§ MR. SMALLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at a court of petty sessions held in the borough of Wexford on last Wednesday, a magistrate prevented the mayor of the borough from taking the chair, and stated that legal opinion had been obtained that the mayor was not entitled to take the chair; whether such opinion was obtained at the instance or cost of the Crown; and, if so, whether he will lay such opinion and the case sent to counsel upon the Table; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Crown prosecutor told the mayor that his conduct was indecent; and, whether the Crown intends to take notice of such language addressed by a Crown official, in open court, to a magistrate?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the legal opinion referred to was, I believe, one given in the year 1876 to the then Mayor of Wexford by the Law Adviser to the Castle. No other opinion was, so far as I am aware, given or obtained. I cannot undertake to produce either case or opinion, as it has never been the practice to do so. The Crown Prosecutor stated that it would be indecent for the Mayor to be examined as a witness, as he professed his intention of being, and, at the same time, ask questions at the trial. The Resident Magistrate remarked that such a course would not be in good taste, which, I think, is a better expression than indecent. The Mayor refrained from taking the course which had been objected to. I do not think it necessary to take further notice of the matter.