§ DR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the Castlebar Board of Guardians, passed at their meeting on the 12th inst., in which they declare that exceptional distress prevails in several districts in the Union; and whether he will take steps to urge upon the Local Government Board the necessity of affording immediate relief to the districts affected?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have received a copy of the resolution referred to. The restrictions upon the giving of outdoor relief in the Castlebar Union were relaxed on the 19th January. Upon the information at present before me, there appears to be no distress in the Union of such character or amount as to lead me to the opinion that the Poor Law will be unable to meet any demands for relief without laying an exceptional burden on the ratepayers. Should, however, the necessity arise, the Guardians will be given an opportunity of adopting the Government proposals.