§ MR. CAREW(for Mr. W. A. MACDONALD) (Queen's Co., Ossory)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that Mr. George Vanston, Poor Rate Collector, Mountmellick, Queen's County, recently instituted a private prosecution against Joseph and John Doran for assault and rescue of a pig seized by him for payment of rates; whether, when he attended at the Petty Sessions Court with his witnesses, he was compelled to abandon the prosecution under the ordinary law, on the ground that the Constabulary Authorities had determined to proceed under the Criminal Law and Procedure Act; whether the Constabulary Authorities had the power to alter the character of the prosecution; and, whether Mr. Vanston and his witnesses will be compensated for loss of time, car hire, &c, 13 incurred by them when conducting a prosecution under the ordinary law?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)said, the facts were substantially as stated. With regard to the action of Mr. Vanston, the Constabulary had no knowledge of his having got a summons on his own behalf, as it was unnecessary. The Constabulary acted under the direction of the Divisional Magistrate. The question of the expenses of Mr. Vanston and his witnesses would, if within the magistrate's jurisdiction, be dealt with at the hearing of the case.