§ MR. COMMINS(for Mr.O'KELLY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the local authorities of Maghera, county Londonderry, applied for the fifty extra constables drafted into the town on the 17th of 982 March; whether any demonstration was announced in the town for that day; whether the relations of the different sects in the district are other than friendly; whether any demonstrations or processions have taken place in Maghera on the 17th of March for several years; and, whether the ratepayers will be obliged to pay any of the expense incurred in bringing extra police into the town without any necessity?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe extra police force was sent into Maghera on the 17th instant on the requisition of the local magistrates. There have been demonstrations in Maghera on the 17th March for several years; but they had not been attended with disturbance. Recently, however, the relations between the different sects have not been friendly, and two serious cases of a Party character have occurred; and the magistrates had reason to believe that the presence of an extra police force was necessary. A moiety of the cost will fall upon the county at large.