§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General if a coroner's inquisition, as recommended by the Irish Crown Solicitor, was held upon the gold ornaments found at Limavady, which were recently placed in the British Museum, and are alleged to be treasure trove, and if any evidence on oath has been taken in relation to the discovery of these objects; whether it has been proved that no express grant of the franchise of treasure trove has been established in the district in question; whether the Irish Crown Solicitor stated that the information upon which he held the ornaments to be treasure trove was obviously unsatisfactory; and whether he can state the decisions given in cases where articles of silver and gold have been discovered in the earth without there being any presumptive evidence of their having been of ancient time hidden.
§ MR. ATKINSONMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this question. The reply to each of the three questions contained in the first and second paragraphs is in the negative. The Irish Crown Solicitor made the statement mentioned in a certain communication made by him to the Treasury, but a reference to the context will show that by the word "unsatisfactory" he intended to convey that the evidence then forthcoming was not as full and detailed as was desirable. I cannot possibly answer the last question in the form in which it is put, but I will be happy to furnish my noble friend with the authorised reports of two of the most recent cases on treasure trove, where he will find the principle of law applicable to the subject discussed and determined.
§ MR. ATKINSONThat has already been done.