§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Limerick Board of Conservators have, within the past month, discharged the water bailiffs at all the principal spawning stations on the River Shannon; thereby leaving that valuable river at the mercy of the poachers, at this critical season, when the spawning fish require the most careful attention; and, if so, what steps will be taken for their preservation; whether, at the January Quarter Sessions, held at Kil- 164 rush, County Clare, the County Court Judge, Mr. Charles Kelly, Q.C., confirmed the decision of the Knock Bench of Magistrates, in the infliction of fines, amounting to £80, on one Mr. Simon M'Cauliff, a member of the Board of Conservators, and an extensive net proprietor on the Lower Shannon, the fines being imposed on him for eight specific breaches of the Fishery Laws in the month of June previous; and, whether the Government will take any steps in the matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The Inspectors of Fisheries have received no Report from the Limerick Board of Conservators as to the dismissal of the bailiffs over the principal spawning station of the River Shannon. The Inspectors, however, have made inquiries, and were informed by the Conservators that the bailiffs had been discharged for economy sake, and the Conservators thought it a good thing to do, as the spawning season is now on. In any case, the Inspectors have no control over the expenditure of the funds of the Conservators.