§ MR. HAZLETON (Galway, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Land Judge has yet come to any decision with reference to the offer for the estate of C. D. O'Rorke, county Galway, made by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, how soon a decision is likely to be arrived at.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that the Land Judge has not come to a decision in this matter. The parties interested in the estate are still considering their position in reference to the offer made by the Estates Commissioners. No decision can now be arrived at until next sittings.
§ MR. O'SHEE (Waterford, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps the Estates Commissioners took with regard to acquiring the demesne and untenanted land, amounting to 700 acres, which the owners of the Woodrooffe estate, county Waterford, offered for sale in the Land. Judge's Court; whether the Estate Commissioners have any knowledge that these lands, except a small portion of rough land 393 offered to them, have been sold by the Land Judge; if so, what are the names of the purchasers; what is the area which each of them has bought, and at what price; whether an application is pending before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of tenanted land on this estate to the occupiers; whether a number of the tenants have refused to sign purchase agreements on the terms demanded; and whether, in view of the intention of the Land Act of 1903 and to the number of uneconomic mountain holdings on this estate, the Estates Commissioners propose to take any action in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 31st October last the Estates Commissioners issued a request to the Land Judge under Section 7 of the Act of 1903 in regard to the Woodrooffe estate. On 8th March following the Commissioners were furnished with particulars of 434 acres of untenanted land proposed to be sold to them. The Commissioners have had this land inspected, but have not yet made an offer to purchase it. They are at present making further inquiries in the matter, and in the meantime cannot say what action they may decide to take. The Registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that untenanted land on this estate has been sold to the following purchasers at the prices stated: Claud Anson, 2,133 acres, £7,308; James Crooks, 303 acres, £1,400; Michael Walsh, 19 acres, £40; Mary Walsh, 27 acres, £60; Daniel Devine, 70 acres, £200; William Devine, 10 acres, £22. No proceedings are pending before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of the tenanted land. This portion of the property is being sold by the Land Judge to the tenants direct. The Commissioners have no informtion as to whether any of the tenants have refused to sign purchase agreements.