HC Deb 11 May 1904 vol 134 cc1023-4
MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork County, N.E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that negotiations have for some time been pending for the sale to the tenants of the Kingston Estate, county Cork, as a whole; that, on receipt of a counter proposal made by the tenants to the terms offered by the landlord, notices were served on them for immediate payment of a year's rent un-less the landlord's terms were accepted, and as this action did not achieve its object, an application was made to the Estates Commissioners to approve the creation of a separate estate consisting of four town lands; and if he will consider the desirability of representing to the Estates Commissioners the necessity of instituting an inquiry into the circumstances of the matter before giving their sanction to these proceedings.

MR. WYNDHAM

I understand that the terms for sale of this property were originally proposed by a deputation of the tenants and accepted by the landlord. Subsequently the tenants repudiated the terms and made fresh proposals. The negotiations have been reopened, however, and in only one case has a tenant been served with a notice requiring him to pay a year's rent. The matter has not yet been brought before the Estates Commissioners.

MR. LUNDON (Limerick, E.)

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to ask him is he aware that through the influence of Mr. Freud, the agent, the tenants on the Kildorrery side of the property are arranging to purchase at twenty-six years purchase in a cercain number of cases; and does he think those tenants will afterwards be able to pay back their dividends; and is he aware that in the next constituency, which I have the honour to represent, sales are taking places at various prices from eighteen to twenty years purchase.

MR. WYNDHAM

replied that he could not enter into the matter now.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork County, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that similar attempts have been made by many landlords in the south of Ireland with a view of extorting impossible prices from their tenants.

MR. WYNDHAM

I am not aware of that.

MR. MURPHY

was understood to ask if the right hon. Gentleman would see that the Estates Commissioners, when a landlord wished to sell, endeavoured to have the estate split up properly.

MR. WYNDHAM

I have every confidence in the Estates Commissioners.