SELECT COMMITTEE ON FICTITIOUS VOTES, IRELAND. 175 / 11288. What was the purport of it, or when was it granted?— I do not know how long it had been granted. 11289. Was it a recent lease?— Yes. 11290. What do you mean by a recent lease?— It might have been 10 years old. 11291. Do you think it was five years old ?— I do not know, I did not take the date of it. 11292. Do you believe that lease was purchased for any consideration?— I do not; I do not believe it was purchased for any consideration; but, as the question is put in that way, I may state, as a further proof that the man has a good claim, I have heard that he absolutely proposed more for the land to Mr. White, when he was going to take the lease; and the lease was sent to him at a lower rent than he proposed, by mistake. 11293. That was by mistake?— Yes, the lease was sent at a lower rent than he had absolutely proposed for it. 11294. To what extent was it lower?— I do not exactly know the amount. 11295. From whom did you hear this?— From himself; that he proposed more rent for the land than he got it at. 11296. How much ?— I do not know the amount. 11297. Was it 20/. a year?— I do not know, indeed ; I did not hear it. 11298. And your belief is that the land is worth 22/. 85. 7 d., and he only pays 12/. 8s. yd. ?— Yes, according to the best of my judgment. 11299. And you Relieve that Mr. White let this land as much under the value as you state it to be, knowingly?— Upon my word I believe Mr. White does let all his land below the value he could have got, if he wanted to exact the highest rent; I know it, for I have been over all his land. 11300. What do you make the rent, according to your calculation ?—£. 32. 12 s., I think, including the two roods. 11301. You make your valuation 32/. 12 s. for this farm, when you state the rent he pays is 12 I. 8 s. 7 d. ? — Yes. 11302. Then what is the difference between the rent he pays and your valuation ? —£. 20. 11303. Now do you mean to state that Mr. White, having let this farm within the last ten years, let it at about 180 per cent, less than its value?— I mean to say that he let it at this rent, and that it is worth that which I have stated. 11304. Then you mean to state that Mr. White is content to take not much more than one- third its real value ?— Yes. 11305. Do you mean to say that is the way landlords in general in Ireland let their lands ?— Indeed I do not. 11306. Then you mean to say that Mr. White has the great beneficence to let his land at one- third of its real value?— I mean to say that he is an example to all landlords in that country. 11307. Do you mean to say the average of his lettings is at one- third of the real value ?— No ; I said I understood there was an error or mistake in giving this man the land at less than he proposed for it. 11308. Do you mean to say that Mr. White lets his land, in general, at 50, 100, or 150 per cent, below the real value ?— Yes, I think he lets it at 50 per cent, less than its value, supposing it was let through a third hand. 11309. You mean to say that Mr. White receives 50 per cent, less than its value, supposing it was let through a third hand ?— I do not say that exactly ; but supposing it was let by the present occupiers, I think they would get a considerable advance upon the rent. 11310. To what extent?— I cannot say to what extent exactly. 11311. Do you think that Mr. White takes 20 per cent, less than its fair value? — I think that Mr. White is setting his land at a fair value ; for I think a landlord ought to give a considerable interest to the tenant, so that he would get an increase of rent if he set it. 11312. Have you ever been concerned in letting land for people?— No. 11313. Or in taking land ?— No, except for myself; and I paid a good rent for it. 11314. Did you get land, when you took it, at 50, 100, or 150 per cent, less than its value?— No,. I paid very high for it; I took it from a middleman. 11315. Have you ever got it in that proportion less than its real value ?— No. 11316. Do you believe, taking it as a general proposition, that land in the county of Longford has been let for 50 or 100 per cent, less than its real value ?— 643. c c 4 ;