§ MR. McCARTANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury—(1) whether he is aware that the pier at Newcastle, County Down, is a wreck, and the harbour most dangerous to the fishermen following their calling there; and (2) whether, considering the faulty construction of the harbour works by the Board of Works at the commencement, and the tax imposed upon the people of the neighbourhood without giving them any voice in the expenditure, and also the serious danger to which the fishermen are now exposed, he will consider the desirability of sending an independent engineer to report what, if anything, can be done to remedy this state of affairs?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir JOHN HIBBERT,) OldhamThe state of Newcastle Pier is as described in the first paragraph of this question. The pier is vested in the County Authorities, and its ruin is due, not to faulty construction, but to their neglect to make timely repairs. If the Grand Jury is prepared to present for the amount required, the Government 913 on their side would be willing to assist by making a loan repayable in a term of years, and the Engineer of the Board of Works would make the necessary report and estimate, under the provisions of the Act 16, 17 Vict., cap. 136.