HC Deb 25 February 1898 vol 54 cc19-20
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to donations and bequests left by testators for the relief of the poor of Newmarket parish, county Cork, whether he is aware that the interest on the Creagh bequest, amounting to £5 10s. 9d. yearly, was punctually paid to the vicar and churchwardens up to six years ago, and that Mr. A. G. Creagh, of Mallow, the representative of the testator, has since that time declined to pay the said interest on the ground that the portion of the property upon which it was charged had been sold off, whereas it is chargeable on the entire Creagh property; and will the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Requests make a thorough inquiry into the circumstances of the loss of the bequest?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am informed by the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests that the facts are substantially as stated in the first paragraph. As this legacy was not charged upon particular denominations of land, but was charged generally upon all testator's property in Ireland, and as the testator died 117 years ago, it would appear to the Commissioners to be inadvisable to institute a suit to recover the legacy, as the costs might absorb the entire charity. The present owner of the Creagh estate has, however, commenced proceedings in the Landed Estates Court for the sale of part of the estate believed to be subject to this charge, and the Commissioners have, some time since, instructed their solicitor to watch the proceedings, and to apply to have this charge placed on the schedule of incumbrances.