§ MR. L. P. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that a large number of decrees were granted last week at the Quarter Sessions of Roscommon for 974 amounts assessed on occupiers of land alleged to be improved by the River Suck Drainage, and that, in addition to the amounts assessed under the award, the full legal costs have been insisted upon by the Board of Works; and, whether, in view of the fact that the tenants, whose consent under the old Drainage Acts by virtue of which those awards were made was not required, consider the tax a hardship, he will consent to receive a deputation from those concerned, which would place the grievances of the occupiers before him?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI should be glad to be furnished, in writing, with a full statement of the grounds on which this tax is considered a hardship. Upon receipt of such a statement, I will further consider whether any public advantage would result from my receiving a deputation, as suggested.