§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (for Mr. W. O'BRIEN)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland under what authority have the Local Government Board intimated to the sitting Guardians for the Achill and Dooega Electoral Divisions of the Westport Union that their election as Guardians is invalid, on the plea that the landlord, Mrs. Pike, who never paid rates, whose name is not on the ratebook, and who had not taken out probate to her husband at the time of the election, did not record her votes; and if he will explain on what grounds the Local Government Board have disallowed five out of six votes claimed by the Franciscan community at Achill, whose votes have been recorded without objection for several years past, but have allowed the votes of the Trustees of the Achill Protestant Missions, who contribute nothing towards the rates, and who only hold a religious trust for a non-resident community?
§ *MR. JACKSONI am informed that the election referred to was set aside by the Local Government Board, who were advised that the Returning Officer had illegally disallowed the votes of Mrs. Pike. The rates were paid by Mrs. Pike's agent, and the receipts taken out in her name in respect of freehold property to which she succeeded on the death of her husband. It was not necessary to take out probate of her husband's will in order to qualify her to vote. With regard to the Franciscan community at Achill, the property in respect to which they are qualified to vote being rated at under £20 (£12 10s.), they are only entitled to one vote. The Trustees of the Achill Missions are rated as such, and entitled under the Act to vote.