§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork County, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether Mr. Sydney Smith, a personal friend and neighbour of the agent of the Kingston estate, has been appointed by the Estates Commissioners to examine the holdings and inquire into the methods by which the second term tenants on this estate were induced to sign purchase agreements at the rate of twenty-six and a quarter years purchase with interest at 4 per cent.; and whether the Estates Commissioners will consider the desirability of appointing an 953 inspector not so closely connected with Mr. Henry Frend, agent of the estate.
MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they have referred this Question to their Inspector, Mr. Sydney Smith, who reports that he is slightly acquainted with the agent of the Kingston estate, but the agent resides at some distance from him, and is not closely connected with him as stated in the Question. The Commissioners do not consider that there is any necessity for assigning the duty of inspecting the estate to another inspector.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain who recommended this Gentleman for appointment?
MR. BRYCEI do not think the Commissioners would be willing to tell me. I think they consider when they appoint an inspector that they do it in their official capacity and not with any particular recommendation.