§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at a meeting held on the 17th March last in Drummullan, under the auspices of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mr. Rickard, of Cookstown, made a speech advising the people to boycott a Mr. Bell, of Coagh, who was charged at the same meeting as being responsible for extra police having been brought into the town to preserve order; and whether, in view of the fact that official notes were taken of the language used, and the fact that Bell has suffered loss, he will say what action, if any, he intends taking in the matter.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the Question. Official notes of the speech, however, were not taken at the meeting, and I am advised that in the circumstances a prosecution against the offender could not be sustained.