§ MR. J. GILHOOLY (Cork Co., W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Petty Sessions Clerk recently appointed by the magistrates at Durrus resides at Bantry, a distance of twenty-six miles from part of the district for which he was appointed; and, if so, whether he will be required to reside in the Durrus Petty Sessions district?
§ *THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. L. JACKSON, Leeds, N.)I am informed that the Clerk of Petty Sessions for Durrus was at the time of his recent election likewise Clerk of Petty Sessions for Bantry, which is six-and-a-half miles distant from Durrus, and which he still holds, and where he still continues to reside under the regulations which allow a Clerk who holds two or more districts to live at or near one of the Courts of which he 322 is Clerk. No complaints have reached the Department of the Registrar of Petty Sessions Clerks of any inconvenience being caused to the public in the matter.
§ MR. GILHOOLYDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that there is no inconvenience for a person to have to travel twenty-six miles to find the Petty Sessions Clerk of the district?
§ *MR. JACKSONNo complaints have reached the Department.
§ MR. GILHOOLYShould not the Petty Sessions Clerk be compelled to reside within the district?
§ *MR. JACKSONI cannot take any action in the matter. The appointment rests with the magistrates, who presumably consult the convenience of the district.