HC Deb 22 June 1882 vol 271 cc23-4
MR. DILLON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that, after the passing of the Arms Act, the Hon. M. J. French, R. M., Cashel, called a meeting of the magistrates attending the Cashel Petty Sessions at a club-room, known as the Rock Club, Cashel, at which he (the Hon. M. French) issued to the justices there assembled a request that they should abstain from signing certificates for licence to have arms where demanded, thereby completely nullifying the fourth section of the Arms Act, and whether such request has been strictly adhered to, save in one case, where the signatory happened to be the sole absentee on the occasion referred to; whether it is a fact that, at a petty sessions held at Fethard, county Tipperary, on the 22nd of May, a magistrate sitting on the bench, Major Purcell, Rowan, applied for a gun licence for his brother-in-law, Charles Blackmoor, Esq., Montlestown Castle, a gentleman holding fee simple property over £400 per annum; whether the stipendiary magistrate, the Hon. Mr. French, asked if applicant had paid his rent; and whether, on being informed that Mr. Blackmoor had no rent to pay, the application was refused, on the grounds "that he (Mr. French) had heard that Mr. Blackmoor had attended Land League meetings;" whether it is true that a farmer, named John Quigley, tenant to Richard Pennefather Lloyd, county Roscommon, who holds property in the county Tipperary, applied for a gun licence at the Fethard Petty Sessions held on the 22nd May; whether, in a catechetical examination, which the Hon. M. J. French has adopted, it was elicited that the applicant had paid his rent, but, owing to an error of deducting the poor rates on the valuation and not on the rent paid, a trifling sum of three shillings and fourpence remained due; and, whether, until such trifling sum was paid, the stipendiary magistrate refused to grant a licence, notwithstanding that the tenant and landlord are on the most friendly terms, as appeared from the letter of the landlord to tenant, produced?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I have called for an answer to this, but have not yet received it. Notice was given on the 19th instant, and the Question appeared in the Votes on the morning of the 20th instant.

MR. DILLON

said, he would repeat his Question on Monday.