MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to certain irregularities alleged to have taken place on the part of the Trustees in connection with the expenditure of funds bequeathed for charitable purposes to the parishioners of the united parishes of St. Nicholas, Without, and St. Luke, Dublin; whether the Government can take any action in the matter; how much money is paid annually to those Trustees by the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests; and if properly vouched accounts of the expenditure of the amount so paid are furnished to the Commissioners by the Trustees?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Secretaries to the Commissioners state that, so far as they have the means of ascertaining, they are unable to find that the irregularities referred to have taken place. It is true that allegations in this respect have been made to the Commissioners from time to time by a person formerly in the employment of the rector and Vestry; but when called upon to make a specific charge to enable the Commissioners to make inquiry, he declined to do so. The amount annually remitted by the Commissioners for the benefit of these parishes is £54 5s. 4d. Accounts have been specially rendered of such funds as are usually accounted for the Commissioners; but it is not their practice, I am informed, to require Trustees to support their accounts by vouchers. The secretaries have, however, examined all the books of the united parishes, and are satisfied that the funds in the hands of the Trustees have been applied in accordance with the Trusts affecting them.