§ MR. E. CREAN (Queen's Co., Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Mountmellick Board of Guardians requesting the Board of Works to extend the time for repayment of the seed rate for one year in consequence of the low prices for every description of farm produce; and, whether he will advise the Local Government Board to meet the views of the Guardians in the matter?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURA copy of the resolution in question has been received. The rate to provide for payment of the second instalment of the loan advanced to the Guardians, which amounts to£510 12s. 6d., was assessed on the 19th September last, and as payment of this instalment is not due until the 1st August next, ten months were allowed to the Guardians to collect the rate. There is a balance at present to the credit of the Union of £2,134, and there seems to be no reason why the instalment referred to should not be paid when it becomes due in August.