§ MR. FIELDTo ask the chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Clyde Shipping Company"s Steamer "Garmoyle" went aground at Ballyquinton point, county Down, some months since, and that a lighthouse erected by the Irish Lights Board many years ago has never been lighted, although standing within a mile of the place of the "Garmoyle"s" stranding; and, if so, whether, in view of the dissatisfaction existing respecting the administration of the Irish Lights Board and the non-representative character of its composition, he will introduce a Bill to reform and reconstitute it.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) As I have stated on previous occasions, the Commissioners of Irish Lights do not consider the lighting of Rock Angus advisable unless made in conjunction with an extensive system of lights to guide vessels up Strangford Lough to the anchorages of Audley and Cross Roads. Such a system of lighting would be solely for the benefit of local trade, and the Commissoners are of opinion that it should not be carried into effect at the expense of the general lighthouse fund. As to the "Garmoyle," I am informed that the Court of inquiry which investigated the casualty found that the stranding of the vessel was caused by the courses steered from the Codling Light Vessel for the South Rock Light Vessel not being made good, and by failure to use the lead. I have no evidence before me to show that a light on Rock Angus would have saved the vessel. I do not propose to introduce 763 a Bill dealing with the Irish Lights Board.