§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a further resolution from the Athlone Board of Guardians in which some of his statements in reference to the clerical staff of the board of the Athlone (Nos. 1 and 2) Rural District Councils are denied; and whether, in view of the statement of facts mentioned in this resolution as to the former clerical staff and the salaries allocated for the new staff, and of the further fact that in at least four other instances, viz., Sligo, South Dublin, Oldcastle, and Dromore West, a division such as that proposed in Athlone has been sanctioned by the Local Government Board, he will 231 request the latter body to reconsider its decision in regard to Athlone in order to give effect to the wishes of the representatives of the ratepayers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have received the resolution referred to. As I stated in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for South Westmeath on 17th May last, one official was responsible for the duties of the three offices which the local authorities desire to separate. I understand that the clerical staff referred to in the resolution was only the usual assistance allowed to an executive officer for discharging minor clerical duties. I see no reason to question the view as to the suggested salaries taken by the Local Government Board, and indicated in my previous reply. In the four instances cited the Board were satisfied that a division of duties was desirable for the proper administration of the districts. This is not the case in the present instance. No fresh facts have been brought forward in the guardians' resolution to warrant a departure from the decision already arrived at by the Local Government Board in the matter.