§ MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in the election of a Poor Law guardian for the Drumfin Division of the Sligo Union, the returning officer was entitled to refuse to allow 449 two ratepayers named Peter Kiland and Thomas Gunning to vote, on the ground that they were in arrear of Seed Rate; whether the returning officer counted for Mr. Patterson, one of the candidates, six votes in respect of voting papers purporting to be signed by Mr. Jemmett Duke, though Mr. Jemmett Duke was absent from Ireland, and did not sign the papers; and, whether, as Mr. Patterson's opponent's majority was two, Mr. Melinoe, the candidate who obtained the majority of valid votes, will be declared elected?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)Yes, Sir; I am informed that the Returning Officer did disallow the votes referred to in the first paragraph of the Question. This, I am informed, he was legally bound to do. There was nothing before the Returning Officer to warrant his concluding that Colonel Duke had not signed the paper. If the defeated candidate appeals on the ground that the Colonel did not sign the paper, the Local Government Board will take the case into consideration?
§ MR. SEXTONIs it not a fact that the decision of the Local Government Board was overruled by the Court of Queen's Bench?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYsaid, he was not aware of that fact.