§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Richard Martin, of Little Island, the county court valuer on whose valuation the Recorder of Cork increased, instead of abating, the rent of Michael Hegarty, of Carrignavar, is a relative of the landlord, Mr. Richard Mansergh Martin; and, if so, whether the Land 1136 Commission will take steps to prevent the relatives of landlords from again interfering in the fixation of their rents.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Recorder of Cork that in the case referred to the total rent of the three separate holdings of Mr. Hegarty was fixed at £134 10s., as against the previous judicial rent of £140 in respect of the entire holding before it was divided into three. There was, therefore, an abatement and not an increase. The Recorder states that he is wholly unaware whether the court valuer, in whom he has complete confidence, is related to the landlord, and that when the valuer sat with him for the purpose of taking evidence no objection to his doing so was made on the tenants' behalf. The Recorder, however, will give directions that valuers shall not act in cases in which they are related to any of the parties.