§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it the fact that the returning officer of the Magherafelt Union was appointed direct by the Local Government Board without sanction by the guardians; is this course the usual one; on what authority does it rest; does he approve of it; and, on whose recommendation was the returning officer appointed?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Returning Officer of Magherafelt was appointed without consultation with the Guardians of the Union. The Local Government Board are expressly authorized by Section 88 of the Irish Poor Belief Act to make these appointments, and they do not rest with the Boards of Guardians. It is usual for the Local Government Board to appoint the Clerk of the Union to be Returning Officer. They could not do so in this case, as the vacancy was caused by the removal of that officer in consequence of the unsatisfactory manner in which he had discharged his duties. The gentlemen who made the recommendation could be trusted not to recommend from Party motives.