§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary whether Patrick Stapleton, Dromard, Templemore, who was evicted from a farm on Major Lidwell's estate at Dromard, Templemore, was promised a farm on Sir John Carden's estate at Ballyheen, Templemore; whether Patrick Stapleton signed an agreement to pay an annuity of £35 per annum; and whether he can state the reason of the delay in giving possession of the holding at Ballyheen to Stapleton?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are not aware that Stapleton was promised a farm or signed any undertaking to purchase same. He lodged an2332W application for reinstatement as an evicted tenant, and his name was provisionally noted for consideration. On further inquiry it was ascertained that his former holding was not one to which the Land Law Acts apply, and as he did not therefore come within the class of evicted tenants for whom the Commissioners have power to provide holdings, they decided to take no action in his case. The lands of Ballyheen have been already divided amongst evicted tenants coming within the Evicted Tenants Act.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked if any steps have been taken recently to acquire the untenanted land on the estate of Thomas Gubbins, at Bottomstown, county Limerick?
§ Mr. BIRRELLProceedings for the compulsory acquisition of 350 acres of the lands of Bottomstown on the estate of J. H. Gubbins, county Limerick, under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, were instituted by the Estates Commissioners. The owner filed objections under the Act to their compulsory acquisition which were allowed, and the Commissioners have taken no further action in the matter.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked if any communications have taken place between the Estates Commissioners and Mrs. Shiels, of Cahirconlish, county Limerick, with a view to the purchase of any untenanted lands on her estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply is in the negative.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary if a landlord can become tenant in demesne lands without giving any guarantee that he will reside in the place; has the sale to Colonel Lowe, at Sunville, Ard-patrick, county Limerick, been finally arranged; and, if not, will the Commissioners see that this gentleman will not be allowed to let the land on the eleven months' system or sell it in small farms?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe re-purchase by a vendor of his demesne and other lands in his occupation in pursuance of Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, is subject to the provisions of that Section. As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners have arranged for the re-sale under that Section to Colonel Lowe of the lands of Sunville Lower in connection with the sale of his estate, and the lands will be vested in him in accordance with the provisions of that Section.
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§ Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for the purchase of the Domville estate, county Mayo, or what stage the negotiations for purchase have reached?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection have recently been lodged with the Board, and the estate will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable, having regard to the present engagements of the Board's staff.