Mr O'Brien Dillon is asked—"73. Does the sale of the good-will of farms prevail much in the district?—Very much, I should say."
Mr Digan.—"39. Is the sale of the good-will of farms the custom of that district?—Yes, for small spots it is.
"40. Is it recognised by the landlord?—It is recognised by the agent. If there is a poor fellow who wishes to go to America, he gets £8 or £10 for his plot of ground, and he will let him go off if he gets a better tenant.
"41. Do they generally ask the agent's permission?—Sometimes, and sometimes not."
The Rev. William Minchin.—"73. Is the sale of the good-will of farms prevalent in the district, and recognised by the landlords?—Yes; it is quite recognised.
"74. Is the value of it increasing or diminishing?—I do not see any thing to make land decrease, though of course the purchase of the good-will will bear a proportion to the rent that the land bears.
"75. Suppose the landlord requires the land for himself, to add to his demesne, does he pay the usual price?—Yes, in general he does.
"76. Has there been any consolidation of farms?—No, not in the neighbourhood; nothing to any extent worth speaking of."
George Heenan, Esq., after stating the existence of the practice, is asked—"88. Does it take place in reference to lands held at will?—Yes; and for lands held at will the sum is altogether disproportioned to the apparent value of the interest given.
"89. Does a man purchase without knowing whether he will be recognised as the tenant?—Yes; I have known many instances of that.