§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can explain the delay in the redemption of the Treasury Guarantee in the case of the Tralee and Dingle Railway; and if he can give any information as to when the scheme, now two years in hand, will be carried through?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Treasury consent to redemption of the guarantee was given on the 2nd of March, 1896, and it then only remained for the company to obtain the Order in Council prescribed by the Act—a process which has occupied them for upwards of two years. The company presented their memorial to the Lord Lieutenant in August, 1896, together with a draft of the proposed Order in Council, which recited that the reduction of their capital had been sanctioned by an order of the Chancery Division of the High Court. Owing to imperfections in the draft order, which had to be cleared up by the aid of the company, its terms were not finally settled until May, 1897. It then appeared that the company had not in fact obtained the preliminary order of the Chancery Division, and they did not do so until the 9th of May in the present year. Proofs of that order having been made and registered were furnished on the 23rd ultimo, and the Order in Council was ready to be signed by the Privy Council at a meeting this week. But I understand that at the last moment a resolution has been received from the grand jury seeking an alteration of the Order, which is likely to involve further delay. As soon as the Order in Council issues, the Board of Works will apply to the National Debt Commissioners for the redemption money to be handed over. I do not see that the parties locally concerned have anyone but themselves to blame for the delay which has occurred.