§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the observations of the County Court Judge of Down at the last revision Court on the manner in which the officials had made up the Local Government register of voters for the town of Newcastle, in the county of Down, whereby numbers of the highest ratepayers have been disfranchised; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board will provide that the proposed changes in the local government of the town shall not come into effect until the 1st of January next, when a new register will come into force.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe observations of the Judge have not been brought to my notice, but I am endeavouring to obtain a report of them. I would point out, however, that an opportunity was afforded at the revision sessions to remedy any imperfections in the voters' lists. I am afraid the Local Government Board could not properly postpone the proposed constitution of Newcastle as a municipal town in view of the reasons urged by my hon. friend, but I will make inquiry.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)inquired whether the proposed changes had been submitted to the ordinary rules, whether the opinion of the ratepayers had been taken, and whether the inquiry had been held by the Local Government Board.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI cannot answer that Question without notice.