§ MR. CROMBIEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the beacon locally known as Rashy Knapp, between Scurvyness lighthouse and Usan village, which has long been used as a landmark by the fishermen, both in guiding them through the channel of the Montrose River and avoiding the dangerous Craig Rock, has recently been removed; and whether he will see to its being replaced?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonI have communicated with the Montrose 745 Harbour Trustees, and am informed that the beacon known as Rashy Knapp stood in the middle of a field, and was removed on account of its interfering with agricultural operations by the proprietors, who were not aware that they would thereby cause any inconvenience to navigation. Neither the Board of Trade nor the Harbour Trustees have any power to compel the re-erection of the beacon on private property, but I trust there will be no unnecessary difficulty in making arrangements for the placing of a suitable mark at or near the former site.