The system of promoting the inland navigation, and other public works, by grants of public money, was continued for many years by the Irish Parliament, and has been the leading principle on which they have been undertaken.
In 1767, the system of management was in some measure changed; for, in appropriating 6000/. towards improving the Lower Shannon, it was only granted un der condition of 10,000/. being subscribed by the com pany, and 20 per cent. of that paid. An act of Geo. III. incorporated the Limerick Company, which still exists. William Chapman was their engineer. These works, by the aid of the directors general, are completed ; but little benefit has been derived from them.
On renewing, in 1771, the duties appropriated to the purposes of inland navigation, for seven years, it is stat ed; 11 St 12 Geo. II. c. 4. sect. 3. that " Whereas the method of carrying on inland navigation altogether at the expense of the public, may be found, in many instances, inconvenient, and attended with great delay ; and the im provement of the kingdom may be much promoted, if private subscribers could be found, who would carry on such works at their own expense, and it would be rea sonable to give such subscribers encouragement so to do." The corporation are empowered to transfer the property to such a company, and to advance one sixth part of the expense for completion, out of the duties afore said, the new company paying the other five-sixths. These tillage duties amounted, at this time, to 8500/. per annum, and Parliament voted 1000/. more. The corporation were also empowered to build a lock across the Shannon, at Limerick, and levy a tonnage upon ships for its support.
The 11 S.: 12 Geo. III. c. 31. empowers certain per sons to complete the Grand Canal, tn make cuts to towns and rivers, and vests in them the works already made, but requires of them to subscribe 60 000/. with any ne cessary additions, not exceeding 150 000/ and empowers them to levy a tonnage duty of 4d. pt.r mile, and 2d. per lock. By the 17 18 Geo. III. c. 29. two-thirds of the bounty on corn, brought by inland carriage to Dublin, was givrti to that brought partly by canals. This boun ty somewhat exceeded the price of land carriage.
The corporation for inland navigation formed a body much too numerous for efficient operations, and the bu siness fell into a state which called loudly for reform.
On renewing their powers in 1798, it appeared they had overdrawn their funds to the extent of 20,139/. ; these pow ers were therefore restricted to paying the salaries and accidental breaches only, until all just debts were satis fied. Notwithstanding this, in 1784, their debts had in creased to 26,284/. By 27 Geo. HI. c. 30. the corpora tion was dissolved, and their debts provided for by de bentures at 4 per cent. The several navigations which h3d been undertaken by the corporation were vested in different bodies of local commissioners, viz. the Newry Navigation, the Boyne, the Barrow, the Shannon above Kilaloe, and the Tyrone colliery canal.
By the resolution of the House of Commons in Alay 1788, it appears that the Grand Canal was now com pleted to the river Barrow at Mortasterevan, and it was thought most adviseable to expend the navigation funds in the first place to the extent of 10,000/. on the improve ment of the Barrow and the Suir, and to employ engi neers to ascertain the best northern and southern lines from the Grand canal to the Shannon.
The Limerick Navigation Company not being able to complete their works, it was resolved to grant this and others in a similar situation to new companies of sub scribers, who might be willing to engage in them, on being furnished one-sixth part of the expense by the public ; and 7000/. a year were voted for the purposes of inland navigation.
In the same year, (1788,) local duties were applied for by Newry and Drogheda, for procuring 1000/. per annum towards their respective harbour channels. In this year, also, it appears that 241,285/. had been ex pended upon the Grand Canal, besides interest and trea sury warrants unpaid. They complain that the aid of one-sixth is too small for encouragement of canals in a country where mines and manufactures do not exist. In 1789, the House of Commons resolved to advance one-third of the expense of any new undertaking of this kind ; and as the tillage duties werc insufficient, autho rity was given to issue debentures, bearing interest at 4 per cent. to the extent of 200,000/. but not to exceed ;5,000/. in one year.