§ MR. HEALY (Louth, N.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what sum has the Board of Works spent on extra labour, and how many extra workmen have been employed, since the devastation of the Phoenix Park by storm; what provision has been made for the removal of the 3,000 fallen trees which encumber the park; why was no effort made to save some of the younger trees by uprighting and trimming them; who will consider the question of the refurnishing of the park with trees and shrubs; why only young trees of the cheapest and commonest variety were planted two years ago, and why no effort was made to obtain ornamenta
† See page 1257.
1441 trees and shrubs such as are planted in the London Royal Parks, although a list of these was supplied to the Irish Board of Works; and whether the Treasury will give instructions that estimates should be obtained from expert land-scape gardeners and nurserymen with a view to the future laying out of the Park on a proper scale.
(Answered by Mr. Hayes Fisher.) By the kind permission of the Colonel of the 21st Lancers, about 400 men of that regiment were occupied for two days in clearing the road behind the Viceregal Demesne, in order to enable the regiment to use that road in passing to and from the park. In addition to these, twenty extra men have been employed and £40 expended on extra labour; fifty-four of the permanent labourers of the park have also been employed in clearing fallen trees from roads, park gardens, and other places where their removal was urgently required, at a cost of about £125. Advertisements were inserted in the public Press inviting offers from timber merchants and contractors for removing the timber. Only one offer was received, and, as the price was inadequate and the time required excessive, the offer was declined. The Board have now decided to employ a number of extra labourers' and deal with the matter themselves. Owing to the universal destruction of trees throughout Ireland, the consequent glut in the timber market, and the difficulty of procuring export woodcutters, there will be some delay in getting the park entirely cleared. In almost all cases the extra labourers have to be taught the art of woodcutting and sawing. There are no trees now encumbering the park in the sense of blocking the roads and pathways. There are no young trees blown down in the open park that are capable of being uprighted with any hope of success. A few small trees in the park gardens have been so treated. I presume that the trees planted two years ago, to which the hon. Member refers, are the avenue of sycamore trees planted on each side of the road west of the Wellington Memorial. These trees were planted in pursuance of a general scheme drawn up some years ago, and I am informed that, having regard to the soil and surroundings, they are quite suitable for the position. Some hundreds of new, rare, and ornamental trees and 1442 shrubs have been planted in the park gardens and in the vicinity during the last two years. Almost all the trees and shrubs mentioned on the list supplied from the London Royal Parks, which are suitable for the exposure and soil conditions of the Phoenix Park, are already represented there. There are also, in addition, many varieties of trees and shrubs in the Pluenix Park which are not named on that list. The Phoenix Park differs in many ways from the London parks, and it must not be assumed that the treatment which suits one will suit the other. I will consider whether, in arranging for the future planting of the Phienix Park, the Board of Works should not be allowed to obtain the assistance of experts, whether professional or amateur. If this were done, it might be possible to lay down a general scheme which could be gradually carried out in future years.