MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the sale of the Ballydonlon Estate, county Galway the property of Mr. Mahon; whether he is aware that the tenants who held eleven months lettings on this property for a number of years past enjoyed same at an average rental of £1 1s. per acre free of taxes; and that, under the present purchase arrangements on this property, the instalment rentals per acre are increased on the tenants from £1 5s. to £1 15s. per acre, with taxes added; and, if so, whether it is proposed to pass this sale without inspection; and whether, having regard to the fact that Mr. Mahon is not selling the whole of this estate, the bonus will be granted in this case.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe entire estate has been sold, but the vendor has applied for an advance to enable him to repurchase the demesne. The holdings were vested in the tenant purchasers on the 29th April. The average annuity payable per statute acre is 19s. 10d. The estate was inspected before the advances were sanctioned.