§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there is only one case of dispute in reference to the division of land upon the Biron estate, in Brides-well, near Athlone, in the county of Roscommon; and, if so, whether it is sufficient cause for postponing the vesting of an estate purchased by the Estates Commissioners so far back as 1906; and whether the Commissioners will proceed immediately with the sale to the tenants?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)The Estates Commissioners are not aware that there is only one case of dispute in reference to the division of the lands in this matter, but they will send an inspector to make further inquiries with a view to seeing what arrangement can now be effected so that the lands may be vested in the tenants with as little delay as possible.
§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Irish Secretary if the landlord of the M'Causland estate, which is situate in the parishes of Kilgefin and Clontushert, county Rosmommon, is accepting Mrs. J. Walpole, Castlenode, Strokestown, as tenant purchaser of the farm known as Clooneenhartland, situate in the parish of Kiltrustan; if so, can he say at what time did Mr. J. Walpole, J.P., convey to his wife the above-mentioned farm; was it when his borrowing powers were exhausted under the Land Purchase Acts; and will he urge on the Congested Districts Board to take steps to acquire this farm for the relief of the congested tenants in the townlands referred to?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1st March by my right hon. Friend to the similar question of the hon. Member for North Roscommon. This case appeared in the Estates Commissioners' List to-day for consideration as to whether the lands proposed to be sold were fit to be regarded as an estate. The hearing was adjourned, 559 and, as the matter is therefore sub judice, I am unable to make any statement in reference to it.
§ Mr. NEWTONasked the Irish Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence produced at Shandangan, county Cork petty sessions on the 20th instant, in connection with a number of charges of boycotting, assault, and unlawful assembly; whether he is aware that such evidence showed that an inspector of the Land Commission visited on or about the 15th of last month the farmer who has been the object of the proceedings referred to with the object of inducing him to give up his farm in favour of one of his assailants; whether the visit was made with the official sanction of the Estates Commissioners; and, seeing that many fanners have recently been approached by members of the staff of the Land Commission with a view to inducing them to give up their holdings in favour of relatives of some previous holder, whether he will take steps to prevent such interference by a Government official as tending to increase the crime of boycotting?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYMy attention has been drawn to the evidence given in this case. As the hon. Member has already been informed, an Estates Commissioners' inspector was directed to visit Richard Kingston, the farmer referred to, as they were informed that he was prepared to give up the farm occupied by him on receiving suitable compensation. It was never contemplated to interfere with Kingston's occupation of the farm against his wish, and on ascertaining his views the matter at once dropped. Where the Commissioners have reason to believe that the occupiers of the lands are prepared to surrender such lands either for the restoration of evicted tenants or for enlargement of adjoining small holdings it is the practice of their inspectors to make inquiries, and the Commissioners do not see any reason for altering their procedure in this respect.
§ Mr. NEWMANWho informed the Estates Commissioners that this man was prepared to give up his farm?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI cannot say. But that was what was reported to the Estates Commissioners.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Irish Secretary whether in reference to the estate of Richard J. Stacpoole, townland of Annagh and Carrowduff, barony of Ibrickane, 560 county Clare, estate number 3405, purchase agreements were signed by the tenants on 23rd October, 1905, and first instalments in lieu of rents were paid by the tenants to the Estates Commissioners on 6th May, 1906, but the tenants have not yet received their vested orders; and whether steps will be taken to remedy the matter?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThis estate is being sold direct to the tenants by the owner. The agreements signed by the tenants for the purchase of their holdings were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in January, 1906, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority. The Commissioners are not at present able to say definitely when the estate will be reached in its turn, but they hope that it will be reached early in the financial year commencing 1st April next.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked if the farm at Cragg, county Kerry, in the possession of the Congested Districts Board, where John Clifford, of Glencar, county Kerry, sent his cattle to graze is under police protection; whether a protection hut has had to be erected in that district; and whether the real reason of the attack on John Clifford and John Rahilly last August is that John Clifford had cattle grazing on the farm belonging to the Congested Districts Board at Cragg?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe police authorities inform me that a caretaker lives in the house on the farm at Cragg which is in the possession of the Congested Districts Board. No protection hut has been erected, but police reside in the house for the purpose of protecting the caretaker. The reason for the attack on Clifford and Rahilly is a matter on which opinion differs.
§ Mr. NEWMANHow many of these congested farms are boycotted?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI must ask for notice of that question.
Dr. ESMONDEasked whether 4½ acres on the Minnelt estate, near Nenagh, which the Estates Commissioners have purchased, have been lying derelict for the past twenty years; and if William Malampy, whose parents were evicted from the land, will be reinstated on the same terms as the other tenants who have bought?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the 561 receipt of any application for reinstatement from the William Malampy referred to in the question.
Dr. ESMONDEIf he makes application will he be treated in the same way as the other tenants applying?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Commissioners will, of course, give the matter their attention.