TO INQUIRE INTO THE OCCUPATION OF LAND IN IRELAND.
945 28.
If the land was improved, woidd it not produce a good deal more ?—Yes,
it might; 9th September, 1844.
and there have been people in the country who endeavour to improve the land, in order to have a crop—but no standing improvements.
They only try to get as much out of the ¥@B.
land as they possibly can.
Patri(=k Tobin.
29.
Are there any fees paid by the people to the agents ?—GeneraUy
it is the ease.
If I went to propose for land belonging to another, I pay something to the agent.
30.
What amount is paid to the agent ?—It
is according to the lot, and whether they choose to give it.
The agent may befriend Mm.
31.
Does every man who wishes to propose for land give something to the agent ?
Yes, they cannot expect it without that.
32.
If there were six men proposing for land, would they each give the agent some¬ thing ?—I
cannot say that they do, because I never saw it.
33.
Are the agents aware of the driver receiving fees ?—The
agent aUows it; but I never pay it, but some do.
34.
Do any of the tenants take in cattle from the drivers, or give the drivers any tMng in labour ?—I
cannot say that.
35.
GeneraUy speaking, are the farmers getting richer in the country ?—Indeed,
I think not.
36.
Are the labourers getting better off ?—No,
they are worse off.
They have not labour to get.
The farmers cannot afford it.
37-Have there been any agrarian outrages in your district ?—No,
no more than the people I was spealting of a while ago.
This is the third sessions this man wanted to drive.
They rescued them.
It will be tried now at this sessions.
I do not see any violence committed in the country.
The people are very peaceable, and put up' with then-distresses very much.
38.
Have you any suggestions to offer for improving the present state of things, as to the county cess ?—It
is much necessary to improve it.
We are paying cess these many years, and.
are not much benefited by it.
The cess is too heavy.
With the rent we pay we cannot master it.
39.
Do you sell any corn or potatoes ?—Yes.
40.
Where do you find a market ?—In
tliis town.
41.
Have you an easy way of coming .to
this town ?—No;
I must cross the mountain for a mile, and you would sooner travel ten mffes than go that bit across the mountain.
42.
Do you not want bettor roads?—Yes,
if we could conveniently have them; but, at the same time, wc are paying the highest cess.
It must be paid.
They have no mercy for it.
Exclusive of the rent, wo are obliged to pay tithe.
The entire parish pays tithe.
If these taxes were done away from us, leaving the present rent, it would be plenty to answer ; and by doing so, we could not live comfortable, holding over us the rent that wre pay now.
[The witness withdrew.]
Mr.
William 0'Sullivan, sworn and examined.
70®.
1.
Where do you reside ?—Carragarass
Castle, on the Macroom road, about five miles from here.
2.
What is your occupation ?—I
farm considerably—a good deal.
I have a good deal of land on my hands.
I have a number of cattle, and stock, ancl employ a great many men.
I have 500 or 600 acres.
3.
Do you occupy it as proprietor, or tenant ?—Tenant.
I have a lease for ever of a great part of it.
4.
Do you consider agriculture improving hi this district ?—Very
poorly.
The farmer has no encouragement.
5.
What encouragement do you tMnk necessary to a farmer ?—If
they got leases, and were aHowed for then* expenditure.
6.
What manures do you principaHy use ?—Coral
sand.
7.
How far is that drawn into the country?—Nearly
twenty miles.
It is the only manure we have here.
8.
What proportion does the county cess bear to the rent in the district ?—I
do not know; I never made a calculation.
It is very high.
It is very oppressive.
And jobbing is carried on to a great extent.
The proprietors carry on roads for the improvement of their lands, and to advance then rent afterwards, ancl they raise them to a very great pitch afterwards.
There has been a road carried on through a wild mountain, of no utihty whatever.
It is a landlords' road, and £3,000 or £4,000 are put upon the whole of this barony.
9.
What proposition would you make to change that state of tMngs ?—Some
alteration in the grand jury system; it is very bad.
I do not tMnk that the persons who represent the grand jury are the most competent; they do not know the wants of the people, and it is aH a jobbmg system.
10.
At what season of the year is the county cess coUected?—Thero
are two levies; one is coUectecl generally about March.
If they have an early assizes, it is coUected eariier.
I have also to mention that I hold some lands of Lord Eenmare.
I was born See Mr.
Gallwey'» upon it; and my father and his father had it for nearly a century, ancl I was turned out Evidence, without any cause : it was adjoining my domain.
I gave the value for it, and without any /Vfy.
scJ/y cause I was deprived of it, and it w^as given to a party who was broken hi two years.
11.
When was this ?—Four
years ago, There is a regular system of oppression practised
Part II, 6 E
