§ Mr. BARRIE (for Mr. Fetherston-haugh)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the five persons appointed to be justices of the peace in county Mayo recently, notwithstanding the fact of their being licensed publicans, still continue to be licensed publicans; if not, have they merely transferred the licence in each case 1696 to wife, or son, or other member of their families, respectively, and do they in each case still reside in the licensed premises just as they did before their exaltation to the rank of justice of the peace; will he state the districts in county Mayo where it is difficult to procure gentlemen to act as justices of the peace without conferring the commission of the peace on local publicans; and will he also state the aggregate valuation of the five public-houses occupied by these five justices of the peace?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that the persons referred to have not yet transferred their licences. Four of them live on licensed premises. I am not in a position to state the aggregate valuation of their public-houses, but I understand that they all possess other property and carry on other kinds of business. I am informed that, with a few exceptions, the petty sessions in county Mayo are not well attended. On twenty-six occasions last year petty sessions in the county fell through for want of the attendance of any magistrate, and on 134 occasions only one magistrate attended.
§ Mr. MOOREIs it a fact that the only people who can be got to attend petty sessions in Mayo are publicans?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.
§ Mr. O'DOWDMay I ask whether it is not a fact that publicans are extensive property holders in other parts of the county?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have said that they hold other property besides public-houses.