§ Dr AMBROSEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say why the Congested Districts Board for Ireland, in dividing the farm of Miss Hope, on the Jones estate, near Newport, county Mayo, are giving a non-residential tenant named Mullin, of the Stoney estate, a large portion of this farm, while 25 tenants of the 152W Jones estate adjoining the farm, whose Poor Law valuation is under 15s. each, are getting only four acres each in addition to their small holdings; and will he see that the tenants on the estate whose holdings are uneconomic get prior claim to any lands about to be divided on this estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board inform me that Patrick Mullin was herd to the late Mr. George Hope and his daughter, who succeeded him, for the last 40 years. He occupied and resided on a small holding of six acres on the farm, and held in addition portion of the island of Inishtubrid, on the Stoney estate, purchased by the Board, containing 13 acres, and situated about two miles from his home. This was required for the enlargement of the holdings of three other tenants on the island, and in consideration of his surrendering it to the Board they agreed to enlarge the holding on Miss Hope's land, where he lived, bringing it up to 27 statute acres. When the holding is sold to him his annuity will be £11 8s. 8d. Miss Hope's entire farm contains 214 acres, and after providing for Mullin the remaining portion is being divided amongst the tenants on the Jones estate who most require additions to their holdings by reason of their being uneconomic.