§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork County, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state why the Local Government Board have refused to grant the application of the Urban Council of Mallow for a Provisional Order to enable them to acquire land for the purpose of a recreation ground for the use of the inhabitants of the town and urban district, having regard to the fact that the estimated rates of the town have been decreased by twopence in the pound, and adequate provision has been made for new works, including working-class lodging-houses, improvement of the water supply and sewerage, and for such portion of the cost and maintenance of the recreation ground as might possibly fall upon the rates; and whether the 1179 Local Government Board will reconsider the matter and accede to the application of the urban council.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Provisional Order was refused because the necessity for the proposed recreation ground was not established at the local inquiry. The Board has not sanctioned any scheme for the improvement of the water supply and sewerage, both of which are in a very defective condition and in urgent need of improvement. These are matters that call for prior treatment. Moreover, the evidence taken at the inquiry showed that, contrary to the belief of the district council, the cost of providing a recreation ground would fall almost entirely on the rates.