§ MR. DE COBAIN (Belfast, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that out of four charges brought against the Rev. R. C. Hallowes, Rector of Arklow, and his curate, the Rev. J. W. Harrison, of obstruction, alleged to have been caused by the holding of religious services, three have failed for want of evidence, and that in the fourth case the rev. gentlemen were convicted by the Magistrates; is he aware that the ground occupied by Mr. Hallowes and Mr. Harrison has frequently been used for Land League and National League meetings; under what law or regulation did Divisional Commissioner Cameron act in ordering the arrest of Messrs. Hallowes and Harrison, when on their knees praying with their congregation, and 30 minutes before the arrival of the train which was to convey them to Wexford Gaol; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstance of the case?
§ MR. MADDENThe facts are as stated by my hon. Friend in the first paragraph of the question. National League meetings have been held on the Parade Ground where Mr. Hallowes held the open-air services. The Constabulary Authorities report that the arrests were quietly effected and were not made until the train was actually due; but the train was half an hour late in reaching Arklow.