Page:Irish Emigration and The Tenure of Land in Ireland.djvu/86

Rh On turning to the statistics which bear upon this question, the argument I have thus roughly sketched Mr. John McCorten, Linen Manufacturer, Bleacher and Land Agent. "Have you known many instances of ejectment without compensation, in order to effect such a consolidation?—No, I do not think it is ever done. It would be looked upon as a very tyrannical measure; and consolidation is very rarely attempted, unless where it can be done without injury to any party." "What becomes generally of the out-going tenants in such cases; do they emigrate, or do they locate themselves elsewhere?—Some emigrate, and others locate themselves elsewhere. In some cases they become labourers, or go to some other employment."—''Ibid. p.'' 417. Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Bourke, Bart., Land Proprietor and Magistrate. "Has there been any consolidation of farms in the district with which you are acquainted?—Very considerable within these twenty-five years. I should say, in general, that the consolidation has been advantageous to the property and to the occupier left upon the land, as he has been placed in a more comfortable position; and in the cases of those who have been removed, where the removal has been managed with humanity and discretion, I am not aware that they have been the sufferers. I have myself removed persons whom I have sent to New South Wales, and I am sure they are much better off than they were in Ireland. I began very early. Some farms of mine came out of lease between 1818 and 1827; and in many, where there was a population which I thought it not to the advantage of the landlord or the occupier to remain upon the land, I had to remove a great many of those, and I hope I removed them without any great hardship or oppression; and their farms have been since in a very good condition, with only one tenant upon each farm. "To what size did you raise the farms?—From twenty to thirty acres in some cases; in other cases, from fifty to sixty.