§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that one officer and fourteen extra mew of the Royal Irish Constabulary were drafted into Ballynahinch, County Down, in connection with the recent celebration of the memory of King William of Orange on 13th July last; whether he can state the reason, if any, for drafting extra police into that neighbourhood; and whether there was anything for them to do when they got there
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 13th July an extra force, consisting of one 833 officer and twelve policemen, was drafted into Ballinahinch for the preservation of tie peace. The police authorities considered it necessary to send this force, which was somewhat larger than usual, because Orange drumming parties had recently indulged in provocative conduct by drumming for a considerable time outside the houses of certain persons of the opposite party. The proceedings of, 13th July passed off without disturbance.