Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 25, 14 October 1887, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— Both the Belfast Franchise Bill and the Main Drainage Bill have been disposed of in Parliament. Mr. Sexton fought foi four points and he has gained them, after a struggle of two years duration, with signal success. These points were : — I, the extension of the Belfast Municipal Franchise ; 2, tne application of the new franchise to this year's register; 3, the retirement of the whole Council next November ; 4, the postponement of the main drainage scheme until ratified by the new Council. Mr. Sexton is to be heartily congratulated on the result of his labours, and the workingmen of Belfast are enthusiastic in their appreciation of his efforts on their behalf. Abma«h. — A dastardly outrage was perpetrated at Silverwood, abont a mile from Lurgan, on July 12, by some Orangemen on their return from Lurgan. As Mrs. Mallon, a Catholic, was returning home from her work at the Rev. Adam Cuppage's, she was attacked and badly beaten. She was brought to Dr. Magennis's to have her woundf dressed. One of the wounds is very serious, and the doctor considers her life in danger. The police were communicated with, her depositions were taken, and a man named Gracey has been arrested and sent to Armagh Gaol. After beating Mrs. Mallon, the party went on and wrecked the house oE a Catholic named Lavery. A nuoaber of tbe Catholics of Silverwood applied to the authorities for police protection, having strong apprehensions that disturbances would occur, bnt no protection was given them, nor were any extra police brought into Lurgan for this anniversary. The business people had to close their shops altogether owing to this want of pfotection. Cabutw.— This County is in the Dublin Military District and forms part of No. 66 sub-District, in conjunction with the counties of Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow, the depot of the Brigade being at Naas, in Kildare. There is only one barrack station in the County, that at the town of Carlow, which usually accommodates a couple of cavalry squadrons and half a battalion of infantry. These are to be strengthened, and there is talk also of establishing military stations at Bagnalstown and Tullow. The agent of Mr. Grace, of Gracefield, whose tenaats, accompanied by Father John Maher, asked for a reductioa of 30 per cent. on non-judicial and 20 per cent, on judicial tenancies, and who, having been refused returned without paying, has granted 25 and 15 per cent, abatement on their respective tenancies, and has been paid on these terms. Similar reductions have been given by the Rev. Mr. Trench, cousin of the Lansaowne agent, on the Ball ; ntubert estate, in the same parish. '• Those woo run may read." CAVAN.— At the Assises Justice Lawson was glad to tell the Grand Jury that their duties were or a very light description. There were only three unimportant offences to be sent before them, and those were of a class that required no observation from him. The barometer of profit and loss that the farmers study is the prices that prevail at fairs. They can get little hope fiom the last two held in this County. At BallyjamsduflE faic on July 18, there was a fair average supply of stock, especially youDg stores, a good attendance of buyers, and a iair busi less doae, but prices ruled generally low. At Blacklion monthly fair, on July 22, there was a good supply of stock, a full attendance of buyers, and a fair average amount of business done, but pnrjs i r all classes except in the milk department ruled low, nn<i not up to the expectations of sellers. Clabe.— The tenants of Mrs. Vandeleur, West Clare, have now been allowed an abatement of 33 per cent, which was resitted far six months. The tenants lodged their rents under the Plan of Campaign when their demands were first refused. The Clare sub-Commissioners have just given their decisions in cases on the estates of Lord Inchiquin, Lady Inchiquin, Marquis Conyngham, Rev. W. B. Smith, and Captain O'Callaghan. In tbe cases of the latter landlord the abatements averaged 25 per cent. In many cases on the other estates tho jents were reduced 30 per cent. At Bunratty, on June 16, the police visitel the houses of a number of farmers and other residents in the district, and seized many guns and firearms, for which the owners held licences It appeared, however, that in the previous night's Gazette the licences of the owners in questiou had been revoked and the police had been instructed by telegraph to make the tczure. During the week ending 17th July, 571 emigrants left Queenstown, beiDg an increase of 131 over the corresponding period of last year. At the City Assizeß, on July 22, the Grand Jury adopted a resolution condemning in forcible terms the brutal Coercion Actwh'chis now the law of the land. The County Assizes were opened on July 19, by Justice Johnson who, in his address to the Grand Jury, congratulated them on tbe fact that the number of cases to go before them was not large, having regard to the size of tbe County. Iheie was a considerable decrease in the number of cases from the East Riding as compared with 12 months ago, but in the West Riding there was a slight increase. On the whole, crime that could be regarded {as serious had greatly diminished. Addressing the Grand Jury of the City of Cork on July 22, Justice O'Brien congratulated them on the remarkable absence of crime observable in the City ot Cork for a long period. In this respect Cork possessed a record which could not be excelled nor equalled by any place of equal size in the Three Kingdoms. There was but oue case of any serious character to be tried, and the person charged in that case was a seafaring man— a stranger to Cork. Dublin.— At a meeting of tbe Dublin Corporation on July 19, a letter was read from Mr. Davilt resigning his seat as a representative of the Council in the Port and Docks Board. AUeiman VVinstanley having moved that the resignation be accepted, Mr, Doyle moved as

an amendment that Mr. Davitt be asked to reconsider his resignation. The amendment was carried without a division. Fermanagh.— Tbe last meeting of the Busslea Branch of tkt League was the largest ever held. It was intended as au answer t* the ' 'oercion Bill. Over 30 new members joined und handed in theif subscriptions. P. Flynn presided. The Secretary asked the Chairman's permission to read for the committee and the meeting th« speech of Michael Davitt at Glasgow on the sth of July. Om hearing it read tbe meeting was unanimously of the opinion that If Balfour's Jubilee Coercion Bill becomes law, the leaders of tha National movement would do well to adopt the lines laid down bj Mr. Davitt, and show to Lord Salisbury and his landlord garrison that the people of Ireland would never yield to any brutal Coercion Act that ever passed through a British House of Parliament. Galwzt. — At the meeting of the Gort Guardianß on July t, notices of evction were handed in from Arthur Alexander against Bartley Nee, Michael Fuery, and John Connors, all of Cahermore, parish of Kinvarra. The Assizes for the County of Galway were opened on July If by the Lord Chief Justice and the Chief Baron. The Ohief Baron presided in the Crown Court, and, addiessing the Grand Jury, B*l4 tbe criminal business to go before them at the present assizes wag considerable, being much larger tnan ordinary. There were in all 23 cases to be considered. Four of these cases had been adjourned from the last assizes, and in the remaining 19 bills would ba •ant to the Grand Jury. Several meetings of ratepayers of the Lough Oorrib drainage districts have been held to protest against the neglect of the drainage trustees in allowing the main draint to become silted up, thereby causing seriouß injury to the property of occupiers and owners of land by frequent flooding. At the Land Commission Court held in Galway evidence waß given by 37 tenants to the effect that for several years their property, includingjcrops and live stock, had been destroyed, and that in consequence they had been reduced to poverty. Memorial* have been forwarded from those meetings of the ratepayers to the Lord Lieutenant, asking him to urge upon the Commissioners of Public Works the necessity of sending a properly -qualified engineer down to examine and report, but the Commissioners, when io requested, refused to do so unless they first received a deposit of &3Q, Kerry.— ln a case heard at the Kerry Assizes on July 1$ in which the sub-Sheriff was prosecuted for not having exeouted a decree, evidence was given that the sub-Sheriff lost as much money as would cover the decree in fruitless attempts to seize cattle. Alwayi at the approach of the shrieval party the people would blow horns and tbe cattle would have been driven off before the SheriC had reached the farm. At the usual weekly meeting of the Tralee National League on July, 17 J. O'Donnell proposed the following resolution, which wag unanimously adopted :— " That in accordance wita the advice of our trusted leaders we, the members of the Tralee Branch of the National League, call upon the people of the district to boycott the secret inquiry clause of the for-ever-and-ever Coercion Act by refusing pont blank to be sworn, and thereby show that they are determined to resist this brutal attempt to deprive them of every veßtige of oqb* Btltutional right." On July 14 two young boys named McCrohan, minding some cattle on the Great Basket Island, ventured down one of the clifls by which the Island is surrounded in order to take some sea-gulls from the nests which abound in the place. When partly down the younger of the two boys got afraid and stopped, but the elder went oa and returned soon after to his companion with some gulls. Climbing down again, however, he lost his footing, and tumbling down was pricipitated from an awful elevation into the sea which yawned beneath. Some time after a canoe came round and picked him up as he floated on the water. A series of evictions on the estate of Lord Tentry, at Dingle, commenced on July 21, a force of 60 police protecting the crowbar men. Only three evictions were actually carried out, two other tenants who were threatened having come to a settlement with th« agent at the last moment. There was no opposition offered to th« Sheriff and his forces, and everything passed off quietly, k. notable incident was the refusal of some Emergency-men supplied by the Cork Defence Ucion to assist in the work of eviction and their immediate dismissal by their employers. The evictions were resumed the following day. Several tenants of miserable holdings at the extreme end oE the Dingle promontory were thrown out. Settlements were arrived at in some cases, the agent accepting portion ot the rent. The unfortunate tenants.who are all in the deepest poverty, offered no resistance whatever, and the wretched work was carried out without interruption. Kildare.— Gaelic athletic sports were held at Olane on July 17 in the presence of an enormous crowd of spectators. Justice Harrison opened the Commissioj of Assizes on July \k. Addressing the Grand Jury, he said :— I am happy to tell yon tbat X believe your duties, so for as they are of a criminal nature, at these Assizes will be very light indeed; There are only five cases to go before you, and none of them appear to be of a grave or serious nature. The returns la-'d before me by the County Inspector are satisfactory. On looking over the returns I do not see anything in the state of the County requiring any remarks from me, and there la nothing as far as I have been able to ascertain reflecting in any way oa the peace of your County , Limerick.— At the meeting of the Limerick Corporation on July 20,— tbe Mayor, J. A. O'Keeffe, presiding, — the draft deed of con. veyance of three sites in St. Mary's parish for the erection of art!-. sans' cottages was received from Lord Limerick and signed by the Viayorand Town Clerk on behalf of the Corporation. The Town Council have been gi anted a loan of £3,500 by the Board of Worka for tbe erection of the cottages, which are to be commenced forthwith, the tenders having bden a'reidy accepted. At the Kilmallock Petty Sessions on July 19 eight members of tie Effin Hurling Club were summoned for wilfully and maliciously

trespassing by goaliog ou a farm from which the landlord lately evicted Mrs. Kane, who failed to pay him £4 per acre for it. Peter Bgan, who cares the evicted farm, proved ihe trespass and further stated that he noticed them off, but G. Liston, who defended, contended that he should warn them off individually and not collectively as elicited from him. The resalt was the hurlers got off scot-free. Louth. — Twenty-five prisoners were transferred from Dundalk toOlonmel Gaol on July 11. It is believed that a general shifting of prisoneis is being made through all the gaols of the country in order to provide for possible pressure under the Coercion Act. A public demonstration was held on July 10 at Shortstone, under the auspices of the Faughart Branch of the I. N. L., for the purpose of condemning action of certain parties in grazing their cattle on the farms at Kane and Shortstone from which Patrick Oallan and Mrs. Wiseman had been evicted. Tbere was a large attendance. The road from Dundalk to the place of meeting was spanned at intervals with arches. There was a strong force of police present under District-Inspector Supple and Head-Constable Ballantine, and they had with them a Government reporter. MAYO.— The Lord Lieutenant has declined to entertain the resolution of the Eallina Guardians, praying the release of the Mayo Conspiracy Prisoners, now in their fifth year of prison cell torture. An appea 1 is made to Mayo Nationalists on behalf of M. J. Lyons late Secretary of Aghamore Branch, 1.N.L., who has been sentenced to seven months' imprisonment in Castlebar Gaol on a charge preferred against him by the Ballyhaunis R.I.C. Lyonß was one of Forster's " Suspects " in '82, and spent six months in GaWay gaol under the late Coercion Act. It is the self-sacrificing spirit of such men as Lyons that has raised the people from the serfdom in which cursed landlordism has placed them, and has helped to crush that Tile system. The commiitee hope to raise sufficient funds to maintain this poor man's family during his incarceration. MoNAGHAN. — Every Branch of the League is re-organising to meet the Coercion Act. Priests and people ire co-operatiug to render its provisions ineffectual. Bally bay, Carrickmacross, and Castleblayney report an increase in membership. A new branch has been formed in Glass'ougb. In the town of Monaghan the old League is sending out recruiting sergeants, and a branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association is about to be established. The County has been proclaimed, but the proclamation frightens nobody, Queen's County. — A remarkable demonstration took place at Castletown, near Mountratb, on JuJy 10 in connection with the funeral of Mr. Martin Moore, a well-known Nationalist and one of the Fenian leaders of '67. The funeral cortege was imposing and impressive, and consisted of between 2,000 and 3,000 stalwart men from all parts of Queen's County, over 100 of whom marched in procession, two deep, wearing crape bands and green ribbons, to Churchtown, where the remains of the deceased patriot were laid. The scene afforded a striking testimony of the esteem in which Mr. Moore was held by his friends and political associates, as well as of recognition of the services which he rendered to hi 3 country during the stormy days of '65 and '67. Bligo. — On July 14, the crowbar brigade began the work of extermination on the Hill as estate, in the parish of Templeboy. The notorious bailiff, Farmer, of Ardnaree, accompanied by three ragmen, a tinker, an understrapper of Hillas named Harte, and a minion of sub-Sheriff Alexander, named Mahon, under the protection of CountyInspector Allan, sub-inepec f or Howley, and a party of about sixty policemen armed to the teeth, began the business of the day at Mrs. Cawley's, Crangebeg. They had partly proceeded with the work of eviction, when Father Cosgrove and a number of parishioners arrived on the scene. Though the intervention of Father Cosgro?e arrangements we.c effected by which Mrs Cawley was again reinstated in her holding, and Farmer and his menials replaced the furniture previously removed. The next holdings visited were those of Richard and Thomas Moffit of Douecoy. Tender children and weeping mothers were hurled out upon the streets, and quickly following furniture and household effects piled in one promiscuous heap. They were sternly refused re-admission as caretakers and left upon the roadside exposed to the wind and weather. The gang then proceeded to the holdings of Pat Golden and Pat Cawley, of Donecoy, where they executed their unho'y work in a similar manner, refusing to admit them as caretakers. Father Cosgrove, P.P., Templeboy, and Father D. O'Donoghue, P. P., of Dromore West, were present at the different scenes of eviction. The work of the day was completed about 4 o'clock, when the evicting band took their departure amidst the groans and jeers of the multitude assembled to witness the proceedings. Some eight or ten families are still to be evicted. Considerable excitement prevails here in consequence of the reported seizure by the Sheriff of ihe furniture belonging to the Tubbercurry Union Workhouse for a debt of £700, due by the authorities to Mr. Denis M'Lynn, builder and contrac:or, Sligo, for the erection of a medical officer's residence at Tubbercurry last winter. Mr. M'Lynn applied several times to the guardians for this amount, but every time that he presented himself at the bank for payment his cheque was dishonoured. Tipperary.— At the recent Birmingham Athletic Sports, J. S. Mitchell, the famous hammer-thrower from Emly, madd the grand throw of 124^ft. with the 161 b hammer, 9ft. circle, beating his latest record of 119 ft. 6in. made at the Limerick Athletic Sports. His English opponent threw only 78ft. 4in. Mitchell also took Ist prize in putting the 161 b. weight 39ft. 14in. At Tipperary Petty Sessions on July 14, before Mr. Meldon, R.M., Patrick Quirke and his wife Mary were prosecuted by their landlord, John Woods, for retaking forcible possession at Emly of evicted premises. The husbanJ was fined £1 and costs and £4 compensation or to be imprisoned for one month. The wife said she and her five children would leave the place if let off unpunished. The Court, considering her position, let her off ou guaranteeing to quit at once the evicted premises. Quirke refused to pay the line and was sent to gaoh His Wife and children were sent to the workhouse.

Judge Harrison, addressing the Grand Jury at Clonmelon July 18, said there were only three casea to go before them — a very small number for so large a district as the South Riding oi the County Tipperary— none of them of a grave nature. The County-Inspector's report was favourable and showed a diminution of ten cases since the Assize. The record showed that crime was small, and he hoped indicated the true condition of the inhabitants of the South Riding. But the County has been proclaimed under the Coercion Act as a lawless district, just as if it were as bad as Lancashire or Durham. On July 4, Malachi O'Neil, Kilrois, Latin, was evicted for nonpayment of rent by his landlord, Connt Moore. His poor wife, disabled from age and infirmity, lay on her sick bed when the evicting party arrived. When the things on the premises had been removed, then the poor woman was roaghly told to get out of bed at once. Assisted by her weeping daughter she dressed herself and walked out in the yard, and sat crying by the ditch until the workhouse van arrived to convey her to the cheerless shelter of the Poor Law Union. A number of delegates attended in Mullinahone on July 10 to make arrangements with regard to the memorial over Kickham's tomb. The following were amongst those who attended :—: — Tipperary— P. F. Hayes, Chairman of Town Commissioners; M. O'Dwyer", Hon. Secretary, Memorial Committee ; M. Dalton, Chairman Board of Guardians ; Thomas Kerwick, W. Ryan, B. O, Connell; Clonmel— Thomas Hally, T.C.,P.L.G.; E. Murphy, T.C.P.L.G.; Jeremiah Condon (father of T. J. Condon, M.P.) ; R. J. Roche, P. Ryan, E. Smith. The Mullinahone Reception Committee consisted of T. P. Kickham (brother of the late C. J. Kickham), L. W. Naughten, N. Kickham, M. O'Shea, P. Slatlery, etc. After the visitors had been entertained at Tobin's Hotel a deputation waited upon Rev. Philip Ryan, the pastor of Mullinahone, in order to obtain his consent and approval with regard to the site, and he agreed to place any part of the churchyard at the disposal of the committee, with the approbation of the lllustiious Archbishop of Cashel, who has often given proof of his admiration for the deceased patriot. Tyrone.— Oa July 22, a meeting of the clergy and delegates from the National League branches of the Parliamentary division of East Tyrone was held in the Total Abstinence Hall, Dungannon. Very Rev. Dean Byrne, P.P., V.G., took the chair. The following clergymen were present : — Father McNally, C.C., Pomeroy ; Father McWilliams, C.C., Donoghmore ; Father McGahen, C.C., Clone ; Very Rev. Dean Byrne, P.P., V.G., Dungannon ; Rev. D. Gormill, C.C., Dungapnon. Delegates attended from branches they represented :— Dungannon, Stewartstow n and Coalisland Branch, Pomeroy, Donaghmore, Cookstown, Harbiston (Kildress), Kellyman, Clonoe, Lisan. Ardhoe (Old Cross). Rock, and tilate Quarry. The following resolutions were proposed in globo by Mr. Moffat, seconded by Hugh O'Neill, J.P., Stewartstown, and carried :— That we, the delegates of the National League of East Tyrone, in convention assembled, hereby protest against the so-called Crimes Bill, which we regard not as a Bill directed against crime, but aimed at the suppression of combination amongst the tenant-farmers of Ireland, in order that the landlords may be enabled to exact the last penny of their rack-rents. That although the most brutal Coercion Act ever passed for this country is now the law of the land, we pledge ourselves to persevere in the fight for legislative independence undeterred by force or fraud until victory crowns our efforts. — That we record our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Gladstone, to the Liberal party, and to the English, Scotch and Welsh democracy for their generous advocacy of the cause of justice to Ireland. — That we hereby resolve to work up the revision of East Tyrone with determination and energy, and thus retain the proud position already won of being represented in St. Stephen's by a staunch follower of Charles S. Parnell , Waterford. — On.July 15 and 16 seizures were made at Lisfinney Castle, Tallow, the residence of Mr. Pyne, M.P., for the amount of County cess which Mr. Pyne contends is being illegally levied. A number of sheep were seized, but were returned on the payment of the amount claimed by Mr. Pyne's steward. During the week ended July 9 there were shipped from Waterford port 3,239 bales bacon, 7237 firkins butter, 325 cwt. lard, 701 cases eggs, 305 barrels oats, 250 ban-els barley, 420 pigs, 349 cattle, 1,203 sheep, 91 horses, 23 packages poultry, 344 boxes and barrels fish. Dungarvan annual athletic sports were held on July 18 in the presence of over 10,000 spectator 8. Tom Barry, of Dungarvan, won all the jumping eveuta he entered for — the hop-step-jump with 40ft 6in., the standing jump with lift. 7£in., and the thres standing jumps with 35ft. lin. The running high jump was taken by JU O'Reilly, of Kilrosenty, who cleared the bar easily at sft. B^in., and D. Power and E. J. Walsh tied at the running long jump with the high record of 21ft. 6|in., which WDuld be championship torm at any English athletic gathering. Waterford Boat Club on July 12 won the biggest prize at the Dublin Metropolitan Regatta— the Liftey Cup. There were four Dublin and one Drogheda crew contending against them. The Waterfoid crew, stroked by J. Brophy, were well together, and their dogged pluck and determination were simply irresistible. When it came to real racing, in the two heats won, the Waterford boys were "all there " — on each occasion as the finish was n eared they woio down their opponents and gained ready victories. This was the first occasion on which a WateTford crew gained first honours on Dublin waters. In WaUrfovd the greatest interest was manifested m the result, and when the telegiam "won by three lengths" was received the enthusiasm was unbounded, The boat club flags were immediately run up, and when darkness closed in tar barrels were lit in recognition or the victory. Westmeath.— The County gaol at Mullingar is being got rend v for the reception of Crimes Act guests. The BtafE of warders I.;^ been increased and new locks have been put in several of th. cell doors. Wexfobd. — The eviction proceedings at Coolgieany on July 16 will ba memorable for an incident with but few parallels in the-

biatory of evictioDS in Ireland within recent years. Short of an actual •rmed encounter where each party sought the life of their opponents, a more des| crate scene could not be imagined than that which took place at Ihe houhw of Edward Byrne, where a determined garrison of two men and three women repeatedly repuleed the attacks of the limergencymen armed with crowbars and batons, and only gare in when overpowered hy numbers and the terrible odds- against them. The door was forced, but the invaders were received with bucketfuls of hot water dashed in their faces by women. Several Emergencymen and police were scalded. The bailiffs, led by Captain Hamilton, endeavoured to force back the defenders, but they were several times repulsed. A violent Btruggle occurred at the door, the Emergencymen using their crowbars, and the inmates defending themselves with Bticks. Two Emergencymen were injured in the melee, one of them seriously. Byrne, the tenant, was also seriously wounded by a blow on the head from a crowbar, and his clothes were covered with blood. He received medical treatment before being taken away with the other defenders.

Wtcklow.— The eviction of Hugh Carey of Ahowle on the estate of Mrs. Gardiner, Clanmore Castle, took place on July 22 under circumstances of the most distressing character. The tenant, himself advanced in years, was the maiostay of two aged sisters, one of whom is an imbecile. The eviction was carried out by tbe subSheriff, Mr. Davidson of Bray, and the agent, Mr. Synge. When it became known that the tenant was evicted Canon Dillon Rev F Mclnerney, C.C. ; Father O'Brien, C.C. ; Joseph McCarroll, Petir O'Brien, Christopher Murray, Garrett Byrne, etc., drove to the scene. Large crowds had by this time assemblsd. A meeting was held and speeches were delivered by Joseph McCarroll, Peter O'Brien, M. Cooney, 0. Murray, Garrett Byrne, etc., denouncing landlordism and expressing the deepest sympathy for the evicted. A vote of thanks to Mr. Hutton, a Protestant neighbour of Mr. Carey, for offering a house and shelter to the victims, was passed with acclamation.