§ MR. M'CARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the poor farmers of Rathlin Island are now obliged to contribute towards the county cess for the making and maintenance of the county roads in the barony of Cary, in County Antrim, notwithstanding that these Islanders derive no advantage whatever from the expenditure; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to relieve them from this imposition?
MR. J. MORLEYRathlin Island forms part of the Barony of Cary and contributes, in proportion to its valuation, to the cess levied on the barony. 1125 The County Surveyor states it is not correct to suggest that the Islanders derive no advantage whatever from the expenditure. The roads on the Island, which are numerous, are made and maintained out of the county cess in common with the other roads in the barony on the mainland. The matter is one that is regulated by the Grand Jury Acts, and the Government have no power to interfere.