§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the case that, at a recent sworn investigation by the Local Government Board inspector into the conduct of the medical officer and infirmary nurse of the Old castle Union, county Meath, a Roman Catholic clergyman named Ward was permitted to be present and interfere in the proceedings; whether it is the case that the said clergyman holds no official position in connection with the Union, but has nevertheless been the medium of preferring charges against the aforesaid officials, which were pronounced by the Local Government Board to be unsubstantiated and vexatious; and, whether he will advise the Local Government Board to take steps to prevent the interference of unofficial persons with the administration of this Union?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I am informed that, before the inquiry was opened, the Rev. Mr. Ward waited on the Inspector and requested permission to be present. This the Inspector consented to as a matter of courtesy, but without any understanding whatever that he would be permitted to take any part in the proceedings. In the course of the inquiry the Inspector's attention was 281 drawn to the fact that the Rev. Mr. Ward was offering suggestions to some members of the Board of Guardians present. This interference was at once stopped, and was not renewed. The Rev. Mr. Ward is the Roman Catholic curate of the parish; but except that as such he is assistant to the Roman Catholic Chaplain, he holds no official connection with the Union. It did not transpire during the inquiry, or in any of the Correspondence which which has passed with the Local Government Board, that he was the medium of preferring charges against the Union officers.