§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state if the construction of the Ballyroney and Newcastle (county Down) Railway has yet been commenced; and, if not, when the work of construction is likely to be entered upon by the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland and the Belfast and County Down Railway Company respectively.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) It is understood that neither of the two companies mentioned in the Question has commenced the construction of the line. The Commissioners of Public Works learn from the arbitrator, who was appointed by them under statute, that progress with the award in respect to the lands proposed to be taken by the Great Northern Company has been stayed at the request of that company, in order to enable it to negotiate with regard to some of the lands. The draft award in the case of the lands proposed to be taken by the Belfast and County Down Railway Company has been forwarded to the company's solicitors by the arbitrator for some information necessary for its completion. The statutory period for completion of the line extends to 30th July, 1905.