§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Local Government Board intend to sanction the increase of 20 per cent to the salary of Dr. Duckworth, as medical officer of Rathdowney Dispensary district, granted to him by a majority of one by the Donaghmore Board of Guardians on the 12th June; whether he is aware that this increase will give Dr. Duckworth a larger salary as Dispensary doctor than any other doctor in that or either of the other two Unions of the Queen's County; whether he is aware that, on the day the increase was granted, the clerk of the Union announced to the Boord that when bills were paid that day they would not have a shilling in hand; whether the rates in this Union are considerebly higher than in the adjacent Union of Roscrea, and great difficulty is experienced in collecting them, especially the seed rate; whether nine-tenths of the ratepayers of the Dispensary district have signed a protest against the increase of salary; and, whether the said increase was carried on the 10th July only by the votes 1194 of six ex-officio Guardians and the chairman's casting vote?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE)It appears that on two recent occasions the Guardians of this Union have, by a majority of one, passed a resolution in favour of raising Dr. Duckworth's salary from £100 to £120 a year. The Local Government Board do not, however, consider that Dr. Duckworth is entitled to that increase, either by reason of the nature and extent of his duties, or from length of service, and they have accordingly declined to sanction it.