§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received a resolution 48W from the people of Mullinahreena, Tubbercurry union, county Sligo, protesting against the injustice inflicted on Mrs. Catherine M'Loughlin, of Cloonarara, same district as above, by vesting a portion of his holding in a man named Thomas O'Connor; and, if so, whether, seeing that feeling runs high and the peace of the district likely to be endangered, an inspector will be ordered to reinvestigate the case of this poor woman?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. This estate was the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants, and Catherine M'Loughlin entered into an agreement with him for the purchase of her holding. With the owner's consent nearly six acres of cutaway bog were added to her holding without any increase in the purchase money which she had agreed to pay, and the holding and the additional six acres were vested in her on the 28th November last. The plot referred to in the question was never part of Mrs. M'Loughlin's holding, but she and other tenants have certain turbary rights thereon, and it has been vested in O'Connor subject to such rights. The purchase money of the estate has been paid and the lands vested in the purchasing tenants, and the Estates Commissioners cannot reopen the matter.
§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary whether the Branchfield farm, situate on the Harlech estate, parish of Mullinahreena, union of Tubbercurry, and county Sligo, has yet been vested in the Estates Commissioners; whether he is aware that there are ten sub-tenants residing on this ranche whose average valuation does not exceed £3 10s.; and whether, before the Harlech estate is vested, the claim of these cottiers for the enlargement of their holdings will be duly considered by the Commissioners?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Harlech estate to which the hon. Member refers is not pending for sale to the Estates Commissioners, but is the subject of direct sale proceedings by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and McKim, who is tenant of the farm in question, entered into an agreement to purchase it. There are some ten sub-tenants in occupation of portion of the farm. McKim has not paid the interest in lieu of rent which he contracted to pay in his 49W purchase agreement, and the question whether the holding should be excluded from the proceedings is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the tenants to whom land was allotted on the Blake estate, at Cormeen, county Meath, are likely to be put in possession this month, in order that they may not be compelled to sell the young cattle which they intend feeding on the lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe formal offer of the Estates Commissioners to purchase in this case has been issued and is awaiting acceptance by the Land Judge. The Commissioners understand that it will be considered by the Judge at an early date, and if accepted by him, will take over the lands as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board has made an offer for purchase of the estate of Mesdames St. George and Brown, situate at Ballindoreen, Kilcolgan, county Galway; has the offer been accepted; and, if so, will he state when the Board propose to deal with this estate to relieve congestion in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Mrs. St. George and Mrs. Concannon, including the townland of Ballinderreen, and they are at present in correspondence with the owners regarding it.
§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the Daly estate, at Thomas-town, county Tipperary, and whether they are preparing a scheme for its redistribution amongst the uneconomic landholders of the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. This estate, which is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1909, will be dealt with in order of priority, and until it has been acquired by the Commissioners they will not be in a position to make any statement as to the distribution of the untenanted land included in the estate.