§ Mr. HACKETTasked the grounds upon which the Irish Local Government Board refused the request of the Slievardagh Ratepayers' Protection Association for a sworn inquiry into the expenditure and management of the Callan Union?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have not refused a request of the Slievardagh Ratepayers' Protection Association for a sworn inquiry. In June last that Association asked the Board to send an accountant to inquire into the increased expenditure of the Union. The Board of Guardians endorsed this request, and an auditor was instructed to investigate the matter. His report was communicated to the guardians in August last. On 3rd December the guardians asked for a sworn inquiry into certain discrepancies in the workhouse stores, and on the 17th December adopted a further resolution extending the scope of the proposed inquiry. On 14th January, however, the Guardians received a communication from the Ratepayers' Association declining to have anything whatever to do with the proposed sworn inquiry. The Board are at present in communication with the Guardians with a view to being furnished with more de finite details of the points which it is desired should be investigated on oath.