§ MR. CULLINAN (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the solicitor to the Tipperary Urban Council swore at the recent trial in the Court of King's Bench that on the evening after the surcharges were made the auditor assured him that, if a good rate collection was made for the half-year ending in March, the surcharges would not be enforced; and whether, seeing that this was the cause of the Council not moving till the auditor took action in December, and that a good collection has been made, he will have the auditor's assurance now adhered to, and further proceedings stayed.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe solicitor to the district council made a statement in his affidavit to this effect. But the auditor states that the solicitor misapprehended 541 the purport of the conversation that passed, and that he gave the Solicitor no such assurance as is alleged. It is not open to the Government to review the decision of the King's Bench Division.
§ MR. CULLINANsaid this matter was causing great friction locally, and if the surcharges were attempted to be enforced the Government would want the powers of the Coercion Act.