§ MR. LUNDONI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland if he is aware that some time last June the tenants of Sir George Colthurst or Lady Colthurst, in the parish of Ardpatrick, and county of Limerick, signed agreements for the purchase of their holdings: is he aware that the Hon. W. C. Trench, 931 of Clanadfoy Kilfinane, purchased the mountain portion of the estate in which they had the right of turbary and grazing young cattle, thereby depriving the tenants of the advantages of cheap turf and rearing of some cattle; and can he state whether, in negotiations with the tenants, stipulations were made that the turbary rights should belong to the tenants, and if the tenants were compelled to pay the amount of interest usual in such circumstances; and have the tenants communicated on the subject with the Estates Commissioners; if so, with what result.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe mountain referred to does not form part of the estate for sale. It has been sold to Captain Trench. For some years past the tenants have ceased to cut turf on the mountain as the bog is practically cut out. The Commissioners have no knowledge of any stipulations as to turbary in the negotiations for sale. The tenants have been required to pay the interest payable under the statute pursuant to their agreements.