§ DR. D. AMBROSE () Louth, S.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 10th of April last a planter named Shaw, on the Massereene estate, was proceeding to Slane with a load of straw, and that the load having slipped or fallen two policemen stationed at Glassallen assisted him in rebuilding it; whether this is any part of the duty of the Constabulary; and if the performance of such work interferes with their usefulness in other respects?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneI am informed that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The load of straw had slipped, and was in danger of toppling over and injuring the horse. The action of the police was quite voluntary, and they assisted the man regardless of whether he was a new tenant or an evicted tenant. 758 The police are expected to render aid to the public in any emergency of this kind, and I believe that in the same district a police patrol by their timely action recently saved the life of the only cow owned by an evicted tenant.