§ MR. ROWNTREE (Scarborough)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is correct, as reported in the public prints, that, at a Crimes Court, held at Athenry on the 20th instant, District Inspector Hamilton stated in his evidence that he
Considered cheering for Mr. Blunt and Lady Anne Blunt worse than using sticks and stones;and, if so, whether the Government intend to take any action in the matter?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: The Inspector General of Constabulary reports that District Inspector Hamilton, in replying to a question at the trial, stated that he did not consider a crowd using sticks and stones worse than cheering for Mr. and Lady Anne Blunt; but he immediately corrected this statement by saying what he intended to convey was—
That the conduct of a crowd with sticks and stones was, in his opinion, not worse than the conduct of the crowd at the Railway Station.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, Is there any way in which the Government can manage to convey to these magistrates a hint, that if they would confine themselves to the proper discharge of their duties, and not make speeches, the interest of justice would be better served?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI think the hon. Gentleman has not read the Question. It refers to a District In- 384 spector, and not to a magistrate; and the evidence was given by the Inspector in a Court of Law.