§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieu- 572 tenant of Ireland if he can state the reason why Patrick Needham, of Saula, Achill Sound, County Mayo, was refused a gun licence.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The question of the issue of an arms licence is one for the consideration of the resident magistrate, who is the licensing officer of the district. It would be contrary to the invariable practice to state the reasons that actuate the licensing officer in declining, in the exercise of his discretion, to grant a licence in any individual case. But having been informed of these reasons in the present instance, I am satisfied he exercised his discretion in a reasonable manner.