MR. E. POWERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the Government were aware at the time Serjeant Armstrong was appointed Judge of Assize for the Leinster Circuit he had held briefs in railway traverses which were to be tried at Waterford as remanets from the last assizes; whether it is a fact that by reason of his incompetency to try these cases in which he had been counsel, the county business was transferred to the city, and a great delay consequently arose, so that the business of the assizes was left unfinished; and, whether it is a fact that Mr. Justice Lawson directed the jurors of the city of Waterford to attend at ten o'clock on Monday morning the 23rd inst., and did not come to the court, but left without sending either message or explanation?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, the Government had no knowledge of the private business engagements of Mr. Serjeant Armstrong at the time he was appointed Judge of Assize; but these engagements caused no inconvenience, as Mr. Justice Lawson tried the railway traverses, the only cases referred to in the Question. No delay whatever was caused by this, and all the business of the Assize was disposed of except cases postponed, with consent of counsel. It is not a fact that Mr. Justice Lawson directed the jurors of the city of Waterford to attend at 10 o'clock on Monday, the 23rd. On the contrary, the Commission was closed on Saturday evening, and not adjourned till Monday. The county jurors were apprised that they were not further required; but in consequence of the City Sheriff not giving a notice to that effect, a few of the City jurors came to the Court House on Monday morning, but the sub-Sheriff immediately gave them notice, and they returned to their homes, which are near the Court House.