§ Mr. FLAVINasked what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken to purchase the tenanted lands owned by Colonel Rice, at Bushmount Causeway, for re-sale to the tenants; and, seeing the delay caused by the landlord on the question of sale, the Congested Districts Board will consider whether the time has arrived to acquire these congested holdings compulsorily?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board wrote some time ago to the owner asking him whether he was willing to negotiate for the sale of his estate through them, but no reply has been received up to the present. The question of acquiring these lands compulsorily has not been considered by the Board.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet entered 1428W into negotiations with Mr. Denny, of Denny Street, Tralee, who is the receiver over the John Sands estate in North Kerry, with a view to purchase his lands for re-sale to the tenants; and whether an inspection has yet been made of the holdings, and, if so, what is the result of same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mr. Denny, the receiver, regarding a sale of this estate, and the Board have issued a request to the land judge for particulars of the estate so that an inspection may be made. Pending receipt of particulars the estate cannot be inspected.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet inspected the tenanted and untenanted lands, the property of Mr. Eyre Stack, situate at Ballyconry, Listowel; whether he is aware that there is a good deal of congestion in the district; whether, seeing those lands were offered to the Board many years ago, immediate action will be taken to purchase the tenanted and untenanted lands; and whether any offer has yet been made to the landlord for the purchase of same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet inspected the property of Mr. Eyre Stack with a view to purchasing it under the Act of 1909 as the maps and forms necessary to enable them to do so have not yet been lodged. Until the lands are inspected no offer can be made for purchase.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether the lands of the Barlow estate, situate at Drumrose, Posseckstown, near Nobber, county Meath, have been vested in the tenants; and whether the Commissioners have acquired the untenanted portion of the estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe tenanted holdings on the estate referred to which were sold direct by the owners to the tenants have been vested in the purchasers. The owners have accepted the preliminary estimate of the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of 157 acres of untenanted land, and have instituted proceedings for its sale to the Commissioners under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903.
§ Mr. DELANYasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the lands of Bordwell and Turfarney, estate of the late Mr. H. I. Owens, situated in the parishes of Aghaboe and 1429W Rathdowney, Queen's County, respectively; and can he say whether the Commissioners propose utilising those farms for the purpose of enlarging the small, uneconomic holdings in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners cannot find that any proceedings for sale of the estate referred to are pending before them.
§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Chief Secretary when the owners of the Mary E. Carson and Others estate, county Cavan, E. C. 2701, offered the same for sale to the Estates Commissioners, under Section 6 of the 1903 Act; if he is aware that the tenants are paying 3¾ per cent. interest in lieu of rent; and, as these few tenants are the only unpurchased tenants in the district, will he cause the Estates Commissioners' purchase machinery to be put in motion without further undue delay in regard to this estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAn originating request instituting proceedings for sale of some 430 acres of tenanted land to the Estates Commissioners under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, was lodged on the 24th February, 1911. These lands were originally the subject of proceedings direct by the owners to the tenants, and it is anticipated that they will be inspected at an early date.