§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the Estates Commissioners made a preliminary offer to Mr. F. A. Smith for the lands of Newtown, county Meath; if it was accepted; and, if so, when do the Commissioners propose to acquire the lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have made a preliminary inspection of the untenanted land on this estate, and have communicated their estimated price to the owner who has intimated his willingness to accept the same, and has instituted formal proceedings of sale. It is not at present possible to say when the sale proceedings will be completed.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired part of the Piers estate, situate at Clonasilla, county Meath; whether they have recently instituted negotiations for the purchase of the remaining portion, and with what result; and whether he will state if a distribution scheme has been prepared of the lands already acquired?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the property in question has been partitioned between the owners, a Miss Piers and a Mrs. Brennan. The latter has instituted formal proceedings for the sale of her portion, and an offer for it has been made by the Commissioners and accepted, but no scheme for the division of the lands has yet been prepared. As regards the portion owned by Miss Piers, the Commissioners furnished a preliminary estimate of price for the untenanted land, but terms of sale have not yet been arranged, nor have formal proceedings been instituted.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether Francis Hopkins, an evicted tenant on the estate of Colonel Smythe, situate at Nobber, county Meath, has yet been reinstated in his former holding or provided with an equivalent one; and, if not, will he state the cause of the delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have provisionally noted this man's name for consideration in connection with the allotment of such untenanted land as they may acquire, and his application is now in the hands of one of their inspectors.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked what action the Estates Commissioners have taken in the case of Owen Kirk, an evicted tenant on the estate of Admiral Singleton, situate at Drumconrath, county Meath?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have provided Kirk with a holding on certain lands in Meath acquired by them under the Evicted Tenants Act.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the Estates Commissioners have purchased the untenanted land on the Wade estate, situate at Clonebraney, county Meath; and, if not, will they take action to acquire it for distribution among the small holders in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not purchased the untenanted lands on this estate, but they will consider the matter when the estate is being dealt with in its proper turn.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the lands of Hosath, county Meath, have been offered by the owner, Mr. J. H. Nicholson, to the Estates Commissioners as untenanted land; whether in any purchase agreement lodged by the landlord those lands were represented as being tenanted; if so, whether the Commissioners will institute inquiries as to the date when the tenancy was created; and whether it comes within the provisions of any Land Acts preceding 1903?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe lands referred to have not been offered to the Estates Commissioners as untenanted land. It appears from the documents lodged in connection with the sale of the estate that they are held on lease by two tenants, one of whom has signed a purchase agreement. The lease is stated to be dated 4th February, 1892. The matter will be inquired into when the estate is being inspected.