§ MR. J. MACVEAGHI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the number of cases adjudicated upon at the 1185 special court of petty sessions held at Banbridge, county Down, on 11th June, before Mr. Howard Ferguson, J. P.; whether the law requires that such cases should be heard and determined by more than one justice of the peace; and whether having regard to the number of deaths recently amongst justices of the peace in that district, it is intended to appoint others forthwith.
THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. REDMOND) BARRY, Tyrone, N.I am informed that the cases referred to in the Question were prosecutions for drunkenness and indecent behaviour in the streets, which, under the Town Improvement Act, one magistrate has power to adjudicate upon. Two magistrates belonging to the Banbridge Petty Sessions district have died within the past three years, and the Lord Chancellor has recently appointed two magistrates for the district, making eleven now qualified for attendance at Banbridge Petty Sessions. The Lord Chancellor informs me that he is making further inquiries as to the necessity for appointing additional magistrates.