MR. MACDERMOTT (Kilkenny, N)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, in the month of September last, Sergeant Morris, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, stationed at Rossmore, County Galway, seized on a gun belonging to Mr. John S. Burke, of Clondagaff, County Galway, notwithstanding that Mr. Burke had obtained a licence for same, merely because the licence had been lost during Mr. Burke's eviction; and whether he was justified in so doing; if he will explain why Mr. Hickson, R.M., subsequently refused to issue a new licence to Mr. Burke; and whether it is proposed to refund the amount which Mr. Burke paid in the month of August for the Excise Licence Duty for the gun for twelve months?
§ * THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON, Leeds, N.)The gun referred to was taken by the police authorities because the holder was unable to produce his licence. The Licensing Magistrate did, in the exercise of his discretion, refuse to issue a new licence. The Inland Revenue will, no doubt, give due consideration to an application for the return of the amount.
§ * MR. JACKSONI understand it is not necessary to give the ground for a refusal to grant a licence of this kind.