§ MR. MACARTNEYsaid, he would beg to ask the right hon. and learned Attorney General for Ireland at what period of time it was communicated to the Chief Commissioner of the Incumbered Estates 351 Court in Ireland that his duties were to cease previous to the 1st of November last; and to the other Commissioners, that they were to undertake and dispose of all matters hitherto in said Chief Commissioner's Court from the time of his retirement?
MR. J. D. FITZGERALDsaid, that on the 8th of last October the Lord Lieutenant had made a communication to the Lord Chancellor for Ireland to the effect that the time had arrived at which Mr. Baron Richards ought to be released from his onerous duties in the Incumbered Estates Court, and three days afterwards the Lord Chancellor made known to Mr. Baron Richards the Resolution to which Her Majesty's Government had come upon the subject. He (Mr. J. D. FitzGerald) was not aware at what time Mr. Baron Richards who had then been the Chief Commissioner of the Court had communicated to his brother Commissioners the change which was about to take place; but that such change was to be carried into effect had become notorious so early as the month of July last. Mr. Baron Richards had been appointed by Royal warrant, and could only be removed by a similar instrument. The warrant revoking his appointment had been issued on the 1st of December, and had been communicated to the Court on the 4th of the same month.