§ MR. SEXTONasked the President of the Board of Trade, If he is aware that the fund remaining, after the dissolution of the Great Southern and Western (of Ireland) Railway Company Friendly Society, has not yet been distributed; whether, as the notice of dissolution was published on the 25th of June 1884, the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies was bound by law to proceed to distribute the fund at the end of last December; why the delay has occurred; and, whether the fund will now be at once distributed?
§ MR. HIBBERTThe delay in this case is due to the difficulty which has been experienced in obtaining the necessary particulars as to the ages and dates of entry and the contributions of the various classes of Members. These particulars are essential to an equitable division of the funds amongst the members; and in order to deal justly with the interests of all concerned, every effort has been made to obtain these particulars as soon as possible as a basis for apportionment. The delay is not due to any Government Department.