THE WORKING OF THE IRISH LAND ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6511, 9 January 1882, Page 6

THE WORKING OF THE IRISH LAND ACT.

The Government arc determined that the Land Act shall not break down under the load of business whiob is put upon it, but that suflloiont machinery shall be provided for carrying it out. There is reason to ox* poet that, although an enormous number of applications may bo entered, many of thorn will bo settled out of Court, and only a limited proportion will have to bo judicially disposed of. The heads of the Kxooutivo are not confounded or dismayed at tho prospect of being overwhelmed by e flood of litigation, but are firmly meeting tho difficulty, and preparing for every emergency, both as regards tho state of tho country and tho working of tho Act. Mr Forster is engaged with untiring energy and vigilance in making tho most offootivo arrangements for tho crisis. Throe additional SubCommissioners have been appointed under tho Act, consisting of three members of the Bar and six gentlemen who havo practical knowledge of matters retting to land. Tho throo legal Commissioners oro! Mr White Bourko, eon of a landowner in the west, who has been on amicable relatione with his tenants, and is generally respected 5 Mr Gerald Fitzgerald, a near relative of the eminent Judge of tho Queen’s Bench ; and Mr M'Dovitt, who has boon Attorney-General in Queensland, and recently joined the Irish Bor. He is a brother of la Bo man Catholic Bishop, has national sympathies, and has written a book on tho niw Act. The other Sub-Commissioners are MrOomyns, Mr Davidson, Mr Pierce Mahony, Mr B, Murphy, Mr Fd ward O’Brien (son of Mr W. Smith O’Brien, of CabirmoyJo), and Mr Walpole. There is every reason to oxpeot (hat these appointments will give general satisfaction. They have bora fairly balanced as regards oroed, some being Protestants, seme Boman Catho Hob, and one being a member of tho Society of Friends. They are all .magistrates, with too exception of Mr Davidson, who is o coroner for, tho County Down, and agent on tho estate of Mr Sharmsn Crawford. He will, of course, resign both situations. Mr O'Brien enters con amors into the work, not for any advantage it can giro him, but in tho hope of being useful. Ifr Oomyns is a respectable gentleman, long connected with farming pursuits in County Galway; Mr Walpole and his family have been for generations engaged in them. Mr Mahony is a member of a highly respectable and popular family in the South; and Mr Murphy has been in olosa and intimate relations with tho tenant farmers under trying circumstances, and retained their good opinion. The new Sub-Commissioners have been appointed for only one year, tho Government believing that by that time tho undue pressure of work will bo removed, and that the ordinary machinery will bo able to get through it. Mr G. B. Nash has been appointed assistant registrar to the Commissioners. Although not officially announced, it is understood that Mr Porter, Q. 0., one of the ablest members of the Bar, distinguished for his eloquence and legal knowledge, and esteemed by all parties for his high personal character, has been virtually appointed to the office of Solicitor-General. Be has been nominated by the Liberals of the county ascandidate for the County Londonderry, and has gone down to see tho constituency. It is not likely, however, that he w.ll have a walk ovrr, as a Conservative candidate is expected to stand.