HC Deb 23 February 1893 vol 9 cc189-90
MR. EDWARD M'HUGH (Armagh, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many times has the Newtown Hamilton Petty Sessions Court been adjourned within the past two years owing to the non-attendance of the magistrates, thus causing considerable expense and inconvenience, and is it a fact that two Courts were adjourned in succession; is he aware that four out of the five magistrates for the district reside from five to eight miles from the town of Newtown Hamilton, one of those gentlemen resides in Dublin, another is incapacitated through deafness, a third nearly always travelling abroad, and a fourth confined in a lunatic asylum; and if he will see that this state of things will be remedied at an early date?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-Tyne

During the years 1891–92 the Petty Sessions referred to were adjourned on three occasions, owing to the non-attendance of magistrates, and on two such occasions the Courts were adjourned in succession. I have received a Report in regard to the second paragraph of the question, and will bring the matter under the notice of the Lord Chancellor.