§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary if he could state under what conditions and terms did Maurice Kissane, of Ardfert, North Kerry, buy from the benefice of Ardfert minor canonry, under the Church Temporalities Act, the lands at present in the possession of his son, James Kissane; what was the date of the purchase; at what rate per cent. has the principal and interest been repaid; and how much of the purchase money is now paid off by the tenant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Land Commision that Maurice Kissane purchased his holding from the Church Temporalities Commissioners in the year 1872 for £1,046 5s., of which £346 5s. was paid to those Commissioners, and a mortgage was given to them for the balance of the purchase money £700 at four per cent. interest. In 1896, under the provisions of the Land Act of that year, Kissane was offered to convert his mortgage into a wasting mortgage at four per cent., leaving the original rate for interest alone, but he declined, as apparently he preferred to pay only 3½ per cent. interest, to which rate his interest had been reduced under the Purchase Act of 1885. Consequently, the £700 is still outstanding, and the interest payable is £21 17s. 6d. to the Church Fund.