§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have completed the acquisition of the Castlecaldwell demesne lands on the Blomfield estate, county Fermanagh; if so, will they consider the claim to reinstatement of Michael M'Cormick and his father, who held holdings in Rossbeg and Rossmore (part of the lands), and were evicted from their holdings with a view to the enlargement of the demesne, and whose holdings have since remained unoccupied; and will he suggest to the Commissioners to inquire into these cases and provide for the M'Cormicks before bringing in outside evicted tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have acquired the property referred to. They do not propose to allot any portion of the untenanted land to Michael M'Cormick or his father, but two of his brothers have been allotted parcels of land. The Commissioners have already considered the matter, and see no reason to depart from the arrangements which they have made.
§ Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners agreed to purchase the Carter estate, Monavea, Queen's County, about three years ago; will he state the date of the agreement and the cause of the delay in completing the sale; and whether, pending the completion of the sale, the evicted tenants will be reinstated so as to enable them to utilise the land this year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not yet agreed to purchase this estate, but the owner has instituted formal proceedings for its sale to them. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, and when the lands are acquired by the Commissioners the question of reinstatement of the evicted tenants will be considered.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether, in reference to the estate of Colonel Cahill, West Clare, he is aware that the tenants have repeatedly made offers for purchase, but the landlords, of whom Colonel Cahill is one, have refused to sell; and what action it is proposed to take?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have no information regarding the 1265W offers for purchase made by the tenants on this estate. The estate has not been offered for sale to the Board.
§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked if any offer had yet been made by the Congested Districts Board, and, if so, with what result, in respect of the Glenhest estate of Colonel C. H. Knox, the inspection of which by the Board's officers took place some time ago?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate, but they hope to be in a position to do so at an early date.
§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary what progress had been made by the Congested Districts Board towards the purchase of the Erris estate of Mr. E. C. Walshe, the inspection of which has long been completed by the Board's staff; and if, in view of the character of the holdings now occupied by the tenantry, he will urge the Board to push forward the purchase?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board hope to consider the question of making an offer for his property at an early date.