§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been drawn to the report of an inquiry held at Manor Hamilton regarding the conduct of Allan Nixon, one of the rate collectors for that Union; whether, under the facts proved, namely, that the said Nixon did, on 847 several occasions, take legal proceedings against persons who had already paid their rates, and, at least in one case, was forced by legal proceedings to refund money he had received in excess of what was due; also that he threatened electors if they voted for a particular candidate at an election of Poor Law Guardians against his wish, he will consider whether Nixon should not be dismissed from his position as Poor Rate Collector; and, whether he proposes to make any inquiry into the matter?
§ MR. TREVELYANI find that an inquiry was held by one of the Local Government Board Inspectors into the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, and it was apparent that Mr. Nixon had committed some serious mistakes in the steps taken by him to enforce the collection of the rates, and that he had solicited votes for one of the candidates at the election of Guardians; but it did not appear that he was guilty of any attempt at fraud. Mr. Nixon had been a meritorious officer of about 32 years' service; and, under the circumstances, the Local Government Board considered it sufficient to caution him to be more accurate and careful in the discharge of his duty in future, and they pointed out to him that no paid officer of the Union could be permitted to interfere with the election of Guardians beyond the exercise of his right, if a ratepayer, to vote or nominate. The subject also came before a large meeting of the Guardians convened to consider a notice of motion given by one of their body adverse to the retention of Mr. Nixon's services as a collector; but by a majority of 13 to 4 the Guardians passed a resolution declining to consider the motion. I do not propose to take any further action in the matter.