§ MR. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, some months ago, negotiations commenced between Colonel Digby, of Ballinacuna, Moyvore, county Westmeath, and his tenantry for the sale of his estate to them; that a bargain was effected, but that, owing to the landlord's refusal to reinstate some evicted tenants on his property, the sale has not been completed; that the evicted farms are now let on the cloven months system to a large farmer who refuses to restore them to the evicted tenants, although he was offered full compensation for any loss or improvements on the lands through the Estates Commissioners; and if he will bring this case before them, with a view to a sale of the lauds amongst the poorer tenants and the restoration of the evicted tenants to their old holdings.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings for the sale of this estate have yet been instituted before them, and they have no knowledge of any negotiations which may be proceeding between the landlord and tenants. The Commissioners have, however, received applications from five evicted tenants for 1407 reinstatement on the estate, and have referred these applications to their inspector for investigation.