§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Local Government Board, of which he is President, refused to sanction the appointment of a person as Master of the Armagh Workhouse on account of having been decreed for seduction before Judge Gamble in 1886; whether, notwithstanding the refusal of 1111 the Local Government Board to sanction the appointment, the Guardians passed a Resolution again requesting them to give their approval, and enclosing testimonials; and, whether the Government will take serious consideration of the matter?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: The Local Government Board have finally declined to sanction this appointment, and the Guardians have ordered advertisements to be published for a new election. With respect to the addition to the Question of which the hon. Member has given private Notice, I find that the testimonials did include one from the Rev. Dr. Smyth in the terms described. It must, however, be borne in mind that that testimonial was given some weeks before the matter reflecting on the moral character of Mr. Brooks had gained publicity, and the probability is that the rev. gentleman was quite unaware of it.