§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton) (for Mr. FRASER-MACKINTOSH) (Inverness-shire)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he has received any Report regarding a serious attack made, on the 14th May last, upon Charles Robertson, in Kinveachie, of Aviemore, Inverness-shire, aged 78 years, by a neighbouring farmer, who felled him to the ground, and otherwise maltreated the old man; and, whether he will cause an impartial inquiry into the circumstances?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)This matter was reported to the Procurator Fiscal at the time by the constable of the district, who was present when the alleged attack 520 is said to have taken place. Inquiry was made, from which it appears that Robertson, who is a pauper, had taken forcible possession of a house belonging to a neighbouring farmer referred to, in which a pauper relative had died, and the furniture in which was claimed by the Inspector of Poor. As he would not go, Robertson was eventually carried out of the house. My information differs in material respects from what is stated in the Question put, as Robertson is to be tried on the 3rd of August for a breach of the peace on the occasion referred to. The facts would then be made public, and the case dealt with by the Sheriff. The matter being thus subjudice, I do not think I ought to make any further statement.