§ The EARL of KINGSTONmoved for copies of all the affidavits made in the Encumbered Estates Court in Dublin, in the matter of the sale of the estates of the Earl of Kingston, in the counties of Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary, with reference to the value of the said estates, and the qualification of Mr. Collins as a land surveyor and valuator.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEobserved, that there was no necessity for acceding to the Motion of the noble Earl, as all the affidavits to which he referred could be purchased for the small sum of 2d. or 3d.
§ LORD BEAUMONTsaid, that his noble Friend (the Earl of Kingston) had entrusted him with a petition on the same subject to which his Motion referred. It stated that the landed property of the petitioner amounted in value to the sum of 280,000l., and that it had been brought into the Encumbered Estates Court at the suit of a single creditor, to whom a sum of 200l. only was owing. Several lots were put up for sale, but as no bidders appeared, the Chief Commissioner publicly adjourned the proceedings and left the court, followed by a large number of persons, who were in attendance on the occasion. The agent for the petitioner also quitted the court, under the impression that the sale had been adjourned; but Mr. Commissioner Longfield, at the request of some persons who said that they had come for the purpose of bidding, offered to put up any lots that might be called for, and accordingly lot 47, and other lots, were put up, and some of these were sold. The petitioner was advised that under these circumstances 1936 the sale was not good; but the property had been already conveyed away, and the purchaser had obtained a Parliamentary title. This was the principal ground of complaint contained in the petition; and he (Lord Beaumont) would say, that if the facts stated in the petition were correct, he thought the noble Earl was perfectly entitled to approach the House and complain of what had taken place. He trusted that an inquiry would be made into the circumstances, and that Mr. Commissioner Longfield, who was well known for his great ability, would be afforded an opportunity of giving some explanation of his share in the transaction.
§ LORD MONTEAGLEthought it was of the greatest importance to the working of the Encumbered Estates Act, that the Commissioners should have a full opportunity of explaining and answering the matter in that petition.
The EARL of MOUNTCASHELLsaid, he knew a case of a sale having been adjourned in the same court, and fixed upon to take place on a certain future day; yet a private sale had taken place before the appointed time.
The EARL of MINTOsaid, it was not regular to have such charges made against the Commissioners, at a time when no noble Lord was in a condition to answer them.
The EARL of MOUNTCASHELLsaid, that was the last opportunity he should have of calling attention to the subject for some time. He had also to observe upon the publication of the under valuation of the property, to make it look as if it had sold well; and there was also another plan pursued, namely, that of leaving out the reversionary value of property.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEalso deprecated the practice of making any such charges as could not then be fairly met.
§ The Motion was understood to be agreed to.
§ House adjourned till To-morrow.