MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that the agent of the estate of the Endowed School Commissioners, near Dungannon, served one hundred and forty ejectments for a year's rent on the estate tenants; whether most of these had been obliged to claim the benefit of the Arrears Act; whether the ejectments were served with the knowledge and consent of the Commissioners; whether, on a portion of the tenants effecting a settlement, they were obliged to pay costs; and, whether he will inquire if most of the costs went to the agent, as solicitor; if so, whether he will recommend the Commissioners to remit them; and if he will take the opinion of the Commissioners as to whether it is usual on estates where the agent is not an attorney to servo ejectments for a year's rent?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have received a Report from the Commissioners of Endowed Schools, from which it appears that they gave their agent discretion to serve ejectments upon tenants able to pay their rent, but refusing to do so. Acting upon that authority, the agent served 98 ejectments without further communication with the Commissioners. Forty-six of the tenants processed had taken advantage of the Arrears Act. There appears to be no doubt that many well able to pay their rents were deliberately holding back. As a matter of course some costs had to be paid when a settlement was effected; but the tenants appear to have been most leniently dealt with in this respect. The agent is quite willing that another 1888 solicitor should be employed in these matters; but this would involve far greater expense to any tenants against whom the Commissioners might find it necessary to take proceedings. It has more than once been suggested to the tenants that another solicitor should be employed, but they have invariably requested that this might not be done. I see no reason why I should make such a communication to the Commissioners as is suggested in the last paragraph.