§ MR. MEEHANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware if Mr. W. H. Wilkinson was appointed assistant clerk to the Land Commission in 1905, at the salary of £300 a year, on the recommendation of a firm of land agents, excluding a number of the permanent staff who were qualified for the position; whether he is aware that, during the months of May and June, 1907, Mr. Wilkinson accepted service of writs and other documents in connection with the Kirkpatrick estate; can he say whether it was as land agent or in what capacity Mr. Wilkinson accepted service of those documents; whether Mr. Wilkinson still continues to act as land agent or clerk in a land agent's office; and if he is now on the permanent staff of the Land Commission Office and bound to give his entire time to the duties of his office.
§ MR. BIRRELLI find that on 3rd May, 1906, † my predecessor fully informed the hon. Member of the circumstances of Mr. Wilkinson's appointment. The Land Commission inform me that it is not the
† See(4) Debates, clvi, 701.701 case that Mr. Wilkinson accepted service of writs as stated in the Question, or that he acts as land agent or clerk to a land agent. On the contrary, his time is wholly devoted to the Commissioners' service.
§ MR. MEEHANWill the right hon. Gentleman inform us whether any legal documents have been lodged in the offices in Dublin, of which Mr. Wilkinson has accepted service in connection with this estate?
§ MR. BIRRELLFull inquiry has been made in that matter, and on previous occasions I answered the Question that one of the tenants served legal notice on Mr. Wilkinson in mistake for his brother.
§ MR. KILBRIDEWhat qualifying examination did Mr. Wilkinson pass?
§ MR. BIRRELLAs a matter of fact Mr. Wilkinson was examined by two persons each without knowing the other had examined him, and both placed him easily first.