§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Master of the Cavan Union Workhouse uses a portion of the garden attached for the purpose of raising strawberries, which are annually presented to the gentry and nobility of the county; whether, for the preservation of the strawberries from the paupers, the yard gate is kept locked during a great part of the year; whether the Master of the Cavan Union despatches the carpenter of the Union to superintend the burials of those who die in the Union; and, whether the Local Government Board of Ireland will order a sworn inquiry?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)It appears that the Guardians allow the master a plot of land for a garden, on part of which he has planted strawberries; but I am given to understand that he does not make presents of fruit to the nobility and gentry of the district. The gate referred to is kept locked to preserve classification amongst the inmates, and to prevent them wandering over the country. The gardener does occasionally attend burials in the workhouse. He is the only other resident officer besides the master, and it is thought necessary that some responsible person should be present. There does not appear to be any reason for a sworn inquiry.