§ 52. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland who is responsible for the destruction of all the timber on the Clonfin ranch; who directed it to be sold; who also directed that the mansion standing on the land should be sold; what was the sum received in respect of these sales: whether any replanting of trees is to be done to replace those now cut down; and will he say to what purpose the money received in respect of these sales will be devoted?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Estates Commissioners inform me that the lands referred to have been purchased by them for distribution under the Irish Land Acts. The removal of timber which was on the lands was necessary to enable them to be utilised for tillage, and it is not proposed to replant. The mansion house is dilapidated and the materials will be used in the construction of dwellings for the new occupiers. A sum of £150 will be realised by the sale of the timber, and will be expended on improvements.
§ 53. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary what steps are being taken by the Estates Commissioners to acquire and divide the lands of Monescallaghan, county Longford, the property of Mr. M'Cutcheon; whether, if a sub-division of these lands is to take place, the Commissioners will see that the uneconomic land holders get priority of the same; and when it is proposed to complete the transaction?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they have issued a proposal, which has been accepted by the owner, for the purchase, under the Irish Land Acts, of the estate referred to, but that they are not yet in a position to say when they may be able to acquire the property. In the distribution of the untenanted lands, due regard will be had to the wants and circumstances of the tenants in the neighbourhood.
§ 54. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the sub-division of the lands of Ballinruddy, E. Mac O'Ferrall estate, county Longford, has yet been decided on; whether the application of Joseph Keane, of Ballynagoshen, was considered at the 464 time the inspector made his visit to this property; and, if not, will it be put on the list for a portion of this farm?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that a scheme for the distribution of the lands referred to has not yet been approved. No application appears to have been received by the Commissioners from Joseph Keane.
§ Mr. FARRELLIf the application is made now, will it be considered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCertainly.
§ 56. Mr. O'DOHERTYasked the Chief Secretary the cause of the delay in proceeding with and completing the sale of the Fenton estate, Oughterlin, Rathmullan, county Donegal, on which the tenants signed agreements to purchase early in 1908; whether he is aware that the estate has not yet been inspected and that no advance has been made; whether he is aware that neighbouring estates, namely, the Norman estate and the Stuart estate, where agreements were signed about the same time, have already been vested in the tenants; and whether he will take steps to expedite the inspection and completion of the sale of the Fenton estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the Fenton estate, the purchase agreements in respect of which were lodged in October 1908, has not yet been reached in its order of priority on the Principal Register of Direct Sales (All Cash) to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1903. It will be dealt with as soon as possible when its turn arrives. The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed as to the Norman estate, and as regards the Stuart estate I am told that the vendor elected under Section 3 of the Act of 1909 to accept payment in half stock, half cash.