Scotch Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 40, 27 January 1888, Page 3

Scotch Notes.

A NUUBHB of the crofters arrested for their raid on the deer-forest in Lewis, were committed for trial at Stornoway on November 26. It was believed that, intimidated by the* presence of the military in the island, who, by the way, do not find their quarter* very comfortable •—the other men for whom warrants were issued would eive themselves np without fur her trouble, and that the whole outbreak had suffered a collapse. It is disputed as to the number of deer killed. some people alleging it to be about 200, but others stating that only a very few skins bad been seen in the camp. It is admitted that the people are suffering from want aggravated by the failure of their fisheries, but, at the 6ame time, it is said that their crops have been better than usual. The Crofttrs Relief Committee in Glasgow, however, has taken up their case and will probably be able to do something towards helping them. Lady Math°son, the proprietress "f the island, declares that she feels very keenly for the condition of the people, but that she sees no way of effectually aiding them unless Government in t erven c with a liberal scheme of emigration. Mr. Platt, by whom the forest is tenanted, and his wife, ai e also described as of very friendly disposition towards the crofters, and as trying to help them in various ways. And there appears to have been nothing actuating them in their undertaking but the necessities of their position and the destitution by which they were surrounded.

After holding out for twenty-one weks, the Broxburn strike has come to a termination. Some concuss ons have been made on both sides— the Company agredog to recognise the Miner's Union, accepting a working week of five days, and nine hours a day — anc allowing a collective holiday once in six weeks at a week's notice. The works, however, will be kept going for six days every w.ek, each man choosing his idle day, but all not being abs nt from the works at the same time. Th<- men, on their part, have acceped the full reduction of 4<l a tor — but on the unrie' standing that the rate ot la 8d is to be raised to Is lOd on January 1. The settlement made has been hailed by both parties concerned w'th much satic faction.

The sober citizens of Edinburgh have witnessed a demonstration characteristic of a more frivolous race iv the drawing home from the theatre to her hotel of the famms prima donna, Mdme. Marie Roze. Mdme Boie appeared in the balco >y to express her tlnnks. and spoke a few words in allusion io her approaching absence from Scotland which Bhe feared would be protracted, receiving in reply a protestation of regret. She. then, in ready compliance with a request, sang a song", choosing as appropriate to the occasion " Comin' through the Rye." Great enthusiasm prevailed throughout.

A row occurred at the first of a series of Unionist meetings which was held by the Edinburgh Badical Union on November 29. The feelings of a large number of those who were present was very emphatically denonnced against some of the speakers who alluded in a depreciating manner to Mr. Gladstone's Home fiule policy.

Some of the tricks in which Scotch schoolboys indulge are not suited to the politer requirements of the age. One of their number was fined 10s the other day at Edinburgh for thiowing an egg, or, as it was pleaded in excuse, a portion of an egg, at a railway porter at Duddint;ston station. It was explained that the discharge of missiles from the carriage windows of the trains at the railway employees was a common practice of the cheerful youths in question, but that the employees found it by no means an amusing pastime.

The tonnage launched on the Clyde for November was only 4108, or less by 14,973 than that of the November of last year, and ten times less than that of November, 1882. The orders received, however, showed a striking improvemept, and helped to revive the drooping spirits of the men concerned in the shipbuilding trade.

Mr . John Dillon who has been making a tour , in the interests of the Irish national cause, in Scotland, has everywhere met with great success. He has addressed crowded meetings in Inverness, Aberdeen, Galashiels, and Edinburgh, evoking enthusiastic expressions of agreement and sympathy. From Aberdeen where, under the auspices of the Junior Liberal Association, he addressed a macs meeting of some 3000 people, a telegram of sympathy and encouragement was sent to William O'Brien in Tullamore gaol.— Mr. Justin McCarthy also has paid a visit to Glasgow and receive lan ovation there. On the whole Scotland is nobly supporting the Irish cause and well deserves the gratitude of all Irishmen.

The election of Lord Rosebery as Rector of Glasgow University' by a majority of 22, has been set aside, by what is described as a "dirty Tory trick." — There happened to be some technical difficulty caused by a tie between the divisions of students making the election, and, in consequence, the result was referred to the Lord Chancellor, who it seems had a right to decide. He, Lord Stair, being a Tory, has given the position to Lord Lytton, a creature of Lord Salisbury 'a and an extreme Unionist. Perhaps some explanation may be found in this for the preference given to Mr. Gosch^n over Mr. Morley at Aberdeen. A Unionist element apart from the students seems to control the life of the Univeißities.

The deputation sent to Ireland to examine into the state of the country by the Scottish Liberal Association have published their report^in which they fully sympathise with the work of the National League, recognising its usefulness, and pointing out the restraining influence it exercises over crime and disorder, as well a 9 giving their full approbation to the Plan of Campaign, whose moderation and fairness they commend. "In reporting," they say, " upon the condition of the country, the deputies were impremd with the

isolated and helpless position of the Irish Government. Entirely out of sympathy with the people, and representing a privileged minority, who for centuries have made Ireland the victim of their cupidity and misrule, the Government, with the laws which itaiministers, is regarded as a foreign and hostile element in the country, and, as such, is Bhann d, daspised, and hated. Constitutional methods of procedure in the administration of law and justice are reduced by the authorities to a farce. The executive, located in Dublin Castle, is simoly a military despotism, controlling the country by means of a resident magistracy of its owu nomination, a vile system of espionage, and an overwhelming force of anne 1 police and regular soldiers. The former are met with carrying their rifles on every country road. Every village and town has its banacks, with a detachment in direct communication with Dublin Castle, 8 a 7 u ready to °PP r< ! gs aad attack the people with a violence and brutality incouceivable in our more favoured country." Ine following testimony is nome to the character of Mr. O Brien :— A true Bon of nature, large-hearted, sympathetic, independent, and brave, William O'Brien is a patriot of the highest tjpe. His latest words at Middleton. befoie sentence was passed upon him, are characteristic of the man : ' Proud lam to say that I have spent a good many months and a good many years of hard labour for the lii-b cause, and I shall not grudge three months m >te for detr old Ireland —brave old Ireland. 1 No deeper wouid could be inflicted on the Irish people than the imprisonment in a felon'scell of this noble man, for no other cause than his successful deliverance from threatened eviction of an oppressed peasautry forming part of his own constituency." Ine report concludes aa follows :— " No more bitter comment on the Government of IrJand by Englaai can be offered thm that, atter 700 years of posses-i ,a, the moial and matdiial condition ot the country should be what it is to. ay. It is sutely time the liisb. people were permitted to try whit they can do for themselves, but before that is granted to them, portentous events are likely to happen under the administration of a Tory Government."

That land in Scotland also is suff rin? the common, fate of properiy of th- kind elsewhere, would appear from thefict that no off* rs were made for an estate pit up for sil-j the oh r day at Aberdeen The pr peny was that of Lit Id dintert. , p wish, of NewUills, consisting of 226 acres, and at the upset price of £7,900.

Lady Aberdeen, who with the Earl is oa a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Bute, addreßS d a meeting of women at Rotbeaay, on November 28, advis ng them to att nd caiefully to their home duties, on which so much depended, and to give th<mselves to the study of usetul works?, ratuer th.n frivolous novels. Her Ladyship's addrets was much appreciated.

Landlordism has just been illustrated at Wick in Caithness. A crofter named James Levack was brought before the Sheriff o i a charge of stealing potatoes from a field. The evidence, however, showed that the man and his family were siarvinsr, while his fild was'poinded" for rent. The Sheriff dismissed him with a sharp admonition: It is the duty of James Levack, as of all of his kind, to see his wife and children die from hunger before his eyes, while the landlord walks off with the fruits of his industry.

The Socialists keep stirring in Dundee. They held a church parade on Sunday, November 27, and marched to St. Paul's Church accompanied by a gaping multitude.

Measles are creating sad havoc in the Island of Eriskary, Inverness. Eleven deaths have occuTed from them within two months They are also spreading in South Uist but are of a milder form.

The Crofters Commissioners have reduced the rents of certain of Lady Gordon Catbcart's tenants in South Uist, by 9 per cent. A n °i ,L? «m« m of arrears ha s been reduced by 70 per cent, or from £1,237 9s 2d to £371 12s 4d.