THE CONGESTED DISTRICTS BOARD FOR IRELAND. 



261 



No. 3. 



The home produce consumed by the family was valued at from £12 to £17. 



No. 4. 



The home produce consumed by the family was valued at about £6. 



These facts and figures speak eloquently for themselves and show that 

 in some congested districts, at the tim.e the Board was established, the 

 value of the produce of some of the small holdings, together with the 

 earnings and receipts of the family from every other source, did not exceed 

 a total of £1^ a year. Even in the less distressed portions of the con- 

 gested districts the standard of living was low, the diet of the poorest 

 section of the people being altogether vegetable, with the exception of salt 

 fish or bacon at times, which was used more as a relish than as aii article of 

 food. The houses, furniture, and bedding were too often unhealthy, 

 mean, and comfortless, and the clothing frequently ragged and scanty. 



Enlargement of 

 Holdings. 



Some of the best work of the Board has been done in connection with 

 the improvement and enlargement of holdings. The 

 Board has, first of all, to arrange with the landlord for 

 the purchase of his interest. Guaranteed Land Stock 

 being advanced by the Land Commission for this pur- 

 pose. The Board proceeds to re- arrange and enlarge the holdings and then 

 to re-sell them to the tenants. When there is in proximity to the holdings 

 any grazing or other land in the Board's hands as owners, or any land vacated 

 by large tenants who have been bought out by the Board, it is generally 

 utilised for enlarging the holdings that are being re-sold ; but this simple 



