§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that four respectable game dealers were at Longford Petty Sessions, on Monday last, refused a renewal of their game licences because they would not give an undertaking to keep a book for the entry of the names of persons, goods, and quantities purchased by them, although no section of any Act of Parliament authorises or commands the keeping of such book; whether this fact was admitted by the magistrates, who declared they could impose whatever conditions they like precedent to granting the licences; and can he undertake to have directions given for the issue of these licences forthwith?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOB IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.It is a fact that applications for licences to deal in game were made by four persons at the recent Longford Petty Sessions, and that the applications were refused for the reason mentioned in the Question. The justices, in declining to grant the licences, stated they considered they had a right to require the applicants to give an undertaking of this nature with a view to the observance of the law. It is no part of the duties of the Crown 831 to issue directions to the justices, as suggested in the last paragraph. If the applicants feel aggrieved by the decision of the justices, it is open to them to take such steps as they may be advised to test its validity.