§ MR. CONWAY (Leitrim, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, when at the late sitting of the Sub-Commissioners, Mr. E. O. M'Devitt in the chair, at Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, the case of "Sarah Maguire v. Owen Wynne" came on for hearing, the Chairman, without any inspection of the holding, or inquiry into the question of the tenant's improvements on the evidence of the landlord's valuation, fixed the judicial rent on the basis of the old rent; and, if so, whether the Government will afford facilities to Sarah Maguire for a rehearing of her case?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Land Commissioners inform me that the rent in the case mentioned was fixed without an inspection of the holding, but that this course is quite consistent with their rule on the subject, which merely directs a visit in person to the holding in any case in which the Sub-Commissioners deem that such visit may conduce to a just decision. It is, however, not the case that there was no inquiry into the tenant's improvements. They were inquired into by the Court at the hearing. Two sons of the tenant were also examined on her behalf. The old rent was 33 per cent below Griffith's 72 valuation. The landlord claimed to have it increased. The Sub-Commissioners were satisfied that the old rent was a fair rent, and so pronounced it. It was open to the tenant to appeal, as of right, within one month from the date of the order, and to obtain a re-hearing. It is still open to her to apply to the Court for liberty to serve notice, notwithstanding the time has elapsed; and the Court will make such order as may appear just.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked the right hon. Gentleman to say what was the reason why the Commissioners departed from the universal practice to visit the holding before fixing the rent?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, it did not appear to be a universal practice.
§ MR. CONWAYgave Notice that he would bring the Question up on the Vote for the Land Commission.