§ MR. S. YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if his attention has been called to a protest lodged by Mr. John Morton, J.P., one of the candidates for the office of Guardian at the present Poor Law election for the Ballymacarrett electoral division of the Belfast Union, against the nomination of Dr. William Gibson and Mr. James Hollywood, two of the other candidates, upon the ground that they were jointly nominated by Mr. Wolff, of 7, Station Street, who, as the Poor Rate Collector reports, was not in occupation of these premises since 1st March last; (2) whether Mr. Wolff was entitled to vote 1138 for or nominate candidates as Poor Law Guardians in respect of these premises at the present election for this division, and whether the nomination of Dr. William Gibson and Mr. James Hollywood is rendered void by reason of the disqualification of their nominator, Mr. Wolff; and, (3) what action the Local Government Board intend to take in the matter?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The Returning Officer has not yet made his return of the persons elected as Guardians for the Belfast Union. If, however, the gentlemen in question should be returned as Guardians, and their right to act in that capacity be questioned, the Local Government Board will, of course, carefully consider any representations that may be made to them in the matter.