§ Mr. GUINEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a sale between two brothers, John R. Daly and Daniel R. Daly, of part of the lands of Shandrum, county Cork, whereby the latter, who is a bank clerk, and never occupied the lands as tenant, has received an advance from the State and the former has received a sum as purchase money and bonus; will he state what is the sum involved in these transactions; and whether the Treasury propose to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Frederick St. Claire Hobson has offered his land at Drominicar and Mortgage, Feedamore, county Limerick, for sale to the Estates Commissioners?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply is in the negative.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to acquire the untenanted lands of Clounreask, near Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, on the estate of Everard Hewson, and what progress has been 2483W made in the matter of purchase of these lands; whether the Estates Commissioners will consider the application of the town tenants of Askeaton for a portion of them; and whether they will grant facilities to the town tenants on the property to purchase their houses under the Land Purchase Act, 1909?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners formal proposal for the purchase of over 200 acres of untenanted land on the townland of Cloonreask on the Hewson estate, county Limerick, has been accepted by the owner, and in the allotment of the lands, when acquired, the Commissioners will have due regard to the wants and circumstances of the tenants. The Commissioners cannot express any opinion as regards the holdings of the town tenants, which do not appear to be the subject of proceedings for sale before them.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the town tenants of Athea, in the county of Limerick, have sent a memorial to the Estates Commissioners to have them included in the sale of the Goold Verschoyle estate, and also to give them a portion of the untenanted lands on the property when purchased and acquired; and whether the Estates Commissioners will accede to their request?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received a communication from the town tenants on this estate which will be duly considered.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked whether the Estates Commissioners have yet purchased the untenanted lands of Ballynorth, near Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, on the O'Grady property; and, if so, when may the lands be divided amongst deserving applicants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the lands of Ballymort on the O'Grady Estate, and have communicated to the owner their estimate of the amount which they would be prepared to advance if the owner instituted formal proceedings for the sale of the lands to the Commissioners. The owner has intimated that he will accept the Commissioners' price, and, when formal proceedings for sale are instituted, the estate will be dealt with as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked if any progress has been made by the Congested 2484W Districts Board since 9th May last towards the purchase of the Rappa, Estate, county Mayo, of Mr. R. A. Knox; and, if not, will the Board consider this to be a suitable case for the exercise of their compulsory powers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board recently arranged to have this estate inspected, but, so far, the necessary documents have not been furnished by the owner.
§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked if over five years have elapsed since the Congested Districts Board acquired the Gibbons estate, Belderrig, county Mayo; and if he will say when the Board hope to have the holdings conveyed to the tenants, and the cause of the delay in effecting the transfer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate was vested in the Congested Districts Board in February, 1908. Some 1,600 acres were in the occupation of one tenant, and the Board took proceedings to resume possession of this holding. Considerable delay occurred in connection with these proceedings before the Board obtained the necessary order. They are now dealing with the question of resale, and it is expected that sale agreements will be ready for signature by the majority of the tenants before 31st March next.