ROADS AND BRIDGES (IRELAND)—THE TOUR SLATE QUARRIES—BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER SUIR. (Hansard, 27 July 1885)

§ MR. MARUM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the collapse of the workings of the Tour Slate Quarries, as described by Mr. P. Morrissy, of Carrick on Suir, in The Munster Express, as follows:— Some few years ago a gentleman, a native of Wales, bought the interest in a plot of land from Count de la Poor, situated on that part of his property called Tour, within two miles from Kilsheelan, and five from Carrick on Suir. His object was to open a slate quarry, which his long experience as engineer and manager of several works of this kind both in Europe and America enabled him to foresee that it should be a decided success. He imported machinery and implements at great cost and inconvenience, engaged twenty-five men at from 12s. to 18s. per week, and for two or three months the good work went on, every day adding more and more to the enthusiasm of the spirited explorer. A stream runs close by the quarry, which, in order to admit cars to the bye road leading to the public thoroughfare between Clonmel and Carrick on Suir, it would be necessary to build a bridge over. When the necessity arose, Mr. Thomas Williams, the proprietor of the works, went to the Count de la Poor for advice and co-operation, and was curtly informed that he would neither allow the bridge to be constructed nor the road to be used. All machinery, implements, &c. were packed into the dwelling-house, where they still remain; and, whether the Government will advise the Board of Public Works in Ireland to send one of the Land Improvement Inspectors to this slate quarry of Tour, to make a report thereon, in order to place an authoritative statement before Count de la Poer, so as to induce him to reconsider his determination, and, further, to lay grounds for an application before the forthcoming Presentment Sessions to construct a bridge on the spot desired?