§ MR. FLAVINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if he is aware that the potato crop was seriously injured by heavy rains and other causes in the Listowel Union last harvest; and (2) whether, in view of the possibility of the blight setting in from the injured condition of the seed planted this year, the Guardians of the Listowel Union will be allowed to purchase a number of sprayers for the protection of the potato crop from blight?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI believe the fact is as stated in the first paragraph. As regards the second paragraph, there is no legal authority by which the Guardians are empowered to expend the rates of the Union in purchasing spraying machines for the use of occupiers of land in the various electoral divisions of the Union. I may add, however, that the Congested Districts Board proposes this year to apply a sum of £1,000 towards supplying spraying materials within the congested districts.