§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork County, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his. attention has been drawn to the circumstances which exist on the Massy Estate, Macroom, and which have so far hindered and hampered all efforts at negotiation for purchase on behalf of the tenants; is he aware that Mr. W. H. H. Massy, who had a life interest in the estate, parted with it under deed, dated January 9th, 1899, to his brother, Mr. J. B. W. Massy, and that he now receives an annual income from the latter of £550, to be increased on the death of an annuitant, and that there is a dispute between the brothers as to who should receive the bonus in the event of a sale taking place; and will he state whether this is a case in which the Estates Commissioners could exercise their intervention under the recent regulations of the Lord-Lieutenant with a view to arranging the difficulty which exists between the owners.
* MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they are not aware of the matters alleged in the Question, nor have they been approached on behalf of the tenants of the estate referred to. It would appear from the Question that the difficulties in arranging a sale are caused by differences between the owners themselves, and not by differences between the owners and the tenants, and it does not appear to the Commissioners that they can take any steps in the matter at present.