ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a Report from the Chief Constable of Hants as to the alleged abuse in the administration of justice at the Romsey Borough Bench, in November last, namely, that two justices, by name Mr. Bentley George and Mr. James Cole-clough, the former being the manager and a shareholder in Messrs. Strong and Company's brewery, and the latter the head brewer of the firm in question, sat and adjudicated as justices in a prosecution instituted by the police under the Licensing Acts against a disreputable woman found in the "Bridge Tavern," after closing hours, the property of the said firm, in the said borough, notwithstanding the fact that they were respectfully warned by the superintendent of police, through the clerk to the justices, that they, as interested parties, ought not to act as magistrates in judging the case; whether he will call upon the said justices to explain and justify their conduct; and, if the facts are as stated, whether he will bring the matter under the notice of the Lord Chancellor, with a view to their names being removed from the Commission of the Peace?
§ SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have inquired into this matter, and the facts appear to be substantially as stated in the Question. I asked the justices for their observations on the matter, and have received from them an explanation which I do not consider to be satisfactory. I have felt it my duty in consequence to address a communication to the justices to that effect.