vest came in.

The Relief Commissioners published their third report on the 17th of
June, at which time 1677 electoral divisions were under the operation of
the Relief Act; being 429 more than at the date of the second report,
the 15th of May. They were then distributing 1,923,361 rations per day
gratuitously, at an average cost of 2-1/2d. per ration; and 92,326
rations were sold, making in all 2,015,687 rations. Of the 1677
electoral divisions under the Act, 1479 had received loans or grants,
198 had not applied for any advances, and 312 had not sent in any return
up to the time the report was published. The Commissioners make this
calculation: If, they say, the number of rations necessary for the
returns still to be received shall be in proportion to those of which we
have already cognizance, the entire number of rations will be 2,388,475;
and if the ordinary proportion for children at half rations be added,
the number of persons to receive relief will be 2,729,684, of whom
2,622,684 will receive relief gratuitously.

The springing up of abuses under such an extensive system of relief was
unavoidable, some of which the Commissioners mention in their third
report. Cases occurred in which more rations were demanded than there
were individuals in the whole district. Hundreds of names were struck
off by the inspecting officers, including servants and men in the
constant employ of persons of station and property; these latter were
frequently themselves members of the committees; and in some cases the
very chairmen, being magistrates, have sanctioned the issue of rations
to tenants of their own of considerable holdings, possessed of live
stock, and who, it was found, had paid up their last half year's rent.
The intimidation attempted in various places, say the Commissioners, was
generally successfully resisted, although to this there were exceptions
deserving of notice. It was reported to them that the introduction of
cooked food had produced the best effects on the health and appearance
of the people.

An inspector asks this question: "Is a man who owns a horse, or a cow,
or such things, destitute?" The Commissioners answer: "No, in the
abstract; but better give him relief than to drive him to permanent
destitution." On the 27th of May an inspector, who appears to have been
in a state of worry and excitement, writes to head-quarters:--"Entirely
deserted by the landlords and their representatives; the working of the
Comm