§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAMasked if the Estates Commissioners have acquired the farm of Kildrum, on the Kingston estate, Mitchelstown, from which Mr. Robert Fraser was evicted; whether their attention has been called to the action of one 1767 of their inspectors, Mr. Sydney Smith, in proposing to allocate the farm in question to Mr. Thomas Robinson, a land steward in the employment of the landlord; if they are aware that, during the course of an inquiry recently held in Mitchelstown under the Labourers Acts, Mr. Robinson declared on oath that he was possessed of over £3,000; and if the Commissioners intend to sanction an advance of public money in this case to provide for the employé of the landlord?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they have purchased 203 acres of the lands of Kildrum, and have allotted them amongst persons coming within Section 2 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, including Mr. Thomas Robinson, who have signed undertakings to purchase. I understand that Mr. Robinson stated on the occasion referred to in the question that he had offered £3,000 for a certain farm.
§ Mr. W. ABRAHAMWhat claim had Mr. Robinson to any portion of this untenanted land?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat is a question for the Estates Commissioners to consider, how far he was a person likely to make good use of untenanted land of this sort.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEIs everybody who is likely to make good use of untenanted land entitled to get it?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo. The Estates Commissioners have to consider among the persons applying for it who, in their judgment, are the persons best entitled to the land.