§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Limerick Board of Conservators permit their head water bailiffs to distribute rod and net licences along 1095 the River Shannon, to the neglect of their other duties, although the Board pay a considerable sum yearly to a chief distributor of licences for performing that duty; if so, will the practice be discontinued, and an order made for the head bailiffs to devote all their time to the watching of the main river and its tributaries; and whether he is also aware that the Board at Limerick had neglected to collect a sum of £80 net licence duty on the lower Shannon last season; and, if so, will the Irish Fishery Inspectors be instructed to surcharge the Conservators with the amount?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Inspectors of Fisheries inform me that they have no knowledge of the arrangements that may be made by the Limerick Board of Conservators for the distribution of rod and net licences, or for the performance of their duties by water bailiffs. The Inspectors have no power to interfere in these matters, or to surcharge the Conservators as suggested.