§ DR. R. AMBROSE (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that there are evictions taking place on the Marquess of Sligo's property without notice having been served on the Relieving Officer; whether the landlord or the Sheriff is bound by law to give such notice; if he is aware that the Sheriff has been written to by the Westport Board of Guardians and asked to give the required notice, but refused to do so; and whether he will see that either the Sheriff or the police will give such notice?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneThere were four evictions on the estate referred to on August 9 and 21, but, except in one instance, the tenants were re-admitted as caretakers, and in several other cases evictions were avoided by settlements with the tenants concerned. Neither the landlord nor the Sheriff is required by law to give any notice to the tenants of the intention to evict; the decree or order of the Court is supposed to be sufficient in this respect. But the law does require that notice shall be served on the Relieving Officer before evicting; and this requirement, I am informed, has always been carried out. The Sub-Sheriff states that he has no recollection of having been written to by the Board of Guardians on the subject.
§ DR. AMBROSEHas the right hon. Gentleman read the report of the proceedings of the Guardians in The Mayo News of last Saturday?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI have not had that report before me.
§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)Was not notice given to the Relieving Officer?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI believe the Sub-Sheriff informed the Relieving Officer.