§ Mr. AUGUSTINE ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary whether the townlands of Farnanes, Pulbrick, and others in the Muskerry estate of Daniel H. Conner were inspected in June, 1909; whether the purchase money of said lands was offered to the said Daniel H. Conner before February in the present year; and if not, why was not the estate dealt with in the order of priority?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is being dealt with in order of priority. It was inspected in 1909, and the Estates Commissioners expect that the purchase money will be advanced, and the holdings vested in the purchasing tenants during the current financial year.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of land purchase agreements which were lodged 1052 with the Estates Commissioners up to the end of May last under the provisions of The Irish Land Act, 1909; the amount of advances applied for; and how many of such agreements represented direct sales between landlord and tenant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of purchase agreements at 3¼ per cent, annuities under the Irish Land Act, 1909 lodged with the Estates Commissioners up to 31st May last in direct sales between landlords and tenants is 2,158, and the advances applied for therein amount to £550,139. Proceedings have also been instituted since the passing of the Act for the sale to the Commissioners of estates comprising 475 holdings, but no purchase agreements are lodged in such cases as the tenants do not sign undertakings to purchase until the estates have been inspected and the prices fixed by the Commissioners and accepted by the owners.