13 Mar. 1885 Tyrone and Derry Sub-Commission
The Commissioners;
Edward GREER J.P. Chairman
John F. BOMFORD J.P.
John GOLDING J.P.
In the Courthouse Omagh, resumed the hearing of cases from the estates of Sir John STEWART and the Earl of Belmore.
Messrs. DICKIE, RIORDAN, HOUSTON, and SHOALS represented the different parties.
John LOAN, tenant, vs James HAMILTON, landlord
The area is 10a. 2r. l0p.; and the rent is £7 10s. This was an application by the landlord to fix the true value of the holding, of which he had given notice of his intention to purchase.
Jane HAMILTON, aunt of the landlord, examined – The holding was let to the tenant under an agreement in 1869, at the yearly rent of £10. The Land commission reduced that rent to £7 10s. When the tenant got possession there was a dwelling-house and byre upon the holding. These buildings are all gone and the walls carted away.
John LOAN the tenant, to Mr. RIORDAN – The lands are only one mile and a half from Fintona. In January last, I put this farm up for sale, but could get no offer. The landlord offered me £20. It is in my opinion worth £60.
James KELLY to RIORDAN – l am a valuer. I consider the tenant’s interest worth £60.
The Chairman (to witness) – I see in your valuation that is before us you include £7 10s, and you say “worth that much as an accommodation to the landlord” If the landlord was not the purchaser, would you exclude that item?
Witness – I would, and reduce my estimate to £57 10s.
The Chairman said – In this case the evidence on which we are asked to give our decision is of the most meagre description. We have no proof of any bona fide offers to purchase this holding, nor any evidence of sales of adjoining farms. The tenant got the farm without fine or input direct from the landlord in 1869. He has not made any improvements, and we are of the opinion that £37 10s is the true value of his interest.
The Chairman delivered the following decisions in the cases heard at Dungannon.
All had their rents lowered, or the rents remained the same
Landlord – F. S. MANSFIELD
Mary KEENAN
John and Hugh BRANNIGAN
Margaret HAGAN
Neal HUGHES
Charles BRANNIGAN
Patrick HUGHES
Landlord -Trustees of the Countess Castlestuart
Andrew FULLERTON
Michael LOUGHRAN
Peter NUGENT
Joseph NUGENT
Maria M’CRACKEN
Mary COLHOUN
Terence HAGAN
Andrew FULLERTON
Landlord – B. W. LOWRY
Bernard QUIN
Owen HOPKINS
Arthur O’NEILL
Arthur MULHOLLAND
Landlord – James BRUCE
Joseph KERR
James MULLAN
John HOLMES
David John HOLMES
John EMMERSON
Johnston IRWIN
John ADAMS
George HOLMES
Mary Ann BLOOMER
James MALLON
John NELSON
John HUGHES
Hugh HOBSON
Michael O’NEILL
James DONNELLY
Felix O’NEILL
Peter KELLY
Daniel WRIGHT
James BOYD
John DONNELLY
Rose BRANNIGAN
Edward HANSON
James HANSON
Terence STAFFORD
transcribed by Teena from the Derry Journal