9. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Furlong estate, near Youghal, county Cork, has been also purchased by the Estates Commissioners and divided amongst a few labourers, while the best of the land with the residence has been allocated to a Mr. Brown, who holds an official position in the London County Council; and whether, in view of the objects and intention of the Land Purchase Acts, it is intended that the best portion of this estate should be vested in a non-resident purchaser?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Estates Commissioners acquired 553 acres of untenanted land on this estate, and on resale allotted same, with the exception of the mansion house division, amongst twenty-four purchasers, three of whom were evicted tenants, and the others occupiers of small holdings in the neighbourhood. The mansion house division included extensive buildings, out-offices, and grounds, and was not suitable for sub-division, and in the exercise of their discretion the Commissioners sold it to Mr. Brown, whose family live in the mansion house. The Commissioners understand that Mr. Brown does not hold a position in the London County Council.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am afraid I do not know that.
11. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the circumstances under which the estate known as the Mud Lands, at Youghal, county Cork, has been acquired by the Estates Commissioners and divided amongst evicted tenants; whether he is aware that this property consists of reclaimed land very low-lying and subject to frequent floods in winter; whether he is aware that the tenants complain of insufficient drainage and that proper sluices have not been provided to free the land from excessive moisture; whether the tenants are called upon to pay a rent of 19s. 6d. per acre, which is in excess of the value of the land in its present condition; and whether any steps will be taken by the Estates Commissioners or others to improve the position of these evicted tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners acquired on the estate referred to some 300 acres of good deep soil suitable for tillage and dairying though wet in places, and they allotted nine holdings to evicted tenants and provided enlargements for six smallholders. The prices were fixed after inspection, and the average annuity payable on such prices is 13s. 6d. per acre and not 19s. 6d. as stated in the question. The vendor provided a sum of £475 for the upkeep of the embankments and sluices, of which £71 has since been expended, and the Commissioners sanctioned the expenditure of over £1,000 on erection of buildings, general improvements, and purchase of stock. The Estates Commissioners do not propose to sanction any further expenditure for the improvement of these lands, but it is open to the parties, if so advised, to apply to the Commissioners of Public Works for improvement loans under the Land Improvement (Ireland) Acts.
§ 19. Mr. HORNERasked whether an application was made on the 29th day of March, 1911, on behalf of Mrs. Ann Kirk, of Altacamcosy, Gortin, county Tyrone, a tenant purchaser, to the Irish Land Commission, to make regulations for the exercise of her turbary rights on the estate, which was sold subject to the provisions of Section 21 of the Irish Land Act of 1903; will he say what steps have been taken in reference thereto; and why no reply has been made to the several letters from her solicitors asking for a ruling on the application?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to be made of the property have been lodged, and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.
§ 24. Mr. JOYCEasked if any offer has been made for the sale of the Dickson Mansell estate at Gorhue, Killonan, county Limerick, of which Welsh and Ityan are the head landlords; and, if so, do the Estates Commissioners intend purchasing with the view of dividing the untenanted land amongst the uneconomic tenants of the Killonan property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the estate of Alicia M. Welsh and Mary Ryan, which includes the lands of Killonan, is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owners to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. There is no untenanted land included in the property which is the subject of proceedings for sale, and the vendors state they are not the owners of any other lands in the localily.
§ 26. Mr. O'MALLEYasked whether Lord Stratheden and Campbell has yet offered to sell his estate in Moycullen, County Galway, to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, will he state whether the Board has agreed to purchase it on behalf of the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to be made of this estate have been lodged with the Congested Districts Board, and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.
§ 27. Mr. O'MALLEYasked whether the Congested Districts Board has yet made an offer of purchase for the O'Flaherty estate, in Ballyconnelly and in the Oughterard district; and whether a year and a half ago this estate was valued with a view of purchase; and, if so, will he state why the purchase has not been completed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are in negotiation for the purchase of this estate.
§ 29. Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been draw to the decrees asked for at County Courts in respect of the non-payment of purchase annuities due to the Irish Land 456 Commission; whether his attention has been drawn to the sums in respect of which many of the decrees were asked; whether at the Longford Quarter Sessions James Tiernan was sued for 9s., and at the Ballymahon Quarter Sessions Michael Linehan for 8s. 6d; and if he can state the cost to the Land Commission of recovering these two amounts?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated in the question. The Land Commission are under no expense in the matter of the costs of legal proceedings for the recovery of arrears of annuities. The costs are included in the decrees for the debts, and are recovered from the defaulters.