§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the action of District Inspector Smith, of Macroom, as reported in The Cork Daily Herald of Monday's, 7th ultimo, issue, that Smith stated to the Representative of that journal, on his inquiring on Saturday evening as to whether the proposed meeting at Ashgrove would be proclaimed—" Why should it, there is no necessity for such a step; "whether Smith was aware on the said Saturday evening that the meeting was proclaimed; whether he had been engaged that day in perfecting details in connection with the matter; at what time was the notice that the meeting was proclaimed forwarded to Smith from Cork; and, whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the case?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)District Inspector Smith denies that he made the statement attributed to him. He was, of course, aware that the meeting had been proclaimed, and he was properly discharging his duty by making arrangements accordingly. I see no ground for further inquiry into the circumstances.