§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he can state the number of Inspectors appointed last year to report on the prices of produce for the purpose of revising judicial rents, and also the amount per day given to each for remuneration, and also for expenses; whether he can give similar information with regard to this year's revision; whether he will mention the articles of produce in respect of which prices were obtained for last year's revision; and, if he will also give similar particulars as to this year's revision?
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOB IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN)(who replied) said (Dublin University)The Land Commissioners report that during the year 1887 16 scrutineers of prices were employed. They were paid at the rate of £3 3s. a-day, together with their actual expenses of locomotion. The Head Inspector, who was employed in the office, was paid at the rate of £4 4s. a-day. In 1888, 15 scrutineers furnished Returns of prices of cattle and sheep and other stock, for which they receive a fee of £2 2s., and expenses of locomotion by railway for each fair attended. The Returns of prices of cereals, butter, hay, wool, flax, pork, and potatoes are made by the Inland Revenue officer in 21 principal districts, for which these officers receive extra remuneration at the rate of £12 a-year each. Three scrutineers furnish weekly Returns of the prices of beef and mutton in the Dublin, Belfast, and Cork Markets, for which they receive remuneration having regard to the services performed. One Superintendent over the whole of these agencies receives a salary of £1 1s. per day, and travelling expenses. The following are the 301 schedules of articles of produce for which prices have been ascertained in the years 1887 and 1888 respectively:—Wheat, oats, barley, flax, butter, beef, mutton, pork, potatoes, wool, hay; also for 1887:—Straw, eggs, milch cows, stripper cows, two-year-old cattle, one-year-old cattle, lambs; and for 1888:—Springers, three-year-old cattle, two-year-old cattle, one-year-old cattle, and lambs.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)asked why the pay of the scrutineers had been lowered since last year from £3 3s. to £2 2s.?
§ MR. MADDENsaid, he had no information on the point and asked for Notice.