§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) is he aware that a presentment for the making of 755 perches of a new road at Cavancreevy, between Ballybay and Middletown, promoted and supported by a large number of farmers, was rejected at the Road Sessions held at Castleblayney on 11th May last, the cost to be £160; and that a presentment to repair the existing road where it leads through the townlands of Alkil, Drum-muck, Drumnahinsion, Groves Lower and Groves Upper, was also rejected, the cost to be £60; (2) is he aware that this road is dangerous and impassable in winter, and that it is impossible to get produce out to market over it till the late spring; and, (3) whether, seeing that the presentments in both these cases were signed by two justices of the peace, two medical doctors, one of whom is medical officer of the Monaghan Union and two clergymen, the Catholic Parish Priest and the Protestant Rector, he will use his authority to see that this road is repaired?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe facts appear to be stated with substantial accuracy, so I am informed, though I have no information regarding the statements in the second paragraph. With regard to the request at the end of the Question, the hon. Member must doubtless be aware that there is no power or authority resident in me to interfere in this matter, as the construction or repair of roads is vested by law in the Local Authorities. I may, however, point out that where two successive Presentment Sessions have refused to approve an application for a public work it is competent to the persons who made application for such work, under Section 18 of the Grand Jury Act of 1836, to present a Memorial to the Judge of Assize who is empowered to refer the matter to an ordinary jury, and, should their finding be favourable, to direct the Grand Jury to consider the presentment.