§ MR. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the recent Poor Law election for Drumcliff West, county of Sligo, Whether the Irish Local Government Board have caused inquiry to be made of James Callaghan and Mrs. Mary Currid, electors in the said division, and also of James Callaghan's niece, Miss Lenehan, and of the Rev. James Madden, C. C. Castletown, Drumcliff, as to the alleged illegal taking away of voting papers by Mr. Thomas Simpson, a candidate in the election; whether any inquiry has been made on behalf of the Board, of Mrs Currid and the Rev. James Madden, as to the truth of the statement made by the returning officer, the clerk of the Sligo Union, to the Board, viz. that he had no knowledge of the illegal taking away of voting papers by Mr. Simpson; and, whether, if such inquiry has not been made, it will now be instituted.
MR. TEEVELYANI answered a Question on this subject a month ago. I then stated that the Local Government Board had informed Mr. M'Govern, the unsuccessful candidate, that if he had 1179 any evidence to support an objection to the right of Mr. Simpson, the elected Guardian, to act as such, they were willing to inquire into the circumstances. The Local Government Board now inform me that Mr. M'Govern has not since furnished them with any evidence to support his objection. They have, therefore, not held any inquiry, and do not propose to hold any inquiry, unless Mr. M'Govern can show that there is reason to question the validity of the return.
§ MR. SEXTONasked whether it was not a fact that Mr. M'Govern had furnished the Local Government Board with the names of witnesses who would prove that Mr. Simpson had illegally taken away votes; and was it not the duty of the Local Government Board, under these circumstances, to inquire into the matter?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he would like to have Notice of that Question.