§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the annoyance and expense the cottiers in the neighbourhood of Mallaranny, County Mayo, are being put to owing to the frequent prosecutions by Sergeant M'Gee for having their cattle on the public road, although the only time the cattle are found on the road is when they are being driven home in the evening; whether he is aware that Sergeant M'Gee, instead of going by train to Mallaranny to the Petty Sessions Court at Newport, a distance of nine miles, the return ticket for which is 1s. 3d., hires a car, thereby incurring unnecessary expense; and whether he will inquire into the conduct of this sergeant.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is an offence to allow cattle to stray on the public road. In taking proceedings against the owners, the sergeant is merely carrying out the law. It is not the fact that cattle are only found on the public road when being driven home in the evening. The train service between Mallaranny and Newport is unsuitable, having regard to the hour at which the Petty Sessions are held. The additional expense incurred by the use of a car is small.