§ Mr. M'GHEEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Lord Lieutenant has ordered another election of Petty Sessions clerk for the Omagh district of county Tyrone; whether he is aware that this is the third election that will have been held; will he say under what power or authority as the Lord Lieutenant taken this step; and how many mere elections he proposes shall take place before the vacancy, which has already lasted six months, is allowed to be filled up?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Lord Lieutenant has ordered another election of Petty Sessions clerk for the Omagh district. This will be the third election. The Lord638W Lieutenant acts under the powers given by the Petty Sessions Clerks (Ireland) Act, 1858, Sections, which provides that a Petty Sessions clerk holds office during the pleasure of the justices of the district and of the Lord Lieutenant. When the coming election has taken place, assuming that there is no objection on personal grounds. His Excellency will not disapprove of the candidate whom he is advised has received the majority of the votes of the magistrates duly qualified to vote at the election.