§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the existing rule which obliges collectors to close there accounts for the first moiety of the rates on or before the 30th September in each year entails hardship upon ratepayers in agricultural districts, who find it inconvenient to meet rates before their corn is harvested; and whether the Local Government Board will consider the advisability of extending the period to the 31st October.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,for Mr. WYNDHAM) Londonderry, N.,The financial half-years in the case of County and District Councils are fixed by the Local Government Act of 1898, and the orders made there under, and terminate on the 30th September and 31st March. The Board have no power to vary these dates. I cannot admit that the inconvenience mentioned has arisen. The rates necessary to meet the expenditure of the half-year must be lodged within the half year.