§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a quorum attended the meeting of Commissioners of Endowed Schools, Ireland, on 13th January, 1887; whether J. J. Berrison, the land agent, was in attendance; whether any of the Commissioners who wrote advising an increased abatement of rent to tenants were present; whether the Board has repeatedly refused the admission of any 166 deputation from the Cavan tenantry; and, whether the Commissioners will now reconsider the matter, and receive a deputation from the tenants at their next meeting?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The Commissioners met on the 13th of January; but they declined to give any information on the matters mentioned in the Question. They will consider any matter brought before them, but decline to alter their usual practice by receiving a deputation.
§ MR. BIGGARMr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Cavan land agent who refuses to permit more than 10 per cent abatement is the same J. J. Berrison, J.P., against whom the Hon. George Annesley had to proceed by garnishee order for the recovery of the rent of Gerald Gregg, one of Lord Annesley's tenants, which rent Berrison had taken into his hands, refusing to allow Gregg to pay unless allowed 25 per cent abatement.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI object again, Sir, to these charges and insinuations being made without Notice in reference to absent persons.