§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the inquiry held by the Local Government Board into a report made by Miss Mary Lydon, Clifden, that Mr. James Mongan, poor rate collector, was 1377 concerned in a contract for the supply of goods for outdoor relief purposes in Clifden Union, and to the report of the Local Government Board that Mr. James Mongan does not reside in his collecting district, and is engaged in a retail trade, contrary to Article 29 of the General Regulations, and their request to the Guardians to call apon this officer to surrender his licence and sever his connection with retail business or to resign his position as collector, are the Local Government Board aware that this collector is still a publican and engaged in the retail trade; and what steps do the Local Government Board intend taking in this case in order to put a stop to such illegal conduct by officers of Unions?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Local Government Board in June of last year held an inquiry on oath into the charge preferred against this poor rate collector that he was concerned in a contract for a supply of goods for purposes of outdoor relief. The charge was not, however, supported by evidence. As regards the residence of the collector, and his engagement in retail trade, it was subsequently proved to the satisfaction of the Board that his residence was with in 300 yards of the borders of his district, and he further gave a written undertaking to open an office not in any way connected with his residence in Clifden where rates could be paid, and not to contract directly or indirectly for goods supplied for outdoor relief purposes. On this undertaking, which the collector has carried out, the Local Government Board yielded to the wishes of the Guardians to retain the collector's services.