§ MR. DALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Belfast Board of Guardians recently advertised for a master for the workhouse, that a committee of the guardians selected a number of suitable men for the position out of many applicants, and that when the day of election came the question was postponed, which in the opinion of the clerk was illegal; whether he can state the name of the gentleman that the committee thought most suitable for the mastership, and if the guardians will bear the expenses of the candidates who travelled long distances in expectation of the election taking place according to advertisement; and whether he can say what coarse he intends to adopt in reference to the action of the guardians in not carrying out the election of master of the workhouse on the date fixed.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe committee appointed by the guardians reported that only eight candidates for the position of master of the workhouse were qualified under the terms of the advertisement, and they recommended the guardians to issue fresh advertisements for candidates. This the guardians decided to do. The Local Government Board have no information as to the statement of opinion attributed to the clerk, or as to the matters referred to in the second paragraph. The Board do not propose to take any action respecting the postponement of the appointment, as the 662 guardians appear to have acted within their powers.