§ CAPTAIN NOLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If there is any prospect of the Shannon Drainage Act of 1874 being approved by a number of proprietors sufficient to permit of its provisions being put in force; and, if not, does he intend to introduce an amending Bill this Session which might remove the objections which the proprietors may entertain to the existing Act?
§ SIR. MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, that he had not sufficient information at present to enable him to answer the Question. Meetings were now being held by the Commissioners of Public Works at various places on the Shannon with the view of hearing any objections that might be made by the proprietors to the mode in which they were assessed under the Act: and it was impossible to say what would be the result of these proceedings until the period fixed for them, by the Act had expired.