§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that when a loan of money was required to improve the harbour of Wicklow, the loan was granted on condition that the baronies of Arklow, North Ballinacor, South Ballinacor, and Newcastle should join in a guarantee to secure repayment of the loan; and that, in consideration of this guarantee, the aforenamed baronies were given a representation on the Wicklow Harbour Board of eight members; and will he explain on what grounds that representation has been reduced from eight to two members.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe baronies liable for repayment of the loan due in respect of the improvement of Wicklow Harbour are five in number, namely, the four mentioned in the question and the barony of Shillelagh, is not mentioned, and these five baronies had formerly ten representatives on the Harbour Board. By virtue of the Local Government Act of last year, the representation of the five baronies was transferred to the three rural districts of Rathdrum, Shillelagh, and Baltinglass No. 1, which comprise the guaranteeing baronies. Under the adaptations contained in Articles 3 and 44 of the Adaptation of Enactments Order of 30th January, 1899, made under Section 105 of the Act, the number of representatives from each district council became two. Hence the baronies will, in future, have six representatives on the Harbour Board instead of ten as previously.