§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that Head Constable Allingham was recently elected petty sessions clerk at Miltown-Malbay, he can say what special qualifications beyond being a police officer he had over local civilian candidates which induced the local magistrates to appoint him; was Head Constable Allingham in the police service when elected; and, if not, when did he leave the force for the purposes of his candidature, and was it by leave; whether he is still in the police force; and can he give the date when he is to take up the duties of petty sessions clerk.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe head constable was stationed at Miltown-Malbay for twenty years prior to his transfer on promotion to another district in November last. He was consequently well known to the magistrates who elected him to the position of petty sessions clerk, for which he was consideied the best qualified. The Inspector-General granted him permission to become a candidate. He will qualify for a pension from the police force on the 14th inst., and he cannot enter on his new duties 656 until after that date. Before his appointment is confirmed he will undergo an examination to test his fitness for the office.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction in the district as to the way in which this appointment was made, seeing that some of the magistrates were not summoned to the meeting. Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to insist on a new election?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am not aware of the matters referred to, and I doubt if I have any power, but I will inquire.