1 PPS for report E.OF 29.7.16 26thJuly 1916 Dear Sir I am desired by the
Home Secretary to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the
22nd instant, and to say that it
shall receive consideration Yours faithfully Joseph Devlin Esq., M.P. Bring up 3 August 29/7 16 A.U.S.
In favour of
report A.P.M. 28/7 2 PRIVATE 22nd. July, 1916 My dear Mr Samuel, I have been asked to write you on behalf of
Mr Michael McConville, son of Mr Patrick McConvillem J. P.
of Crossmaglen, who was appointed Petty Sessions Clerk
for the Crossmaglen Petty Sessions District on the 16th
January last. The appointment was subject to his
passing a qualifying examination. The examination
was held in Dublin Castle under O'Connell Caddle
Registrar of Petty Sessions Clerks, on the 21st. June
last. Sixty-seven questions were given: Mr McConville
states that he answered fifty. The examination closed
at 1.40 p.m. and at 2 p.m. the result was communicated
to him;he was told that he had failed for lack of
knowledge; and fault was found with the way he had kept
the books of the Court during his tenure of the office.
Mr McConville and his friends fail to see how the papers
could have been properly examined in twenty minutes.
He believes he was rejected largely on the ground that
he is of military age. The order prohibiting the
appointment to public offices of candidates of military 3 age was only issued at Easter last, whereas Mr McConville
was appointed last January. He is a young man of the
highest respectability and was educated at St. Patick's
College, Armagh, and St. Mary's College, Dundalk, and
passed the Preliminary Examination of the Pharmaceutical
Society. There is the best reason to believe that the
Court books were very satisfactorily kept. I would take it as a special favour if you would
have enquiries made into this case with a view to having
his appointment confirmed. I feel sure you will give
the case youe sympathetic consideration. Thanking you in anticipation I remain
Yours sincerely
The Rt. Hon. Herbert Samuel M.P.