§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Sectary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Hawkins, sub-Commissioner, when fixing a second term rent upon the holding of Mr. Peter Dempsey, Coolnaferra, Monasterevan, Edwards estate, produced a map with Dempsey's farm marked in red ink by the agent when he came to inspect the land, and accused the tenant of being an advanced Nationalist and a member of the United Irish League; can he say if Dempsey received a reduction of only 8d. in the pound while other rents on the same property were reduced from 17 to 35 per cent.; and whether he proposes to recommend the reappointment of Mr. Hawkins when his term of office expires.
§ MR. CHERRY (for Mr. BIRRELL)The Land Commission have referred this Question to Mr. Hawkins, who states that there is absolutely no foundation for the suggestion that he accused the tenant of being an advanced Nationalist and a member of the United Irish League. When Mr. Hawkins first visited the farm the landlord was represented by the estate bailiff who produced the estate map. A dispute arose between the bailiff and the tenant as to the boundaries of the holding, and the inspection was therefore adjourned. Subsequently the parties agreed as to the boundaries of the holding, and Mr. Hawkins then visited the farm a second time and inspected it. The map used by him was the official map on record in the case, which shows the boundaries of the holding as pointed out to him by the tenant and eventually agreed to on behalf of the landlord. The Commissioners inform me that Mr. Hawkins is a gentleman in whose discretion and impartiality they have every confidence. I may add that if either party is aggrieved by the order of the sub-Commission he can apply to have the case reheard in the manner provided by Statute.