steads, he finds that, instead of
conferring a favour, he inflicts what is considered a hardship. Mr
Maher, M.P., (from whose evidence we have before quoted,) having had the
covenants of a lease granted by the Grocers' Company read over to him,
in which it is stipulated, "That the tenant shall have slates, tiles,
bricks, timber, and lime, delivered _free of expense_, on condition that
he makes use of such materials as are furnished him within a certain
period, and under the advice of an appointed agent, and that fences, and
quicks, and hay-seed, necessary to complete them, and drains, should be
allowed for at a certain rate,"--is asked, "What is your opinion of such
a clause as that applied to Tipperary? _I apprehend that much in a
clause of this kind could not be carried into effect in
Tipperary._"--"In what do you think it deficient?--what is there which
would prevent its being carried into practice? _The dispositions of the
people do not lead them to look for the comfort which buildings of this
kind would give._"

"Do you know of any estates in Tipperary in which there are such
covenants in leases?--No, I do not. I have heard from the agent of Baron
Pennefather, with whom I am intimate, that he has succeeded in some
measure in getting slated houses built by the tenants: he advanced the
money to the tenants for the houses, charging as rent five per cent upon
the money so expended in building." "That is in the case of a
lease?--Yes."

"Can you state from your own knowledge, whether in those cases the
tenants seem to feel the advantage of having money lent to them on those
terms?--_I am told that they feel it a hardship, that they look upon it
as a hardship to pay this charge_, and that they do it with great
reluctance." "Does that arise from their inability to pay, or from not
appreciating the advantages?--_My own opinion is, that it arises not so
much from their inability to pay, as their not appreciating the
advantages._"

"Are the farmers of a respectable class?--Yes, they are a very
comfortable class of farmers. I have passed through the estate, and they
appeared to me to be so."

"From your knowledge of the state of farming in Tipperary, do you
conceive that the produce of the land might be considerably improved by
a better system of farming?--I have no doubt of it."

"Would not a better system of farming in some degree be promoted by an
improvement in the farm buildings as one means?--Yes, I think so; _but