§ MR. P. M'DONALD (Sligo, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Hillas, the present High Sheriff of the county of Sligo, has, since the commencement of his year of office, evicted tenants on his own estate at Templeboy; and, if so, whether in so doing he acted illegally in officiating as High Sheriff in his own interest; whether these tenants, who owed two years' rent, offered to pay one and a-half year's rent last October, and the remaining half year at Christmas following; and, whether Mr. Hillas refused this offer?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol W.)On the 26th of last month three tenants were evicted on the estate of Mr. Hillas, two of them owing two years' rent, and the other four years' rent. Mr. Hillas has not yet been sworn in as High Sheriff for the county of Sligo. It is said by the tenants, I understand, that they 644 made an offer to Mr. Hillas which was not accepted; but I do not know whether the statement is accurate.
§ MR. P. M'DONALDasked, if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that it was a fact that Mr. Hillas had acted at the evictions in the capacity of High Sheriff, and that, on a representation made to him by the Rev. Father Conway, he retired when he found it was illegal?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHMr. Hillas was not High Sheriff at the time.
§ MR. P. M'DONALDHe is for this year.