§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any complaint has reached the Estates Commissioners in connection with the sale of a large grazing farm in the townland of Leefin, parish of Balamana, Loughrea, by the landlord, Mr. John Smyth, of Loughrea, to Mr. Patrick Farrell, of Loefin; whether he is aware that Mr. Farrell is a large agricultural tenant on the same property; and whether the Commissioners, before sanctioning the sale, will institute inquiries as to the number of small holdings in the neighbourhood and the necessity of enlarging them out of this grazing farm.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that this farm consisting of 330 acres, forms portion o
the estate of Mr. J. Smyth, which they have agreed to purchase under Section 6 of the Act. Mr. Farrell, who is yearly tenant of the farm, has, upon the suggestion of the Commissioners, consented to give up sixty-nine acres of it for the purpose of enlarging the three holdings on the estate which require enlargement. The remainder of the farm is being sold to Mr. Farrell. He has no other holding on the property which is being sold. The 1303 arrangements for the purchase and re-sale of the property have been completed.