§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been directed to the investigation held into the election of a Poor Law Guardian for the Killiskey Electoral Division of Rathdrum Union, as set forth in Parliamentary Paper, No. 17, of the present Session; whether he has observed that 47 invalid votes were put in by an ex-officio Guardian on behalf of a certain candidate, and received by the returning officer, the clerk of the Union; and, whether, as President of the Local Government Board in Ireland, he has taken or will take any steps to signify his sense of the conduct of these parties on the occasion?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the circumstances are not quite correctly stated in this Question. It does not appear to be the case that 47 invalid votes were put in by an ex-officio Guardian; but 47 votes were erroneously recorded by the Returning Officer, as will be seen by a reference to page 32 of the Parliamentary Paper referred to. It will also be seen that in consequence of this error the Local Government Board, so long ago as August last, cautioned the Returning Officer to be more careful and correct in the discharge of his duties. The Board believed that he acted through ignorance, and not with any intention to do wrong; and there does not appear to be any necessity for taking further notice of the matter, which has long since been disposed of.
MR. O'BRIENMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the facts in this case are not an additional illustration of the ignorance of Returning Officers as to any uniform rule by which only 18 votes can be given by one ratepayer?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe subject will be carefully watched.
§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that MR. Michael Fleming nominated MR. James Carroll as candidate for the office of Poor Law Guardian at the late election, Shillelagh Union, in opposition to MR. James Hopkins; whether the nomination was refused, and no voting papers issued by 1134 the clerk of the union, MR. Benjamin Hopkins, who is the returning officer; whether he is aware that the latter is a near relative of MR. James Hopkins, the sitting guardian; whether MR. Fleming is not a properly qualified elector of the county Wicklow, and on the register of voters; and, whether, as in the Killiskey case, he will order a sworn inquiry into the bona fides of the transaction for the satisfaction of the ratepayers of the district?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, nominations were made as stated. The Returning Officer, Mr. Benjamin Hopkins, refused to accept the nomination of Mr. Carroll on the ground that his nominator, Mr. Fleming, was not a ratepayer. The Returning Officer states that he is not related to Mr. James Hopkins, the sitting Guardian. Mr. Fleming's name is on the Register of Voters; but whether or not he is a properly qualified elector does not appear to be yet certain. The Local Government Board are in communication with him on the subject; and if he can adduce any evidence to show that he is a ratepayer and paid a portion of the rates on the holding which he occupies they will take such further action in the matter as may appear necessary.