MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a communication from Mr. Patrick Ward, of Burtonport, in the "Derry Journal" of July 13th, describing the destitution in the parish of Lower Templecrona, county Donegal, as so widespread that, in the distribution of 325 dollars of American charity confided to him, he was obliged to give orders for meal secretly to tbese nearest to starvation in order not to rouse the hunger of hundreds of other destitute persons to whom he had nothing to give; whether his attention has nothing; called to Mr. Ward's statement that—
Notwithstanding every precaution I took to prevent the destitute, for whom there was nothing, from disappointment and fatigue in running after me looking for relief, my house was literally besieged the next morning by four o'clook, principally by widows and wives whose husbands had gone to Scotland a few days before" (in search of employment);whether he is aware that the "Derry Journal" adds—We have within our own knowledge one well-authenticated case of a poor woman feeding her starvelings for two days on beiled nettles, other food not being procurable;what amount of outdoor relief (if any) has been administered by the poor law authorities to the 400 families in this parish, whom the "Derry Journal "describes as—Eking out a miserable subsistence by the aid of charity since Christmas last;and, whether, in view of the repeated impeachments of the official representations with respect to the distress in Donegal, he will direct an independent inquiry to be held into the character and treatment of the distress?
§ MR. TREVELYANI have received Reports which leave no doubt that, although the parish referred to is a very poor one, these statements are greatly exaggerated. Most of the men of the parish have sought work elsewhere, and are earning wages. Some charitable relief was given by the priest; but there never was any appeal to the public, except for seed. Mr. Ward obtained some money from America, and distributed it in meal, and the Inspector of the Local Government Board states that he is quite sure that any distribution would bring applicants. He has heard of no authentic case of nettle-eating. Within the last three or four days he has been in conversation with those most likely to be well informed—the Medical and Relieving Officers, Poor Law Guardians resident in, or having business premises in, the parish, and the parish priest—and none of them now feel uneasy about the people. The out-door relief given in the parish is at about the rate of £2 5s. a-week. I see no sufficient reason to order any special inquiry.