§ LORD ARTHUR HILLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, On what grounds, and at whose instigation, the Local Government Board have set aside the election, by the Belfast Board of Guardians, of the Rev. S. M'Comb to the Presbyterian Chaplaincy at the workhouse, and appointed the Rev. M. Montgomery?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is not strictly accurate to describe the action of the Local Government Board in this matter as "setting aside the election by the Guardians." The Guardians have no power to elect, the appointment being vested by law solely in the Local Government Board. It is true that the Guardians passed a resolution in favour of the Rev. Mr. M'Comb; but the Local Government Board could not acquiesce in their views on the subject, and in selecting the Rev. Mr. Montgomery they arrived at their decision after a careful consideration of the claims, merits, and testimonials of the several candidates. I am told that at the Board of Guardians the Presbyterian feeling was decidedly in favour of Mr. Montgomery, though not unanimous. He was recommended by the Moderator of the General Assembly, and by the Moderator of the Belfast Presbytery, and he discharged the duties satisfactorily while acting as locum tenens during the illness of the late Presbyterian chaplain. His house is also close to the workhouse.