§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Guardian of the Meenacladdy Electoral Division in Gweedore is a commercial traveller residing at Belfast; that one of the Guardians of the Magheraclogher Division in Gweedore is non-resident; that the Guardian of the Gweedore portion of the Dunlewey Electoral Division is non-resident; that the Guardian of the Gweedore portion of the Gortahork Electoral Division is nonresident; and that only one Guardian is resident, who is a land agent, and has no interest or concern with any electoral division but his own; and, consequently, the Poor Law Board is composed of representatives of the landlord interest; whether he is aware that Father M'Fadden repudiates the suggestion that he advised the people not to purchase seed, but that, on the contrary, he carefully explained to them the necessary procedure for obtaining seed, and in every way manifested a deep interest in the matter; whether, having regard to the constitution of the Board of Guardians, he can take any steps to secure to the district the benefits of the Seed Potato Act, of which they are now deprived; and whether he will take into consideration the great and widespread distress prevailing in the 1439 district, and speedily order necessary-relief works to be started there?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs this question appears on to-day's Paper without previous notice, time has not admitted of my obtaining a detailed Report. But from available information it appears that there are 10 electoral divisions in the Dunfanaghy Union, and that for six of these loans have been sanctioned to purchase seed potatoes. I am not aware that the Rev. James M'Fadden repudiates the suggestion referred to. The Guardians, I understand, have summoned a special meeting for the 21st inst., at which applications for loans for seed from the remaining four electoral divisions will be considered. The general condition of the district is receiving careful attention.