§ MR. HAMMOND (Carlow)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have now concluded the purchase of the Faulkner estate, Spring-hill, Queen's County; if the purchase embraces the whole area of the estate in this county; if Mr. William Reilly's larger holding in Springhill is also included; and, if not, will he explain why.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform mo that they have made an offer to the Land Judge for the purchase of the estate referred to, but they have not yet been informed whether or not their offer has been accepted. The offer embraces the whole estate in the county, with the exception of the holding of William Reilly, No. 16, Springfield. The superior landlord has rights of quarrying over the whole of this holding, and under the circumstances the Commissioners did not consider it desirable to include the holding in the estate.