96 Auricullure of Darliam. 



they may take, occupy, or damage. The landlord receives his 

 compensation for all tliis hindrance to agricultural improvement, 

 in the shape of heavy way-leave and other rents from the colliery 

 owners. 



Size and Tenure of Estates. — A large portion of this county 

 is held in small properties, and many of them are frequently 

 changing owners. There are 12,370 names on the Registry of 

 Parliamentary Electors in this county ; and if we take away the 

 tenant voters and the voters whose qualifications are houses or 

 buildings alone, there must still be left about 4000 individuals 

 amongst whom the land of the county is divided. Bailey men- 

 tions two estates of from 20,000/. to 22,000/. per annum ; three 

 from 12,000/. to 14,000/. ; two from 7000/. to 8000/., &c. I 

 have now before me the rent-roll of one estate producing 8680/., 

 and of another producing 6400/. per annum ; but there are not 

 many of such sizes. In a list of estates which we have had for 

 sale within a short period there have been, — 



1 lietweeu 2000 and 3000 acres. 



1 „ 700 „ «00 „ 



1 „ 400 „ 500 „ 



11 ,, 300 „ 400 „ 



15 „ 200 „ 300 „ 



22 „ 100 „ 200 „ 

 27 containing less than 100 acres. 



A large quantity of the land is of leasehold and copyhold 

 tenure held under the Church. The following is the average of 

 three years of the annual income the Church derives from this 

 property in the shape of fines on the renewal of leases, reserved 

 rents, &c. : — 



Bishop of Durham £21,991 



Dean and Chapter 35,071 



Tlie Dean and Prebendaries in severalty . . 14,342 

 The Archdeacon 27 



£71,431 



The annual value of the second property alone, viz. that held 

 under the Dean and Chapter, has been calculated at 100,000/. if 

 let on rack-rent; and tliis sum is thus divided: — Land, 64,000/.; 

 tithes, 10,000/. ; mines and minerals, 26,000/. The lands belong- 

 ing to the Bishop are let on leases for lives, and some upon 

 terms of 21 years ; those belonging to the Dean and Chapter, on 

 leases for years, the terms being 21 or 40 years. The practice 

 has been to renew at the end of 7 years in most cases, though 

 there are others Avhere the renewal takes place at the end- of 4 

 years, and a few cases renewed each year. The property of the 

 Dean, and of the several Prebendaries and tlie Archdeacon, is let 



