§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the circumstances of the election of Poor Law Guardian for the electoral district of Bunawen, in the Clifden Union, in which the candidates were Joseph M'Culla and Valentine Kelly; if he is aware that Joseph M'Culla claims to have a majority of votes; and, in spite of his demand for a 1906 scrutiny, Mr. Blake, his opponent, was allowed to take his seat without any such scrutiny taking place; and, if, under the circumstances, the Local Government Board will direct the scrutiny asked for to take place?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, Mr. Kelly, not Mr. Blake, was returned as elected by a majority of one vote, and was entitled to take his seat as a Guardian. Mr. M'Culla, the defeated candidate, asked for a scrutiny of the votes; but his demand was based merely upon a general statement of his belief that he ought to have had a majority of votes. The Local Government Board could not take any action on a vague statement of this kind, but informed Mr. M'Culla that if he would furnish them with a list of any votes which he thought were improperly recorded, and the grounds of his opinion, they would cause inquiries to be made. I see no reason to interfere with this decision.