§ Mr. BYLESasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the precedents, if any, for removing a magistrate from the bench solely on the ground of change of residence?
§ Mr. JOSEPH PEASEWhen attention is called to a case of permanent absence it has been usual to remove the magistrate, and this practice in my Department has been invariably followed on the issue of a new Commission of the Peace, unless the absentee magistrate has some special reason to urge why such a course should not be followed, such as an intention to return to the district to fulfil his duties. The usual qualification for a borough magistrate is that he should be a resident in the borough, or within seven miles of it.