HC Deb 16 July 1894 vol 27 cc24-5
MR. M. AUSTIN (Limerick, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the cause of the delay in the Local Government Board not ordering a new election for the Mahoonagh Electoral Division of the Newcastle West (County Limerick) Union, the sitting Guardian having resigned two months ago?

MR. J. MORLEY

The Guardian for the division referred to tendered his resignation to the Board of Guardians on 10th May last. The Local Government Board thereupon informed the Guardians that the resignation must be tendered to and accepted by the Local Government Board in accordance with Section 22 of the 1st and 2nd Vict. c. 56, and also sent a form for this purpose. This form was sent by the Board of Guardians to the Guardian, so that he might fill it up and return it to the Local Government Board, but he has not yet done so, and until this has been done the office of Guardian is not vacant and an order for a new election cannot be issued.

MR. M. AUSTIN

In the meantime, the electoral division is to be disfranchised owing to the action of the Guardian.

MR. J. MORLEY

I do not know how that is. The Guardian will have to comply with the legal requirements.

MR. M. AUSTIN

Have not the Local Government Board power to compel the Guardian to act?

MR. J. MORLEY

No; I am told not.