§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is a fact that the Royal Harbour of Howth has not been dredged for nearly twenty years; whether the offal of the last dredging has turned into a sandbank, dangerous to life and property; and, whether, in consequence of the length of time that has elapsed since the last dredging, as well as because of the effect of the fashionable promenade called a pier, in helping the collection of stones and sand at the mouth of the harbour, the water there has become so shallow that boats have to remain for four hours at low tide before they can either enter or leave the harbour; and, if so, what steps the Board of Trade proposes to take towards rendering the principal fishing station on the East Coast of Ireland suitable for its purpose?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.)(who replied) said: The Royal Harbour at Howth, which is under the control of the Commissioners of Public Works of Ireland, and not the Board of Trade, has not been dredged for nearly 20 years. Like all similarly situated harbours, it has a tendency to silt. The sea rises 10 feet in four hours, and fishing boats of ordinary draught enter the harbour in much less than that time. It is not considered desirable to spend any money on the harbour on account of the great decrease of the herring fishery, for the convenience of which the harbour practically exists. I regret to say that for some years the herring has deserted the East Coast, and Howth in particular. As an instance I might mention that some 10 years ago there 627 were caught in one day as many herrings as were taken during the whole of last year.