§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, as Chairman of the Local Government Board, it has come to his knowledge that the Board of Guardians of Mountmellick Union, Queen's County, appointed teachers to instruct the children in the workhouse in certain industries, and that the Local Government Board refused to ratify the appointments; whether the Board of Guardians, at their last meeting, protested against being obliged to discontinue the instruction of the children in useful industries; and, whether he can state on what grounds the Local Government Board objects to the children in workhouses being 551 taught industries that might he useful to them?
§ MR. TREVELYANFrom the Reports submitted to me I find that the Guardians proposed to appoint two pauper inmates to instruct the children in spinning and fancy work. The Local Government Board did not consider them to be suitable persons to act as paid officers of the workhouse, and declined to ratify the appointments. The Guardians protested at a recent meeting against this decision. The Local Government Board do not object to the children in the workhouses being taught useful industries; on the contrary, they encourage such teaching in every way in their power; but they consider it necessary to see that proper persons are employed. I think, however, the matter wants some further inquiries, and I am making them.