§ DR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Westport Board of Guardians on the 29th ultimo, in which they state that the relief (outdoor) given to landholders in Achill is now so great that most of the relief given will be charged to the union at large, where the ratepayers are already overtaxed; will he take some measures to relieve the ratepayers of this burden; and is he aware that, according to the report of the relieving officer for Achill Island, only eight persons were employed on the relief works at Keel, Achill?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds Central)I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. There seems to be no reason to apprehend that the cost of the outdoor relief, if it is judiciously administered, will involve a heavier charge upon the rates than the ratepayers will be able to meet, and the necessity for Government assistance has not arisen. There are no relief works in operation at Keel, but a pier is under construction there, which affords employment to eight persons, and I understand that an additional number of persons from the locality will shortly be employed.