§ 11. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will inquire as to the exclusion of John J. Burnett, a smallholder on the M'Gregor estate, Monascalleghan, county Longford, from a share in the distribution of certain untenanted lands on this estate; whether he is aware that when the lands were divided all the other tenants received a share in the distribution with the exception of Burnett, who farms 5 acres; and, seeing that local feeling attributes this exclusion to the fact that Burnett is the only Protestant on the estate, will he take steps to ensure his obtaining a portion of the lands mentioned?
§ Mr. DUKESamuel Burnett had two holdings, one on the King Harman estate comprising 48 acres, in respect of which an advance of £563 was made under the Land Purchase Acts, the other comprising 7 acres on the adjoining M'Gregor estate, in respect of which he was returned as tenant in the schedule of tenancies lodged with the Estates Commissioners. Being in possession of so much land he was not qualified for an allotment of the untenanted land and, with a view to obtaining portion of the land, he transferred his interest in the holding of 7 acres to his son. In allotting the lands the Commissioners did not consider an allotment should be made in this case. The lands have been divided and purchase undertakings signed by the allottees, who have been placed in occupation. The Commissioners inform me that the matter cannot be reopened, and they deprecate the suggestion made in the concluding portion of the question. There is no foundation for it.