liUh Sept,, 1844.
Mr.
James M'Cartby.
950 EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED 45.
Can they get sufficient work to enable them to Hve comfortably ?—No;
there are very few histances of persons in that condition.
There are very few mstances where a farmer could afford to give any portion of the labour away.
Themselves ancl their families generaUy cultivate the land.
There is no improvement in the farming population, ownr?
to tho reduced prices of agricultural produce.
The price of agricultural produce is very low, compared to what it was probably when the rents were put on.
I do not know an instance where they have reduced yet to the price of agricultural produce.
It is not half what it was forty years ago to my knowledge.
46.
What is the rent paid by smaU tenants compared to the larger farmers ?—The
rents are Mgher on the smaH farms.
47.
Is that the case when they are held under the same landlord ?—Yes,
because no landlord would let a smaU farm if he could avoid it; but when there is a family upon an estate, they do not like to turn them out upon the world.
48.
By what means are the younger cMldreii provided for at the death of their parents ?—
They aro generaHy aHowed to remain on the farm.
49.
Suppose there is more than one cMlcl, how are the younger cMldren provided for ?—-
Thoy generaUy Hve together; some of the children may be grown up and able to super¬ intend the others, and cultivate their Httle holding; or a friend of the family takes care of them.
50.
Under whom do the labourers hold then-cottages ?—The
labourers hold their cabins under the middleman.
The cabins are repaired by the labourers generaUy; but sometimes by the proprietors.
Land is generaUy given with the cottages.
The con-acre system does not prevail.
51.
Is there employment for the labourers, and at what rate of wages?—There
is very Httle employment for labourers; their wages are from 6d.
to 8d.
a day.
There have been no agrarian outrages in tins district; but I know districts where there were, not far from it.
52.
With respect to agents, is there any clifference in the management of estates; for example, are the estates of resident proprietors better managed than those of absentees ?—
There is no difference (as to agency) in the management of estates of resident or absentee proprietors.
Those estates are certainly better managed where the agent is resident than where he is non-resident.
The duties of au agent are to coHect the rents, to preserve the property from waste, ancl to improve the condition of the tenants.
53.
Are there fees paid on coHccting or enforcing rent ?—No.
54.
How is the bailiff paid in the case of a distress ?—He
gets a certam sum according to contract by the year, for driving, and cHstraining, and auctioning on a certam lot of land.
55.
There is nothing levied off the tenants ?—No.
I do not Miow of any charge being made hi that part of the country where I live, except one place where it is held under the ChanceUor; the driver there invariably makes them pay.
56.
What is the usual season for entering upon farms?—Thc
usual season for entering upon farms, are the months of September and November.
57.
What proportion docs the county cess bear to tho rent, or to thc government and poor law valuations ?—The
proportion of the county cess to the rent, &c.
is from twelve to sixteen per cent.
It is applotted by the gneeve, and levied twice a year—January and June.
The constable makes known the sum.
58.
When is the landlord's proportion of the poor rate usuaUy aUowed ?—It
is aHowed usuaUy at the payment of the rent.
When the tenant tenders the rent he tenders the poor law receipt; whenever he gets it into Ms possession and pays any rent, he tenders it.
59.
What difference has been made to the tenant, by placing the title rent-charge upon the landlord ?—The
condition of the tenant is improved by placing the rent-charge on the landlord, for thus he accounts but to one instead of two individuals.
60.
Have you any suggestions of any measures of improvement in the law and practice, with respect to the occupation of land in Ireland, or in respect to the county cess ?—No;
I have no suggestions except what I am convinced of, is, that the tenantry in general do pay enough for the land if they were to pay no tax; and I do say, that every landlord and proprietor ought to pay aH the taxes that the government think necessary to put upon the land.
When the tenant is burdened enough with Ms rent, it is very hard he should have to pay the taxes: the landlord ought to pay them, or if the tenant pays them he ought to get credit for them.
61.
Have there been any complaints in your neighbom-hood as to the coHection of the county cess, that more has been levied than was laid on by the grand jury ?—No,
there has been no complaint of the Mnd.
Our constable is a correct man.
ff 62.
Have you any other suggestion you wish to lay before us?—No;
not any thing at aH,
[ The witness withdrew.]
Mr John Collins.
Mr.
John Collins, sworn and examined.
1.
Where do you reside ?—Oldcourt;
about three English miles west of SMbbereen.
2.
What is yom* occupation ?—A
gentleman farmer.
, + 3.
What quantity of ground do you occupy?—As
far as farming goes, I occupy auu 100 statute acres of ground.
.
, ..,
,^„ *
4.
What is the district with which you are best acquainted ?—I
am acquainted mm.v
parish of Creegh and Tallagh, and that Hue of road.
I have been in business an tne cox
