parliament; whether the Works are executed by contract, or to be executed by contract; and, if to be executed by contract, when is a contract to be entered into for their execution; and when it is expected the works will be completed and rendered available for the public service?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONIn answer, Sir, to the first Question of the hon. Member, I have to state that the plans for the new Docks at Hawlboline were decided upon as long ago as the month of May in last year, and that directions were given that the works should be proceeded with in the month of August. The work which has been actually commenced is the quarrying of the necessary stone and the shutting out of the tidal waters, with a view to obtaining sufficient ground for the purposes of the docks. The works are not to be executed by contract, but by convict labour. At present I am sorry to say we are unable to procure a supply of only 150 convicts. [Laughter.] I should rather say that I am very glad there are not so many convicts as we require, but the estimated time for the completion of the works is six years, provided we can get a sufficient supply of convict labour, and they cannot be 2034 executed within that period unless we can obtain the services of 500 men.