§ 14. Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked whether the Estates Commissioners intend to give 15 acres of land on a farm on the Hewson estate at Askeaton, county Limerick, lately acquired by them, to the wife of Dr. O'Brien, the local dispensary doctor, and the president of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who has a residence and 25 acres of land; and, if so, what claim or right has this lady to a grant of land intended by Act of Parliament to assist bonâ fide un-economic tenant farmers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have allotted about 7 acres of the lands purchased by them on this estate to Mrs. O'Brien, who was in occupation of a holding of 16 acres on the same estate. Mrs. O'Brien is the wife of the local dispensary doctor, and used the land in her occupation as a winter dairy for the supply of new milk to the villagers in Askeaton. 1329 When considering her application for a parcel the Commissioners were informed that she conferred a great boon on the poor people by keeping the winter dairy, and supplying them with pure new milk, as otherwise there would be none available. The Commissioners have no information as to whether her husband is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians or not.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman say where the Commissioners obtained the information?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I cannot give the name.
§ 19. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether the agreement for purchase of their holdings made between the tenants of the King-Harman estate, at Derryharm and Derrygowna, Newtowncashel, county Longford, and Major Murphy, Receiver, in September, 1905, were ever lodged in Court; whether these agreements in terms set forth that the tenants, in addition to the price paid, were to have the bogs and game rights free of all charge; and whether, if the Estates Commissioners now decide to proceed with this sale under Section 6 of the Act of 1903, they will have secured to them in full these bog and game rights agreed upon with Major Murphy
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I have already informed the hon. Member, no purchase agreements signed by the tenants on this estate were ever lodged with the Estates Commissioners. The lands are the subject of proceedings for sale to the Commissioners, and in their re-sale of the property, they will have due regard to such turbary and game rights as the tenants may be entitled to.