HC Deb 19 July 1887 vol 317 cc1333-4
MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether, at the last meeting of the Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners, Mr. Robert M'Cowen, J.P., was elected Chairman by a majority of one vote; whether his son, Mr. Robert M'Cowen, junior, voted in the majority; whether Mr. M'Cowen, junior, was elected a Commissioner without any notice of a vacancy having been advertised in the local papers, as provided by the second section of the incorporating Order; whether this election took place on the 24th ultimo, in anticipation of the contest for the Chairmanship; whether the two votes solely recorded for co-opting Mr. M'Cowen, junior, were those of Mr. L. M. Hussey, his proposer, and Mr. M'Cowen, senior, his seconder, who also put the motion from the chair, and declared his son duly elected; whether Mr. E. R. Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Guardians, the only other Commissioner then present, protested against this course as irregular and illegal; whether protests were also made at the last meeting against the legality of Mr. M'Cowen's election as Chairman, on account of his son's vote; by what right does Mr. Curling sit and vote as member of the Board of Commissioners of the Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour; and, to whom are the above body responsible for any infringement of "The Commissioners Clauses Act, 1847," in so far as it governs their proceedings?

THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

I have received from the Secretary to the Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners a long answer to the nine Questions placed upon the Paper by the hon. Member, and, if he will permit me, I will send it to him in writing.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

May I ask the hon. Gentleman from, whom does that answer come?

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

From the Secretary to the Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

Has the hon. Gentleman any objection to read the answer to the House?

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

I am afraid it would take half an hour.