§ Mr. TUITE (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, at the recent Assizes for the County of Westmeath, a presentment of £511 3s. 10d. was granted at the request of the Government for extra police in the county, notwithstanding that at the Presentment Sessions for the county at large, held previously, the charge was objected to by the assembled Magistrates and cesspayers, who caused a representation to that effect to be made to the Government; if he can state the grounds on which the Government forced the presentment, in opposition to the decision of the Magistrates and cesspayers; and what serious crime there is in the county?
§ THE CHIEF SECEETAEY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.No grounds having been stated by the Magistrates at Presentment Sessions for objecting to the claim, the usual certificate was laid before the Grand Jury, who offered no objection to the presentment. The extra force of the County of Westmeath now numbers 31, of whom 23 were appointed on the requisition of the local Magistrates, and eight only under the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation. It is now at the lowest point it has been for many years. A reduction of five was made in the number in February last. It is not practicable at the present time to make any further reductions.