§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the proceedings at the inquest held in Queenstown in connection with the disaster on board H.M.S. "Mars"; whether he is aware that the Coroner protested against the conduct of District Inspector Wade during the course of the inquiry; and whether District Inspector Wade will be called upon for an explanation of his conduct.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Coroner appears to have assumed that the District Inspector was placing obstacles in the way of the inquiry. It was also alleged that the District Inspector laughed during this serious investigation into a grave calamity. The District Inspector reports that he used every exertion to facilitate the inquiry, and he denies that he laughed.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a member of the jury also protested against the conduct of the Inspector?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have read a verbatim report of the inquiry, and I have come to the conclusion that the Coroner and some of the jurymen thought, and honestly so, that offence was intended. I accept the word of the Inspector that he did not intend offence, and there the matter rests.