§ Mr. BOLANDasked the purchase price placed by the inspector of the Estates Commissioners on the holding of John J. Shea (rental No. 55), on the D. C. O'Connell estate, near Mastergeehy; and whether, in view of the pressure put on this tenant by civil bill and ejectment process, steps will be taken to secure to this tenant the payment of annuity on the basis fixed by the inspector, and not on that which he was forced to sign by reason of the pressure exercised?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Shea signed an agreement to purchase his holding at £244 in connection with the sale of this estate by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1909, and the annuity on this sum would give him a reduction of 35 per cent. on his rent. The Congested Districts Board have, however, since arranged for the purchase of this property from the owner, and the price at which Shea's holding will be sold to him will be such sum as the Congested Districts Board may fix.
§ Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the owners of the following estates in county Sligo have been approached by the Congested Districts Board with a view to purchase; and, if so, what has been the result of the negotiations, namely, the M'Loghry estate, Cloghogue, electoral division Tamplevanny, Boyle (No. 2) union; Nicholson estate, Cloonmeenaghan, Cloongad, Lake- 2055W view division, Sligo (No. 2) union; Moss-man estate, Drumraine and Lissycone, Lakeview division, Sligo union; and Knox estate, Ardlee, Sligo union?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the agents of the P. M'Cloughry estate with a view to purchase, but so far it has not been offered for sale to the Board. They have decided to make an offer for the purchase of the Miss M. A. Nicholson estate, Cloonmeenaghan, which has not yet been issued. The Board have no information regarding the lands of Cloongad nor with regard to the other two estates referred to in the question.