HC Deb 14 July 1909 vol 7 cc2279-80W
Mr. STEADMAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the solicitor having carriage of the sale of Thomas Butler's estate, of Ballyvass, county Kildare, obtained a conveyance to himself of that estate, and also of Butler's estate of Springhill, Queen's County, on 9th November, 1903, as shown by a memorial in the Registry of Deeds, Dublin; that the execution of the conveyance was witnessed by two of the solicitor's clerks; that the only money advanced by the solicitor to Butler was £384; that Butler's two estates realised £6,079; that the giving of the conveyance left Butler absolutely without means, and that he died in great poverty; whether he is aware that his personal estate was sworn at £3; that the solicitor placed the estate of Springhill in the Land Judge's Court in a false name and published an improper final notice to claimants and incumbrancers; that Butler's share of the purchase price of Springhill and bonus was £2,867; will he say if Butler or his widow have received any portion of that money, and, if so, how much, as there is no record of any such payment; if the solicitor has received a payment of £935; and if he will call for a detailed account to show what has been done with Butler's share of the purchase money of the estate of Springhill?

Mr. BIRRELL

I am informed by the Registrar to the Land Judge that there do not appear to have been any proceedings in that Court for the sale of the estate of Thomas Butler. As regards the proceedings instituted before the Land Commission, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked by him on the 6th instant. As the title to the claims on the estate has not yet been investigated, the charges made in the question against the solicitor having carriage of the sale cannot now be dealt with by the Land Commission. It is open to the parties, if so advised, to raise the question before the Court of the Land Commission at the time of the distribution of the purchase money, or, in the meantime, to take proceedings before a court having jurisdiction in such matters.