§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYwished to call the attention of the Government to the condition of the stipendiary magistrates in Ireland. They were now appointed under the Act of Will. IV., which reduced the amount of their retiring salaries and placed them under a disadvantage as compared with their former position. The result was that while magistrates appointed before 1847 were allowed to retire on their full salaries, those who were appointed after that date had to retire at a much reduced pension; consequently, the Bench in Ireland was now stocked with men who were really not capable of discharging their duties. The men appointed before 1847 retired on completing the full period of 20 years' service, while the magistrates appointed after 1847, having to retire on a diminished pension, were averse to retiring at all. He did not mean to advocate that any larger pensions should be given than at present —that was a question for the Government—but he did submit that some steps should be taken to induce these gentlemen to retire from the duties of their office when they had reached the ordinary period when a man's labours should cease. At present, it was no uncommon thing for magistrates to be 71, 73, or 76 years of age. It was all very well to have men in the Superior Courts of very great age, because they were 1854 under the eye of public opinion; but these local magistrates were little kings in their own districts. They represented the law in rural localities, and it was most desirable that the law should be wisely and properly represented. Without suggesting that there should be any larger increase of the pensions, or that other stringent measures should be adopted, he would suggest to the Government the desirability of removing these magistrates at the proper time.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)said, that the matter, as he understood it, was rather difficult to decide by any legislation, and must be left to the action of public opinion, which up to that time had been found to be adequate. It had not been found necessary to lay down a hard-and-fast line as to the age at which a man should retire, and he did not think it was desirable to increase the compensation.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.