§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for months past the supply of water in the Royal Canal has not exceeded a depth of four and a half feet, and that in consequence of an injury to the outer gates of Spencer Dock, caused by the pressure of the keel of a heavy ship on it, there is a leakage from the dock into the Liffey which necessitates constant racking off of water from the canal source to keep up the supply in the dock; whether complaints have been made by Mr. Thomas Fee, Mr. John Kelly, and other boat owners on the canal of the choked-up condition of the canal in consequence of the want of proper attention as to cleaning and weeding; and will he direct the attention of the Commissioners of Works to these complaints with a view to having the matters complained of remedied?
§ MR. RITCHIEYes, Sir; the Board have received complaints of the nature referred to, and, as the Commissioners of Public Works act under the Treasury and not the Board of Trade, I have forwarded the representation to that Department to be dealt with.