§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can explain the circumstances under which Mr. C. P. Coote, a paid official on the staff of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and a Director of the Great Southern and Western Bail-way of Ireland, was granted special leave of absence during the last Cork Assizes, to enable him to attend in Cork as a Grand Juror for the purpose of opposing the projected Cork and Wexford Railway Bill in favour of the Great Southern and Western Railway?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe gentleman mentioned, who is the owner of property in the County of Cork, received the usual notice to attend as a Grand Juror at the late Assizes. His doing so in no way conflicted with his official duties. I have no information as to the particular business which came before the Grand Jury.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of Mr. C. Purdon Coote, at the Board of Conservators of the Lismore District, in endeavouring to procure the removal of Captain J. W. Johnstone from his position of Inspector; whether any reasons have been assigned for this action of Mr. Coote; and whether 153 any steps will be taken to see that full justice is done to Captain Johnstone in the matter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThis is a matter which in no way comes under the cognisance of the Irish Government, and therefore I am unable to answer the question.
§ DR. TANNERDid not Mr. Coote say that he was going against Captain Johnstone in order to deprive him of his position of Inspector in consequence of Captain Johnstone having summoned him and had him fined for illegal fishing?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have received no information of that character.