HC Deb 19 July 1904 vol 138 c426
MR. CHARLES DEVLIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the inspector who recently visited Galway Docks for the purpose of examining the lighting of the harbour made his examination during the day, or whether he examined the lights at night; and had he before him the complaints of captains and pilots.

I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the attention of the Board of Works was called by Mr. Burbidge to the defects of the wires used in connection with the lighting of Galway Docks; whether complaints have been made by captains and pilots of the defective lighting; and whether it was for these reasons that the tender of the gas company was accepted.

MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH

The inspector did not examine the lights in the harbour at night, as his purpose was to ascertain why the light occasionally failed, and whether the condition of the electric light works, the distribution of the current, and the guarantees of the company, gave reason to believe that the contract would be properly carried out. He inspected the works of the electric company at night The inspector had before him the complaints of Mr. Burbidge and the pilots. He had also before him a letter from a firm of shipowners trading to Galway stating that in the opinion of their agent at Galway the docks had never been better lighted. The only defect appears to be the occurrence of failures from time to time, and arrangements are being made which will, I am assured, prevent these in future.

MR. CHARLES DEVLIN

Did the inspector examine the lights at night?

MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH

He examined the works at night.

MR. CHARLES DEVLIN

Did he see the lights working?

MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH

Yes.