§ Mr. SCANLANasked what progress has been made by the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board in acquiring the estate, situated near Ballisodare, county Sligo, belonging to Edward Lloyd Clark, of Brooklands, Cuddington, Cheshire?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have communicated with the agent for this property, but the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection, with a view to a sale, have not, so far, been lodged with them.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet acquired the Popham estate, in the townland of Bunnafeda, county Sligo; and, if not, will he state when the estate is likely to be acquired and the untenanted land distributed for the improvement of uneconomic holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet purchased this property. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to enable the Board to consider the question of making an offer have been lodged and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable, having regard to the present engagements of the Board's staff, and to the priority of the cases. The Board are not at present in a position to make any statement as to when the estate is likely to be acquired, and the untenanted land distributed.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked whether Mr. Charles Boyd, of Castletown, Castle Connor, county Sligo, has refused to sell to the Board his property known as Knockroe, in the parish of Castle Connor; and, if so, whether the Board will put into operation the compulsory powers of the Act of 1909?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMr. Boyd is willing to negotiate for the sale of the lands of Knockroe through the Congested Districts Board. The maps and documents necessary to enable the Board to have a preliminary inspection of the property made have, however, not yet been lodged.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have been approached by the tenants in the district of Castle Connor, county Sligo, and requested to purchase a number of estates and grazing farms in that district for the relief of the holders of uneconomic farms; and if he will state what the Board have done to meet this demand?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are unable to identify the lands referred to unless the names of the estate3 and grazing farms are furnished to them.
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§ Mr. SCANLANasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet acquired the Parkes estate, Dunally, county Sligo; and, if not, what progress has been made in acquiring the same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet acquired this property, but they are at present in correspondence with the agent regarding a sale.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary if he will enumerate the instances in which the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned the sale, under the Land Purchase Acts, of towns or portions of towns to the occupiers of town holdings; have they, when so selling to town tenants, advanced the entire of the purchase money in every instance; if not, what other method has been followed; have they in these cases distributed untenanted lands in the neighbourhood of the towns amongst the landless householders in the towns; and what is the usual amount of land allotted with each dwelling?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe records of the Estates Commissioners do not distinguish separately advances made in respect of village and town holdings. The regulations of the 13th February, 1906, prescribe the circumstances under which advances may be made in respect of these holdings. As a rule they are, for the purposes of security, consolidated with other lands held by the same tenants on the estate. In the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners for distribution the circumstances of all tenants on the property are considered.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked how many householders in the town of Macroom are included in the Massey estate, which has been offered by the Land Judge to the Estates Commissioners for sale; have these householders any allotments of land going with their residences; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners consider the advisability, in due course, of granting parcels of the untenanted land near the town to them and including them in the general scheme of sale to the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo holdings in Macroom appear to be included in the property which is the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners, and they are not in a position to state what other lands are held by the town tenants. The circumstances of all tenants will be1738W considered in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners may acquire.
§ Mr. JAMES O'KELLYasked whether the negotiations for the sale of the Cootehall estate, near Boyle, county Roscommon, the property of the Dowager Countess of Kingston, were concluded in the year 1906; will he say whether the property has yet been vested in the tenants; if not, what reason there is why this estate has not been taken in its due rotation; and when there is any probability that the estate will be vested in the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe purchase agreements in respect of this estate, which is the subject of direct sale proceedings under the Irish Land Act, 1903, before the Estates Commissioners, were lodged with the Commissioners in February, 1907, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), but the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.