§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state how many farms on the estate of Mr. J. H. Payne, Ballinhassig, County Cork, were sold under the Ash- 1050 bourne Land Purchase Act; whether he is aware that a tenant named P. Murphy, after having been evicted, purchased his holding in 1888 at 26 years' purchase of the valuation, sold his interest in 1891, not being able to meet the purchase instalments, and that the purchaser, Mr. T. Murphy, is now being pressed for payment by the Land Commission; also, that he put up his interest for sale by auction on 27th ultimo and failed to get a buyer; is he also aware that another tenant named Kelly, who purchased under the Act, was evicted by the Land Commission two years ago; and what steps, if any, are taken by the Land Commission to insure that the prices paid for holdings under the Land Purchase Act are not excessive?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Land Commission informs me that 12 farms have been sold to tenants on the estate of Mr. J. H. Payne, of Ballinhassig, under the Land Purchase Acts. Mr. P. Murphy purchased his holding of 65 acres for a sum of £780, being at the rate of 26 years' purchase of the tenement valuation and 14 of the annual rental of £55. In October, 1891, he sold his interest to Mr. T. Murphy, subject to the Land Commission annuity, for a sum of £125. At that time the annuity had been paid up to date. Mr. T. Murphy not having paid the tenth instalment for the advance, amounting to £15 12s., proceedings are now pending for the sale of the holding by public auction. With regard to the case of Kelly, it appears that in 1891 his holding was offered for sale by the Land Commission for non-payment of the instalments, and was sold, subject to the same, to the former landlord.