§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will explain the delay on the part of the Congested Districts Board in acquiring the Glenhest, North Mayo, estate of Colonel Knox, which has for some time been under offer to the Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to has not yet been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board. The landlord's solicitor has, however, stated that he expects to lodge the maps and forms before the end of this month.
§ Mr. D. BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary if the Congested Districts Board have, since February, 1910, made any effort to reopen negotiations for the purchase of the Rappa, county Mayo, estate of Mr. H. A. Knox; if he is aware that the tenantry on this estate are living on con-. Bested holdings; and if steps will be taken to put the compulsory powers of the Board into operation?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in negotiation for the purchase of certain untenanted lands on the estate referred to, but the proceedings fell through. Since then the Estates Commissioners have asked the Board for their consent, under Section 58 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, to purchase these lands, and communications are proceeding between the Commissioners and the Board in the matter.
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§ Mr. BOYLEalso asked if the Pratt, Coyne, and Walshe estates, in the parish of Lahardane, Crossmolina, have been offered to the Congested Districts Board for sale; and, if not, will the Board, having regard to the congestion prevailing in the district, consider the putting into operation of their compulsory powers for the acquisition of these estates?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Pratt and Walshe estates have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, but they have not yet been inspected and valued. The Coyne estate has not yet been offered to the Board.
§ Mr. BOYLEfurther asked the Chief Secretary if he would state when the Pringle estate, North Mayo, which has been acquired by the Congested Districts Board, was to be vested in the tenants; and if he was aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the tenantry on this estate owing to the manner in which the Board have refused to allow the smaller tenants to have the benefit of the grazing for this year, letting it instead to large graziers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Pringle estate was not vested in the Congested Districts Board until the 18th March, 1911, and, as the estate is large, it cannot be dealt with and resold to the tenants for a considerable time. Meanwhile the Board have retained in their own hands sufficient grass lands to supply grazing facilities for all the small tenants of the estate, who, in response to the invitation of the Board, have notified the extent to which they require grazing. Only the surplus grazing lands have been let temporarily to graziers.
§ Mr. AUGUSTINE ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Captain White relative to the sale of his estate at Ligne, county Cork, and with what result; if he is aware that the tenants on this estate have received final notice, issued on the 19th of April last, that the rents must be paid on 1st May, and that legal proceedings will be taken for its recovery if they are not paid by then; and whether, in view of the fact that much disturbance and hardship is likely to ensue, he can give any assurance to those tenants that the Congested Districts Board will soon acquire this property?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Captain White regarding the lands of Derrycreha and Ardaturrisk Beg, in which. Mr. Lyne has an interest. Captain White's solicitor informed the Board on the 1st April that he was preparing to lodge documents with a view to a sale through the Board, but so far they have not been lodged. The Board are not aware of any proceedings for the recovery of rent, nor have they any powers in such a case.