§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there are some twenty Constabulary pensioners in the late district of Mountmellick, some of whom are between seventy and eighty years of age; whether, by a recent alteration, these old men are required to go to Maryborough, on the fourth day of every month, to receive their pensions; and, whether, since this entails for some of them walking from thirteen to twenty-five miles, often in bad weather, he will make some modification of the new arrangements?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Mountmellick district was dissolved eight years ago. It is not the case that any recent alterations have been made by which old men are obliged to go long distances to receive their pay. In Mountmellick district the arrangements are the same as in others. The general rule is that the pensioner attends himself to receive his pension once a month or once a quarter, at his own option, at the office of the district Inspector. But arrangements can be made for payments through n third party. Special forms are pro- 606 vided for the purpose, and sick or infirm men can thus, on application, if they wish, be relieved from attending in person, and receive their pay at home.