§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the following 10 ratepayers in the townland of Derrygrule, in Mountmellick Union, have for years voted in all the elections in the electoral division of Mountmellick until 1885—namely, John Quigley, Mary Meehan, James Brien, James Quigley, Edward Jones, William Tanner, John Conroy, Richard Dickinson, Bridget Bergin, and John Walsh; whether the newly-appointed clerk, acting as Returning Officer, has disallowed the votes of the ratepayers mentioned, although they have paid the rates assessed on their holdings; and, whether the Local Government Board will take steps to protect the rights of the persons in question at the present election?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)This Question only appeared on Saturday, 849 and was at once referred to the Local Government Board; but there has not been time fur the receipt of their Report, as they had to refer to the country for the required information.