HC Deb 07 November 1911 vol 30 cc1479-81
Mr. O'DOWD

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the following estates in the union of Tubbercurry, county Sligo, still remain unsold, namely, the Beatty estate, Tullycusheen-beg, Tubbercurry, the Leitrim and Ballyglass estate, same union and county, the Tully-villa estate (owner the representatives of John Walker, deceased, Sligo), and the Mullaun and Doobeg estate of Charles Phibbs, Esq., J.P., Doobeg, Ballymote, county Sligo; and whether, seeing that Mr. Beatty, owner of the Beatty estate, is unable to negotiate terms of sale, he being a lunatic, and that his agent, Mr. Morrison, refuses to sell at any price, steps will be taken to bring about a sale of this and the other unpurchased estates mentioned in the question?

Mr. BIRRELL

The lands of Leitrim North on the Nicholson estate, and Bally-glass on the Mossman estate, have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and will be inspected and decisions arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable. The Board communicated with the agents for the Beatty and Walker estates asking them to lodge the necessary maps and documents, if the owners desired to sell the properties through the Board, but no replies have been received. In the case of the Phibbs estate the owner has refused to sell and the matter is being specially considered by the Board.

Mr. MEAGHER

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of the Widow Nolan, of Clara, county Kilkenny; whether he is aware that Mrs. Nolan owed only a half-year's rent which, owing to almost entire failure of her crop, she was unable to pay on demand, and that, instead of granting her request of two months to enable her to make up her rent, the landlord served her with a writ under which judgment was marked and subsequently bought in at the sheriff's sale her interest for £1; whether he is aware that reasonable terms of purchase were offered to the landlord on behalf of this poor widow and three young children, and having occupied sixty-six statute acres, being two-thirds of the entire estate; and, in view of the circumstances of the case, will the Estates Commissioners consider the advisability of acquiring this estate in the interests of this woman?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the case of Mrs. Nolan does not come within the class of persons mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and they have therefore no power to acquire the lands for the purposes of her reinstatement.

Mr. MEAGHER

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to amend the defects of the Act of 1909?

Mr. BIRRELL

Does the hon. Gentleman ask me whether it is our intention to introduce legislation?

Mr. MEAGHER

That is quite so.

Mr. BIRRELL

No, I do not intend to do so.