§ MR. THOMAS ELLISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Chief Constable of Cardiganshire made any earnest attempt to come to an understanding with the peasants in Penbryn, Cardiganshire, who were about to be distrained for tithe, or with their leaders, which would obviate the necessity of bringing large contingents of police from Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, and mounted police from the county borough of Swansea; whether, during the distraints on 19th March, three responsible persons offered to give the Chief Constable a guarantee that if the police contingents were removed from the locality the distraints and sales would go on peacefully and that the peasantry would make but a peaceful protest; and whether he will advise the Chief Constable not to employ these contingents of police, which entail heavy expenditure and cause great irritation, till an endeavour has been made to come to a frank understanding with the people such as was repeatedly secured by the Chief Constable of Montgomeryshire?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Chief Constable that previous to the day fixed for the distraints—viz., the 19th inst.—he made careful inquiry as to the intention of the tithe payers in this parish, and was given to understand that they had unanimously resolved to refuse payment, and were determined to resist and illuse the bailiffs. He thereupon took with him as small a force of men as he thought would suffice to protect the bailiffs, and he often appealed in Welsh to the leaders of the peasants to assist him in keeping order. He denies that at any time to his knowledge three persons collectively offered the guarantee in question; but at different times some one or two persons asked him to withdraw the police. This he conceived he could not do without risk to the lives of the bailiffs. I wrote on Saturday last to the Chairman of Quarter Sessions asking whether an arrangement could not be made similar to that made in Montgomeryshire, whereby these regrettable 721 collisions could be avoided. I have had an interview with the Chairman of Quarter Sessions this morning, and have expressed my earnest hope that this suggestion may be acted upon.
§ MR. THOMAS ELLISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who was the officer in command of the Carmarthenshire contingent of police employed on 19th March at Penbryn, Cardiganshire, in connection with the levying of tithe distraints; when, and by whom, was he appointed to his office; what was his age at the date of his appointment; and what experience in the police force had he gained prior to his appointment?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Chief Constable that Mr. Superintendent William Philipps was the officer in command on the occasion named. He was recently appointed to this office by the present Chief Constable, his father. Previously to that he had been chief clerk in the Chief Constable's office since 1883, and had, therefore, had five years' experience of police work.
§ MR. ELLISAbout what age was the young man when he was appointed? Is there another son of the Chief Constable in his office, and paid for by the county?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Chief Constable that he was appointed in 1883, and that Mr. Philipps was 17 years of age.