§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Arthur O'Connor, of Elphin, ever offered the Palace lands and the lands of Shankill for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, what is the cause that the Board has not offered him a price for them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMr. Arthur O'Connor wrote to the Congested Districts Board on 22nd May, 1910, stating that he desired to sell the lands of Palace and Shankill to the Board, but he has not yet lodged the necessary maps and other documents. When the maps and necessary particulars have been furnished the Board will have the lands valued, and an offer made for them as soon as practicable.
§ Sir WALTER NUGENTasked what action the Estates Commissioners propose to take in reference to the lands known as Clonrellick, on the Little Estate, county Westmeath, in which the Estates Commissioners postponed their decision pending the determination of certain legal proceedings dealing with another estate in the High Court of Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners hope to be able to give their decision in this matter at an early date.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked how many estates in Cork County have been vested in tenant purchasers during the year ended the 30th 156W June, 1911, and the number of purchasing tenants affected; on how many estates have agreements to purchase been lodged where the vesting orders are not yet issued in Cork County, since the passing of the Land Act of 1903?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that in the year ended 30th June last there were vested 2,071 holdings in county Cork situate on 166 estates, the subject of direct sale proceedings under the Land Purchase Acts, and on that date there were agreements pending for the sale of 11,284 holdings situate on 941 estates in that county.
§ Mr. GILHOOLYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenants on Dursey Island, Castletown, Bere, signed purchase agreements in 1905; whether their holdings have been vested in them; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is one of those to be dealt with during the present financial year, and the question of vesting the holdings in the tenants will be considered by the Estates Commissioners as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. GILHOOLYasked whether the Congested Districts Board have communicated with the agent for Hare Island (Baltimore) with a view to the sale of their holdings to the tenants on the island?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board will communicate with the agent if the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish them with his name and address.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board have made any offer for the purchase of the estate of Colonel Maurice C. G. Blake, of Tower-hill, Ballyglass, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe necessary maps and documents to enable the Congested Districts Board to have an inspection made of the estate referred to have been received, and the property will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding the purchase as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether the Rev. Mr. Bartley has consented to sell his estate at Cushlogart and Rosstuohy, county Mayo, to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, when the Board expect to be able to complete the purchase?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have had the estate of the Rev. W. Yorke Bartley inspected, and they expect to make an offer for it shortly.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked as to the present position with regard to the purchase of estates in the western division of county Donegal, and particularly as to the progress of arrangements for the purchase of the various portions of the estate of the Marquis Conyngham?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish the names of the owners of the estates in the Western Division of county Donegal referred to by him, the information asked for will be given. As regards the estate of the Marquis of Conyngham, the maps and other documents in respect to the Glenties estate, which includes the Downstrands section, were lodged on the 27th July, and an inspection of these lands will be made as soon as practicable.