§ Mr. HALPIN (Clare, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether the assessor who attends the head Land Commission on the 12th June next at Ennis, in the County of Clare, will fix rents on 1457 the assumption that Canadian cattle will be admitted in the near future.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that the appeal court referred to will fix rents after hearing the parties, and having regard to the interest of the landlord and tenant respectively, and having considered all the circumstances of the case, holding, and district. The assessor must hear the evidence, and on the application of either of the parties inspect the holding and report thereon to the Judicial Commissioners in the prescribed manner.
§ MR. HALPINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state who is the assessor appointed to attend with the head Land Commission announced to be held at Ennis, county Clare, on the 12th June next; what are his qualifications and experiences as a land valuer; is he to value holdings according to their appearance without regard to the quality of the soil and subsoil; will he, when valuing lands, allow for the top dressing put on this spring; and whether he will give instructions to the sub and Chief Commissioners to do justice to the tenants in view of their buying their holdings?
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that it would be irregular and undesirable that they should state for the purposes of a reply in Parliament the names and qualifications of the assessors who are to sit with the Judicial Commissioners in cases which have yet to be heard. The discussion in Parliament of such pending cases, and the subjecting of the assessors to criticism in advance of the hearing would, in the opinion of the Land Commissioners lead to serious embarrassment, and render it increasingly difficult to carry on the business of the Land Commission. Upon the hearing of appeals the assessors sit in open court, and all persons concerned then become aware of the composition of the tribunal by which their cases are to be decided. The existing assessors wore appointed in 1903 as being persons of skill and experience in agriculture, in accordance with the 89th Section of the Act. The qualifications of these gentlemen have already been stated in Parliamentary Papers.