§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the report in The Cork Examiner of the 8th of May, of the trial of Captain Ludlow Strange Payne, at Fermoy, on a summons charging him with tearing down after midnight certain banners and decorations erected across the streets of Fermoy in honour of the visit of the hon. Member for North East Cork (Mr. O'Brien); whether the evidence showed that Captain Payne was caught in the act by the night watchman; whether, 322 although the summons was dismissed on the ground that the complainant should have been the Town Commissioners, the presiding magistrate stated that—
So far as the emblem was concerned there was nothing to object to in it. We cannot understand why Captain Payne interfered with them;and added, in giving judgment—That both Mr. Furlong and himself considered that Mr. Payne had acted not only with very bad taste but with the most extreme imprudence and danger. By the insult he committed he not only placed himself in danger, but also other people who might be supposed to regard Mr. Payne's action with favour; but on the legal point they did not see their way to a conviction;and, will Captain Payne be allowed to retain his Militia command?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)With regard to the first three Questions asked by the hon, and learned Gentleman, I can only refer him to the answer given for me last night by my hon. Friend the Member for Wigton (Sir Herbert Maxwell). In answer to the fourth Question, I have to say it would depend upon the result of further inquiries, which are being made.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked, when it would be convenient for the right hon. Gentleman to answer the Question?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEsaid, he was afraid he should not be in a position to answer it on Thursday. He had communicated with the authorities in Ireland; but he had not yet received a reply.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYsaid, he would repeat the Question on Thursday.