§ MR. J. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the attention of the Local Government Board for Ireland has been drawn to complaints of the disrespectful conduct of the Clerk of the Mohill Board of Guardians towards the Chairman during the meetings of the Guardians; whether he is aware that owing to the Clerk's years and infirmity the chief part of the business of the Union has been discharged by an assistant paid a small weekly salary by him; whether he is aware that the Clerk has addressed a letter to the Local Government Board, reflecting 290 on the Chairman's resolution fixing the remuneration that would be allowed union officials for the distribution of seed potatoes; and whether the Local Government Board will order a sworn inquiry into the conduct of this officer?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY, Newcastle - upon - Tyne)A difference of opinion has arisen between the Mohill Guardians and their Clerk as to the remuneration of the latter for his services in connection with the distribution of seed potatoes this year. I have seen a copy of the letter addressed to the Local Government Board by the Clerk, on the subject of the resolution of the Guardians, fixing the remuneration to be paid to him for this work, also a copy of the resolution in question. The Clerk, I am informed, has been in office over forty years, and probably, as in the case of most other unions, employs an assistant to aid him in the discharge of his duties. The Local Government Board are not aware, however, that the chief part of the Union business has been discharged by the Clerk's assistant, and there appears to be nothing in the papers to lead the Board to think that the Clerk has been guilty of misconduct, or that he is inefficient. A sworn inquiry does not therefore seem to be called for; but if a specific charge be made against the Clerk the Board will at once investigate it.