MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the recent case before the magistrates at Southport in which a member of the bench had been himself convicted of an offence similar to that which was on trial before him; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent a magistrate adjudicating in future under such circumstances.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir ROBERT FINLAY,) Inverness BurghsYes Sir, my attention has been called to this case, but the control of the magistracy does not rest with the Attorney-General, and therefore I do not feel that I can take any action in the matter.