§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Secretary to the Treasury the annual expenditure necessary for the maintenance of the Delvin River as estimated by the engineer of the Board of Works after its original sinking; what sum was apportioned on what was then the Alexander estate; what was the amount of the last annual levy made by the existing Board; and what part of it was sought to be collected from the new owners who now occupy what was originally the Alexander estate?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answers to the several questions asked are: (1) No such estimate was made; (2) this part of the question does not therefore arise; (3) £100; (4) approximately £52 18s.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state by what authority it was sought in the name of the Garristown and Delvin Drainage District Board to collect maintenance rate from sixty new owners of land on what was once the Alexander estate; how many members were present at the board meeting that struck the rate; what arrears, if any, were due by other owners at that date; whether he will state what was the 1810W annual estimate fixed for maintenance by the engineer of the Board of Works after the original sinking of the river was effected; and what is the statutory qualification necessary for membership of the hoard; and whether the Statute provides any penalty for non-qualified members of the Board?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answers to the several questions asked are as follows: (1) Under the authority of a certificate made by the Commissioners of Public Works under the provisions of the Drainage and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Act, 1892; (2) three; (3) £51 6s. 6d.; (4) no such estimate was made; (5) a member must be the proprietor of not less than 20 acres, or the agent of a proprietor of not less than 100 acres, in the district; (6) any unqualified person acting as a member incurs a penalty not exceeding £50.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Secretary to the Treasury the name of the president of the Garristown and Delvin District Drainage Board; the date of his election; whether the statutory obligation to convene the meeting at which he was elected by notification to the various owners, including an advertisement in a local newspaper, was complied with; how many of the owners of lands contributory to the annual drainage charge were present; whether the new owners, who have become responsible for drainage rate in consequence of the operation of the Land Purchase Acts on the Alexander estate, were afforded an opportunity of electing a representative on the Board; if not, whether the president will take the necessary steps to give them adequate representation before attempting to enforce any drainage charges upon their lands; and whether an inspection of the annual audited balance sheet is available at the Office of Commissioners of Public Works, Dublin?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answers to the several questions asked are as follows: (1) Lord Langford; (2) 11th September, 1913; (3) the Schedule to the Act 26 and 27 Vic., cap. 88, provides that the Drainage Board shall, at their first meeting, elect a chairman; there is no statutory obligation to advertise the date of the meetings of the Drainage Board or to send notifications thereof to the various owners; (4) three; (5 and 6) the Board are now advised that the new owners are not liable 1811W to pay the rate struck on the last assess-men made at a board meeting held on the 27th April, but as soon as they become liable the chairman will give them every facility for obtaining representation on the Drainage Board; (7) no.