§ MR. KILBRIDE (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the recent appointment of Mr. Wilson as a member of the County Antrim Sub-Commission, whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction of the farmers of North Antrim with this appointment, on the grounds that he formerly acted as land agent within this district, and has also been an assistant road surveyor under the County Antrim Grand Jury; whether he had any practical or other qualifications for testing the profit-producing qualities of lands; and what were the experience and qualifications which commended his appointment.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe Land Commissioners will refer the first part of this question to Mr. Wilson for his observations. I am not, however, aware that his employment on the Sub-Commission which has recently been sitting in the County Antrim has caused any dissatisfaction in that district. Mr. Wilson was first appointed as assistant commissioner in June, 1890, and he continued in office until August, 1891. He was reappointed in September, 1896, since which date he has been continuously employed in the County Antrim; and the commissioners are not aware that any objection has previously been raised to his employment in that county. In reply to the second and third paragraphs, the experience of Mr. Wilson prior to his appointment as assistant commissioner was as a land valuer, surveyor and civil engineer.