§ MR. MURPHYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, What has been the cause of the delay in the repayment to the several Clerks of the Crown and Peace in Ireland of the amounts which have been disbursed by them to 31st December 1878, in discharge of the expenses of their offices, and for which payments vouchers have been furnished to the Treasury; and, why those officers have been obliged to continue to make advances out of their own moneys to meet expenses necessary to enable the business of their several departments to be carried on?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, the delay has arisen from a difficulty in determining the amount with which, the Clerks of the Crown and Peace should be debited in respect of the expense of keeping open an office in the Assize towns of their counties, as they are required to do by the County Officers and Courts Act. But it is hoped that this difficulty will soon be removed, and, in the meantime, in order to save the officers inconvenience, the Treasury has authorized payment to them of proportions varying from two-thirds to three-fourths of the amounts of their claims.