§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked how the Elphin Drainage Board, county Roscommon, is constituted and how the members 173W are elected; what their qualifications are; how many paid officials there are and what salaries they receive; and how the rates are apportioned under this board?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Elphin Drainage Board was constituted by the Provisional Order scheduled to the Act 31, Vic. Cap. 3 (local). Members are elected annually in. September by the votes of the proprietors of land within the district in accordance with the provisions of the Act 26 and 27 Vic. Cap. 3, Sections 13–15. Each member must be the proprietor of not less than twenty acres of land, or agent of a proprietor of not less than 100 acres of land, within the area of the district. I have no information as to the number of paid members and their salaries. These are matters for the Drainage Board, and the Board of Works has no power to interfere with the discretion of the Drainage Board in the administration of their funds. The apportionment of the rates does not rest with the Drainage Board, but with the Commissioners of Public Works under the provisions of the Act 55 and 56 Vic. Cap. 65, Section. 11, and is based on the improved value of the land by the operation of the drainage works as determined by the final award of those Commissioners dated 26th March, 1872. Apportionment certificates have been made under the Act above-mentioned.