§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked the chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can state how many evictions have taken place during the present month on the estates of Captain Hill and Mr. Nixon, in the neighbourhood of Gweedore, county Donegal; whether the majority of those evicted had been in the receipt of Poor Law relief during the past six months; how many of the Constabulary were employed on the service; what was the amount of rent due; and, what was the amount obtained under the ejectment proceedings?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I am informed that 16 evictions have taken place on Mr. Nixon's estate, all being re-admitted as caretakers, and 67 on Captain Hill's estate, 31 being re-admitted as caretakers. Many of those evicted have received more or less Poor Law relief within the last six months. Five officers and 170 men of the Constabu- 266 lary were employed on the service. The total amount due was £290; the amount realized was £4. It is right, however, that I should add that there appears to be another side to this case, and if the House will permit me I will make one or two remarks upon it. I am told that the tenants evicted on Captain Hill's estate owed from three to five years' rent, and a list of sales of tenant right on that estate has been sent me, showing 11 cases in the last three years in which the tenant right of small holdings has been sold at prices varying from 30 to more than 100 years' purchase of the rental. In one case, that of a man named M'Garney, it is stated that he owed £4 for two years' rent up to May I last, and though this was not paid, he gave £51 last month to purchase a neighbouring tenant's holding.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman would extend the information, and ascertain whether, as a matter of fact, the rents of these holdings have not been paid, so far as they have been paid, out of the wages of poor servant girls in America, and from the wages of male members of the families going to Scotland and England in search of employment?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI have already endeavoured to make myself acquainted, as far as possible, with all the facts of the case.