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Kanturk Extra Police Tax

Volume 175: debated on Wednesday 5 June 1907

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I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he had seen a copy of the resolution of the Kanturk Rural District Council protesting against the tax for extra police charged upon the district, is he aware that upon a certain part of the district the tax amounts to 8 ½d. in the pound and in another to 4 ¾d.; and whether, seeing that white gloves were presented to the chairman of the East Riding of Cork County at the last sessions as a recognition of the crimelessness of the district, he will say what is the explanation for the imposition of this charge and under whose authority is the charge made.

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, from which it appears that the charge for extra police involves a temporary increase in the rates to the amount stated. The charge in question is in respect of the half year ending 31st March, 1906. In November, 1905, the district of New market was in a state of disturbance, and it was found necessary to send an extra force of twelve men of the Reserve for the purpose of restoring order. By the end of the following March the state of the district had improved, and the extra force was then reduced to throe men. The extra force was sent to the disturbed area under the authority of the Irish Government, and the charge followed under statute as a matter of course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as proof of the crimeless condition and general good order of this district, the Judges have of late been frequently presented with white gloves?

said he believed that that was so, but nevertheless special circumstances had arisen which necessitated giving this police protection.