On the other hand, the writer affirms that in many
districts of Cork county "landlordism wears an unkindly aspect." Prefer- ence is given to Protestant tenants. Land is rack-rented. Leases are rare, and in many places " where for ages all that has been done for the land has been done by the tenantry alone" every tenant is liable to eviction at six months' notice. The power is used, too, occasionally, and one instance of its exertion leaves in a whole district a bitter sense of insecurity. The Times' com- missioner considers that in such cases less than 60 years' tenure would be inadequate, and makes one remarkable point. In London tenants build houses on 99-years leases. In Ireland they are ,compelled to build them on none. He might add that in Scotland, where property-rights are quite sufficiently maintained, no tenant builds a house except on a perpetual lease, subject only to ground-rent.
Previous page
