§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- 1612 Lieutenant of Ireland whether be is aware that William Ellis, who is petty sessions clerk of Toomebridge, county Antrim, also holds the following positions: postmaster of Toomebridge, manager of Toome and Kilree eel fishery, manager of Killsegour Mines, Toome, land agent for Miss Jones, Moneyglass estate, land agent for Lady Spencer, Castledawson estate, and a contractor for sand; whether he is absent from Toome on Wednesdays in connection with the Kilree eel fishery, and on Saturday in each week in connection with others of his offices; and discharges some of his duties as petty sessions clerk by deputy; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLI find that a similar Question as to this petty sessions clerk was answered on 26th July last† by my predecessor, who had fully inquired into the matter. The facts are as stated in the Question, save that the clerk does not perform any of his duties by deputy. The petty sessions are held but once a month, and consequently the duties of the clerk are light and the salary proportionately small. The registrar of petty sessions clerks has satisfied himself by personal inspection that the clerk properly performs his duties, and no complaint to the contrary has been made by the public. In these circumstances no action appears to be called for.