§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether on 21st March Dr. Babington, J.P., and Captain Thompson, J.P., both for county Cavan. refused to witness proxy papers for Poor Law election in 1474 favour of a person named Leddy, the reason given for these two magistrates to witness the documents being that Leddy was a Land Leaguer; and, whether such refusal was a breach of duty?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I am informed that Dr. Babington and Captain Thompson refused to witness the proxy papers for the Poor Law election in favour of a person named Leddy. Neither of the magistrates gave as a reason that Leddy was a Land Leaguer. Captain Thompson assigns as a reason the lateness of the hour he was asked, and Dr. Babington does not appear to assign any intelligible reason at all. I am informed that there is no statutable provision requiring a magistrate to attest by his signature such papers.
§ MR. TREVELYANI am sure I do not know.