§ Mr. THOMAS F. SMYTHasked the Chief Secretary if he can state when will Thomas Fitzpatrick, an evicted tenant on. Ruthven estate, at Lisgillock Glebe, Aug havas, county Leitrim, be reinstated in his former holding, particularly as the inspector's report has been sent in a considerable time; and if his reinstatement will take place soon, as Fitzpatrick and his family are in a very destitute condition,, owing to the fact that after his eviction his cattle were all burned, as the byre in which they were tied was deliberately set on fire by the bailiff of the estate or an emergency man?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Fitzpatrick's former holding is now portion of a large farm on the Ruthven estate, which comprises other evicted lands. With the con- 759W sent of the owner, the Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of the farm and estimated the price. The owner has expressed his willingness to sell at that price and the present occupier has agreed to surrender. Fitzpatrick has agreed to sign an undertaking to purchase his former holding at the price fixed by the Commissioners, but the other evicted tenants who applied to be reinstated in the other portion of the lands have refused to do so, and until they do so the Commissioners cannot take any further action with a view to acquiring the land.