§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that, at an inquiry recently held in the Edenderry Union, Dr. H. Burke, the Local Government Board Inspector, addressing the clerk, said— 662
I must say the affairs of this Union seem to be conducted in a most extraordinary manner, and I shall take notice of it in my Report;" whether the Local Government Board have since severely reprimanded the clerk; whether, at a meeting of the Board of Guardians on Saturday last, the ex efficio Guardians passed a Resolution increasing the salary of the clerk in question, in spite of the protests of the elected Guardians; whether the Local Government Board intend to sanction the proposed increase of salary; and, whether he will have any objection to lay upon the Table Copies of the Correspondence between the Local Government Board and the clerk in the matters referred to?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Inspector did make the observations referred to, and the Local Government Board, when the case came before them, felt it necessary to caution the clerk to be more careful in future. On Saturday last the Guardians, by a majority of 22 to 12, resolved to increase the salary of the clerk. The majority was composed of 13 ex officio and nine elected Guardians. The Local Government Board will postpone their decision as to sanctioning the proposed increased of salary until they see how the clerk has discharged his duties at the present election.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWould the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to lay upon the Table copies of the Correspondence?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am sorry I did not notice the last part of the Question. I will see if there is any objection.