§ MR. W. J. CORBET (Wicklow, E.)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, What was the cost of repairing the damage to the Arklow Pier, caused by the giving way of the foundations during the progress of the works; what was the expenditure, beyond that originally contemplated, in strengthening the work to enable it to resist further damage by storms; have the Board of Works followed in any material way the recommendations of the engineers appointed by the Treasury to report upon the work, with a view to avert further disaster; and, is it a fact that a serious formation of silt has already formed at the entrance to the Harbour, near the end of the South Pier?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)The cost of repairing the damage caused by the giving way of the foundations of the Arklow Pier was £1,228 10s. The expenditure of the strengthening of the work has been £3,085. The Board of Works has followed in a material way the recommendations of the engineers; but at the unanimous request of the Town Commissioners and the Local Committee, who were appointed to watch the progress of the works, they did not carry out these recommendations fully. Some shoaling has taken place on the outer end of the pier, but the entrance to the 1774 harbour has been very materially improved, transhipment by lighters not being required, as heretofore. It is probable that still further improvements would be effected by the completion of the north groin.