Page:Irish Emigration and The Tenure of Land in Ireland.djvu/143

Rh latter is as often inadequate, and inadequate wages are as fatal to efficiency as a rack rent is to cases ejectments have been brought on account of it. I endeavour to prevent it as much by watchfulness as anything else. It is not practised to any great extent; the parties I have the most difficulty in watching are the small holders." Dig. Dev. Com. p. 442.

Evidence of Thomas Butler, Esq., Agent and Farmer.

"Does the subletting or subdividing still continue?—Whenever the tenants are allowed they will subdivide to a quarter of an acre a piece.

"Upon the property which you manage is that permitted?−They are bound by leases not to subdivide, but they will do it in spite of you."—''Ibid. p.'' 443.

Evidence of John D. Balfe, Esq., Farmer.

"The tenant having a lease, the covenants of which can only be broken by the fact of subletting, do you see any practical difficulty in the landlord preventing it?—I think, as the law is at present, it is difficult, but it might be remedied." Ibid, p. 443.

Evidence of Edward Elliot, Esq., Land Proprietor.

"The people would, I have no doubt, be most anxious still to divide; they would divide down to a rood at this moment if their families required it."—''Ibid. p.'' 443.

Evidence of Thomas Barnes, Esq., Landholder, Agent, and Magistrate.

"To what extent is the subletting or subdividing of farms carried on?—It is not carried on to any extent; the landlords are doing all they can to prevent it: they seem to be doing every thing they can, and nothing is more troublesome.

"What means do you resort to to prevent it?—We insert strong covenants against it, and we threaten legal proceedings; but we have never taken any."—''Ibid. p.'' 413.

Evidence of John Nunn, Esq., Land Proprietor.

"Is there any covenant about subletting or subdividing?—I have known even in old leases a clause to that effect put