§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kerry, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Athy Board of Guardians has been dissolved by sealed order from the Local Government Board; and, if so, why?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.), in reply, said, that the Board had been dissolved by a sealed order of the Local Government Board, because the Guardians had deliberately misappropriated the Union funds for the pecuniary advantage of a member of their own body, in refunding to him from the rates the amount he was obliged to pay by way of surcharge in respect of certain illegal payments 1116 he had sanctioned from the rates, as reported by the Local Government Auditor.
§ MR. KILBRIDEasked, on what principle had the Local Government Auditor proceeded to make this Report?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he fancied it was on the same principle as in the case of every Board of Guardians which sanctioned illegal payments.
§ MR. KILBRIDEasked, if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that in making out the accounts the auditor had in one case, where there were only three in family, sanctioned the payment of £8 4s. for their support for the half year; whereas in another case, where there were 15 in family (13 children and the parents), he only sanctioned the payment of £5 for their support for six months, and surcharged the Guardians with the balance? On what principle had these surcharges been made?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he was not aware of the particulars of the facts of the case; but he was aware that the payments surcharged were grossly illegal.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked, if the right hon. Gentleman would not make a personal investigation into the facts in this particular instance?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, the facts of the case were really quite clear.