§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the complaint of Mr. Wensley Thompson, owner of the J. E. Thompson estate, at Clonfin, North Longford, as to the delay in dealing with his estate and the untenanted lands thereon; whether any progress has yet been made in preparing a scheme for the division of the latter; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners send an inspector forthwith to do so, and, in the meantime, state when they propose generally to vest this estate in the tenants?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his previous question on this subject, to which I have nothing further to add at present.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether any practical steps have yet been taken by the Congested Districts Board to purchase the property of Colonel Rice, of Bushmount, Causeway, county Kerry; and, if so, what are the steps that have been taken?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Colonel Rice, but so far the property has not been offered for sale to the Board.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked how far the negotiations have gone for the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the John P. Stack estate, situate at Mucknaugh, Lixnaw, county Kerry; whether the purchase has been completed through the receiver, Mr. W. T. Huggard, Tralee; and, if not, when will it be finished?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mr. Huggard, but so far the estate has not been offered for sale to the Board.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether an inspection has yet taken place on the Orma-thwaite estate, North Kerry; and when will the holdings be vested in the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners hope to issue their rulings at an early date. The estate is in priority to be dealt with during the current year.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether the untenanted lands on the estate of John Vesey Fitzgerald, situate near Newtowndillon, North Kerry, have been inspected by the Estates Commissioners with a view to purchase and division among the uneconomic holders and labourers of the district; what is the result of the inspection; and when will the lands be acquired and divided?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of these lands with a view to estimating the price, and the vendor has now instituted formal proceedings for sale of the lands which will be dealt with as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether any inspection has yet taken place on the Ormathwaite estate, in North Kerry, with a view to meet the complaints by tenants who have signed purchase agreements, and 2047W whose lands are being continually injured by floods; and whether he can state what funds are being provided by the Estates Commissioners out of the purchase money, as was done on the Listowel estate, for the protection of the holdings from further injury by floods?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the arrangements to obviate the flooding of the lands is under the consideration of the Estates Commissioners.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether any inspection has yet taken place on the tenanted holdings for which purchase agreements have been signed on the John Vesey Fitzgerald estate in North Kerry, with a view to safeguard the interest of tenants whose lands are being flooded continuously, and if the inspection has taken place, what is the amount of work done by the landlord; what amount is kept by the Estates Commissioners for future upkeep of lands from flooding; and when will the vesting orders be issued?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the holdings on this estate, and the question of the arrangements for the future maintenance of the embankment is under consideration. The estate is in priority for payment during the current financial year.