§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the obstacles which prevented the arbitrator appointed by the Local Government Board of Ireland, under the Labourers Act, from making his award in due time on the Thurles Rural District Council's opposed Order; and whether he is aware that his failure to make his award has prevented the rural district council from letting the cottage plot to the appointed labourers in time to prepare them for this season's-crop?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that the arbitrator's award was lodged on 25th February last, in ample time to admit of 1033W the plots being handed over to the labourers for tilling for this season's crop. The arbitrator held his inquiry on 30th November last, and the Local Government Board understand that he would have been able to complete his award much earlier but for difficulties which arose in connection with certain sites and involved considerable correspondence between the arbitrator and officials of the local authority. The Rural District Council, by proceeding under Section 4 of the Labourers Act of 1896, could have taken up possession of the plots immediately the Order sanctioning their scheme was confirmed, on compliance with the provisions of the Section, and need not have waited for the arbitrator's award.