§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked whether Thomas Corrigan and his wife were granted an old age pension in 1914, but, on appeal by the pension officer, it was disallowed on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that Corrigan's yearly income is only £8 15s. 2d., as testified by the sworn affidavit of a public valuator, his application will be reheard and their pensions and arrears allowed?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThomas Corrigan and his wife were granted pensions of 5s. a week by the Carrick-on-Shannon No. 1 Local Pension Sub-Committee in December, 1912, and December, 1913, respectively. Questions were raised by the pension officer that their means exceeded the statutory limit for the receipt of a pension, and these questions came before the Local Government Board on appeal this year. The Board allowed them, and determined that Corrigan and his wife were not entitled to any pensions. It appears that Corrigan has a farm of 14½ acres, held at a rent of £3 13s. a year. One acre is under tillage. He also has the following stock: Three cows, five yearlings, three calves, three other cattle, four or five sheep, pigs and fowl. He has besides 6½ acres of land on another farm, and enjoys grazing rights on a disputed farm of 30 acres and also the run of 9 acres free. The valuator's statement referred to in the question is incomplete and misleading, as it only refers to the two subsidiary farms mentioned, and takes no notice at all of the principal farm. The Local Government Board see no reason for altering their decision in the matter, and even if they did they are precluded by law from reconsidering it at the present time.