§ MR. O'SHEEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an originating application in connection with the estate of Mrs. Eliza Williams, situate in the county of Waterford, near Youghal, was lodged with the Estates Commissioners in or about August last; whether he is aware that the tenants in the estate formerly numbered three, viz., John Power, John Sullivan, and Mrs. Lombard; that the two first-named were evicted, and that John Power's eviction was for non-payment of the yearly rent of £118 11s., and took place after the Land Sub-Commission had made an order reducing the rent to £82, and while an appeal by the landlord was pending against the order of the Sub-Commission; whether he is aware that the agent, Mr. Wills 106 Purcell, has become tenant of the evicted lands, and signed an agreement to purchase same, which has been lodged with the Estates Commissioners; and whether the Estates Commissioners will take steps without delay to inquire into the circumstances, and, if possible, to secure the restoration of the evicted tenants.
MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that an originating application in respect of this estate was lodged with them on the 30th August, 1905, the proposed purchasers being Mr. W. W. Purcell in respect of 123 acres, and Mr. F. Lombard in respect of thirty acres. The case has not yet been dealt with by the Commissioners, but when dealing with it they will carefully consider and inquire into the application of John Power and any other evicted tenant who may make application for reinstatement. I cannot enter into the consideration of the circumstances attending the eviction of John Power, which, I understand, took place in 1889; but the Commissioners will doubtless inquire into all the circumstances.