§ MR. MICHAEL AUSTINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain why, contrary to the custom heretofore acted on, the wages due to the lock-keepers on the Limerick Canal and Shannon Service are not paid on the 2nd or 3rd of each month; is he aware that in some cases at present arrears of two months' pay occurs before one month's service is paid, although receipts for payment must be given in advance; and whether he will direct regular monthly discharge of wages to be made in future?
§ MR. HANBURYThe collectors on the Shannon Navigation retain their salaries out of the rents, tolls, and other monthly receipts in their hands, as far as the sum collected will cover them. About 4–7ths of the amount of the salaries is so retained. The receipts for their salaries are forwarded with their monthly accounts, and if, in any case, the collection has not been sufficient to pay the salary, the balance is forwarded to them. The Board of Works have been unable to find any instance in which arrears of two months' pay have accrued before the payment of one month's service is paid. 1595 Recently there has been remissness on the part of some collectors who delayed their accounts, and this has had the effect of deferring payment. The delay in furnishing the accounts is being made the subject of investigation, which it is hoped will lead to punctuality on the part of the collectors, and the consequent payment to them of balances of salary without delay.