§ MR. CORNWALLIS () MaidstoneI beg to ask the President of the Local 1100 Government Board on what grounds the Board gave their consent to the recent application of the Registrar General to unite the West Maidstone sub-district with the East Maidstone sub-district against the unanimously expressed opposition of the guardians of the Maidstone Union; whether this course was adopted on the advice of the Local Government Board's inspector; and whether he will now take steps to give effect to the wishes of the guardians in the matter.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL,) (for Mr. CHAPLIN) Tyrone, S.The consent referred to was given by the Local Government Board in the belief that the proposed change would be for the general convenience of the public. The reply to the second paragraph of the question is in the negative. The wishes of the guardians could only be met by a fresh order being made by the Registrar General with the sanction of the Board, and he would be exceedingly unwilling to issue such an order. The new district is co-extensive with the parish and borough of Maidstone, and the Registrar General believes that the area is well within the capacity of a single registrar, and that the union of the two sub-districts will effect a reduction in in the cost of registration payable out of local rates.