§ MR. W. ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the fishermen on the Shannon above the Great Lax weir, at Limerick, allege that certain structural changes have been made in the weir, and particularly in the Queen's Gap, by the Shannon Fishing Company, whereby free passage of fish is prevented, and the means of living of a number of fishermen seriously affected; and, if he will direct the Fishery Inspectors to hold an inquiry into this matter with the least possible delay?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)The allegation mentioned in this Question was the subject of judicial investigation before the magistrates at Limerick, and a fine was imposed on the owner of the weir; but the decision was reversed on appeal. The Inspectors of Fisheries inform me that, according to the decision of the Court in the case of "The Duke of Devonshire v. Foot," they have no jurisdiction in such matters, and could not, therefore, hold an inquiry with any advantage. That decision, was to the effect that no order which the Inspectors might make could deprive magistrates of the power of hearing and determining complaints of this nature.
§ In reply to Mr. Cox (Clare, E.),
MR. JOHN MORLEYsaid, as this was a matter which had been dealt with 763 by the Land Courts, he doubted whether any advantage would accrue from a Government inquiry; but he would make further inquiries on the subject.