MR. CABEW (Meath, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary whether he can state on what grounds the Congested Districts Board took proceedings at the last Boyle Quarter Sessions against occupiers on the Dillon estate; what was the total amount due and the number proceeded against, and whether the Congested Districts Board have since taken any further steps in reference to the comments made in Committee on that occasion.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe number of tenants on the Dillon Estate is considerably above 4,000. The Congested Districts Board took proceedings against thirteen tenants for a total amount of £134 2s. 7d. But nine of these cases, involving a sum of £81 9s. 1d., were nonagricultural. No question of purchase under the Land Acts can arise in connection with them. The proceedings were taken in respect of ground rents and townfields. Four cases, involving £52 3s. 6d., were agricultural. But, in these, proceedings were taken to clear title with a view to re-arranging boundaries. In no case had the holding been 1512 sold to the tenant. The Congested Districts Board wrote on the 14th November to Judge O'Connor Morris drawing his attention to these facts, which he had unfortunately overlooked when commenting on these cases. It is much to be regretted that the learned Judge should have been misled by misrepresentations persistently put forward, in order, apparently, to discount the commendable punctuality with which the Dillon and other tenants on estates purchased by the Board have discharged their obligations.
English Officials in the Irish P. O. Mr. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in view of the discontent in the Irish postal service caused by the system of appointment of English and Scotch postal officials to Irish offices, he will undertake that in future appointments the claims of competent officials resident in Ireland will be favourably considered.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI must ask the hon. Member to refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to the Question put to me by the hon. Member for South Leitrim,† to which I can add nothing.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWhy does the right hon Gentleman give these appointments to officials who have absolutely no local knowledge?
§ (No answer was returned).