CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that John Elliott, tenant on Lord Massereene's estate at Monasterboice, was awarded £10 compensation at Drogheda quarter sessions, on 4th January last, for the malicious burning of hay; and that the claimant declared on oath that, in common with the other planters on the estate, he was under police protection, and none of his neighbours would speak to him; and whether the police obtained any clue to the incendiary.
MR. BRYCEThe facts are as stated in the first part of the Question. The police authorities inform me that they have no information as to whether the tenant declared that he, in common with other planters, was under police protection, and that none of his neighbours would speak to him. The fact, however, is, that for a considerable time past, the now tenants on this estate have been generally free from interference, with the result that it has been found possible to considerably reduce the police protection afforded to them. The police failed to obtain any clue to the incendiary in this case.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)For the information of the new Members, will the right hon. Gentleman give a definition of the word "planter."