§ MR. PINKERTON (Galway)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is he aware that, in the recent defalcations in Ballymena Union, although a bogus bank book had been kept from September, 1885, till 1888, there was only one bank book for the six years preceding; that, while frauds were being constantly perpetrated during that period, the accounts were certified by Colonel Studdert as being correct; that leaves had been torn from the ledger and others pasted in; that private marks had been put upon the margins opposite sums of £40 and £50 without exciting the suspicion of the auditor; that the master's and relieving officer's receipt and expenditure books had been partly, if not altogether, kept by the clerk; and, if his attention has been directed to a Resolution which was passed unanimously by the Guardians on the subject; and if, under the circumstances, he will grant the sworn inquiry demanded?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)A Resolution was received yesterday by the Local Government Board, adopted by the Board of Guardians of the Ballymena Union, asking for an inquiry in regard to the manner in which the accounts of the Union have been audited. Colonel Studdert has been called upon for an explanation before deciding whether the inquiry should be granted.
§ In reply to The LORD MAYOR of DUBLIN (Mr. Sexton) (Belfast, W.),
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, that, as far as he understood the Question, the hon. Gentleman asked him to give an opinion on Colonel Studdert's behaviour before Colonel Studdert himself had had an opportunity of explaining his conduct, and he (Mr. A. J. Balfour) must decline to do so.