150 PUBLIC WORKS. 



The expenditure under these different heads is detailed 

 in the 17th Report of the Commissioners, where the 

 objects of the several items are explained. 



The " Roads and Bridges" include the construction 

 and maintenance of 1046 miles of roads now available 

 for public traffic through poor and uncultivated districts. 



The "Public Buildings" include the charge and 

 erection of Government buildings in and near Dublin ; 

 Dublin General Prison for Convicts ; Central Criminal 

 Lunatic Asylum ; Queen's Colleges ; Maynooth Col- 

 lege ; Lunatic Asylums ; Customs buildings ; Constabu- 

 lary buildings. 



" Piers and Harbours." The applications received by 

 the commissioners for aid towards the construction of 

 these, have been 134 in number. Grants have been 

 sanctioned towards 45. 



Dkainage. Under this head most important in- 

 formation is given as to the execution and progress of 

 the arterial drainage of Ireland. From the flatness of 

 a great portion of the interior of that country, an im- 

 mense extent of the low-lying lands were annually sub- 

 ject to floods, which rendered all individual attempts at 

 improvement impossible. To this natural difficulty was 

 added the artificial obstructions made by unsuitable 

 bridges and their approaches, encroaching upon the 

 water-way of rivers and streams. These injudicious 

 erections reduced the natural scouring power of the 

 rivers, and gradually led to the formation of shoals and 

 deposits ; while every addition to reclamation, improved 

 drainage, and cultivation of the higher districts, brought 



