§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, at a Petty Session Court, held in Abbeyfeale on the 26th ultimo, before Messrs. Turner, R.N, and W. C. Harnett, J.P., a case of alleged trespass, at suit of James Esmonde, J.P., against Mrs. Harnett, was called, the plaintiff not appearing; that the defendant applied for an adjournment in consequence of the absence of his solicitor, but was refused; and that, after all the other cases had been disposed of, the Magistrates kept the police and officials of the Court waiting the arrival of Mr. Esmonde, and then heard and adjudicated upon the case, although Mrs. Harnett had been refused the adjournment; and if he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the case?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am informed that the case had been already adjourned at the previous Petty Sessions, and as it involved no question of difficulty the Magistrates refused to further adjourn it. They accordingly proceeded with it upon the arrival by train of the plaintiff, who had come a distance of upwards of 80 miles to give evidence in the matter.
§ In reply to a further question by Mr. W. ABRAHAM,
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid there was only a delay of about a quarter of an hour.