§ MR. CREAN (Cork County, S.E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have placed Henty Hosford in possession of untenanted land at Rafeen, County Cork; whether he is aware that in reply to a letter the Estates Commissioners informed the Parliamentary Member for the Division that they had fully inquired into the claim made by the Hosfords and had decided not to purchase the farm for them, as they had no title to the land; whether he is aware that the people claiming this land have already in their possession three large farms, one of these being a farm near Kinsale from which a farmer had been evicted, and for which the son of the evicted tenant has made a claim; and, whether in view of these facts and in the interest of peace in the district, the Commissioners will refuse to advance the purchase money.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners purchased this farm in 1907. They at first intended it for a tenant from another estate, but ultimately decided to give it to the Hosfords, on whose behalf the hon. Member had approached them. The farm has now been sold to Henry Hosford, who is in possession. The Commissioner are 1872 aware that his stepfather holds other lands, but cannot say whether they include an evicted farm.
§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork County, N. E.)Did not the hon. Member for South-East Cork inform the Commissioners by letter that he had proof the Hosfords had no title to the land, and that the persons who recommended him had stated that they had been grossly deceived? Will the Commissioners reconsider their decision?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have no information, but it looks as if the hon. Member had better have left the matter alone.