Law and practice in respect to the occupation of land in Ireland: minutes of evidence: part II

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963 EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED 

10th Sept., 
1844. 
5. 
What is the general size of the tillage farms, and the mode of culture ?—The 
mode of 

1 * 

culture is exceedingly imperfect, and the size of the farms varies exceedingly. 
There is 71®. 
some clover and vetches, a few cases of turnip cultivation, slovenly and bad, as it'is not undor-Henry Newman, esq. 
st0od. 
Any g;*ass lands are only appropriated to dairy in this district, which lessens labour 

Lands are held generally from year to year. 
There are some leases. 

6. 
Arc there "many farms held in common, or in joint tenancy ?—YTes, 
a great many of them arc bold in the old undefined mode. 
7. 
In what manner i& the rent fixed?—Generally 
by private contract, governed by the former lent paid. 
It is either a little higher, or a little lower, than the former rent, but generally tbe former rent governs the arrangement of it. 
Sonic is let by proposal; and in cases of lots by valuation, which are made principally by working farmers, except for public purposes, tbe rent generally is a gross sum—in some cases acreable. 
The average value of land is about £l, the inferior arable of second quality from 8*. 
to 10*., 
and the rough from 3s. 
to 5s. 
The proportion of poor rates, &c, is about as one to twelve, or one to thirteen, on the rent paid. 
8. 
What proportion does the usual letting value bear to the poor law valuation? 
It is one-fourth higher than the poor law valuation ; in some cases one-tMrd. 
9. 
How oo yon account for that?—Wo 
took the beneficial interest. 
There arc a number of middlemen who rout bind, and giving the in the beneficial interest we had to lower tho thing oue-fourtb, and in some ca~.es 
more. 
A year's rent on large properties is generally due. 
Rents are paid very frequently by bill; all under mo had bank charges only. 
In the vvc^t of this union occupiers and labourers pay usurers' discount, or usury as high as 4s., 
and sometimes 5s., 
in each pound lent them. 
With regard to receipts, I givo a receipt generally for a gale when it is paid ; seldom on account. 
10. 
Is the tenure immediately under tho proprietors, or middlemen?—A 
great part of this union is held under middlemen—the occupiers have scarcely any leases ; thc remaining por¬ tion is hold from holders in fee : there ih very little under the courts. 
The condition of the tenantry varies little, as in cases of tho expiration of the middleman's tenure, the same rent nearly has been placed on tho same tenantry. 
11. 
Is that general on every property in this union?—I 
should say it was not quite general, but very general, except where lots have been made in the subdivision of the old gneeve. 
In those instmccs the condition of the tenant under the proprietor has been greatly improved, although the tenure may bo continued at will. 
These subdivisions enhance the value of the land also, if care be taken to suit the lot to the amount of capital, stock, &c, and labour the tenant possesses. 
That is the custom I always adopt. 
Improvements are seldom made except under the proprietor, or holder in fee (of a permanent nature). 
Some small allowances are made by the landlord, and certainly adequate remuneration is in very few (scarcely any) cases secured to the persons so improving ; and I would suggest that they should be valued by persons selected for the purpose. 
I think that tho appointment of valuators between the landlord and tenant for public purposes would be of use, and also, if permanently made, the improvements should be registered or recorded—where no lease existed, I mean— and the value made a charge on the land at the expiration of the tenure; or that the tenant be permitted the undisturbed sale of his right or good-will. 
The tenant-right or sale of good¬ will, I scarcely know any cases of, therefore I can form no comparison as to the annual rent. 
TMs tenant-right, or sale of good-will, would encourage improvements and create employment. 
12. 
Has there been any consolidation of farms in the district ?—The 
circumstance of lands being held in the old gneeve way in this union or district, renders the consolidation of farms necessary and useful,—perhaps more necessary in this district than any whore else in Ireland. 
The old plan of the gneeve prevails here : there are as many as six persons occupying distinct portions of one field, which occasions much loss of time, prevents improvements, and causes frequent quarrels. 
Care should always be taken to suit the lot to the circumstances of the tenants who commence improvements which increase employment and produce. 
The consequent effect is that rent is better paid. 
A few large farmers in this district are generally comfortable. 
The only difference between the small farmer and labourer is, that the farmer is a Httle better housed; the condition of both is extremely bad. 
13. 
Is it getting-better, or worse ?—It 
could not very well get worse, but I should say there is a slight improvement, very slight; the condition of both is extremely bad, and from the nature and number of the interests concerned, it is difficult to suggest a remedy. 
There is little cash capital. 
The nature of the land in the union or district is such as requires much labour, which I consider capital, of which we have a large amount in the country, if the application of it was understood. 
The rent paid by small tenants is generally higher than that paid by large ones. 
14. 
Is that the case where they hold under the same landlords?—Yes, 
I should say it was to some extent; but it is much more so where they hold under two or three landlords. 
15. 
By what means are younger children provided for at the death of their parents?— 
The sons remain on the land, and as they grow up divide the farms between them, and fortune off their sisters as well as they can. 
Labourers hold their cabins, gardens, and sometimes grass of a few sheep, generally under the larger farmers, for which they give a certain number of days' work, getting diet, 16. 
What number of days' work?—It 
varies. 
Sometimes the garden Is a little larger, and sometimes a little smaller. 
The cabins are generally built by the farmers ; agreements are made but yearly ; the rate or rent varies according to the value, as do wages. 
f 

17. 
What is the usual rate of wages in fho country"?—From 
4d. 
to 6d., 
and diet. 
I give 84 myself. 
Agrarian outrages are of exceedingly rare occurrence. 
With respect to agency,