§ MR. W. ORMSBY GOREsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government to construct the salmon ladders so long promised on the Shannon, and when the eel weir at Ruskey is to be removed, in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Committee on the River Shannon of last year?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, in reply, that the subject had not been brought under the consideration of the present Government, although it occupied the attention of their predecessors. Objections were then raised to the construction of these works, and no order was given upon the subject. If however, the owners who might be benefited by them would submit any proposal to the Government, and at the same time explain how they proposed to find the funds to defray the express which would be incurred, they would take those proposals into consideration, and afford any assistance to carry out their views. The difficulty hitherto had been that these proprietors were extremely anxious to have the im- 744 provements effected, but they did not show any activity in stating how the money was to be provided to carry them out.