§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the statement that Mr. Eyre W. Preston has spent thirty-eight years in the public service, When he first entered it; what departments he has served in; by whom he was recommended on each occasion; when he entered each department; when, and under what circumstances, he quitted each; and, how often during the entire period, he has been discontinued from employment in the public service?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, it would have been more strictly accurate if I had added that of Mr. Preston's professional career of 38 years, the greater part had been spent in the service of the State. Mr. Preston is a civil engineer, and his earlier engagements appear to have been professional. His public employment was as follows:—From 1846 to 1851, Drainage Department of the Board of Works; from 1852 to 1855, Valuation Department; from 1867 to 1874 he was in India, where he was engaged in the Public Works Department and upon railways, guaranteed and the appointments sanctioned by the Government of India; in 1874 he was given temporary employment by the Church Commissioners; in 1876 he was placed on their permanent Staff, and has remained on the Staff through the changes which constituted the Land Commission. Upon each occasion of his services being dispensed with, it was on account of reduction of Staff, or because the work for which he was employed was finished. I cannot state the names of all the persons who may have recommended him for public employment during his long and multifarious services; but I can say that he was recommended by the Heads of the Public 1043 Works and Valuation. Departments in which he had been engaged.