§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether petitions have been received from inhabitants of the town of Albany, Western Australia, praying that the present and prospective right of access to the foreshore of the harbour may be preserved to them as against threatened encroachments of a railway in course of construction by the Western Australian Land Company; and whether effectual measures have been, or will be taken, to prevent the Company acquiring a monopoly of access to the foreshore of the harbour, and thereby depriving the inhabitants of public rights of high value in the future?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron HENRY DE WORMS, Liverpool, Toxteth)Two Petitions on this subject have been received and are being carefully considered. I am unable to state what instructions the Secretary of State will be 211 able to give in the matter; but, as at present anticipated, it will be possible to secure to the inhabitants all reasonable facilities under conditions fair to the Company.