IRELAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1355, 17 November 1877, Page 16

IRELAND.

Contrary to expectation, the Lady* day celebration passed over peaceably in the North of Ireland. From Carlow the harvest reports tell the same story as in most of the other counties. Smythe, the American "postman," recently walked in Dublin 275 miles in/ hours and 45 minutes. ■ Daniel O'Conuell, Esq., of Ballynahown, Caherciyeen, has been appointed to the Commission of the Peace for the County Kerry. ] The Cavan Anglo Celt of September Ist says: — "The continuous rain for the past six weeks has materially interfered with harvest operations in the County Cavan." ■ - i At tbe half-yearly meeting of the Dublin j Tramway Company a dividend of 8 per cent, per annum was declared,' and £750 carried tp the reserve fund. lErom all 'parts of the County Limerick there is an unanimity of statement that the harvest of 1877 will be one of the best experienced for years past. ! The potato crop in the County Mayo, it is apprehended, is most seriously damaged by the recent? Unseasonable wet weather. Hailstones fell with the rain and squalls. 'The Marquis of Conyngham is causing considerable improvements to be made in the town of. Slane. . Several new pumps and fountains are to be erected. Tha farmers of the Wicklow district are somewhat alarmed at the state of agriculture, owing to the contiuous downpour of rain and severe frosts at night. It is estimated that the precautions — military and police — taken in Belfast to preserve the peace during the August " celebrations" are costing the town at the rat 9of about £300 per day. The Cork Examiner says that the Holy Father has been pleased to appoint the Uev. Canon Fitzgerald, ex-president of St. Colman's College, to the vacant See of Ross. The prospects of abundant crops in the County Louth, which were everywhere apparent in the early part of the season, have since St. Swithin'a forty days greatly diminished. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, en receipt of a telegram from the President of the Famine Relief Fund in Madras, appealing for subscriptions for the relief of the famine in India, has opened a subscription list. On August 22nd, the month's memory of the late Sir Colman M. O'Loghlen was celebrated in the Catholic church of Barefield, the parochial church of Drumcondra, the family residenc? of the deceased biroaet, and was attended by a large congregation of clergy and laity. . Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, who is in his 40th year, is not likely to gain much by the parliamentary honours lately thrust upon him, as the position of Crown Prosecutor, which he has held for some years in Australia, roust be a fairly profitable one, the salary of AttorneyGeneral there being £1600 a year, and the four minor judges £3,000 each. Cardinal Cullen issued a circular on September 14th to his clergy, requesting them to make arrangements for a chapel door collection ou Sunday, September 23rd, in aid of the Indian Famine Fund. He alludes to the generous aid already sent by England and Ireland to the relief of the sufferers, but believes that the subscription has not yet had so wide an extent as would be desired. He reminds the people of the fact that during the Irish famine the people of Madras forwarded a munificent contribution, and hopes this will not be forgotten on the occasion of { the subscription. The Protestant Bishop of Limerick has also addressed his clergy on the subject, suggesting a general collection. The Melbourne Argus of Saturday, 27th October, states that Mr Creswick, the actor, gave a reading at Bishopscourt yesterday afternoon, in presence of the Bishop of Melbourne, the Dean, a number of the Anglican clergy, and also many laymen, the company numbering about 100. Sir W. F. Stawell, Sir James M'Culloch, and the Rev. Dr Cairns were among those present. Mr Creg. wick gave selections from "As You Like It," "Much Ado about Nothing," the •'Merchant of Venice," "Hamlet," and " Henry VIII." The readings lasted two hours, and were a source of great pleasure to the audience,