§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that of the 100 appeals listed for hearing by the Land Commission at Belfast on July 2 next, 75 are from the Union of Magherafelt, County Derry; whether he is aware that Magherafelt is a Quarter Sessions town, and has a commodious Court-house; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will advise a sitting at Magherafelt, and save the tenants and their witnesses from the long and expensive journey to Belfast?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Land Commissioners inform me that there are 37 cases only from the Magherafelt Union to be re-heard at Belfast at the approaching sitting, the other cases listed from that Union having been either settled or withdrawn. The cases from Magherafelt Union are listed for hearing at Belfast, as that town is of more easy access than Londonderry, the county town where, under other circumstances, the cases would naturally be heard. In arranging the places where appeals and re-hearings shall be heard, the Commissioners have endeavoured to meet, as far as possible, the convenience of suitors. They cannot undertake to alter their existing arrangements.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked, if there was any reason why these three gentlemen who constituted the Sub-Commission should not hold a sitting at Magherafelt, having regard to the fact that, on the one hand, only the three of them would have to journey to Magherafelt; while, on the other hand, the whole number of applicants in Magherafelt would have to travel to Belfast?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he could not answer without Notice Questions relating to the arrangements of the Land Commissioners.