§ DR. C. K. D. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board in Ireland are cognisant of the many irregularities disclosed in the accounts of the Macroom Union, from which it appears that rates were returned as irrecoverable that were actually paid; that houses were returned as vacant that were occupied and for which the rates were paid; that there is £280 of seed rate not accounted for, some of which has been collected; and that a sum of £188 is found to be not accounted for; whether he is also aware that a considerable amount of arrears at the end of each financial year are returned as collectable, but are not collected; and, if an inquiry has been or will be instituted by the Local Government Board authorities in Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe Local Government Board have been in communication with the Guardians of the Macroom Union in reference to certain irregularities in the accounts of one of the poor-rate collectors. The Board, having regard to the facts disclosed at the last audit of the union accounts, requested the Guardians to call upon this rate collector to tender his resignation; but subsequently, in deference to the unanimously expressed wish of the Guardians, they stated they would not insist upon his resignation on the present occasion, though, in the event of the recurrence of similar irregularities on his part, they would remove him by sealed order.