§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 16th February, at an auction of grass on lands upon the Ecclesville estate, close to the town of Fintona, (county Tyrone, a district councillor 53 named Culgin and the former tenant named Mullins, who was evicted from the holding, interfered in a manner calculated to intimidate intending purchasers; and that, upon the local postmaster being declared the purchaser of one lot, Mr. Culgin publicly declared that he, being a public servant, had no right to be a land grabber; and what steps the Government intend to take to prevent such proceedings.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the police were not present on the occasion referred to, but that the landlord's agent made a statement to them to the effect mentioned in the Question. It was open to the agent to take such proceedings as he might have been advised. The police have instructions to preserve order and report offences, but they cannot be expected to attend every auction; and in this case only five persons seem to have been present.