§ 16. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the memorial to the Congested Districts Board in regard to the division of the demesne lands of the-Wills-Sandford estate was signed by 82 towns tenants in Castlerea, who submit that these lands should be apportioned amongst the town tenants generally; and if he will state whether the petition of the memorialists will receive further consideration?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Congested Districts Board received a memorial purporting to be signed by 82 tenants and subtenants of the town of Castlerea. As my right hon. Friend has already stated, the primary object of the Board in purchasing the demesne lands of the Wills-Sandford estate was the improvement in the condition of agricultural tenants, not the partitioning of such lands among town tenants. The petition referred to, which has been already ruled upon by the Board, cannot be further considered.