§ MR. J. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland why the Congested Districts Board failed to purchase the congested portion of the Kenmare estate, County Kerry, when it was offered to them; and if the Board propose to do anything in future to deal with the congested districts on this estate as they have dealt with similar districts elsewhere, or do they intend to allow the opportunity of dealing with a large area and a congested population to pass without using their powers to improve the position of affairs on the estate.
§ MR. CHERRYIn November last Lord Kenmare offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board the portion of his estate in the congested electoral divisions of Coon, Coolies, and Doocarrig, at prices which represent a reduction of 7s. 3d. in the £ on first term rents, 653 and 5s. 3d. on second term rents, these prices having been agreed upon between a committee of the tenants and Lord Kenmare. The Congested Districts Board decided that they could not purchase on the proposed terms. If they should take over the property with the sale price of each holding to the tenant already fixed, they would have no power to enter upon holdings for the construction of roads and drains or the apportionment of turbary, nor could they carry out any re-arrangement of the holdings without the consent of all the landholders concerned. Moreover, the Board have no funds at present available for improvement works. In these circumstances, the Board do not propose to make any further effort to purchase the property.