§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the King Estate, county Wexford, agreed to purchase their holdings in the Land Judge's Court, previous to the passing of the
†see (4) Debates, cxxx., 1480.585 Land Act of 1903, at from eighteen to twenty years purchase, and that the landlord accepted this offer; that, owing to a mistake in the maps, the sale was postponed, on the understanding that the tenants should not suffer by the postponement; and, if so, whether, as the landlord is now demanding twenty-two years purchase, with the bonus, he will direct the Estate Commissioners to arrange that both landlord and tenant will stand by their former agreement.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe tenants did agree to purchase their holdings on the terms mentioned. The agreement, however, was not made with the landlord, and was, as in all other cases, provisional upon its acceptance by the Land Judge, after hearing all parties concerned. It is not the fact that the matter was adjourned on the understanding suggested in the Question, but the tenants' counsel expressed a hope that the tenants would not suffer by the postponement. The matter will come again before the Land Judge on Monday next, by which time it is believed an agreement will have been come to which the Court can sanction.
§ MR. FFRENCHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Justice Ross stated publicly in Court that the tenants should not suffer by the adjournment of the sale. Is there any way of inducing Mr. Justice Ross to keep that promise co the tenants?