§ MR. SHEEHANI beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that 128 creameries entered for the summer surprise butter competitions in 1907; that out of that number ninety-five sent butter to the first competition, 122 to the second, 116 to the third, twenty-nine to the fourth, and thirty-two to the fifth; whether he is aware that the falling-off in the number of exhibits sent to the fourth and fifth competitions was due to the dissatisfaction caused by the appointment of a Mr. Carroll as creamery instructor; and if the above figures are correct, will he explain how they are to be reconciled with the statement that twenty-eight creameries, not 100, withdrew from these competitions.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThe figures are accurate, and in view of the circumstances I am considering the discontinuance of these competitions.