§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Peter M'Girr, of Aughnacloy, in the Parliamentary Division of South Tyrone, licensed publican, recommended by the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture in Ireland as a justice of the peace, and appointed by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was so appointed within a few weeks of the South Tyrone election at which the Vice-President was a candidate; were any other residents in South Tyrone appointed justices about the same time on the recommendation of the Vice-President, and is it usual to appoint justices on the eve of an election on the recommendation of one of the candidates; and, if so, will he suggest that it should not be done for the future?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that in the appointment of Mr. M'Girr to the magistracy of the county Tyrone, no new practice was adopted. Mr. M'Girr is the proprietor of the Imperial Hotel at Aughnacloy, and hotel proprietors have on previous occasions been appointed to the magistracy by the Lord Chancellor and toy his predecessors. It is no new practice for Members of Parliament or other persons holding positions of a representative character to bring under the Lord Chancellor's consideration the names of persons whose appointment they may consider desirable. No appointments to the magistracy were made in view of the election, but it is the usual course at the close of each year to complete such appointments to the magistracy as may be under contemplation, and in this way certain magistrates were in December last appointed for the county Tyrone, including there recommended by the Vice-Lieutenant of the county.