§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why Mr. James Michael, of Freem, Turlough Park, Castlebar, county Mayo, was refused a gun licence which he required for the protection of his crops from vermin.
(Answered by Mr. Waller Long.) 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 which actuated the licensing officer in declining, in the exercise of his discretion, to grant a licence in any particular case.
§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Patrick Raffery, of Rathreddy, Loughrea, made application to carry and use, on his own lands, a gun for the destruction of vermin; and whether, seeing that he holds in or about twenty-five Irish acres, ten of which are under tillage, and is in sole charge of the management of the farm by reason of the age and infirmity of his father, he will cause instructions to be given to accede to his application. 942 (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The licence was refused by the licensing officer, who is the resident magistrate of the district, in the exercise of the discretion vested in him. The case is not one which calls for my interference.