CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Dutch ketch "Cosmopolite" was recently seized by H.M.S. "Skipjack" for smug-ling, and that the charge was heard at Skibbereen, county Cork, petty sessions on 13th June last, and dismissed by the local bench of magistrates; whether he is aware that, on first being brought before a Court, when a remand was granted, two magistrates only were in attendance, Captain H. Townsend and 1404 Mr. B. R. Purdon, R.M., and that the-solicitor for the defence, Mr. J. Travers Wolfe, had canvassed a number of justices of the peace to attend, one of whom, Mr. W. Wood Wolfe, was a relation of his; whether he is aware that another magistrate, Dr. Jennings, although dispensary doctor and acting, as well, as locum tenens in another dispensary district, attended specially for six hours at the trial; will he say whether the "Cosmopolite" has been released, and, if not, is it in consequence of any irregularity at the trial; and what action the Government intend to take.
§ MR. BIRRELLI understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the Question. The prosecution was not instituted by the police, but by the Customs authorities, and any inquiry upon the subject should be addressed by my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury who answers for the Customs. So far as the alleged canvassing of magistrates is concerned, I may say that the police have no knowledge that any such canvassing took place.