File 5 - Sale of Lands in Killeenboylegan, Knockdomny and Ballynagarbry

66pp

Original incoming and copy outgoing letters relating to Ernest H Browne's management of the Bellair Estate. Matters referred to include: the sale of untenanted lands of Mulock's estates in Killeenboylegan, Knockdomny and Ballynagarbry.

Includes memo from William Bury Homan Mulock, "I am given to understand that my King's County estate will be inspected by the Land Commission early next year and my Westmeath towards the end of the same year. I have lately had much trouble on these Westmeath lands owing to Cattle driving, boycotting of my herd, assaults on my steward and herd, and injuries to my walls, which have been knocked down, and to my pumps which have had stones thrown down them thereby depriving my cattle of water. I therefore find much difficulty in managing the said farms and retaining my subordinates in my service... My mowing and haymaking machinery, horses, and labourers which I sent yesterday from here to my Westmeath farm had to be protected on the six miles of road by the police and I am in dread of my meadows being spiked or my hay and shed burnt, and my old herd writes me that he is in nightly dread of his house being fired into. To farm profitably under such conditions is quite out of the question" (20 July 1910) .

Letter from William Bury Homan Mulock the Secretary of Estates Commissioners, "At this price, as life tenant, I shall be suffering a considerable pecuniary loss, for instance, if I sell these valuable fattening lands I am absolutely handicapping my home farm at Bellair, where I breed extensively and have hitherto been able to finish my young stock. The extra police patrolling these lands, the subject of your offer, having lately been withdrawn, I greatly fear that if we do not come to terms the cattle driving, and perhaps other outrages, will be resumed and a disturbance caused in the country." (2 February 1911)