§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the attack made by the members of North Down Militia, armed with rifles, on civilians and constabulary at Holywood, County Down, last week; whether he is aware that shots were fired by these men on the public street, and that a serious affray followed; whether Captain L'Estrange, R.M., at Holywood Petty Sessions, on Friday last (as reported in The Belfast Northern Whig of the following day), declared that the town had been in the possession of these armed and disorderly men for one hour on the day in question; and, whether steps will be taken to give some assurance to the inhabitants of Holywood that a repetition of such conduct will be prevented in future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)More Notice should be given of a Question such as this. The General commanding at Belfast telegraphs that the North Down Militia took no part whatever in the alleged disturbances. One man of the 1st Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment fired one blank cartrige, and is being tried by court martial. I am informed that Captain L'Estrange altogether denies having used the words imputed to him by The Northern Whig.