§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants of the late Dr. Cogan, White Gate, in South Galway Parliamentary Division, are in negotiation for the purchase of their holdings; that a man named Davis was imported from Wales quite recently and put into possession of the best of the lands, by a friend of his who was nominally managing the estate, at a yearly rent 455 of £160; that the said Mr. Davis is now trying to induce the Government to advance the purchase money; and that the Land Commission inspector visited the lands on the 15th February last, when he ascertained that the entire stock of the said Davis consisted of two head of cattle and a donkey; whether he will state the amount of the purchase money applied for; and whether, in the circumstances, the sale will be sanctioned and the money advanced.
§ MR. WYNDHAMDavis was a tenant on the estate of Bernard Martin, holding under a lease from the land judge, pending the matter. He applied for a loan of £2,960, and the security having been reported sufficient, the loan has been sanctioned. If declared a purchaser by the land judge, the loan will be made.
§ MR. DUFFYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man had been fired at, because he was an objectionable character? If that had not been the case would he have got the loan?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThere is nothing whatever in the case to justify interference with the exercise by the judges of their official responsibilities.