§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that Mr. Hardy, a respectable landowner, has been refused a gun licence; and, whether Mr. Fowler, J.P., gave as a reason, for withholding the licence, the connection of Mr. Hardy with the Land League?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, the Question did not specify in what county or district the landowner resided. The hon. Member was under some misapprehension as to the granting of licences. Local magistrates were not appointed to grant licences; but they could grant certificates to persons residing in the same petty sessions districts. The licensing officers were bound to grant licences under the certificate of the magistrate, who was not obliged to sign certificates, but used his discretion. Anybody possessing an agricultural residence, who thought he ought to have 1645 a licence, had the remedy of applying to the resident magistrate direct.
§ MR. PARNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that Mr. John Kelly, Carrawimen, Ballyforan, Ballinasloe, has, on April 26th, been refused a gun licence by Mr. Paul, resident magistrate of his district, although he brought before Mr. Paul recommendations from three respectable gentlemen in his neighbourhood as to character, &c.; whether Mr. Kelly, when the late Arms Act came into force, delivered up his gun to the police, and in every way complied with the requirements of the Law; whether Mr. Paul said he could not grant him—Kelly—a licence, unless he was recommended by two local magistrates, and, on its being pointed out to him that there was only one local magistrate in Mr. Kelly's district, and, as he was not acquainted with him, he would not, therefore, recommend him, Mr. Paul then said that he should get a recommendation from the chief constable; whether the chief constable, on being asked if he knew of any reason why Mr. Kelly should not have a gun, replied that he did not know of anything against his character, but that he would not recommend him; whether he is aware that, in consequence of Mr. Kelly not having his gun, he will lose a considerable part of his crop, as there is a rookery within a quarter of a mile of his farm; and, whether, under these circumstances, he will consider the necessity of the application, and give instructions to the local authorities to grant him a licence?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that he was still making inquiries. He had not yet received the resident magistrate's Report, and he was surprised that he had not received it.