§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Secretary to 29 the Cavan, Leitrim, and Roscommon Light Railway Company, on the 28th April, 1891, refused to submit the books of the company to be audited by the Baronial Auditor appointed on behalf of the Barony of Tullyhaw, County Cavan, at any date between 1st May and 30th June or 1st November and 31st December, in direct contravention of the provisions of the Order in Council of 28th July, 1884, which compels the company to submit their accounts to be audited whensoever the auditors require the same; whether he is aware that the officials of the company have also refused to allow the accounts of the company prior to the year under audit to be produced, although such production was necessary to explain the accounts under audit; whether he is aware that the Baronial Auditor is an official bound to report to the Treasury as well as to the Grand Jury of the county; whether any other audit of the accounts of the company is made on behalf of the Treasury; whether the Treasury will be prepared to defray the expenses of any legal proceedings which may be necessary to enable the Baronial Auditor to enforce his legal right of inspection; and whether the Order of the Lords Justices in Council, dated 24th December, 1890, fixing the sum of £3 3s. as the maximum allowed for the expenses of an annual Baronial audit was made with the consent of the Treasury at the recommendation of the officials of the company?
§ MR. JACKSONThe auditor had notice given to him that the books would be ready for his audit at a certain time; but he neglected to attend, and the company then exercised what they considered their right not to allow the auditor to keep possession of their books for an unreasonable time.