§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is the fact that on Sunday week a party of bicyclists from Kilmallock, on arriving at Rathkeale (twenty-two miles off) about 5.30 p.m. were refused refreshment at the hotel by order of Captain Hatchell, R.M.; whether police were stationed to see that the order was carried out, on the ground that a meeting to be held earlier in the day had been proclaimed; whether the tourists then waited on Captain Hatchell, and begged of him to be allowed food and drink, as they had not come to attend any meeting; whether he at first refused, but, after being informed that they would report him, he detailed two policemen to allow them to get what they wanted; and, whether this stipendiary has any instructions to override the bonâ fide traveller clause of the Sunday Closing Act; and, if not, what notice will be taken of his conduct?
§ MR. TREVELYANWith regard to the order made as to the public-houses, the facts are that there was some excitement in the town in consequence of the prohibition of a National League meeting proposed to be held there on that day, and informations were sworn that disturbance was apprehended. Under these circumstances, the magistrates thought it right to exercise the powers as to closing public-houses given to them by Section 21 of the Act 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 68; and they caused copies 1399 of their notice to be served upon the proprietors of licensed houses. I am advised that such an order for absolute closing, in the interest of the preservation of the peace, would, undoubtedly, override the provisions of the Sunday Closing Act as to partial opening for the supply of bonâ fide travellers. At the same time, I have already pointed out that when satisfied that a genuine case existed, the magistrates relaxed their order in the case of these tourists.