§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the following incident at the Connaught Winter Assizes held at Sligo, as reported in The Freeman's Journal, 21st December, 1886—
J. Cochrane Davys, Clerk of the Crown and Peace, was then sworn, and, in reply to Mr. Leamy, stated that he was appointed to the office previous to the Spring Assizes of 1886. For some years previous he had been Assistant Clerk of the Crown.Did you mark the panel of the Spring Assizes, 1886?—Yes.Did you send that marked panel to the sub-sheriff?—No.Why?—Because I did not think it my duty to do so.Have you read the Jurors' Acts. Surely you, a solicitor, must have read these Acts?—I declare to you I have never read them in my life.And, whether he will take steps to insure that Crown officials in Ireland make themselves acquainted with Acts of Parliament relating to their duties?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)It was thought right to refer this Question to the official named for any statement he might wish to offer with regard to the allegations contained in it. The Notice has been only one day on the Paper, and the reply has, of course, not yet been received from Sligo.