§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that a summons was issued by order of the Registrar of Deaths against the Deputy Coroner of Belfast, and listed for hearing on 23rd February last, it was then adjourned till the 8th of the present month, when it was finally withdrawn; and, if so, whether he can state under what circumstances the summons was issued and for what reason, and by whoso authority it was withdrawn; and if he has any objection to laying upon the Table the correspondence between the registrar and coroner in this case.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.In this case the inquest was held on the 30th January, and the certificate of the finding of the coroner's jury should have been sent forward to the local registrar at latest on the 4th February. It was not, however, sent until the 6th February. The Registrar-General directed a summons to be issued under the 29th Section of the 43 & 44, Cap. 13, against the Deputy-Coroner, who was absent through illness. The Deputy explained that the omission was due to his absence in Loudon where he had been required to give important evidence at a Home Office Inquiry respecting regulations for docks. He undertook to be more careful in future, and the prosecution was, at 1406 the suggestion of the Under-Secretary, dropped.
§ MR. ATKINSONIt is too trifling.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWas not the objection in regard to this trifling matter made by a professional colleague?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!