§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary whether the lands of Kilbarry were offered by the Marchioness of Winchester for sale to the Estates Commissioners; if so, why the purchase did not lake place; whether he will state the price asked by (he vendor and the offer made by the Commissioners; and if negotiations are still going on?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commismissioners had an inspection made of the lands referred to and communicated to the owner their estimate of the price which they would be prepared to advance if formal proceedings for the sale of the lands to them were instituted, but the owner was not willing to accept the Commissioners' estimated price, and purchase proceedings have not been instituted for the sale of the lands. It would be contrary to the practice of the Commissioners to give the information asked for in the concluding portion of the question.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether inquiries are yet completed into the 233W application of a youth named Farrell for an advance to purchase a holding on the estate of Nicholson, near Carlanstown, county Meath; and, if so, what is the result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have ascertained that Joseph P. Farrell is a minor, and they have refused to sanction the advance applied for by him for the purchase of his holding on the Nicholson estate, county Meath.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the untenanted land on the estate of Dominick More O'Farrell, Orestown, county Meath, has been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners; whether they have received a memorial from residents in the district requesting them to purchase an allotment for pasturage for the cows of labouring men; whether the Commissioners are aware that there are a number of occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the neighbourhood; and what steps they propose to take to give them relief?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1909. There does not appear to be any untenanted land on the estate, and the Estates Commissioners have not received the memorial referred to.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether Mr. Edward More O'Farrell has applied for an advance to purchase a holding on the estate of Dominick More O'Farrell, Orestown, county Meath; at what date the alleged tenancy was created; what is the amount applied for; and whether it is in excess of the amount which the Commissioners are empowered to advance for non-residential holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that no agreement has been lodged for the purchase of Mr. Edward More O'Farrell's holding, the tenancy in which, the Commissioners understand, was created in 1884.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked when the estate of Ryan Welshe, at Ballyculleen, Croom, county Limerick, will be vested in the tenants; when were purchase agreements lodged; and what is the cause of delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). The purchase234W agreements were lodged in July, 1907. Having regard to its position on the above register and the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.
§ Mr. LUNDONalso asked whether the late Mr. Cornelius Power, of Ballinahinch, Elton, Knocklong, county Limerick, had a judicial tenancy in the holding he occupied on the Gascoyne estate; if the land which he held, namely 400 acres, is offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, will it be bought for distribution among the deserving classes in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners understand that Mr. Power held the lands under lease. They are not the subject of proceedings for sale before them.