§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kerry, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether charges and allegations, amounting to forgery, were made against officials and others in connection with the Poor Law elections held in Dingle Union in 1888; whether the Board of Guardians have asked the Local Government Board, on the 9th of February, to hold a sworn inquiry; and, whether the request will be granted? The hon. Member also asked whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been called to the fact that, in March, September, and October, 1888, Lord Ventry, through his agent, Captain E. A. De Moleyns, recorded 12 property votes, as immediate lessor of under-rated holdings in the Dingle Electoral Division of the Dingle Union, at the Poor Law Elections of the above dates, whilst owing two levies of Poor's Rate for the houses occupied at that time by John Lee and Mary Walsh, in Green Lane, Dingle; whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, of Mai. Street, Dingle, was landlady of said houses until July 1887, when Lord Ventry dispossessed her, and, as she owed rates when dispossessed, he was not entitled to vote in the following March, as those rates were unpaid; whether Mrs. Fitzgerald, although having her rates paid for the house in which she resides, was refused a voting paper in March, September, and October last, as the rates of the two above-mentioned houses were unpaid, whilst Lord Ventry, who was in possession since July 1887, was allowed to vote as if the rates were paid; whether Lord Ventry also voted, as immediate lessor, in the Dunquin Electoral Division last March, whilst owing £1 16s. Poor's Rate for holdings on the townland of Ferriters Quarter in said division; and, whether a representation has been made to the Local Government Board with regard to this matter, and whether an inquiry will be held.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.said, that the Local Government Board had directed an inquiry into the matter.