692,.
James Hi&kson, esq.
TO INQUIRE INTO THE OCCUPATION OF LAND IN IRELAND.
913 57.
Do you find, in respect to the subdivision of land, that the clauses you have in your 7th September, 1844 leases are sufficient to prevent it ?—It
is very difficult to enforce penalties on covenants in leases.
58.
Do you find that they are effectual, or that you can enforce them ?—Yes,
you can enforce them.
59.
At what cost.
Have you ever taken any proceedings ?—No,
they have never gone to much costs, when they see your determination.
60.
You must employ a man called a driver?—Yes.
61.
In what way is he paid ?—Not
by salary on thL estate.
I aUow Mm to receive lOd.
from each tenant, if he was to go twenty times in a year.
62.
Do you mean that every tenant pays 10c?.
?—Yes.
He calls upon Mm and urges him to go in with Ms rent.
If they pay within a certain day, the 11th of August, they never pay any fee at aU, but they seldom do that.
63.
'You have been spealting principaUy as to Lord Lansdowne's estate, are you much acquainted with the ordinary practice of other estates in this district?—No
; I meddle as little as possible with other persons' business, having plenty of my own.
64.
Do you know whether the system of distress is much resorted to by other landlords ?—
No, I do not know that it is.
[ The ivitness withdrew.]
Mr.
Eugene O1Sullivan, sworn and examined.
1.
In what part of the union do you reside ?—Westcove,
witMn four miles of Derrynane.
2.
What is your occupation ?—I
am land agent to Mr.
Hartop, an EngHsh gentleman, and I farm also.
3.
What is the extent ancl general description of the district with which you are acquaint¬ ed?—The
electoral division contains about 240 square miles.
The greater part is barren and uncultivated, audit contains about 12,000 inhabitants.
4.
Does it afford opportmiities for extensive and remunerative improvements ?—It
does afford opportunities for extensive and remunerative improvements.
5.
Is the state of agriculture improving, or otherwise, and in what particulars ?—It
is improving, so far as the extension of the cultivation of the coarse land goes.
Very Httle is domg m the way of drainage.
The rotation of crops are—three or four years or crops of potatoes, one of oats or rye, and the land is then left so until it is covered over with the natural grasses.
The manures are principaUy sea-weed and sea sand.
No Hme is used, it bemg too dear and too scarce.
There are no farming societies or agricultural schools in this district.
6.
What is the general size of the tillage farms, and the mode of culture ?—There
are no tiUage farms, properly so caUed, among the people.
They generaHy tiH part and graze part of their holdings at tho same time.
The effect of improved tillage among the gentry, of course, increases the demand for labour; and I should say among the best class of farmers too.
The chief object of farming in this district is for the dairy, and rearing some young cattle ; consequently the farmer only tiUs for the support of Ms family, and perhaps to sell a few pecks of potatoes.
He grows a smaU proportion of oats, some rye for thatch, and beyond that Ms farm is in grass; but we have no tiUage nor grazing farms exclusively and separately and properly so called.
Grazhig farms tend to lessen the demand for labour.
Farms held in common are generaUy hi a very bad state of cultivation.
7.
Are there many farms so held ?—Yes,
there are.
They are going now upon the principle of dividhig them very much, and giving each man his own holding; and that is found very advantageous : every man knows his own holding.
8.
In what way is the rent generally fixed—by private contract, proposal, or other¬ wise ?—It
is generaUy fixed by private contract or proposal.
Valuation is seldom employed.
It is a gross sum.
An acreable rent hi this district would be ridiculous.
Land is valued as so many cows' grass or grazhig, and the tillage appurtenant.
Persons are seldom employed in valuing land in this district.
If at all, it i*.
either valued by the agent or baiHff of the landlord.
9.
What is the usual rent of average good IznU.
?—Land
ranges at from £2 to £4 hy the cow's grass, accordhig to the quality and quantity of pasture.
10.
What proportion does the usual letting value bear to the poor law and government valuations ?—The
qioor law valuation in this district is, in most casos, close upon, in many equal, and in several higher, than the actual rent.
We have no knowledge of the govern¬ ment valuation, and I believe that that for Kerry has not as yet commenced.
As long as the valuators draw an annual salary, to bo determinable at the close of the valuation, the completion thereof may be expected to be delayed.
1L How soon after'the rent becomes due is it usually demanded ?—Generally,
it is expected to be paid one gale witliin the other, or before a second gale faUs due.
In many instances, a running or hanging gale (an appropriate term as to Its effect upon the tenantry) is aUowed.
12.
Is there any system of payment of rent by bill, on the part of the small tenantry?—
•So, not in this district; the banks are too remote.
The banks at Ira'ee are fifty miles from here.
There is no loan fund in this district.
There are some local usurers, who lend money.
Their scale of eharges-for interest is from twenty to fifty per cent.,
according to* chcumstances.
Part II.
6 A
Mr.
E.
O'SulIivan.
