Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 44, 25 February 1887, Page 19

Irish News.

- Antrim. — On December 6 in the offices of the Local Marine Board Belfast, a young sailor named Hugh Sampson was presented with a silver medal and diploma, awarded him by the French Government in recognition for his gallant services in rescuing the shipwrecked crew of the French schooner, Santa Anna, of Paimpol, off the coast of Portugal, on January 20 last. At a late meeting of the Belfast Corporation the estimates for the ensuing year were submitted, and amongst them was one for a late special rate for malicious injuries sustained by parties during the riots. Theclaims which have been allowed by the Corporation for such injuries during the year, in excess of the £1,000 payable out of the General Purposes Rate, amounted to £1,730 10s 5d ; and other claims have been made, amounting to £5,416 Bs, but have not yet been - abjudicated upon. It was agreed to strike a special rate of 2d in the pound on all rateable property within the lighted and watched districts, and l^d on all other rateable property within the borough. Great excitement was caused in Belfast on November 27 by the 'Arrest of two of the leading members of the Ulster Land, Building, and Investment Company, whose affairs have been for some time rather prominently before the public. The Vice Chancellor made the order for the arrest of Mr. Thompson, chairman of the Company , «nd his son-in-law, Mr. Moncrieff, an ex-director, on the affidavit of the liquidator that they were about to leave the country to avoid examination and payment of calls ; further, that they were disposing of their furniture and about to take tbeir departure. An order was also made to seize their goods and chattels. The warrants were duly issued and despatched to Belfast, and no time was loßt in executing them. The prisoners remained in gaol under remand. Armagh. — All the tenants on the estates of Ferdinard Loughran, in this County, have purchased their holdings under Lord Ashbourne's Act at the rather high rate of nineteen years' rental. At the Ulster Winter Assizes on December 6, James Hart was charged with the murder of Thomas Gallagher during the riots in Lurgan on the Bth June. After hearing evidence the jury found the prisoner not guilty and he was discharged. On the following day, Arthur Donnelly, a merchant of Lurgan, was tried for firing a revolver in the street on the day that Gallagher was killed. In this case the jury disagreed, nine being for acquittal. Both verdicts were regarded as Nationalist triumphs, and there were popular demonstrations which led to disturbances. The house of Mr. Sloane, a prominent citizen, was wrecked, and the windows of several houses were broken. Bonfires were lighted in the streets, and the opposing crowds became so disorderely that the police authorities requisitioned for military assistance, and two troops of dragoons were sent to the town. Extra constables were also drafted into the town. Cavan. — On November 28 a meeting of tenants on the estate of the Marquis of Headfort was held in the Market House, Virginia, in order to contradict a statement made by M. W. O'Connor, the agent, that the bulk of the tenants were paying the rents and checks were coming in regularly. Out of the 317 tenants on the estate 185 attended. Fifty were unable through physical inability to be present, and a good many others had not heard of the intention to hold a meeting, and therefore did not attend. Those who did attend stated positively that they had not paid, and would not as long as the landlord maintained his present attitude. Clare. — On December 4, the body of a private named Hobarty, belonging to the detachment of the Enniskillen Fusiliers stationed at Clare Castle, was found floating in the River Fergus near the Clare Slob Reclamation Works. All the tenants on Whitby's West Clare estate farm Carrigaholt, Rahona, Moyarta, and Kilcloher have been allowed from 20 to 40 per cent on their judicial rents. Where a tenant or his wife died during the year a gale's rent was forgiven to the husband or wife. Where cattle died on the tenants Bimilar concessions were given, and very poor tenants were given money to tide them over the winter as well -as receiving clear receipts for all arrears to start on anew. Marcus Keane's tenants have been allowed from 30 to 40 per cent on the old .judicial rents, according to the exigencies or condition of the tenants. In fifty years a more terrific storm has not been experienced in Kilrush and Kilkee tuan the one that raged from midnight on December 7, to noon the following day. The damage sustained by the houses in town is incalculable, while the Kilrush Workhouse especially the hospital and infirmaries, are almost completely wrecked, and the damage done to the Kilruse Convent is very great. Several of the largest trees in Mr. Vandeleur's demesne around Kilrush House were torn up by the rootß. The steamersjplying to Limerick ceased to ply, and two large vessels passed in the Shannon in a completely disabled state. Such a day and night have not been experienced in half a century. A number of accidents have been reported of persons whose business compelled them to go out. The tide at one o'clock rose unusually high, and went over the Revenue Pier at Cappa, access to the steamer offices being almost impossible and extremely perilous. > Cork. — On December 1, a party of voluntary laborers on the farm of John Griffin, Bally ra try, ceased work on learning that Griffin had paid his rent. At Newmarket Petty Sessions on December 3, an Emergency man named JNunan was prosecuted for having assaulted a policeman named Lynch in the hut where they are stationed at Scarteen. The offence having bees proved the defendant was fined 20s and costs. Cork defence Union held their monthly meeting on December 4. The report read by the Secretary stated the Union was si ill rendering efficient aid to boycotted farmers. About 60 men were in the employment of the Union at present, and about 35 employed in working for -boycotted farmers. Such a gale as has not been experienced on this coast for over a • quarter of a century swept the harbor of Queenstown for over 24 -hours on December 8 and 9. Several vessels were seriously damaged ;

all telegraphic communication was broken, and the Cross-Chanael and Trans-Atlantic steamers were delayed for hours. Qaeenstown Town Commissioners at their meeting on December 6, were given notice of motioD by Major Curry that at their noßfc meeting notice be served on C. G. Doran that his services as manager of the waterworks would not be required after February 20, next, as they had no need for so highly-paid an official, and because Mr. Doran had several times grossly insulted members of tbe Board. Mr. Doran has long been identified with the National cause in Coik. Derby.— Derry Corporation at a meeting on Nov. 29 decided ts build the new Town Hail of stone from Dumfries in Scotland s preference to a superior article from the neighboring quariies rf Monntcharles, in the County Donegal. At the Derry Presentment Session on December 1, Robert Forsythe, Bishop street (without) was granted £10 compensai iun fsr loss and damage inflicted on houses and buildings, his properly, at Abercorn Place on July 21. Mrs. Mary Ann Roddy was allowed £8 to compensate her for a window glass and a window screen, her property being maliciously broken and destroyed at Bishop street on July 6. Thos. O'Hanlan and Co. were granted £30 to compensate them for injury sustained ,by reason of a number of windows 5 thei r property, being maliciously broken and destroyed at Bishop's Gate on J uly 11. All these claims arose out of Orange riots. Recently the tenantry of Bey. R. W. Browne, Donnornmore, Tyrone, having holdings in the townlands of Ruskey, Tralce. Tarnlaght, Mowilliam, and Ballinderry, in this county, feeling t,ie uic^,.re of the times forwarded a memorial to the reverend landloid asking for a substantial reduction in the half-years' rent now due. Among* the other reasons suggested why such abatement should be allowed was "that the majority of the landlords of Ireland were g< anting large abatements, as the public prints daily testify." The e»antry have received a flat refusal of their request: The minister ins s3« his pound of flesh, and somewhat peevishly declares that ME tHe public prints would leave off encouraging discontent, and encourage industry and thrit, it might be better."

Donegal.— On December 1. a stirring scene was enacted in Inver around the temporary abode of Michael Griffen. Mr. Gi ffen was evicted two years ago from his farm, held under Willum S .ic'.-ur, and it was resolved by the local branch of the National L -'c to aid him in a manner most available as a wounded soldier in i he Lin* War. Pursuant to a resolution of the branch convoys w,h lirge quantities of potatoes converged on his dwelling in the afuroooa. The Inver fife and drum band headed the main convoy. As i hey neared their destination they found to approach from varons other points of the compass contingents almost as imposing as their owi. The evicted Michael Griffen stood in front of his she'-ng. and, seeing himself beset on every side with succour, could scarcely refrain from tears of gladness, and, as he said himself, ih <t moment he felt compensated if it were the case that he had been evicted twenty times over. . . On November 30, a remarkably imposing meeting was hekl at Dungloe to protest against a number of evictions that are pending on the island of Arranmore. From an early hour in the moi nmg p v ties from the outlying districts commenced to arrive in the town. rmd xt was evident that the demonstration would be a very 1,3.* one. Shortly after 12 o'clock a procession, headed by a wags<...,t\ m which were Mr. Bernard Kelly, M.P.,and Mr. M. M'Cartan M. '■>.. r-ui otner gentlemen, left the town to meet the Gweedore and .. >. l coatingents the former of which numbered over 600 members. Nomeot the contingents travelled nearly 20 miles,and there was no dist> i-t . o i ma iy miles around which wasnot represented. The procession wns .T-c-n*. panied by the following bands, each of which had a most a...,, op- ate banner : Dungloe Hibernian Fife and Drum, Meenacro=s. X <. - .i-^i, Acre, Meenmore, Glenahilt, Anaghra, Keadue, Owm. .ie. loe bandsmen were attired in suitable uniforms. The procession was led by Mr. James Glackin, a bard, who, mounted on a horsre. w * .^ red in a uniform of green and gold, and carried a harp, ibe ho -s '»«,ag led by two pages similarly attired. The horsemen— of «Imh mere were a very large number— went two deep, and the p . -n^te four deep. Shortly after one o'clock a meeting was held ii :< v iat the head of the town. The attendance numbered fully b x .oa«aad and a Government official who was present estimated it ai a much higher figure. It was significant to note that Lord Kin -*a ll<.u 'lon • wasau interested auditor. The greatest enthusiasm prey -■'• add the demonstration was one of the most successful yet held m the 0UI ]Dublin.— The statue which it is intended to erect over the grave of Dr. Cahill in Glasnevin Cemetery is now approa-n ug completion, and will soon be in a condition to be remove I fom Loe studio of Mr. Cahill, the sculptor. The statue is a most sl ik ng one, and portrayß the great orator in the act of addressing a coa 4 , -.ition, attired in surplice and stole, which the sculptor has skilfu'iy av.iled of to display some delicate repousse work. The material employed is Irish limestone, which is much better adapted to the humid c lm ite than the more commonly used Carrara marble ; besides, the hm^ oae allows of a very bigh degree of finish, and altogether pi\ an appearance quite in keeping with the bold, striking character of the BtatU A promising crop of Irish tobacco has been raised in this Count j by Laurence McCormack on his farm at Lispopple, near Swords. The seeds employed were Havanna and Kentucky varieties, somewhat less than an acre of ground being devoted to the experiment. The seed was not sown until the middle of May and the plants not pot out until late in June ; but although nearly a month late and handicapped by a summer of unusually low temperature, the crop prospered and was cut by the end of the first week m September, put into drying sheds, and by November 20, cured and ready for packing. The quality and condition of the crop was favourably commented m by tobacco manufacturers and others who visited Lispopple, tie colour, flavour, and condition auguring well for future experiments m thiß MaribSughstreet Cathedral was re-opened on December 8, after having undergone very extensive alterations and improvement*!.

The appearance of the sacred edifice has been improved to an extent i that woiild have at first seemed scarcely possible without an actual i structure* alteration. The brilliant colouring of the classic ornamentation ha& had a really wonderful effect in giving a lightness and < warmth to the church, and the somewhat daring experiment of 1 placing an " eye "in the summit of the domo has been quite justified { by the result. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Grace the I Archbishop, assisted by the Dean and Chapter of Dublin, the assistant I wtißt being Archdeacon McMahon ; the Very Rev. Canoa Horgan and < fiKmon Dillon, assistant canons ; Father G-owan, CO., deacon ; Father i Ttoyle, CO., sub-deacon. Tne Rev. Canon Fitzpatrick and Rev. i Charles Ridgeway had charge of the ceremonies. The following 1 members of the Hierarchy were preaeat :— Archbishop Mcßviily, i Archbishop Oroke, Dr. Carr, Archbishop Designate, of Melbourne ; Dr. Domnelley, Bishop of Clogher ; Dr. Donnelly, Bishop of Canea ; , Dr. \Voodlock, Bishop of Ardagh ; Dr. MacCormack, Bishop of Achonry ; Dr. Logue, Bishop of Raphoe ; Dr. Giilooly, Bishop of Blphin ; Dr. Con way, Bishop of Killala ; and Dr. Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick. The attendance of the clergy was very large, representatives' from nearly all the Orders having houses in this country being present. The following members of the Corporation attended in their robes : — The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, M.P.; Peter McDonald, M.P., High Sheriff ; Rev. Robert Conlan, Chaplain ; W. F. Dennehy, Secretary ; AldermenJoseph Meade, J.P. ; Peter Byrne, Laurence Mulligan, John Nagle ; Councillors— John L. Robinson, C.E. ; George Perry, Phillip Little, James J. Kennedy, Denis J. Cogan, Richard Toole, Henry J. Gill, M.P. ; Edward McMahon, Hen.y Holahan, Patrick Oummins, and the civil officers. Fkbmanagh. — At the Kesh Petty Sessions on December 8. a Bmmmons at the suit of James Anderson against Charles M'Elrone for possession of a dwelling-house came up for hearing. It appeared from the evidence that M'Elrone, who is a labourer, was tenant to the plaintiff of a house in Gortachan at a rent of one shilling a week under a written agreement until about a month before last Revision Sessions for North Fermanagh, when plaintif , who is a tenant of Captain Barton, made M'Elrone and his wife^under threat of eviction, sign an agreement by which M'Elrone declared he gave up possession of a dwelling-house to the plaintiff Anderson, and that his wife became tenant in his place. This was admittedly done by Anderson for the purpoßeof disfranchising M'Elrone who is a Nationalist. The Revising Barrister, however, refused to disfranchise him, inasmuch as the document was prepared in order to defeat the Franchise Acts. Accordingly Anderson served M'Elrone with a notice to quit, upon which he brought the present summons for possession. Mr. Wray contended that according to plaintiff's own showing M'Elrone's wife and not himself was tenant, and as she had been served with neither summons nor notice to quit, the plaintiff should fail. The Court ruled accordingly, and dismissed the case. The case excited great interest, and the defeat of the nefarious attempt to dishouse a Nationalist who had a vote was received with approval. GALWAT.— On November 26, Hamilton Smith, agent on the property of Mr. Young, J.P,, accompanied by some bailiffs and a small force of police, proceeded to Donula, a village on the seashore, for the purpose of evicting a man named M'Donagh for the nonpayment of rent. The ringing of the chapel bell gathered some hundreds of persons, armed with spades, scythes, etc., to the scene. They surrounded M'Donagh's house and refused the bailiff admittance. Loud cheers were given for the Rev. Father Heaney, who was present, and groans were given for the agent, who left without carrying out the eviction. The Bishop of Galway, has written to Prof, Townsend, J.P., hon. sec.,~of tbe committee appointed to prepare evidence to be given before the Industries Commission on behalf of the Galway and Chfden Railway, suggesting that the Governmemt should be asked to undertake eifher directly or indirectly this most necessary work, and, if they refused, to abandon the project for the present aud wait until a native Government will take it in hand. The Bishop describes the condition of the tenants in this vast district as miserable and abandoned. Combined flood, and fire, fever and passing famine, his lordship says, could not equal the chronic desolation produced. A violent storm accompanied by heavy rain, commenced in Ballinasloe on the night of December 8, about 11 o'clock, increased in magnitude until morning, and blew all next day with unabated vigour. No storm that has visited Galway for a number of years has continued so long, and though the great storm of October, 1882, was more destructive to property in a short time the destruction caused by this storm will be more general. Slates, timber, branches of trees, and chimney-pots strewed the streets, rendering any kind of traffic impossible. The top of the scaffolding containing machinery for hauling up material of the new tower of St. Michael's Church, Balliaasloe, was entirely swept away into the Suck, but fortunately the other part of the scaffolding and the tower escaped uninjured. A portion of the wooden bridge across the River Suck, at River street, was damaged, and carpenters had to be employed to set it right. In the country trees have fallen across the roads, and most miraculous escapes are told of. Michael Hannon, agent, Canal Company, Harbour House, Bafiiinasloe, was out at tbe back of the house at about 10 o'clock, .am., with one of his children, who followed him looking at the ravages of the storm. In the vicinity there is a rookery, 85 feet high, containing Borne thousand tons of stones, and which have been there for seventy years. On the top there is a bell, which was used in former times for the starting of packet boats. He had only been a few seconds in the place when he heard the bell commence ringing, and immediately it came tottering down, the whole place having given way. The debris flew in all directions, and Mr. Hannoa having seized the child in his arms made good his escape, though stones fell on every side of him. In the Citie of the Tribes itself all the dock gates were smashed, and much damage done to the shipping in the quay. Kerry. — A fearful storm swept over Killarney on December 8. Business had to be suspended in the town during all the forenoon.

and the window shutters of the stores left on lest the shop fronts would be shattered On Dacember 6 George O'Gorman, Kilkeneeden, a farmer on the estate of H. A. Herbert, Muckross, and who is living about five miles to the west of Killarney, in the parish of Bally ar, sold out all his goods, consisting of fifty tons of prime upland hay, ten tons of straw, ten tons of potatoes, forty tons of turnips, ten tons of maugolds, as Samuel Hussey, tbe agent, would not give him any reasonable concessions. After the sale the removal of the crops was proceeded with, and were removed miles away at an early hoar. There were about eight hundred men and four hundred horses engaged in the working, Hussey, who was contemplating a seiaure of O'Gorman 's stock and crops, has been completely foiled. Kildarb.— lhe Athy tenants of Ellen Butler have refused to pay any rent unless they get a reduction of 20 per cent. At the meeting of the Naas Guardians on December 1 an eviction notice was received in the case of Edward Tisdall v. Richard Flood, from the lands of Wellfield, near Bally more- Eustace. On November 28 a crowd of farmers and labourers assembled to carry to its destination a wooden honse which had been built by t he Kildare branch of the Irish National League, for James Connolly and his family. The family were evicted some few months since from the home which he had occupied for nearly half a century at Rathilla, near Kildare. This house, constructed entirely of timber, is 20 feet long by 10 feet wide, and divided into two compartments. It was placed on wheels for conveyance to the Bite selected, wbich was kindly given by John Murray, a tenant on the same property, and opposite to the farm from which this poor old man and his family were turned out. _ A plentiful supply of horses and hundreds of fine stalwart boys vicing with each other to assist, the structure was quickly hauled the two Irish miles and placed directly opposite James Connolly's former residence — now occupied by two emergency men. Kilkennt.— Recently the Hon. Bel lew Bryan offered to sell their holdings to the tenants on the Clough estate at 18 years' purchase. The tenants considered the rate of purchase too high and declined the offer. At a late meeting of the Thomastown Board of Guardians eviction notices at the suit of Charles Tottenham and others against E. McGrath, Patrick "White, John White, Patrick Dowling, and James Dowling, all of Uppergrange, were laid before the board. Lbitrim. — At the meeting of the Drumshambo branch of the League on November 28 a resolution was passed unanimously condemning bog-grabbing. It was also resolved to return Francis Murray his subscription, he having earned it by working for grabbers. John McManus, Drumhaver, came before the meeting, and said that in future he would in no way infringe on the League rules. All present considered his apology sufficient. At the meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Guardians on December 2, Relieving Officer McManus handed in eviction notices at the suit oE Thomas Fox and Charles Fox, of Aughrania, the executors of Peter Early, against Patrick McCabe and Elizabeth McCabe. Notices were also received at the suit of John Ross Mahon against Francis McGourty, William McLaughlin, Michael Gordon, Michael McGaye, and others, of Drumristrim ; James McKeon, Michael Corrigan, Myles Wynn, Stephen Wynn, Francis McTague, Michael Kearney, Edward Simpson, Michael Gordon, Owen Mulvey, and others. The agent is George Mahon, of Ballydonnel, Loughrea. These evictions are only the forerunners of many others threatened in the same district. Limerick. — A fearful gaie was experienced in the city on December 8, Great damage was done to Barrington's Hospital, the Workhouse, Literary Institute, and the Ridemptorists' Church. Eight cases of accidents resulting from the storm were trextel at Barrington's Hospital. Several houses in Irishtown were wrecked and burned. One schooner, the Osilla. owned by Mr. Glynn, Kilrush, broke loose and was dashed against the quay wall with great violence. She wa9 completely wrecked, and after a short time sunk in the river. At the meeting of the Limerick National League, on December 3, the question was discussed as to the action of Irish Nationalists in reference to the Queen's jubilee. Mr W. Abraham deprecated any attempt to prove that Irish Nationalists were willing for one moment to sink their demand for self-government. Mr. Stephen O'Mara, the Mayor, said the Qjeen during her fifty years' reign had even in the famine year shown very little kindness to Ireland, and the Irish people could not help giving tit for tat. He thought Irishmen should take no part in the celebration, and that no offer of knighthood to mayors should be accepted. Early on the morning of December 6, the houses of several Loyalist and othT farmers in the Ashford district were visited by a party of some 15 men, who demanded arms. The party were armed and disguised, and were not recognized by any of the farmers. They visited among others the houses of Bartholomew Brennan and John O'Mahony, from each of whom they obtained a gun. They also visited the house of Edward Winter, where they obtained a revolver. The party met with no resistance, as the arms were given up freely. District- Inspector Tweedy visited the scene, but no clue to the identity of the raiders was discovered. After this official visit a later report ! showed that the raid was not confined merely to the Ashford district. The police learned that the house of John McCarthy, Drumdeven, I was first visited, from whom they took a gun. The party, it is alleged, numbered 40, and were partly disguised and armed. From 1 McCarthy's they crossed two hills towards Ashford, where a raid was made on three farmers' houses, and two guns and a re\olver taken. Retracing their steps they crossed the hills and directed their steps ! towards Denis D ily's of Mount Plummer. It was about two o'clock 1 in the morning when the Dalys were startled by the demand for " admittance made upon them. Edmond, brother of Denis accordingly ' gave them admission. Four of the Moonlighters held him, as also Denis, while the others of them ransacked the place for arms. One . gun and the barrel of another were found. They next visited John . Enrightand took his double-barreled gun.

Longfobd. — The Earl of Granard's tenants on December 4, refused a reduction of 15 per cent offered only to those who had not gone into tho Land Courts, and refused to p^y any rent at all unless at a reduction of 30 per cent on judicial and 40 per cent on old rents.

Louth. — At the meeting of the Dundalk Guardians oo November 29, Mr. Nugent produced notices served upon him during the week of the intention of Mary McOann, Billinurd to evict Rose Wade from and premises in Ballinurd, and of the intention of Ellen JPirkland to evict Thomas King from a house in Defender's Row, TSundalk.

On November 30, Rev. George A. Taaffe, 0.C., late of St. Mary's parish, Drogheda, and now of Enfield, Meath, was presented with a splendidly-wrought purse containing 180 sovereigns, and also with a fast-trotting pony and trap worth £100, by the parishioners of St. Mary's, in token of the respect and esteem in which he was held both as a priest, friend, and counselor, and as a souvenir on his departure from Drogheda. The presentation took place in the parochial house, South Quay, and was made by Patrick Mathews, J.P., and Thomas Matuews, J.P. Ah illuminated address was also presented.

Mayo. — A hurricane of unprecedented violence swept over Caetlebar on the night of December 7, and during the whole of the morning and forenoon of the following day. The gale was accompanied by heavy and incessant rain and sleet. The damage caused in many localities is considerable, and many dwelling houses in the town received serious injury, especially the Imperial Hotel which was completely unroofed, the occupants narrowly escaping.

Monaghan. — The Marquis of Bath's tenants, at a meeting in Carrickmacross on December 6, resolved to give no more than 15 years' purchase for their holdings, which the Marqnis is anxious to sell to them.

Queen's County.— On the night of November 30, a destructive fire took place in the haggard of a farmer named Lalor, near Coolahill. A rick of his hay, about 50 tons of straw, and a quantity of unthreshed corn were entirely consumed. JHia loss is estimated at £200. The fire is supposed to have been accidental, as men were employed thatching the sameday.

At the meeting of the Abbeyleix Guardians on November SO, Relieving Officer Ryan handed in the following notices of eviction :—: — Richard Colbeck, Bailacolla, against John McGrath, Park ; William Cannon and Anne Cannon, Ruhmines, against John Baanon, for, possession of dwelling house and premises situated at the Square Rathdowny ; Joseph H. Kennedy and Richard Kennedy, agaiust James Farrell, for possession of a house and premises in the town of Rathdowney ; Penelope Palmer against tiichard Sheeran, for posession of part of the lands of Ballybuggy, in the parish of Rathdowney

ROSCOMMON. — Doon and Cloonfree Branch of the National League during the month of November aided 100 names to their muster roll, and have now over 300 members in good standing on their books, nearly the entire male adult population of the parish

At a late Petty Sessions at dtrokestcnva the widow Hunt, of Cloonfree, a feebls old woman of seventy-five summers, was sent to prison for the fifth time for retaking possession of her small farm. She had been ruthlessly evicted from this blighted patch at the hands of a local squireen named Mahon, and each time the poor old woman entered her cabin this thief had hjr summoned before the Justice Shallows of Sirokestown, and summarily conveyed to goal. There can be no grabber found in the community to take the feeble old woman's land. The example set by the brave old woman tottering on the brink of the grave is one worthy of the people who have been actors in the now famous land-war aiound Strokestown. The name of the widow Hunt has become a household word within several miles of the neighbourhood of Strokestown.

Sligo. — On November 29, a large public demonstration was held at Balhuatad. Large contingents headed by bands attended from all the neighbouring districts, and the people, many of whom had been in contact with the police at the proclaimed meetings in Ballymote and Kiverstown on the previous Sunday, displiyed the utmost enthusiasm. Mr. O Kelly, M.P., who was ace -inpanied by Mr. Jasper Tully, was received with loud cheering on driving up on an outside car. A couple of policemen from the neighboring police station attended and took notes of the speeches.

Tipperary. — A terrific gale b.'gan in Tipperary on the morning of December 8, and continued with unabated fury during the entire day. The destruction to property was considerable. Scarcely a person was seen on the streets during the day, and so great was the storm the shutters had to be put up to almost every shop in town Trees were uprooted in large numbers in Greenaae, feverboro', Cordangan and elsewhere, and outhouses in bad condition belonging to farmers were unroofed. Slates were put flying like hailstones off the new mliitary and constabulary barracks. There is scarce a shop in town on which damage has not been done. At Cauir the ridge tiles were blown off most of the houses, and several were wholly unroofed. Part of the constabulary barrack 3 was blown down, and a constable wbfc, was in a bedroom had a very narrow escape, for tons of stone and trick fell near him Tyrone.— Strabane Provincial Bank was robbed of £2,000 in notes on December 3, during the temporary absence of the manager. The crowbar brigade began their work in South Tyrone on November 20, along the bleak hill sides of Lurganbuoy, near Ballygawley, by the eviction of an aged man named Peter Murphy, together with a little niece who resided with him. The unfortunate man had a farm of some 27 acros on the estate of Lady Verner which bad been handed down to him through a long ancestral lineage. The rent some thirty years ago was about £9, but after Murphy hid expended much capital in erecting a neat farm house, and after improving the land very considerably, the landlord raised the rent by £4 lUs. Such a burden soon pioved an impossible task to discharge, and hence he ran into arrears, in consequence of which an ejectment process was served upon him. The advent of the evicters was

heralded by the blowing of horns and many other popular manifes Q tations of displeasure, and a vast crowd collected on the scene. O entering the house the bailiffs found Murphy, a man of some 80 year 8 ' feebly inclining over the fire, whilst the little girl who resided with him was in a terribly excited state. The bailiffs had to carry the old man outside. Then the house appurtenances were rudely removed, and amongst the debris a spectator discovered a rather curious manuscript, bearing date 12th May, 1844, and which purported to be a letter then appointing Murphj as a •' Repeal Warden." This fact, added to the circumstances that the old man had a few months since hazarded himself very much by going for some four or five days to Aughnacloy Sessions to have his vote registered, while he was in a precarious state of health, strengthened the sympathy of the popular party very much. All the furniture accomodations having been rid out, the door was locked by the bailiffs. It was not without difficulty that peace was preserved . Several other evictions are reported to be about to take place, and the district is in a rather excited state.

Watebfobd. — Waterford Corporation, at their monthly meeting on December 1, unanimously re-elected Alderman Power as Mayor for the ensuing year. He promised that he would accept no jubilee honours from the Queen. The names of Thomas Sexton, M.P. ; John Dillon, and Henry Grainger were sent to the Caßtle for the Sheriff to be chosen from.

The 19th anniversary of the execution of the Manchester Martyrs , Allen, Larkin, and lO'Brien, was commemorated in Waterford on November 23. The Thomas Meagher Brass and Fife and Dram bands and the Ferrybank, accompanied by about 500 torch bearers, formed at the end of the Manor and marched through Parnell st., followed by at least 5,000 personß. On arriving opposite the City Hall the Mayor briefly addressed them from the window of the reading room of the National and Literary Club. They then proceeded around the Quay, up Thomas st., through Morgan st., Ballybricken; Patrick st., Michael st., John st,, and Waterside, where they dispersed. About a half-hour later the Amateur Brass Band paraded the same streets, accompanied by another large torch-light procession and a very orderly crowd. From the windows of St. Patrick's Hall, Morrison's Road, was suspended a large banner bearing on one side, " In Memory of Allen, Larkin, and O'Brien," and on the other, " Ireland Mourns Her Martyred &ons," which was overhung by a number of torches.

Wkstmeath. — A few days ago the tenants upon the Ring estate were called to pay their rent. Mr. Darley, of Darley and Roe, solicitors, attended as agent. When the tenants were getting notice of the rent collection, Kelly, an evicted tenant, was noticed to attend. He duly attended, and walked into the presence of the great man with his hat on. Unu-ed t<i such manhood, Hr. Darlev gruffly reauired, " Was not Kelly aware that it was the cusotn for a tenant to remove his hat when he (appeared in the office?" Kelly manfully replied, That such might be the custom of others, but was not his. His would not be lifted for any one, save a piiest.

Wexfokd,— On November 5 a small fishing boat belonging to a man named Duggan was caught out in a gale of wind in the South Bay. The t»ea in less than twenty minutes rose fearfully high, and nothing could be seen but white foam, and the people at Kosslare thought several times the boat was gone, as she disappeared sometimes for more than five minutes. Duggan, who is a hardy fellow, knew that his only chance was to run for Ros^-lare harbour ; to face Wexford bar would be sure death. After shipping a good deal of water he reached the pier, where he was met by John Byrne, the overseer of the works, who by signals showed him where to come, and in a short time Duggan and his little boat rode in safety in the shelter of the pier. Another Wexford fishing-boat, belonging to Mr. Bell, was caught out in the same gale and had to make to the same harbour for safety.

Wicklow.— On November 9 Richard Fenton, a middleman, holding from the E irl of Wicklow, evicted Patrick Hore, an undertenant of his, from his holding at Knocknaminion, near Donard, for non-payment of rent. Hore held 5£ acres of land at a rent fixed by agreement under the Land Act at £14 10s per annum. The valuation of the holding is £1, and the old rent paid up to a few years ago £17 3s 9d. On the land is a woollen factory worked by Hore which is valued at £10 a year. The poor man has a family of eight, including himself and his wife ; the ages of the children ranged between 16 and 5 years. Theie were three years' rent due, and last June a writ was served. Hore offered to pay two years' rent aud the remainder after the harvest. The middleman refused.

" Rough on Piles." — Why suffer piles ? Immediate relief and complete cure guaranteed. Ask for " Rough on Piles." Sure cure for itching, protruding, bleeding, or any form of Piles. How is it that whilst the consumption of tea is increatsing rapidly, that of coffee is decreasing ? Ceylon is one of the homes of the coffee trade. In the year ending September, 1870, it exported, 1,019,000 cwt. of coffee ; in the year similarly ending in 1880 it sent out 669,000 cwt. only ; and in the year ending with September last it exported 223,000 cwt. only, not a quarter of the quantity seventeen yeais ago. In the same time the exports of tea from Ceylon were only".l,700 lb. in the year euding in September, 1877 ; but now about 7,000,000 lb. are sent out. This is the experience of Ceylon, a nation producing the three articles of beverage, tea, coffye, and cocoa. At Louvain Professor Lamy has just issued to subscribers the second volume of his sumptuous edition of the inedited works of St. Ephrem, the great Syriac doctor(S. Ephraemi Syri Hymni et Sermones). The volume contains hymns and sermons on the Nativity, Our Blessed Lady, the Miracles and Resurrection of Our Lord, Lent, etc., besides commentaries on several prophets. Another Louvain savant, the veteran Professor Felix Neve, has issued at the same time a most instructive and valuable book on the Christian literature of Armenia (L'Armenie Chretienne et sa Litterature, Peeterg), of a most interesting character to the Church historian, as well as to the student of Oriental learning. It is perhaps not generally known that M, N*ve is as eminent an Armenian scholar as he is a Sankritist (