§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Grand Jury of the County of Cork have again refused to take over Ballycotton Pier from the Irish Board of Works; whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of Mr. Kirkby, M.A., C.E., that he found all the defects previously complained of more damaging to the structure, and that the pier was in a much worse condition, there being a distinct and appreciable settlement in the pier head, and the filling of the interior of the pier was also settling down and being washed away; and to the statement of General Thackwell, that he had also visited the pier and found it to be in a most unsatisfactory condition; and whether any steps will be taken during the coming season to remedy the defects and prevent further damage to the pier in question?
§ *THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.I have not seen the Report of the County Surveyor, or heard of any action of the Grand Jury. I am informed that the 158 pier was examined by the Board of Works' District Engineer on the 22nd of January last. He reported that on a comparison of the levels at several well-defined points he could find no difference since they were measured in 1888, nor in the batter of the walls. With the exception of differences in a few points, which are of no structural importance, the pier and breakwater were in a complete state of preservation. No repairs whatever have either been made or required since the transfer to the county on the 31st January, 1888.
§ DR. TANNERAm I to understand that the hon. Gentleman has not heard that the Grand Jury has refused, for the fifth time, to take this pier over?
§ *MR. JACKSONI had not heard, until the hon. Member's question appeared upon the Paper, that any further action had been taken by the Grand Jury. As I have said, careful measures have been taken from time to time, and I believe that there has been no change in the condition of the pier.
§ DR. TANNERIf the Grand Jury persist in their refusal to take the pier over will the Treasury endeavour to get the defects complained of remedied?
§ *MR. JACKSONEither last year or the year before I told the hon. Member, in answer to a question, that the pier had been handed over in consequence of the Act, and it is not in the power of the Treasury or the Board of Works to interfere.