§ MR. M. J. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutentant of Ireland (1) if he is aware that the application of John H. Danagher, of Ballybunion, for a transfer of a gun licence, was refused at the Petty Sessions held in Ballybunion, county Kerry, on the 14th August, 1896; if so, on what grounds; (2) whether he is aware that the applicant is a man of high character, as was shown by his being recommended for the position of Assistant Land Commissioner, by requisition signed by the most influential inhabitants in the county Limerick; and (3) whether an Inquiry will be instituted with a view of granting the gun licence for the protection of the land which the applicant holds?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe question of granting or withholding a licence to keep fire-arms is vested by law in the Resident Magistrate, who is the licensing officer of the district, and it would be contrary to practice to state the grounds on which the application for a licence was refused in the present or any other case. It is a fact that the applicant was a candidate for appointment to the office mentioned in the second paragraph.