§ 88. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to state the aggregate area of the grass farms on the estate of Lady Chapman, Killua Castle, Westmeath, which the Estates Commissioners propose to enable the graziers to purchase, notwithstanding their status as graziers; the amount of land on the estate available for distribution; and the probable date of its distribution?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Estates Commissioners are at present unable to add to the information contained in the replies to the several questions asked by the hon. Member on the subject of this estate last year.
§ 91 Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether, with regard to the Scott estate, Doonmore, West Clare, one of the trustees has allotted to himself the choicest portion of the turbary; whether the inspector in his report condemned this proceeding; whether some of the tenants have not been allotted turbary; and whether, to ensure fair treatment all round, the division of the turbary will be re-examined and equitable steps taken; (2) whether, with regard to the Scott estate, Doonmore, West Clare, the deed conveying the estate to the three trustees was in due form; whether the signatures of the tenants were required; and, if so, whether they were all obtained; and (3) whether, in regard to the sale of the Scott estate, Doonmore, West Clare, public notice was duly given in the Clare newspapers; and, if so, whether he can give the dates; whether a number of tenants have no turbary although paying rent for it; and whether, if there has been illegality in any of the proceedings, steps will be taken to have the matter rectified?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe holdings on this estate have been vested in the tenants in accordance with the purchase agreements signed by them in pursuance of proceedings for direct sale instituted by 1418 the owner under the Land Purchase Acts. One of the terms of sale agreed upon between the owner and the tenants was that the former should convey the turbary to trustees for the benefit of the residential tenants. This he did by Deed out of Court executed in due form by himself, the trustees and all the tenants but three. Under the deed the management of the turbary is vested in the trustees and the Commissioners have no power to interfere with them. My right hon. Friend is informed, however, that when dealing with the property the Commissioners were satisfied that the trustees were administering the trust in a proper manner, and they have no knowledge of the allegation made in the question with regard to the allotment of the turbary which the trustees have marked out in accordance with the terms of the deed for each of the tenants, including the three who refused to subscribe to it. It is, at the same time, open to parties who consider that their rights have been interfered with to take such legal action as they may be advised. The notice to claimants, which is a notice issued in connection with the distribution of the purchase money, has not yet been published.