§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether two of the Sub-Commissioners appointed for the counties Roscommon, Sligo, and Leitrim, namely, Messrs. Morrison and Henston, did on the 11th July last in proceeding to visit the farm of Mr. John Waiters, who had an application for the fixing of a fair rent heard at the sitting of their Sub-Commission in Carrick-on-Shannon, drive to the farm in the trap of the landlord, Mr. C. C. B. Whyte, D.L., Hatly Manor, in company with Mr. Whyte and his bailiff; whether in the decisions delivered at Mohill subsequently the Sub-Commissioners fixed the judicial rent in this case at the old rent; and, whether 728 a competent valuer swore that the old rent was a rack rent?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am informed, Sir, that it is the case that Messrs. Morrison and Henston drove to the farm of Mr. John Watters, as stated, in Mr. Whyte's trap, and that they did so to save time, their own car having been sent to a point nearly a mile off. The Sub-Commission deemed it just, on the evidence adduced, to leave the rent unchanged. It had been paid for 27 years before. With regard to this, the Chairman of the Sub-Commission—who is not one of the gentlemen named in the Question—telegraphs to me as follows:—
I took a prominent part in fixing the rent, and share responsibility with my colleagues. I consider any other judgment would have been grossly unjust.
§ MR. O'KELLYWill the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether the tenant had any means of avoiding paying this rent for 27 years; and also whether he approves of the conduct of the Sub-Commissioners in using the cars of landlords when going to fix rents; and whether it is not possible, in case their own car breaks down, for them to supply themselves with the car of some third party?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, there were about 100 Sub-Commissioners employed, and he was afraid he could not answer such a Question off-hand.