HC Deb 20 April 1885 vol 297 cc138-9
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is he aware that, at the recent election of Poor Law Guardians for the Killeshandra Division of Cavan Union, the voting papers of Captain Beresford for said division were collected and given in to the returning officer with the name of Captain Beresford written thereon, he being in London at the time, and could not possibly have signed the voting paper in person; is he aware that the said voting papers, after being left by the police at the residence of Captain Beresford, were taken away by a young gentleman lately appointed to the Commission of the Peace, and sent back in time for the constabulary collector with the name of Captain Beresford inscribed thereon; whether the action of the Justice of the Peace is justifiable in Law; and, are the said voting papers still in the hands of the returning officer of the Cavan Union?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Returning Officer rejected two voting papers issued to Captain Beresford, as he was of opinion that the signatures to them were not genuine. He has no knowledge of what occurred between the issue of the papers and their return to him after collection; but if the name of the gentleman who is accused of taking them away is furnished further inquiry on the subject can be made. The papers are in the hands of the Clerk of the Union.