§ Mr. O'LEARYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the date on which purchase agreements were entered into between the landlord and the tenant on the Fleming Estate, near Goleen, county Cork; whether their holdings have yet been vested in the tenants; and, if not, whether he can state the grounds of the delay and whether it is proposed to vest the holdings forthwith?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe estate referred to would appear to be that for the sale of which Major Henry Chavasse and Another instituted proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for sale direct to the tenants of their holdings under the Irish Land Act, 1903. Purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Commissioners on the 20th August, 1908. The estate has not yet been reached in the order of priority on the principal register of pending direct sales (all cash), and the Commissioners are not at present in a position to state when the purchase money can be advanced and the holdings vested in the tenants, but when reached in its turn the property will be dealt with as rapidly as practicable.
§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state whether the Estates Commissioners propose to acquire for division amongst the uneconomic landholders in the area the lands formerly held by John Boswell, deceased, of Newtowncashel, county Longford; whether a grazing auction was held recently of this farm, thereby proving that it can be puchased for this purpose; and what steps he proposes to ask the Estates Commissioners to take in the case?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Estates Commissioners understand that the lands are the72W subject of chancery proceedings in the Court of the Master of the Rolls. These lands are not pending for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, and they do not propose to take any action in the matter. I am informed that no grazing auction has been held recently on these lands, but on 18th inst. there was an auction of some meadow and oat crops on the lands.
§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any further steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to acquire the untenanted lands of Bawn, Moydow, county Longford, at present used as a grazing holding by the owner, Mr. H. B. Armstrong, of county Armagh; whether this gentleman was compelled to comply with the provisions of the tillage Order this year and did he do so; how many applications for allotments of this holding have the Estates Commissioners received; and when a final decision on the subject may be expected?
§ Mr. SHORTTAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 11th December last. The Estates Commissioners have received eighty-six applications for parcels of land on this property. This estate will be dealt with in its proper order of priority. I understand that Mr. Armstrong has complied fully with the tillage Regulations.