SERIOUS AFFRAY AT AN EVICTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6118, 27 June 1881, Page 6

SERIOUS AFFRAY AT AN EVICTION.

New York, May 23.—The Herald's special from Dublin says:—At Michelstown, County Cork, a serious affray occurred yesterday (May 27) in consequence of an attempt of the .Sheriff of that county to evict five tenants on an estate of the Countess of Kingston. The Sheriff, was assisted by twenty-five policemen and by the military, including a troop of dragoons, but, the resistance of the people was so determined that the work was only partly accomplished. The chapel bell at Michelstown began ringing at 9 in the morning, to warn the country people that the evictions were about to begin. The new 3 spread rapidly, and the chapel bells for ten miles around took up the refrain, calling the population to assemble. The police attempted to stop the bells ringing but did not succeed. Ten thousand persons assembled in les3 than an hour. A large number gathered around the police and the military. While the first eviction was proceeding, eggs, stones, and other missiles were thrown at the Sheriff and his assistants. Three evictions were carried out, but to execute the next two, it was necessary to pass through the town. Three bands of music, arid organized bodies carrying banners, had now arrived, and the strains of " the martial tread of Clare's Dragoons," encouraged people to resistance. They obstructed the streets and sent showers of stone into the midst of the constabulary. Then the cavalry charged and drove them back, bufcthey only returned in greater force and with ne_w daring. While passing a yard, behind which a large number of rioters were concealed, a heavy volley of stones was delivered. One of the cavalry horses was killed. The police 'charged through the yard arid dispersed the assailants at the point of the bayonet. One man's jaw was cut open. Twelve scldiers were struck, and many of the police were also injured. The Riot Act was read without effect, and in consequence of resistance it was decided not to proceed further with the work of eviction. The excitement lasted till late into the night, but thero was no furbher disturbance.

IRISH MEMBERS IN PARLIAMENT. London, June 31.—1n the House of Commons to-day, during the time of putting questions to Ministers, Thomas P. O'Connor was called to order for U3ing the word "mendacious." O'Kelly (Home Ruler) thereupon applied the epithets " calumniatory" and "lying" to several members of the House, and his suspension for the remainder of the sitting was moved by Gladstone, and cai'ried by a vote of 18S to 14. O'Kelly then withdrew quietly. Parnell gave notice that he would call attention to the circumstances of the suspension of O'Kelly on Friday. On the motion of Gladstone, to take a recess until the 9th inst., the Conservative members raised a heated discussion on the state of Ireland. Harcourt, in replying to Northcote, denied the charges of concealment and the lack of information, and accused Northcote of designing to embarrass the Government by causing an alarm, and adding to the difficulties of the grave circumstances already existing. Gladstone said that vigorous measures were.adopted by the Irish Executive yesterday for dealing with the resistance to the law, including that at tiie Castle, near New Pallas. Northcote said the statement was not reassuring. Forster's absence must of itself cause anxiety. Gladstone's motion to take a recess until the 9th was then agreed to. DILLON EXPLAINS. London, June 30.—Dillon's letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, from Kilmainham Gaol is now published. Dillon inquires whether the question of privilege does not arise on. his arrest, and says that the Chief Secretary for Ireland read an inaccurate report of his (Dillon's) speech. He declares that it did not atford any justification for his arrest. The.Speaker's report says : As Mr. Dillon's letter did not relate to any matter ef privilege, he had not thought it necessary to lay it before the House. THE SITUATION SERIOUS. London, June 31.—The Telegraph says the Government has received such serious news from Ireland for the last few days that a measure calculated to deal with the exceptional state of affairs there engaging the attention of the Ministry. The Chronicle says that the Government is considering the question of the suspension of the Irish jury laws, and will probably introduce a Bill for that purpose at the present session without interfering with the Land Bill.

ARRESTS UNDER THE COERCION ACT. Dublin, June 31.—Brady, the secretary of the Ballinamore, County Leitrini, Land League, O'Beirne, and two men named Murray, all of Ballinamore, and Gallahy and Reilly, of adjacent villages, have been arrested under the Coercion Act.