MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether John M'Williams was elected rate collector for the Croghan division of the Boyle Union, on 5th April, by a majority of three votes, at a cost to the ratepayers of eightpence in the pound on his collection, notwithstanding that his opponent, Mr. Mahon, offered solvent security for the collection of the rate at fourpence in the pound; how many ex-officio guardians and how many elected guardians supported the two candidates respectively; whether it is the fact that the late rate collector, Mr. Corry, resigned before the amount of his warrant for seed and poor rate was collected, at the instance of Mr. M'Williams, in order that the new appointment might be timed to take place on the same day on which the ex-officio guardians would muster for the reelection of the Chairman of the Board, Colonel King-Harman; whether the father of Mr. M'Williams was a rate collector in the Boyle Union, and absconded with the moneys of the Union; and, whether the Local Government Board will, under the circumstances, sanction the election?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers this Question, I would ask him, Whether he is aware that the advertisement for the collectorship did not mention the poundage rate as 8d.; and whether the day fixed for filling the office was not the 8th of April, whereas the day fixed for the election of chairman was the 29th March?
§ MR. TREVELYANMr. M'Williams was elected to collect the rates in the Boyle Union at a poundage rate of 8d. The arrangements for the election were made by the Guardians, and publicly advertised. The Board did not think it necessary to accept the candidate who offered to collect for 4d. in the pound. For Mr. M'Williams, who was elected, 732 there voted 19 ex-officio and eight elected Guardians, making, in all, 27. For Mr. Mahon there voted two ex officio and 22 elected Guardians, making a total of 24. It is stated that the former collector resigned before he closed his collection. He was over 90 years of age, and unable to discharge the duties of the office. The Local Government Board knew nothing of the suggested arrangement as to the time of his resignation. With regard to the father of Mr. M'Williams, the records of the Local Government Board show that, in 1862, the rates outstanding in his district were collected and lodged by his sureties. It is therefore probable that he had left the Union. The Local Government Board did not think that such an occurrence, which happened 22 years ago, in any way affects his son's appointment, whose election has been duly sanctioned.
MR. O'BRIENI beg to give Notice that on going into Committee of Ways and Means I will call attention to the action of the Local Government Board, in permitting the Orange ex officio Guardians to override the will of the elected Guardians of the Union by appointing the son of a swindler—[Cries of "Order!"]
§ COLONEL KING - HARMANMr. Speaker, I ask you whether such language is in Order?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the hon. Member is in Order in referring to a gentleman, unjudged and unconvicted, who has been duly elected to an important and responsible office, as the son of a swindler?
MR. O'BRIENI was referring to a fact admitted by the Chief Secretary for Ireland in this House only a moment ago—namely, that this man's father disappeared with the moneys of the Boyle Union. I am impugning the action of the Local Government Board in permitting the election of such a person at the rate of 8d. in the pound, to do what a solvent Nationalist offered to do at 4d.
§ MR. SPEAKERIt is very inconvenient, when Notices of Questions are given, that insinuations reflecting on the character of individuals should be made. I have not an opportunity of knowing the exact terms of a verbal Notice; but 733 I have heard enough of the Question to request the hon. Member for Mallow to expunge language which he knows would be disallowed by the Clerk at the Table in a written Notice.
MR. O'BRIENI respectfully submit that I have not used one word which might not be submitted to the Clerk at the Table, and which I have not a right to have inserted in the Notice Paper of the House.
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI would like to ask, with regard to the insinuation that Mr. Corry had not closed his account before resigning, whether the amount of rates left outstanding was but 8s. 9d.?
§ MR. TREVELYANPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put the Question on the Paper.
MR. O'BRIENI may say that my Question does not impute that Mr. Corry disappeared with the funds of the Union, but simply that he timed his resignation so as to have the election of his successor on the day that the ex officio Guardians could muster for the election of Chairman.