To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he say whether Captain Fitzpatrick, resident magistrate in Kilmallock, county Limerick, has been instrumental in preventing the members of the Town Tenants Association, a strictly non-political body, from using for their meetings the courthouse in the town, or are the functions and duties of that gentleman, a paid magistrate, quite in keeping with such conduct; and can he say who are the real custodians of the courthouse and have they delegated their powers to Captain Fitzpatrick.

I am informed that at the opening of the Kilmallock petty sessions court on 2nd instant, the Chairman, Captain Fitzpatrick, resident magistrate, announced that the magistrates had decided not to allow the Town Tenants Association to hold meetings in the courthouse. The magistrates are the custodians of the courthouse, and it is to be presumed that Captain Fitzpatrick spoke with their authority. That gentleman, however, is at present on leave of absence, and I have had no opportuinty of communicating with him in the matter.