§ MR. VANCEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the Government has taken any steps to compel the local authorities to open the Black water River for the navigation of masted ships which are now prevented from ascending higher than Youghal, owing to the condition of the drawbridge, which can no longer be worked in consequence of the structure of the bridge having decayed?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,in reply, said, that the story of the bridge was a very old one. It was in a ruinous condition, and the question of its repair was under the consideration of the grand juries of Cork and Water-ford, and the Town Commissioners of Youghal had drawn the attention of the Government to the matter. He believed there was some technical defect in the law which prevented the grand jurors making use of the powers conferred upon them by Act of Parliament. If that should prove to be the case, he was prepared to introduce a measure to provide a remedy.