HC Deb 16 November 1911 vol 31 cc667-9W
Mr. DORIS

asked what has been the result of the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and Mr. George A. Moore for the proposed sale of his estate in West Mayo?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board hope that the negotiations which are now in progress will soon be completed.

Mr. DORIS

also asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Hon. Letterville Cahill has offered her congested estate at Raheenduff, Carnacon, county Mayo, for sale to the Congested Districts Board; is he aware that the tenants of this estate are poor, the average Poor Law valuation of their holdings being £2 10s.; and that it is desirable that this property should be acquired as soon as possible, so that some of the tenants may be migrated to unoccupied lands on neighbouring estates which have been acquired by the Board?

Mr. BIRRELL

The estate referred to has not been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board, and they have no information regarding the circumstances of the property except that furnished by or on behalf of the tenants. Further inquiries will be made.

Mr. SCANLAN

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken steps to acquire, under the Land Purchase Acts, the estates of Perry Knox Gore, Sanders Knox Gore, Lewis, Verschoyle, H. H. Jones, Lindsey's, Burke Ormsby, and Major Ormsby, situated in the Ardnaree North and South rural electoral divisions of Ballina union; if he can state whether the owners have offered these estates to the Board; and whether, if the owners refuse to sell, the Board will put the compulsory powers of the Act of 1909 into operation?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have communicated with the owners with a view to acquiring the estates referred to, with the exception of the Burke estate, regarding which they have no information. The Pery-Knox-Gore, Saunders-Knox-Gore, R. J. Verschoyle, H. H. Jones, and Colonel J. B. Ormsby estates have been offered for sale, and the preliminary proceedings are being taken with the object of making offers for them. The Board understands that the owner of the Lewis estate is preparing the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection for lodgment with the Board. They have been in communication with the agent for the Lindsay estate, and the owner of the Major Ormsby estate, but these properties have not so far been offered for sale. None of the owners mentioned have refused to sell.

Mr. JOHN ROCHE

asked when the Estates Commissioners may be in a position to divide the grass land upon the estate of Charles O'Hara Trench, at Garafine, county Galway?

Mr. BIRRELL

The owners instituted proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners in October, 1908. Having regard to the position of this estate on the principal register of sales, and the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.