§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why, after the decision of the Local Government Board in May, that two of the guardians who voted for the present chairman of Clifden Union were disqualified, they allow the chairman to retain the position, seeing that he was only elected by a majority of one vote; and, is it the fact that, in the case of three other guardians, whose qualification was also disputed, the Local Government Board refused to grant an inquiry, unless documentary evidence was forwarded them, when it is alleged the facts to be proved only admit of oral evidence which on the spot is abundantly obtainable?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSection 30 of the Irish Poor Relief Act provides that no defect in the qualification of any person acting as a Guardian at a Board of Guardians shall vitiate any proceedings in which he may have taken part. Therefore, the subsequent removal of two Guardian's from the Board did not affect the validity of the election of Chairman. With regard to the three Guardians referred to in the second paragraph of the Question, the objection made was on the ground of alleged non-occupancy of the premises or holdings in respect of which they derived their qualifications. The Local Government Board consider the explanation of the Returning Officer on this head to be satisfactory. They have communicated that explanation to the objector, and informed him that he should sustain his objection by some documentary evidence. The Board consider that objection on the ground stated should admit of such proof, and they cannot, on the unsupported allegation of an objector, institute a local inquiry without some primâ, facie evidence to show that there are reasonable grounds for the objection.