HC Deb 18 February 1904 vol 130 cc258-9
MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the correspondence which has taken place between M. G. Comyn Kenny and Rev. Thomas Bowes, Laurencetown, county Galway, relative to the division and sale of the grass farm (Kill) of 300 acres I.P. M., wherein Mr. Kenny states he has been in communication with the Estates Commissioners, who refuse to be furnished with a map showing the proposed holdings, with the names and description of the proposed tenants; is he aware that posters or circulars have been distributed in the district stating that Mr. Kenny will mark out the bounds as far as possible to suit the requirements of the people; that the proposal is to let the divisions in 25-acre lots at 30s. per acre rent, a fine of £150 to be paid on entering into possession, the tenanted holdings to be then sold under the Purchase Act of last year; and if he will say whether the Estates Commissioners are recommending the landlords generally to adopt such arrangements for the division and sale of grass farms; and whether they have sanctioned Mr. Kenny's action.

ME. WYNDHAM

There has been no correspondence between Dr. Kenny and the Commissioners in this matter. I am informed, however, that he had an interview with one of the Commissioners, who suggested to him that if he submitted a map and details of the proposed division of the land they would be considered. He has not yet done so. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the matters alluded to in the placard, beyond what is alleged in the Question.

MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)

asked as to a letter stating that the Estates Commissioners had power to advance money at 3¼ per cent. for the purpose of building dwelling-houses and making other improvements on the land.

MR. WYNDHAM

protested that he could not be expected to conduct the business of the Estates Commissioners Office by means of Question and answer across the floor of the House. He suggested some discrepancy had arisen by reason of the use of certain words.