§ MR. D. KILBRIDE (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade—(1) whether he is aware that, on the Tuam and Claremorris Railway, there is a public level crossing about half a mile from Milltown Station, and no person in charge, although, according to the Government Arbitrator's award, the Waterford and Limerick Railway 787 Company was bound to erect a caretaker's cottage, which they have failed to carry out, and that an old man narrowly escaped being cut down there, and several sheep were killed there on another occasion; (2) whether he is aware that the only means adopted by the Company to preserve life and property there is, that the stationmaster at Milltown, being provided with a telescope, covers the crossing before a train leaves, and if he spies cattle on the line he warns the driver; when the latter comes up to the animals he comes off the engine and drives them off; and, (3) whether the Company will be compelled to adopt adequate means to prevent accident in the future, and save the public from serious danger?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe hon. Member's question is not very precise, but I have communicated with the Waterford and Limerick, and the Athenry and Tuam Companies. They both state that the crossing which they believe to be in question is merely an ordinary accommodation crossing, and the Athenry Company add that the adjacent occupiers refused to accept keys for the gates. The Companies deny all knowledge of the circumstances referred to in the latter part of the first, and in the second paragraphs of the question. I shall be happy to show the hon. Member the replies, and if he will let me know what crossing he refers to, and let me have any other information in regard to it, I shall be glad to cause further inquiry to be made.