HC Deb 12 March 1855 vol 137 cc406-7
MR. MACARTNEY

said, he would beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether it was a fact that Mr. Hughes, one of the Judges of Assize on the Leinster Circuit, when about to open Her Majesty's commission in the Crown Court at Wexford (the High Sheriff and grand jury being then in attendance), proceeded to canvass the electors of a northern county, although no vacancy in its representation had taken place, and whether any permission or instruction had been given to Mr. Hughes to do so, either by the Lord Lieutenant or the Lord Chancellor, previous to the arrival of a substitute to preside in the Crown Court at Wexford?

MR. HORSMAN

said, that on having received notice on this subject from the hon. Gentleman on Friday, he had sent to Ireland for the necessary information to enable him to answer it; and he was now able to state the circumstances, which were slightly different from the impression the hon. Gentleman had received of them. Mr. Hughes, owing to the illness of one of the Judges, was appointed to go the Leinster Circuit, but he was not the only Judge, there being two for the circuit. The commission was opened at Wexford on the 2nd of March, and Mr. Hughes did not leave on the 2nd while the grand jury was being charged; but having on the 1st of March received a letter, asking him to stand for the county of Cavan, he left on that day and went to the Lord Chancellor, and stated that, as he was anxious to be a candidate for Cavan, he wished that a substitute should be appointed in his place on the circuit. Before he left Wexford Mr. Hughes had arranged with Baron Greene that he should perform all the duties of the Judges, and do all the business, which was very light, as it began on the 2nd, and was all over on the 3rd March. A substitute for Mr. Hughes was provided, who joined the circuit at Waterford. He had asked a further question of the Lord Chancellor, to the effect whether the absence of Mr. Hughes had caused any public inconvenience. The Lord Chancellor had stated in reply that no complaint had reached him of any interruption of the business of the circuit, and that no inconvenience had been felt by the public. He should add that no pecuniary loss would accrue to the public, because, although Mr. Hughes was entitled to 400l. for going the circuit, he had given that up on relinquishing the duty.