§ MR. MOLLOYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland for the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, For what reasons, and upon what grounds, the magistrates in the Petty Sessions dis- 1366 tricts of Edenderry, Fahy, and Clonbullogue, in the King's County, disregarded the circular issued to them of the 20th November 1869, and appointed John J. Barns sessions clerk of the above districts, notwithstanding that the said John J. Barns is disqualified for that post under the regulations and rules of the said circular, for, among other reasons, that he is over fifty years of age, being ten years beyond the limit of age under the conditions of his qualifications; and if it be a fact that there were several applicants who possessed the necessary qualifications for that post; whether the said John J. Barns was a car-driver and shopkeeper, possessing none of the necessary qualifications; and, whether he has failed to enter into the required securities?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Mr. Barns is, I understand, above 40 but under 50 years of age. In the opinion of the magistrates, with whom the election rested, he was the only competent candidate for the office of Petty Sessions clerk, to which he was elected, and their opinion of his competency is justified by the fact that he has given every satisfaction to the magistrates in the discharge of his duties, and he has perfected the required securities. There are several instances in which it has been found necessary to make exceptions in the indicated limit of age mentioned in the Circular referred to.
§ MR. MOLLOYinquired whether it was not the fact that the Act fixed 40 years of age as the limit for these appointments?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, his impression was that the Act did not impose this limit; but it was by the Circular of His Excellency. The magistrates were of opinion that the other applicants were not competent to discharge the duties of the office.