§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary if, in the ordinary case of a bailiff. with purchase agreements in one pocket and writs for arrears of rent in the other, getting the former signed by force of the latter, he will explain the nature of the inquiry alleged to be made by the Estates Commissioners, seeing that the tenants are never given an opportunity of proving the facts; and if the facts are admitted by the vendor, why are agreements signed under this duress allowed to stand?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 6th April, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary, seeing that the Estates Commissioners, after having negotiated with both. Colonel Kavanagh and his tenant for the purchase for the relief of congestion of grass land not offered by either of them for sale, if he will ascertain the grounds, upon which they refuse to ask Mr. Grad-well to sell for a similar purpose in a similar part of Westmeath his interest in the grass farms of which his tenant, Mr. McCulloch, has publicly offered to sell the tenant's interest; and whether he is aware that young men are emigrating from this district for want of land?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 6th April, to which there is nothing to add.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the inspection of the Colomb estate, near Caherciveen, was completed more than two months ago, he will state what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to complete the purchase negotiations?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe inspector's report in the case of this estate is with others awaiting the ruling of the Estates Commissioners, and will be dealt with as soon as possible.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any untenanted land on the Naper estate, at Old- 563W castle, county Meath, had been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners; whether a purchase agreement had been lodged on behalf of John George O'Neill for a farm on the townland of Farnalough; and, if so, would he state when the tenancy was created?
§ Mr. BIRRELLProceedings for the sale of an estate direct to the tenants have been instituted by Mr. William L. Naper, who also offers some sixty-eight acres of untenanted land for sale to the Estates Commissioners. A purchase agreement signed by John George O'Neill has been lodged for the purchase of a holding in the townland of Farnalough. The holding is stated to be held by him under a, lease for thirty-one years dated 1st November, 1902.