§ CAPTAIN M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the following rivers in the county Cork have lately been systematically poisoned, viz. the Lee, the Sullane, and the Bandon, and large quantities of young as well as full grown salmon thereby destroyed, as 1527 many as 80 having been destroyed in one hole on the Lee on the 11th instant; whether these poisoned fish have passed through the hands of two men in Macroom, named Daniel Lucy and Richardson, the latter being station master of the Cork and Macroom Railway, and been disposed of by them in the Cork Market for despatch to England and elsewhere; whether any arrests have been made; and, whether any steps can be taken to prevent men dealing in poisoned fish?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)From inquiries made, it would appear that the Rivers Lee and Sullane were recently twice poisoned. Forty-five fish were known to be destroyed, sold to buyers in Macroom, and sent to Cork Market. No poisoning took place on the 11th instant. The Bandon was poisoned on the 9th instant, but the poisoned fish were not sold in Cork. The law provides a penalty of £10 for any person found near a river with deleterious matter in his possession for the destruction of fish, and £5 for any person found taking poisoned fish from any river. It it is the duty of the bailiffs employed by the Conservators to enforce the law.