§ SIR W. HARCOURTI will now ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, with the knowledge of the facts with which he is now acquainted through the Colonial Office as to the conduct of Captain Segrave, he intends to-night, on the Vote on Account, to ask for the salary of that gentleman, who, I believe, was the presiding magistrate at Mitchelstown?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs soon as I received the information I, of course, telegraphed over to Dublin, and Mr. Segrave has been suspended.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact of a person being a discredited Colonial servant necessarily unfits him for the post of Resident Magistrate in Ireland?
§ MR. SEXTONWhat further evidence is the right hon. Gentleman waiting for, beyond the declaration of the Colonial Office, before he dismisses this gentleman?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI prefer not dismissing an officer until I have full documentary evidence. As soon as Government receive proof that Mr. Segrave is an improper person to discharge the duties of a Resident Magistrate he will be dismissed. I am not going so far as to indicate to the public that, because a Resident Magistrate in Ireland happens to be unpopular with hon. Gentlemen opposite, therefore he is not to receive the same meed of justice which would be extended to any other officer.
§ MR. O'HEA (Donegal, W.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, on a recent occasion, in answer to the advocate of an accused party before him, Captain Segrave being President of a Crimes Act Court, said he was, "in the opinion of the Lord Lieutenant, a gentleman with sufficient legal attainments to carry on the business of the Court?"
§ No answer was given.
§ MR. SEXTONSir, we have been attacked, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware of the answer given to the House by the Colonial Under Secretary, that Mr. Segrave was dismissed from the service of the Cape Government for gross misconduct; and whether he is still to be continued in the Public Service?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMr. Segrave is only kept in the Public Service in this sense, that he is not allowed to perform any magisterial duties, and he does not receive any pay. As soon as full information is received on this point, of course he will be dealt with in the ordinary way.