HC Deb 11 May 1914 vol 62 cc714-5
115. Mr. DORIS

asked when the O'Donel estate, Newport, county Mayo, was acquired by the Congested Districts Board; and what steps, if any, the Board have since taken to relieve congestion amongst the small landholders in the district?

Mr. BIRRELL

This estate was acquired by the Congested Districts Board in May, 1911, and since then the Board have taken such steps as were open to them (haying regard to the claims and requirements of other estates needing attention at the same time) to relieve congestion on the property by striping or consolidation of holdings, enlargement of holdings where possible, apportionment of turbary, construction of roads, drains and fences, and the erection and improvement of houses. Negotiations for the acquisition of nonresidential holdings have been conducted with as little delay as the circumstances o£ the case seemed to warrant. Over £3,000 has been expended on the improvement of the estate up to the present.

116. Mr. DORIS

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet taken any steps to acquire the large grazing farms held by Mrs. Dick, Miss Keegan, and Messrs. Francis Chambers, John Curran, William Rose, and Albert Beckett, on the late O'Donel estate, Newport, county Mayo, so as to enable them to relieve congestion in the district, or when they intend to do so?

Mr. BIRRELL

Negotiations are in progress with the object of arranging terms with Mrs. Dick for the surrender to the Congested Districts Board for the relief of congestion of portion of the land in her possession near Newport, county Mayo. The Board think it may be necessary to obtain possession of Miss Keegan's and Mr. Francis Chamber's lands on the O'Donel estate. The Board have decided not to resume possession of the land in the occupation of Mr. William Rose. Messrs. John Curran and Albert Beckett are not tenants to the Board of any lands on the O'Donel estate.

117. Mr. DORIS

asked whether the landholders on the late Pim estate, near Newport, county Mayo, have called the attention of the Congested Districts Board to their extremely congested condition; and whether the Board intend to provide them with enlargements of their uneconomic holdings?

Mr. BIRRELL

The attention of the Congested Districts Board has been called to this matter, and a note has been made of the application of the tenants in case the Board may have an opportunity of giving them any enlargements of their holdings.

118. Mr. DORIS

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the number of years' purchase at which the Congested Districts Board acquired the untenanted mountain and other lands on the Gibbings estate at Newfield, Roskeen, South, and Rockisland, near Newport, county Mayo?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board bought the lands referred to at twenty-six years' purchase of the annual value.