§ MR. ROCHEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that upon Colonel Longbourn's Resident Magistrate appointment to the Petty Sessions District of Woodford, he went to Portumna Castle, and after visiting Mr. Tener Lord Clanricarde's agent, he went to the Woodford Petty Sessions to preside, where Mr. Tener attended to prosecute several of the evicted tenants for trespass on their farms, and Colonel Longbourn inflicted fines very much in excess of those inflicted by his predecessor, Mr. Hickson, R.M., for similar offences; whether he is aware that after the Court he got on Mr. Tener's car, and accompanied him back to Portumna; whether he is aware of the strong feeling existing in the district as to the connection between this Resident Magistrate and the prosecutor Mr. Tener; and if he will inquire into the matter?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are generally as stated in the first and second paragraphs; the maximum penalties were inflicted in every case on the occasion referred to. After the sitting of the Court Mr. Tener offered to convey the Resident Magistrate on his car back to Portumna, and this offer Colonel Longbourn accepted. The Resident Magistrate having to assist in the decision of these cases of trespass instituted by direction of Lord Clanricarde, or on his behalf, and having regard to the relations existing between Mr. Tener as agent for Lord Clanricarde and the people of Woodford, it seems to me that 1391 the Resident Magistrate acted imprudently under the circumstances. It has not been brought to my knowledge that any strong feeling, as alleged, exists in the district; and it is only fair to add that Colonel Longbourn denies that any connection between him and Mr. Tener exists.