HC Deb 18 August 1887 vol 319 cc931-2
MR. BIGGAR(for Mr. MAHONY) (Meath, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will inquire into the circumstances under which a lunatic, named A. M. Somerville, of Ross, County Meath, who is a Ward of the Court of Chancery, has been evicted from the demesne of Ross, of which he held a fee farm grant; whether Mr. Somerville's property is managed by a receiver under the Court of Chancery; and, if so, why the rent has not been paid; whether any effort has been made to sell Somerville's interest in the property; whether the timber on the estate belongs to Somerville, and whether the receiver made any effort to soil the timber; and, what, provision, if any, has been made for the care of the lunatic?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) said (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

I understand that the property of James Somerville, a person of unsound mind, has been under the care of a receiver appointed by the Lord Chancellor. It consisted of property in the County Roscommon, and Ross House, in the County Cavan. There was an annual deficit of about £103 on Ross House, which, up to May, 1880, was met by the receiver out of the proceeds of the Roscommon estate. The property was heavily incumbered; and there being a large arrear of interest, the incumbrancers obtained an order setting priorities, which had the effect of preventing the receiver from any longer meeting the deficit in the manner stated until the arrears of interest should be paid. The rent of Ross House therefore fell into arrear, and the lunatic and his family were evicted. An attempt was made to sell the timber; but it was found that its value would not pay the cost of felling and transportation. The Lord Chancellor directed Ross House and demesne to be sold by public auction. The lunatic interrupted the sale. The bids were withdrawn and the sales abandoned. Subsequent attempts to sell by private treaty were ineffectual. The lunatic is now living with his family in a house which has been taken for them in the neighbourhood. The rent of the house and an allowance of £150 a-year are paid by the receiver.