§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary the condition of the negotiations with respect to the O'Donnell estate, Kildysart; whether, in view of the fact that an inspection of the property is reported to have taken place, he can give the date of the inspection; whether the tenants were communicated with at the time of the inspection; and whether steps will be taken to deal with this property without further delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt now appears that the Congested Districts Board's inspector did not visit the lands or communicate with the tenants, but he satisfied himself by inquiry and an examination of the rental that the estate was not a suitable one for the Board to acquire compulsorily. The Board decided in January last that they would not take further steps to purchase the estate.