§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will give the names of the tenants on the Vereker estate, situate near Abbeyfeale, in the county of Limerick, to whom the Estates Commissioners allotted portion of the untenanted lands on it, the number of acres they already hold as tenants on that estate, and the number of acres of untenanted land each got; and on what principle was it apportioned?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the lands in question have been allotted as follows, the acreage being stated in each case in round numbers: Tim Harnett, who held seven acres, got nine acres; J. T. Collins, who held 31 acres, got seven acres; M. P. Harnett, who held seven acres, got 16 acres; and John Fitzgerald, who held 88 acres, got four acres. The remaining 45 acres have been allotted to Mrs. Johanna D'Alton, who had been in occupation of the entire lands for a number of years.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYUnder what Section of the Act of 1903 can a tenant who holds 30 acres of land get a portion of this untenanted land, and on what principle was the land apportioned?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYOn a point of Order. I think it arises, Sir, out of the answer, inasmuch as the Estates Commissioners have not given an account.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt may arise out of the question, but, at the same time, if an hon. Gentleman is asking for a particular section, of a particular Act, he ought to give an opportunity to the Law Officers to look it up.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYWith all respect, Sir, the latter part of my question was on what principle was the land apportioned?
§ Mr. CHERRYWith all deference, Sir, may I say it is all done under the second Section of the Act of 1903.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked whether the Estates Commissioners received a 369 resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the Newcastle West District Council, calling upon them to give the untenanted lands on the Vereker estate, situate near Abbeyfeale, to the agricultural labourers, who are numerous in the district; and, if so, what steps did they take to consider the wants of the labourers of the district before they allotted the untenanted lands to the tenants, some of whom have large holdings on the estate; and whether it was on the recommendation of Mr. Lafferty, their inspector, and Mr. Barrington, the agent, both of whom were together on the lands, that the allotments were so made?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe resolution was received and duly considered by the Estates Commissioners. The allotment of the untenanted land was made by them on the recommendation of their inspector.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last pare of the question.
§ Mr. CHERRYAll these matters are referred to the inspector. He goes down to the locality, makes inquiries of every sort, and makes his report, and, as a general rule, his recommendations are accepted by the Estates Commissioners, but not always.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIs it not the fact that in these cases the inspector, together with the agent of the estate, gives this untenanted land to the tenants to induce them to buy at the landlord's price and for no other reason? As this is a very serious matter, and as there is great public feeling in the locality against the way this land has been apportioned, and having regard to the fact that there are a great number of cottiers and labourers in the district who are demanding this land. I want to know in the public interest if the Commissioners will reopen this question, and, under the Act of 1903, see that the wants of the labourers are satisfied?
§ Mr. CHERRYI do not think it would be possible for them to reopen it. They have sent an inspector and got a report, and are satisfied with it, and they have adopted it.