THE MIGRATION COMPANY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 14, 25 July 1884, Page 31

THE MIGRATION COMPANY.

(The Nation, Jane 7.) As announced in tbe second edition of our las-t issue, Mr. Parnell, accompanied by Colonel Nolan, M.P., arrived in Tuaoa on Thursday week for the purpose of inspecting an estate which the Migration Company desired to purchase. The apecial correspondent of the Freeman, describing in last Saturday's paper the result of Mr. Parnell's visit, says :— " As alieady announced, Mr. Parnell, M.P., visited Tuam on Thursday for tbe purpose of making arrangements for the purchase by the company of which he is chairman of the extensive estate of Kilcloony, the property of Mr. J. J. Bodkin, situate within about five miles of the towa of Tuam. Profes-or Baldwin, tbe managing director of the company, spent several days visiting and inspecting the estate, and he has reported to the board that tbe estate was one upon which the operations of the company, in the direction of relieving congestion and creating occupying proprietors, might be carried out. A deputation of the board, consisting of Mr. -Parnell, M.P., Colonel Nolan, M.P., and Capt O'Shea, M.P., was appointed to visit land, and arrange terms with' the owner, and it was upon this mission that the gentlemen named arrived yesterday iv Tuam. They immediately proceeded to the lands, where they were met by Mr. Thcmas Tigbe, J.P., of Clareroorris, who came at the requebt of Mr. Parnell to give the aid of his well-known judgment on the value of the estate ; Professor Baldwin, and Mr. V. B. Dillon, jun., the company's solicitor. The party made an inspection of a considerable portion of the estate, the various qualities of which were pointed out by Profepsor Baldwin and Mr. Tighe to Colonel Nolan, M.P., both of whom were able to bring an accurate knowledge of the locality and their experience as practical farmers to the assistance of Mr. Parnell, who has also himself considerable experience in this matter, but in a different locality. After completing tbeir inspection of the lands the party called upon Mr. Cornelius Bodkin, brother of the owner, and Mb representative here, the owner having on bis marriage with an Australian heiress gone to reside In Melbourne. Here a contract was entered into for tbe purchase of the estate, subject to being approved of by Judge Flannigan in the Landed Estates Court. It is understood that the proposal made by the Company will be brought before the judge at the first opportunity, and, if it be accepted, the estate, which is advertised to be sold on the 6th prox. will be withdrawn from public competition. On some portions of tbe estate there are villages, the inhabitants of which are of that class who are obliged to go to England every year to labour because they have not sufficient land to employ them profitably at home. There are also extensive farms of a very superior character, held by graziers, and portion of the lands are said by competent authorities to be of the best in tbe country." Mr. Parnell and his friends returned to Tuam after inspecting the estate. The Irish leader drove to the residence of tbe Archbishop. His Grace, however, was not at home, being in Bal Unrobe on visitation. On arriving at Daly's Hotel Mr. Parnell was presented with addresses from the Tuam town commissioners and tbe Tuam branch of the Irish National League. The address from the town commissioners was signed by Mr. Patrick Culkin, chairman, and Mr. Patrick Flood, town clerk. It was read by the former gentleman. In reply Mr. Paraell said :—: — "Mr. Cuikin and gentlemen of the town commissioners of Tuam and friends, I have to thank you exceedingly for the address you have been so good as to present to me, an address containing such generous and kind sentiments towards myself, and I have also to thank all my friends in Tuam assembled here in such numbers to welcome me on my way through your town. I regret that it is not in my power to remiin longer this morning. I was obliged to get through a ceitain amount of business, aad did not expect the reception you have given, me to-night. I am much pleased, and it gives me the greatest encouragement, to find that you have so generously taken np the work of migration. It is to me the greatest gratification that this has been the case, tbat you should have shown an appreciation of tbe important work of the company, that you should have given such practical assistance in helping my colleagues and myself in forwarding that company in the commencement of a great work, and a great benefit to our country. You will be pleased to learn that we have 10-day, I hope, completed sat-sfactory preliminary arrangements for the purchase of an estate advantageously situated in this neighbourhood for the work of the company (cheers). We have now a plan for the migration of tenant-farmers from congested districts to lands which are vacant, and almost left in a state of waste. Wo believe tbat tbe purchase which has been so nearly completed to-day will give very fair teßt, and add success to future operations (hear), and we think that in the iireßent case we shall succeed in giving practical and successful example of what is possible to be done in this direction, and, of coime, if we succeed in this case we shall succeed in a great many other cases, and this movement shall be taken np and become ,^geneial throughout tbe country (cheeis). Vast areas of cultivable 'land, which are now left without anything save bullocks and sheep, shall once more afford a house and a sustenance to mankind (hear, hear). I have many pleasant reminihcences of Tuatn. Iremeoiberin this town I attended the first public meeting at which I ever bad the opportunity of being present in the West of Ireland. It was in the time that the great lamented Irishman, Mr. Isaac Butt, founder of thegieat movement of an independent position in the British Parliament, and which haseinco been carrying on, and, we hope, will be a factor in gaining greater advantages and becefits for our country (hear, hear), and I trust thecounty of Galway will send at the coming jjeneial election an efficient colleague to help Colonel Nolan (hear, hear), ar.d that you may not be practically neglected as you are at prefcent-~that you will take up a position and a place to which you are so justly entitled beside other Irish constituencies, to replenish our ranks and successfully carry out tbe work of regeneration of our country (hear, hear). In conclusion, I shall always look back upon this evening with feelings of gratification and pleasure, and I thank

you most heartily for tbe beautiful address which you have presented to mp." (Loud cheers.) Mr. M. S. Walsh, hon. sPc.Tead the address from the local branch of the League. It was signed by Mr. Patrick Lyons (president) and by Mr. Waleh, and tendered to the Irish leader a hearty oeatb mille finite to Tuam. In reply Mr. Parnell warmly thanked the members of the branch , and expressed bis gladness that the great John of Tuam had found such a worthy successor as be had. Mr. Parnell then addressed a short speech to the enthusiastic multitude which had assembled in font of the hotel, and he afterwards drove to Ballinderry , the seat of Colonel Nolan, M., P.