§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in 1900 the village of Lanesborough was purchased under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts and all the householders; except Terence Farrell, became proprietors of their own homes; whether he is aware that this man's holding has now been grabbed by a sapper working in county Cavan, named Connor, whose action has created the utmost indignation in the locality; and whether he will instruct the Local Government Board to place at the disposal of the Longford district council the money originally advanced, but subsequently withdrawn, for the purchase of Farrell's holding, and thus prevent a breach of the peace in this district.
§ MR. BIRRELLIn October 1901 the Local Government Board sanctioned a loan of £1,222 to the Longford Rural District Council in order to enable them to make loans for the purchase of certain houses under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act. This amount included provision for an advance to Terence Farrell of£84, being four-fifths of the value of his house, Farrell himself being liable for the balance of the purchase money. The loan was approved by the Treasury, but the district council borrowed only £1,100 of the amount, and it would seem from the Question that Farrell's application was withdrawn. The Local Government Board have no information that Farrell's holding has been acquired by Connor. It rests with the district council to determine whether an advance should be 377 made for the purchase of Farrell's holding, as the Board's sanction of the full loan of £1,222 still holds good, assuming that the purchase can be legally proceeded with.