§ MR T. P. O'CONNORasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he is willing to reconsider the claims to compensation from the Treasury of the proprietors of the Bowling Green Mills; whether, in the inquiry into the grievances complained of by the Galway millers, the case of this mill was excluded, as Colonel Smith held that he was precluded from going back to a period anterior to 1871; whether, by the action of the Board, of Works, Miss Burke, the head landlord, has been deprived, without any compensation, of a rental of sixty-three pounds; and, whether he is ready to carry out the promise make to Miss Burke's representative that the whole question would be submitted to arbitration?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, the case to which this Question refers is a very complicated one, and imposssible to explain within the limits of an Answer. It has been repeatedly considered by successive Secretaries to the Treasury, and it could not now be re-opened. It is possible that Miss Burke has suffered some loss in connection with those mills, although I can say nothing as to its amount; but this is a case where loss must be suffered all round. The Exchequer has been a heavy loser. In the last three years £1,500 has been written off in respect of these two mills alone, besides other sums previously remitted. No promise has been given to re-open the question.