§ Mr. BOLANDasked whether, in view of the extended operations of the Congested Districts Board in Irish-speaking districts, preference will be given, all other qualifications being equal, to applicants who have a competent knowledge of the Irish language for duties under the Board, in the discharge of which the officials will be brought into daily contact with an Irish-speaking population?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board would be glad that their officials who deal with an Irish-speaking population should possess a competent knowledge of the Irish language; and, other qualifications being equal, they would be disposed to give a preference to candidates having a good colloquial knowledge of that language.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether applications have been made to the Congested Districts Board to acquire estates in the parish of Achill, county Mayo; what are the average area and Poor Law valuation of agricultural holdings in the parish; and 2735W whether, having regard to the exceptionally congested condition of the island and other parts of this parish, the Board and Estates Commissioners will deal as speedily as possible with any such applications received?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have received some applications of the nature mentioned in the question, and in all cases have asked the owners whether they are willing to negotiate for the sale of their estates. The average area of agricultural holdings in the parish of Achill is about eleven acres, and the average valuation £1 16s. The Board will deal as speedily as practicable with any estates which may be offered for sale to them.
§ Mr. DORISasked what has been the result of the recent correspondence and negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and the Marquis of Sligo as to the proposed purchase of his lordship's estate in Mayo county?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet received a reply to their letter to the Marquis of Sligo inquiring whether he is willing to open negotiations for the sale of his estate?
§ Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELLasked whether the post of fishery inspector under the Congested Districts Board has yet been filled; and if an Irishman has been appointed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board inform me that the appointment of fishery superintendent has not yet been made.
§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board contemplate dividing Chaldramoran grazing farm, adjacent to Elphin; if so, is a large portion of this farm to be allotted to a man named M'Dermott, late of Gurteen, county Sligo, who lost his farm there by giving a mortgage to a local shopkeeper; are the Commissioners or is the Board aware that there are six tenants living on the estate of the former landlord of the said grazing farm at Ballyroddy having small holdings urgently needing enlargement from the grazing farm; and whether, with a view to avoiding disappointment to those tenants in their expectations, and in the interests of the peace of the district, he proposes to take any action in the matter?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they propose to purchase from the Congested Districts Board forty-eight acres of the farm referred to, with a view to providing a holding for the evicted tenant named in the question. The Board state that there are no tenants on the estate which has been purchased by them, and that there are no landholders adjoining the portion proposed to be given to the evicted tenant.