§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Patrick Joyce, of Hazelbrook, 1776 near Westport, county Mayo, has given over to his brother 250 acres of a grazing farm called Mount Pleasant, also near Westport, and which he has been grazing as an eleven months tenant; is he aware that there are several small landholders in the vicinity who have been expecting an enlargement of their holdings by the distribution of this farm, consisting altogether of 600 acres, amongst them; had Mr. Patrick Joyce any authority to hand over any portion of this farm to his brother; and will he see that it is divided amongst the uneconomic landholders in the neighbourhood.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are not aware that Mr. Patrick Joyce has parted with any portion of his lands at Mount Pleasant to his brother. Mr. Patrick Joyce was not an eleven months tenant, but held the lands under lease from Lord Clanmorris. He has surrendered 143 acres of his land for division among the tenants of uneconomic holdings.