MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Local Government Board has decided that the vote of John M'Oscar at the recent Poor Law election for the Salterstown division of the Magherafelt Union was wrongfully rejected by the returning officer, thereby causing a tie between the two candidates; whether, nevertheless, the Local Government Board has refused to ratify the election of Mr. Larkin, the candidate for whom M'Oscar's vote was given, and, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the Board of Guardians, has by sealed order directed a new election to be held; whether a sworn inquiry has been called for with respect to several other acts of illegality charged against the returning officer and the collecting officer, in connection with the elections for the Carnamoney and Iniscarn divisions of the same union; and, whether these charges will be investigated, and the officials, if found culpable, censured?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Report which I have received on the case to which the hon. Member refers shows the case to be one which calls for further inquiry. It may take some time to examine; but the examination will be thorough.