§ Mr. FLAVINasked whether the negotiations by the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the lands of Mr. John Sands, of which Mr. Denny, of Tralee, is the receiver, has yet been completed; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. GULLANDThe Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the solicitors having carriage of sale of this estate, but so far they have not been supplied with the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection with a view to the sale of the property through them.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked the exact condition of the negotiations which have taken place between the Congested Districts Board and Mr. Eyre Stack for the purchase of the tenanted lands situate at Ballyconnory and Meyvoo, North Kerry?
§ Mr. GULLANDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 9th November last.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked whether, in view of the steps now being taken to complete the purchase negotiations of the F. S. Williams estate, near Mastergeehy, regard will be had to the claim of Denis Currane, Old Road, Caherciveen, for reinstatement in the holding from which he was evicted?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are not prepared to depart from their decision not to take any action in the matter of Denis Currane's application for reinstatement in the holding formerly occupied by him.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked how the house and grounds at Mountshannon, county Limerick, have been let during the past six years; has it been an annual agreement; and is the place occupied at present, or is it for sale?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the mansion house and grounds referred to were repurchased in July, 1907, by the owner under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Commissioners have no information as to the user of the premises.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked whether the Estates Commissioners can hold out any hope of acquiring the untenanted land on the Smith estate, at Ballynanty, Bruff, county Limerick; and, in view of the unrest which prevails in the district, will 1709W some steps be taken to have this land distributed and put people to live on it instead of the grazier's bullocks?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 2nd April, to which I have nothing to add at present.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked how the estate of Captain Gubbins, at Glenbrohane and Griston, county Limerick, now stands; and whether the untenanted lands are being acquired?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is not the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners, but they have been in communication with the owner in reference to the untenanted land, and will make a preliminary inspection of it as soon as may be practicable.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked if the Estates Commissioners have made any move with a view to the purchase of untenanted land at Ballinahinch, Knocklong, county Limerick, from the representatives of the late Mr. Cornelius Power; and, in view of the congestion which prevails in the district and the amount of labourers and smallholders around, will arrangements be made to acquire these lands for distribution?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not taken any steps with a view to the acquisition of the lands referred to in the question, which apparently are not the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary if he will give a list of the estates in county Sligo acquired by the Congested Districts Board since the passing of the Land Act, 1909, and also a list of the landlords in this county who refuse to sell to the Congested Districts Board; and if he will state what steps the Board have taken, or propose to take, to acquire for the purposes of the Act, lands and estates in this county which have not already been offered to them by the proprietors?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 28th February last. The only estate since purchased in county Sligo by the Congested Districts Board is that of Mr. Richard Verschoyle. It is not considered desirable to publish the Barnes of the owners who have refused to1710W sell their estates to the Board. The practice of the Board has been to approach the owners of lands or estates which they consider it desirable to acquire with a view to their entering into negotiations for purchase, and they intend to continue this practice. The Board have not taken steps to acquire compulsorily any estates in county Sligo, and they do not propose to do so pending the experience to be gained from proceedings which have been taken for the compulsory acquisition of some other estates.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet received from the landlords maps and papers relating to the Lord Vaux, Roche-Kelly, and Ryan estates, near Newport, county Mayo, or from any of them, with a view to voluntary sales through the Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have received the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estates of M. Roche Kelly and E. A. Ryan, in the district referred to, and they understand that the necessary information is being prepared for lodgment with them in the case of the Lord Vaux estate.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether Mr. Patrick O'Dowd has yet lodged with the Congested Districts Board maps and other papers relating to his estate at Fallduff, county Mayo, with a view to a sale through, the Board; and, if not, when the Board expect to receive those documents?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner of this estate, and they understand that the necessary maps and documents are being prepared with a view to a preliminary inspection being made to enable the Board to come to a decision regarding the purchase of the property.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked whether the Congested Districts Board are bound to recognise tenancies created since the passing of the Land Act of 1909 as a means of preventing the exercise by the Board of the powers conferred upon them by the Land Act of 1909 for the acquisition of untenanted and other lands within the area of congestion in Ireland for the extension of uneconomic holdings and the settlement of congestion?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe powers of the Congested Districts Board are considered in each case as it arises.
1711W
Mr. SCAN LANasked whether Colonel Tottenham has refused to sell to the Congested Districts Board his property situated in Easkey, county Sligo; and, if so, whether the Board will acquire this property for the relief of congestion under the powers conferred upon them by the Land Act of 1909?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Colonel Tottenham, but so far he has expressed no desire to sell the estate referred to through the Board. They do not propose to take any action with a view to acquiring the property compulsorily pending the result of proceedings which have been initiated for the compulsory purchase of certain other properties.
§ Mr. DELANYasked the Chief Secretary (1) whether the Estates Commissioners have received applications from local residents for portions of the untenanted land on the Owen property, Queen's County, known as Bordwell; if so, will he state how many such applications have been received and the names of the applicants; (2) whether the Estates Commissioners have completed the purchase of the un tenanted lands of Bordwell, on the Owen estate, Queen's County; and, if so, can he say when it is proposed to distribute the same amongst the uneconomic holders in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received a number of applications which have not yet been classified or arranged. They will be considered when the Commissioners acquire the lands. The Commissioners are not at present in a position to state when they may be able to allot the lands.