§ MR. ARCHDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 19th July last the Longford Board of Guardians, on the Motion of the Chairman, decided to take no contracts except from members of the United Irish League, and that a similar motion was agreed to at the last meeting of the Sligo Rural District Council; and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ MR. ARCHDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if the attention of the Local Government Board has been called to the action of Mayo County Council in giving the printing contract to Mr. Walshe, Ballina, at £140 5s., though Mr. Thomas Chapman, Athlone, tendered at £85; and will he say what action they propose to take.
§ MR. ARCHDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at the meeting of the Granard Board of Guardians, held to consider the half-yearly contracts, the secretary of the United Irish League Branch was in attendance with his list of members, and the names of those tendering were read out, and the preference in the contracts was given to those who appeared on the United Irish League list; and will he say whether he proposes to take action in the matter.
§ MR. WYNDHAMMy attention has been called to the several matters mentioned in these Questions. I can best reply by saying that proceedings will be instituted by the Crown against all local bodies who, in breach of the public trust they are elected to discharge, endeavour to promote the pecuniary interests of any political society, or of the members of such a society. This being so, my hon. friend will, I think, agree with me that it is unnecessary to discuss the separate instances brought to my notice of a breach of the public trust.