Potato Trials Query:
In the House of Commons, Mr William Long raised a query about the Irish Agricultural Department’s handling of the “pess of Cornwall” potato variety trials. He inquired whether the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was aware of the Department’s refusal to provide Mr Williamson with one ton of the “pess of Cornwall” potato for free. Instead, they had purchased the seed from Mr Williamson at a rate of £10, which was one-tenth of the original seed price. Mr Long further asked if the Department was currently conducting trials of this potato variety in nineteen counties as initially planned, and if so, what the source of the supply was, the price paid, and the quantity obtained for these trials this year.

In response, Mr Long clarified that the seed for the mentioned potato variety had been originally purchased from a Scottish grower. The variety had been tested on the Department’s experimental farms for the past three years, and the seed to be used this year was from the original supply. He also clarified that the Department did not purchase a ton of seed at the stated cost. The trials that were planned for nineteen counties would not proceed as initially intended.

The Goold Estate Inquiry:
Another topic discussed in the House of Commons involved the Goold Estate in Limerick. Mr O’Shaughnessy sought information from the Chief Secretary regarding negotiations carried out by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of untenanted land on the Goold Estate in Athea, County Limerick. The estate, comprising over 200 acres, was currently leased to graziers. Mr O’Shaughnessy inquired whether the Commissioners were considering this purchase in light of the sale of tenanted portions of the estate to the tenants. He also asked if there were about 100 tenants on the estate with holdings valued under £5 per annum, whether the Commissioners had reviewed the list of these tenants, and whether they would allow the sale of the tenanted portion of the estate without ensuring that uneconomical holdings were enlarged.

In response, Mr Long clarified that there were no proceedings for the sale of the estate before the Commissioners at that time. He stated that if the estate did come before them, the question of untenanted land would be considered, and any potential decisions would take into account the status of tenanted holdings.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 11 April 1905