§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it true that Robert H. Johnston, of Bawnboy House, who is agent to Lord Morley, issued eighty ejectment processes against tenants on Lord Morley's estate, near Dawra, for the last Ballyconnell Quarter Sessions, and that he charged the tenants who settled with him £1 12s. costs in each case, although the legal costs of a civil bill ejectment is only 16s. before entry; and, whether the Government will proceed against Johnston?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)The noble Lord who is mentioned in this Question informs me that he is not the owner of the property referred to, though he has a good deal to do with its management. It appears that there are on the estate 270 tenants owing from two to four years' rent, and only 54 of these were proceeded against, being considered able to pay. Of these 54, all but five or six were settled with, either on the basis of paying down one year's rent and 760 costs, or by being given time to enable them to do so. In no case was a tenant charged £1 12s. for costs. The cost of a process of this kind before entry (when the process has to be posted) is £1 5s. 8d., with 2s. 6d. extra for each additional defendant. I believe the Judge is responsible for the correctness of the charge.