§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board has entered into negotiations for the purchase of the estate of Mr. Daniel O'Connell, of Darrynane, Doora, Glencar; and, if so, whether they will make representations so as to prevent the dispossession of tenants or the seizure of their cattle pending a settlement of the purchase price?
Mr. BI RRELLThe Congested Districts Board are in communication with the 103W Estates Commissioners with a view to having the proceedings for the purchase of the Cahirciveen portion of the Estate of Mr. D. C. O'Connell transferred to thorn. The Board are also in correspondence with the owner regarding the purchase of other portions of his estate, but until the necessary particulars are forwarded they cannot say whether the townland of Doora will be included in the sale. The Board cannot intervene in the pending law proceedings referred to in the question.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in March, 1909, John Maguire, a tenant on the Adams estate, Artonagh, county Fermanagh, made application to the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of his holding; whether it is the custom of the Commissioners, when an estate is being sold upon which a few tenants do not accept the terms agreed to by the rest of the tenants, to investigate all those cases and settle the disputes between the tenants and owner; whether in the case of John Maguire, the Commissioners' inspector, Mr. John Smyth, Brookeboro, in April, 1910, visited the holding for the purpose of ascertaining all the facts, and reported afterwards to the Commissioners on 2nd September, 1910, without estimating the tenant's improvements or ascertaining the facts of the case, and with the result that this tenant was excluded from the benefit of the Land Purchase Act of 1903; and whether, in view of the fact that the tenant is dissatisfied with Mr. Smyth, the Estates Commissioners will send another inspector over the estate to ascertain the facts, and give this and another remaining tenant an opportunity of purchasing, the circumstances of their holdings being different from those of the other tenants who have purchased, and requiring special consideration?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe tenants on this estate agreed to purchase their holdings direct from the owner under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements were lodged at prices agreed on between the parties. When the inspector visited the estate he inquired as to the circumstances under which no agreements had been lodged in respect of Maguire's holding. The Commissioners consider that the terms offered by the owner to Maguire, whose holding is subject to a judicial rent were reasonable, and, in the absence of any agreement signed by the parties, the holding could not be included in the sale. It is not the practice of the Commissioners104W to fix prices in such cases, and if Maguire wishes to purchase his holding he should come to an agreement with the owner. The reply to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary whether, in accordance with his promise made some twelve months ago, the Marquis of Sligo has yet lodged with the Congested Districts Board the maps, etc., of his estate in county Mayo, with a view to a sale; whether the Board has entered into negotiations for the purchase of the estate; and will he say when the Board expects to be able to complete the purchase?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe maps and particulars in connection with this estate, which are being prepared, have not yet been lodged, and negotiations for purchase cannot be opened pending the receipts of these documents by the Congested Districts Board.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked whether banks authorised to receive instalments of land purchase annuities have received instructions not to accept payment on receiving orders after the date fixed for payment thereof has expired; and whether, in the event of the answer being in the affirmative, the Land Commission will send a reminder half-yearly to each payer of such annuity, warning him of the last day on which it will be possible for him to lodge the amount of his annuity with the bank?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAll receivable orders issued by the Land Commission for instalments of land purchase annuities prescribe a limited time for payment through a bank. The payers are bound to pay their instalments as they fall due on dates which are well known to them, and the Land Commission could not undertake to send reminders as suggested in the question.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked when the examination of the lands of John M. White, of Coole, Athea, on the Goold Verschoyle estate, abutting on the River Gale, were examined by the inspector of the Estates Commissioners, and by whom; what report did he make; whether he is aware that these lands are affected by the said river; if so, why was the tenant, John White, not treated as the four tenants similarly circumstanced on the said estate, all having purchased at the same time; and whether, if White establishes the fact that the portion of his lands 105W mentioned has not been examined by any person representing the Estates Commissioners, they will have them examined before the sale of the estate is concluded?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that John M. White's holding was inspected when their inspector was dealing with this estate. His report was received in January, 1910. The Commissioners fully considered this case and decided to take no action in the matter complained of by White, and they see no reason for reconsidering their decision.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can give the names and number of estates in the parish of Annaghdown, county Galway, sold under the Land Purchase Acts prior to 1903; what estates were sold or offered for sale under the Act of 1903; what estates were offered for sale under the Act of 1909; whether memorials were sent by the solicitor for the tenants in the parish to the Congested Districts Board in 1910 asking the Board to purchase lands in the parish; and what steps were taken to acquire the same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNeither the records of the Estates Commissioners nor the Congested Districts Board are kept by parishes, and the information asked for by the hon. Member is not therefore available.
§ Mr. O'DOHERTYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the cause of the delay in the sale of Sinclair's estate, Glenvar, county Donegal, the tenants on which have applied to the Congested Districts Board in January, 1910, but have yet got no reply; and whether he will see that the negotiations are expedited?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Sinclair Estate, Glenvar, county Donegal, has not been offered to the Congested Districts Board. The landlord has been asked whether he is willing to negotiate for the sale of his estate to the Board.