§ MR. M'CARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report in the Belfast News Letter of the 17th instant, of the proceedings at the last meeting of the Board of Guardians at Ballymena, County Antrim; and whether, considering the serious charges preferred against the master and other officials of the workhouse there, he will direct a sworn inquiry to be held for the purpose of investigating these charges?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Local Government Board inform me that they had this matter before them, and that, in accordance with their usual practice, they purpose in the first instance to forward to the master and matron a copy of the complaints made against them, and to require them to furnish an explanation in writing. The Board will then be in a position to determine whether a sworn inquiry should be held.