§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to an abortive sale by auction, on behalf of the Irish Land Purchase Commissioners, at Marsh's Auction Mart, in the City of Cork, on the 3rd instant, when the farm of Daniel Kelly was put up for sale, he having failed to pay the instalments to the Commissioners; but no bidders appearing, the sale was abandoned; whether he will inquire at what terms as to valuation and number of years' purchase Daniel Kelly purchased the farm, and whether he purchased under threat of eviction by the landlord, Mr. James H. Payne, of West Cork; and whether, in his new Land Bills, he will take measures 1672 to save the taxpayers from the cost occasioned by such transactions?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Land Commissioners report that the holding referred to was put up for sale as stated in the question. There being no bidders, the sale was adjourned, but not abandoned, as the Commissioners have reason to believe that a sale will be effected. No evidence or complaint reached the Commissioners that the purchase was made under threat of eviction. On the contrary, the terms appear to have been favourable to the tenant. The Poor Law valuation of the holding was £23, the judicial rent was £30, which, by the sale, was considerably reduced, the purchase annuity being £20 in respect of the purchase money of £500 agreed upon. The Commissioners do not apprehend any loss whatever in regard to the transaction.