§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether he will lay upon the Table a Copy of a resolution passed by the Clifden Board of Guardians, in the barony of Ballanahinch, on the 5th ultimo, and forwarded to the Local Government Board, to the effect that the cultivators in the union are overwhelmed with debt, and cannot be accepted as security for seed potatoes, and that the rates are so alarmingly high and the union so poor that extraordinary out-door relief would overwhelm 304 the union with ruin; whether it is true that the potatoes ordered would not give more than a few pounds weight to each man; and, under these circumstances, to inquire whether the Government intend to endeavour to avert still greater destitution next year in this impoverished locality by taking other means of furnishing the people with seed and manure?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI cannot find that the Guardians of Clifden Union passed any resolution to this effect on the 5th ult., but I find that on the 25th they did pass a resolution, in the course of which they state their opinion that the deficiency in the seeds supply of the Union ought to be filled up by the Government, and that public works should be commenced in the district at the expense of Parliament, in order to give employment for labour. It is not necessary for me to say that the Local Government Board has done what it could in this matter. I find, however, that yesterday the board re-considered the resolution with regard to the seeds required. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I may say there is no intention whatever on the part of the Government to supply manure.
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYWill the right hon. Gentleman tell me how much seed has been ordered by the Board of Guardians?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI only learned by telegram to-day that at a meeting held yesterday the Board of Guardians consented to order an amount of oats and potatoes sufficient. Therefore, l cannot answer the Question.