§ CAPTAIN M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to certain proceedings in connection with the election of Poor Law guardians in the Tobercurry Union, county Sligo; whether he will recommend the Local Government Board to grant a sworn inquiry into the circumstances, with the view of having the election declared void, owing to the intimidation, both lay and clerical, that is alleged to have prevailed; and, whether it is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Local Government Board for priests, closely identified with the National League, to attend in the Board Room on the occasion of the 741 election of Chairman and Vice Chairman, and there openly direct the guardians how to vote?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)Inquiries by the Local Government Board into the results of Poor Law elections are confined to the question whether the Guardian elected did or did not obtain a majority of valid votes. For the offences which are alleged to have been committed in this instance legal penalties are provided, and it rests with the parties aggrieved to put the law in force. The matter referred to in the last paragraph of the Question is one entirely for the consideration and decision of the Board of Guardians.