§ MR. P. A. McHUGH (Sligo, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the Tottenham, county Leitrim, estate, how many years has this estate been under the control of the Land Judge; is he aware that several years ago the tenants agreed to purchase at the prices suggested by the inspector sent down by the Estates Commissioners; is he aware that for years past the only obstacle to the completion of the purchase has been the refusal of Colonel Adamson, who purchased the mansion house, demesne, and mountains on the estate, to give an adequate supply of turbary to the Estates Commissioners for the use of purchasing tenants; and can he say when the sale will be completed.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRE-LAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)The Registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that the petition for sale in the case of the Tottenham estate was presented in the year 1884. Considerable 342 difficulty has been experienced in allotting plots of turbary for the use of the tenants, but in the opinion of the Land Judge the action of Colonel Adamson has not been unreasonable, as suggested in the Question. The Land Judge considers it only natural that Colonel Adamson, as purchaser of the mansion house, demesne, and mountain land, should desire to have the turbary allotments made in such a way as to avoid friction with the purchasing tenants and at the same time to preserve the amenities of his own property. A turbary scheme has now been finally approved, and the necessary amendments are being made in the maps and rentals. As soon as these details have been completed the documents will be put before the Estates Commissioners, who will then make an offer for purchase.