§ MR. CAREW(for Dr. TANNER) (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it is a fact that 560 Captain Leslie, of Tarbert, succeeded in preventing the promotion of several schemes for the erection of labourers' cottages, under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, in the Tarbert Division, by his undertaking to erect whatever cottages might be required; whether it is a fact that no cottage has ever since been built; whether the Guardian for the said Division, who was responsible for accepting the said compromise, is a paid servant of Captain Leslie, and holds the position of Guardian through the proxy votes given by Captain Leslie and his friends; whether the labourers in the said Division are as a consequence, compelled to inhabit huts condemned by the Sanitary Authorities in March, 1882; and, whether any steps will be taken by the Executive Government in Ireland to remedy the present state of affairs in the Division referred to?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) said (Kent, Isle of Thanet)I understand that at a meeting of the Board of Guardians of Glin Union Captain Leslie stated that he was prepared to build eight houses in the Electoral Division of Tarbert at his own expense; and it was agreed to by Mr. Hamilton, the elected Guardian of the Division, that six houses would meet the requirements of that Division. The clerk of Glin Union states that Mr. Hamilton was never a paid servant of Captain Leslie. It is the case that no cottage has since been built. The Medical Officer of Health appears to have reported, in June, 1882, that in his dispensary district, which includes Tarbert Division, there were certain houses unfit for human habitation. The Guardians presented, on the 30th of August, petitions for the confirmation of improvement schemes in the Union, including the erection of 10 cottages in the Tarbert Division; and the Local Government Board have directed a local inquiry to be held into the application on the 21st of this month.