§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board have made inquiry into the case of William Gill, Cappanacuss, on the Dromore estate, near Kenmare; and whether, in view of the flooding of his holding, steps will be taken to investigate his case, so that he may be placed in the same position as the other tenants on the estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to is the subject of direct sale proceedings before the Estates Commissioners by the landlord to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties have been lodged with the Commissioners. The Commissioners have inquired into the alleged flooding on William Gill's holding and are not prepared to take any action in the matter.
§ Mr. O'MALLEYasked whether the Martin estate, Ross, county Galway, has yet been acquired by the Congested Districts Board; and, if not, will he state whether an offer for purchase has been made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAn offer for the purchase of the Martin estate, including Rosscahill, East and West, was issued to the Land Judge on 21st April last. The matter is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. O'MALLEYalso asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer of purchase for the Ardilaun estate; and whether Lord Ardilaun has agreed to allow the untenanted land required by his tenants to be included in the purchase?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have issued an offer for the purchase of this estate, and the terms of the sale are the subject of negotiation. Lord Ardilaun has expressed his willingness to sell some 14,000 acres of untenanted lands.
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§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that agreements were signed six and a half years ago between landlord and tenant with respect to the estate of Francis Boxwell, Esq., Butlers-town Castle, South Wexford; and can he say when vesting orders will be issued to the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to is the subject of a sale direct to the tenants by the owner under the Irish Land Act, 1993, and purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in February, 1908. The estate has been visited by the inspector and the Commissioners' rulings on his report will be, issued to the owner's solicitors at an early date. The estate is not in priority for payment during the present financial year, but the Commissioners anticipate that, if their requirements are complied with, the holdings will be vested in the purchasing tenants before the end of the financial year commencing 1st April next.
§ Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have reopened negotiations with the owner for the sale of the lands of Rathillig, on the estate of John Kilkelly, Queen's County, or if they have considered the question of issuing a final offer pursuant to Section 43 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, for the said lands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative. Some years ago the Estates Commissioners had an inspection made, and intimated to the owner the price they were prepared to offer if the lands were sold to them under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The owner refused to sell at such price, and the lands were gazetted for compulsory acquisition under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907; but the owner having filed objections under the Act, the Commissioners decided not to proceed further in the matter. If the owner now wishes to sell the lands to the Commissioners he should institute proceedings for sale by the lodgment of an originating request in the prescribed manner.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps to vest their holdings in certain tenants on the Baldwin estate, county Cork, whose cases were not disposed of at the same time as the general 50W body of the tenants; and can he now state when the vesting orders will be made on their behalf?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners anticipate that they will be in a position to vest the holdings referred to in the purchasing tenants at an early date.