§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to a recent resolution of the Baltinglass (County Wicklow) Board of Guardians, in which it is alleged that the Arbitrator of the Board of Works has awarded for the Labourers' Plots taken in the union compensation at the rate of 30 years' purchase on the estimated annual value, or nearly 40 years' purchase upon the Government valuation; and, whether this statement is true; and, if so, by what rule, or basis of valuation, is the Arbitrator guided in such cases.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) New-castle-on-TyneI am informed by the Board of Works that the compensation awarded to owners and occupiers in the case in question amounts to about 30 years' purchase of the estimated value. The Board are not able to state the proportion borne by the compensation of the Poor Law valuation. Of the entire compensation, 20 years' purchase of the estimated value was awarded to the owners, in accordance with the proposal made by the Guardians in their schedule, and with the sworn evidence produced by them. The remaining 10 years' purchase was awarded to the occupying agricultural tenants. The schedule deposited by the Guardians, proposed that these tenants should receive a sum of £4 each all round, with additions in two cases for certain buildings. The Arbitrator was bound to inquire into the circumstances and character of each plot, and, having done so, carefully awarded to each tenant the sum to which he considered him entitled, which was in all cases in excess of the amount proposed by the Guardians.