HC Deb 17 February 1890 vol 341 c427
DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether complaints have reached him that considerable difficulty and trouble has been experienced in the Cork Police Office during the past six months, owing to the non-attendance of Justices; whether it is true that the local resident magistrate, Mr. Gardiner, has been most frequently absent; and whether some steps will be taken to remedy the grievance complained of?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No complaints of the nature indicated in the question have reached me; nor does there appear to be any ground, for such complaints. The Court is held daily and has not onee fallen through during the past six months by reason of the non-attendance of magistrates. The resident Magistrate invariably attends except when prevented by more pressing duties.

DR. TANNER

Am I to understand that the Court has not been repeatedly adjourned from 11 o'clock owing to the non attendance of magistrates until 12 and even later?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

What I stated was that the holding of the Petty Sessions bad never fallen through. Whether the Court was adjourned for an hour or two I cannot tell.