§ MR. BOWEN ROWLANDS (Cardiganshire)I wish, Sir, to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an application was made by the Chief Constable of Cardiganshire to the Swansea Town Council for the loan of mounted police for the purpose of assisting at tithe collections; and whether such application was made before or after the 16th of March, the date on which information as to the intention of the peasants in the parish of Penbryn to ill-use the bailiffs was given to the Chief Constable by the Superintendent of Police?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; I am informed by the Chief Constable that such an application was made. The correspondence took place previously to the 16th of March. Though the Swansea Town Council placed mounted constables at the disposal of the Chief Constable, he did not make use of them at any time.
§ MR. BOWEN ROWLANDSWill the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles this with his previous answer, that no application was made for the 1806 constables until after the 16th March, when the Superintendent gave information that the people intended to resist the police?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe correspondence, as I understand, took place prior to the 16th March, and the application was renewed after the 16th March.
§ MR. BOWEN ROWLANDSI hope the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries as to how it is that statements on this subject sent to the Home Office are so irreconcilable.
§ COLONEL WARING (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Vice Chamberlain whether, in view of the fact that the cow sold by auction in Carlisle was knocked down to the first bidder for £3 10s., a sum manifestly below her value if sound, he will direct an inquiry, independent of the local veterinary authorities, into the circumstances of the case?
§ DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid)Before the question is answered, I should like to ask is it not a fact that the cow in question was a bull?