§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a Memorial was forwarded, on, the 18th January 1889, to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, signed by Mr. De la Cherois, D.L., J.P., the Lord of the Manor, and by 103 other persons, representing that the present state of the Harbour of Donaghadee, County Down, rendered it dangerous to vessels entering it; whether he is aware that last winter a vessel named the William Bell was wrecked inside the harbour by being driven on a bank of silt and stones in the centre of the harbour; and, whether, as this is the only harbour of refuge between Belfast Lough and Car-lingford Lough, a distance of nearly 50 miles, the Government will endeavour to have it made a safe place of refuge for vessels by promoting such works, by dredging or otherwise, as will in the interest of the public render it available for vessels to enter and leave safely?
§ MR. JACKSONI am informed that, the harbour is not in a dangerous state.
§ In reply to further questions by Mr. Johnston and Mr. FLYNN (Cork, N.),
§ MR. JACKSONsaid: I have answered the question on the Paper. If any further information is desired notice must be given. As far as my information goes, the harbour is not in the dangerous state which has been represented.
§ MR. FLYNNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a Memorial has been sent by the inhabitants asking for an inspec- 1713 tion of the harbour on account of its dangerous state?
§ MR. JOHNSTONAnd is it not the fact that the William Bell was wrecked inside the harbour last winter?
§ MR. JACKSONI have heard something about a ship having been wrecked in the harbour, but I believe that the wreck had nothing to do with the condition of the harbour. If the hon. Member is anxious for further inquiries, I have no objection to make them.