§ Mr. LYNCHasked whether, in reference to the collection of rents of cottages, plots, and tenements on behalf of the rural district council of Ennistymon, West Clare, the Local Government Board will sanction the appointment of James Shannon, of Miltown Malbay, as collector, in view of the fact that James Shannon was elected to the position in May, 1910, but the Local Government Board intimated that the appointment could not be sanctioned because he held licensed premises; that on the 4th August, 1910, James Shannon completed a transfer of his licensed premises, and on the 4th October, 1910, he was instructed by the council to proceed to collect the rents; and that he acted accordingly and lodged the proceeds to the credit of the council; and will he state on what grounds the appointment of James Shannon has not been sanctioned?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated. Shannon has only been appointed collector in respect of the cottages built under the second scheme of the Ennistymon Rural District Council, and the validity of the appointment has been challenged by the collector for the first scheme of cottages. The council's solicitor has stated that there was no vacancy to which Shannon could be appointed. In these circumstances the Local Government Board cannot approve of the Council's action in the matter.