Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 52, 20 April 1888, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— A crowded meeting of the Belfast National Leagne was held in St. Mary's Hall, under the Presidency of Rev. P. Convery, Adm. The members of the deputation of East London workingmen, representing Liberal and Radical Clubs, were present. Father Convery delivered a vigorous Bpeech, in which he referred to the rumours of his own arrest, and said he was ready for the Chief Secretary, and could be found at St. Peter's Presbytery. . It may 'be remembered that shortly after the decease of the late Sir Edward Coey, the newly appointed agent, Allan M'Donald (son of Alexander M'Donald, J.P., agent of the Antrim estate}, intimated to the tenantry that'the rent due at May last would be received by him at a given date. " 4 Waring street, Belfast, 13th January, 1888. Dear Sir, — I am directed to inform you that if the rent due to the representatives of the late Sir Edward Coey is paid on Wednesday the 15th, or Thursday the 16tfa, February, 1888, the days on which I purpose attending at the Courthouse, Lame, an abatement of 15 per cent, will be allowed on the year's rent to Ist November,lßß7.— Yours, etc., Allan M'Donald."

Armagh-* — Members of the Handloom Weavers' Association held a meeting recently with the object of further concerting measures in support of the agitation which has been organised among the handloom weaverß of the district with the view of, if possible, procuring such a legislative enactment as would remove the hardship which, as the weavers allege, is imposed upon them owing to the inequality in the lengths of the different webs. The chair was occupied by George Follis. The letter written by Colonel Saunderson, M.P., to the Secretary of the Association, J. Richari»on, in reference to this matter, and which was published in the Whig, waa brought under the notice of the meeting, the opinion of which seemed to be very strongly in favour of persisting in the present movement until a remedy has been provided for .the alleged grievance through the instrumentality of an enactment which would fix the length of the web at one hundred yardß, made up of two cuts of fifty yards each. An indignation meeting was held after Mass at Annacramp Chapel, near Armagh, to protest against certain conduct of the police authorities, which has caused much irritation here. At a meeting held in the yard after Mass, the following resolution was passed by acclamation : — That we resent and publicly proclaim our indignation at the insult which County Inspector Dobbyn has offered to this congregation by sending policemen from a different parish to act as spies upon the clergy and people who come here to fulfil the precept of the Church on Sundays and holidays.

CarlOW.— On the Saturday night that O'Brien was released the town of Tullow was splendidly illuminated in celebration of the release. So general was the spirit of rejoicing manifested that not a single house failed lo join in the celebration.

At Carlow fair there was a good show of horned stock, but the buyers were scarcely in proportion. The late advance in the price of stores was not maintained, and the price that ruled showed a fall of say 10s a head.

Clare.— Mr. Cox) is still confined in the Ennis prison. The honourable Member is now allowed the privilege of smoking. He was visited by his brother, Dr. Cox, and his sister. They found Mr. Cox in the best of spirits.

Colonel Evanson, 8.M., delivered a lecture from the bench upon the naughtiness of people demonstrating against the Government. Here is what the legal warrior says :— "The people appeared to think they had a right to collect crowds and turn out with bands to demonstrate against the Government or the law. They had no such Tight unless the demonstrations were properly organised and permitted. A Eilrush correspondent writes : — Michael Miscale, of Kilrusb, who holds some property in the neighbourhood of Cranny Bridge, has submitted his disputes with his tenants to Father Gleeson, P.P., and Father McKenna, C.C., both of the Coolmeen parish, and Joseph Kett, of Kilrnsh, with the following results : — Arrears which in many cases are very large, are to be wiped out, and a reduction of 50 per cent, is to be allowed. The tenants are pleased with the settlement. At an adjourned Petty Sessions from Crusheen held here recently before Messrs. Mercer and Hodder, R.M.s, Patrick Loughery, Thomas O'Connor, and Michael Dillon appeared to answer a charge under a summons issued under an Act passed so fallback as the Ist «f Edward 111. The summons was for " combining to compel a tradesman from following his occupation " on the Ballyline and Bunahow properties, and causing threatening notices to be posted and threatening letters to be written warning parties who were desirous of taking the farms in question (or grazing purposes against doing so. Mr. O'Meehan, solicitor, appeared for the defendants. After a lengthened investigation, during which Mr. O'Meehan raised objections to the evidence produced, the magistrates retired, and on returning to the bench announced their decision, sentencing each of the defendants to fourteen days' imprisonment in Limerick gaol. Father Kennedy and eight farmers have been convicted and sentenced to two months' imprisonment for attending a meeting of a suppressed branch of the National Leagne at New market, County Clare.

The West Clare tenants have secured a reduction of from 30 to 50 per cent, in rents. The concession is looked upon as a Plan of Campaign victory.

The Local Government Board have by sealed order dismissed Dr. James Magner from the position of dispensary doctor for Courceys District, Kinßale Union, on account of his being imprisoned under the Coercion Act. The Local Government Board have already refused to sanction the election of Dr. Magner for Timoleague dispensary district, to which he was elected some days before his trial. At Ennis, County Clare, Mr. Lloyd, the English Home Bul« Delegate, was sentenced to Biz weeks' imprisonment under the Crimes Act for inciting tenants not to pay rack-rent. Mr. Lloyd told the

bench that a few more Liberal victories like those at Edinburgh fend South wark would sweep Toryism out of the- country, thereupon he' was seized by the constables and hurried from the court room. He was Bent to Limerick gaol. , > < ; i . /:i Fr ' Cork*— Summonses under the Crimes ' Act were served lon John Moloney, T. 0., boot and shoe merchant ; Michael Clancy, his assis ant ; David Hay.es, draper ; Wm. Dunlea, coal merchant ; and two employees of Daniel O'Keeffe, coal merchant, for refusing to supply goods to the constabulary. The police served summouses on several young men, and even ■mall boys, charging them with disorderly conduct on the occasion of tke recent demonstrations' held in the town in honbarof^e release of William O'Brien. The disorderly conduct, it^ii stated, consisted " in cheering for William O'Brien and the Irian leaders, and denouncing Balfour and his minions."

Mr. James C. Plynn, M.P. for tforjh jpork, has besn sentenced at Kanturk to three weeks' imprisonment without hard labour for alleged inciting to conspiracy. The charge against him of having taken part in an unlawful assembly was abandoned. The eviction of tenants on the Ponsonby estate at Youghal has been unexpectedly resumed. A large military and police foros, accompanied by a doctor and an ambulance and a fire-engine, escorted the bailiffs who went to execute the writs of eviction. A number of battering-rams and sledge-hammers were cirfieaToTthe purpose of forcing an entrance into the home of any tenant whlb offered resistance. The tenants were taken completely by sufprisi, but one family, named Doyle, succeeded in barricading thenuelves inside their house, which was only captured after strong resistance. There were several other exciting scenes. The police made many arrests. The weather is bitterly cold. Mayor O'Brien, of Cork, who was sentenced to 14 dayd' imprisonment on a charge of assaulting a police sergeant, was released at % o clock a.m ., on February 27. The municipal Council anil a large crowd of people, accompanied by bands, awaited him and gave him an «vation. The Mayor returned to the gaol at 8 o'olock in his capacity of Visiting Justice. ' '

Derry.— The man arrested &t Coleraine, who had a quantity of dynamite in bis possession, declared that be intended to use the explosive for quarrying purposes. The police believed' 'they°lrW caught a conspirator and that his arrest would lead 1 td important disclosures. The man was subsequently released. He clearly proved that the dynamite was designed for blasting purposes. The explore was forwarded to its destination under the etcort of the oolice.

Donegal*— At Ardara there was no part of the fair as well supplied with stock as the pig market. Pigs were seen coming in droves on Sunday evening from the parishes of Kilcar and Garrick, There was a brisk sale at a low rate. ■

At the Land Sessions, before Dr. Webb, about 60 ejectments were brought by Wybrants Olphert, Bally connell, against his tenants ia Gweedore district. Mr. Toland, solicitor, applied to the Conrt to adjourn the cases to April Sessions on the ground that a necessary witness, Rev. James McFadden, was compulsorily absent, being in gaol. Mr. Wilson, solicitor, resisted the application. His Honour refused the postponement, and absolute decrees were given in most cases. °

The Land Commission has reduced rents in Donegal 25 per cent on an average. Several landlords in the Glenties District of Donegal have reduced rents 40 per cent. It was announced by posters that a monster torchlight procession would lie held in honour of the release of William O'Brien, M.P., patron of the branch of Letterkenny. Great indeed were the preparations for the occaeion, and great the quiet determination to make i% worthy of the cause. As the day came round and the wires flashed the news that the beloved and patriotic priest of Gweedore was arrested astonishment could be seen on every face, and at one time many would have foregone the jubilation, but the leaden at once perceived a double event could be carried out to honour their patron and protest against the arrest of Rev. J. McFadden. A few days ago, almost within gunshot of a police station between Derry and Buncrana the constabalary of Bnmfoot Station suddenly surprised a number of men engaged in dividing the contents of a still amongst them, and succeeded in capturing three kegs and two jars of real " Innishowen." Formerly this district was notorious for the manufacture of poteen. Constables Bradley and Frazer, while out on revenue duty a few days ago, were returning to the barrack along an old and unfrequented road in the townland of Gortnaakea, and whan turning an abrupt bend on the road came suddenly upon six men busily engaged in measuring the contents of three kegs and two jars. On seeing the police the men decamped, leaving all their store behind ; but Constable Frazer succeeded in capturing one of the men, named Charles Barr, and Constable Bradley identified three of the others. The mem were brought up on summonses at the suit of District Inspector Winder, Buncrana, before Mr. Harvey, R.M ., and John E. Walsh, J.P., who fined three of them— Charley Barr, James Barr, and James Granny— £loo each, mitigated to £6. The fines were paid:

Down.— A rather curious incident occurred in the old Catholic Chapel in the town of Newry, recently. It seems that at an early Mass a process-server mamed Thomas Doyle, who resides in Chapel street, entered the chapel to attend Mass when the congregation, becoming aware of his presence in their midst, rose up add walked out of the church. Doyle, it seems, has served several processes for the non-payment of rent within the past few days.

Fermanagh*— A storm of almost unparalleled severity raged beie recently. The wind commenced to blow most furiously, with an occasional shower of rain, at 8 o'clock in the evening, j and continued till early the next morning. A great many bouses in the town have been stripped, chimneys have been blown down, and very considerable damage has been done to property.

A very large meeting of the Bnniskillen branch of the I.N.L. took place in St. Michael's reading room. Rev. G. MclleeL CO., PresU dent, occupied the chair. The reverend chairman congratulated the

people on the very orderly and immense gathering which assembled together to celebrate the release of William O'Brien.

Oa-way.— ln Galway the other night, after the torchlight procession in honour of Mr. O'Brien's release, some persons were standing in Shop street, nnd the police rushed at them with batons and inflicted grave injuries on several neople. Mr. Brady, 8.M., was in chaTge.

Arrangements have been made to apply the Plan of Campaign for the relief of the tenants on the Burke estate, at Woodford, County Galway. Similar action remains to be taken on the estates of Lord Olanricarde and Mr. Lewis, a wealthy landowner. The Plan-ot-Campaign victory 'near Loughrea was celebrated with bonfires. Sir Henry Burke has been compelled to grant a 25-per-cent reduction to his tenants, to pay the legal costs, reinstate evicted tenants, and pay the cost of their maintenance since eviction. Mr. McCartan, M.P., has granted his tenants a reduction of 55 per cent.

The Most Rev. Dr. MacCormack, in tbe course of a letter to the Freeman, enclosing a subscription to the Blunt Testimonial, says :— Were I at home I should have before this visited the Galway prison to tender the expression of my heartiest sympathy to the chivalrous prisoner. The harassed and evicted tenants of Galway, Mayo, and Bosscommon remember Mr. Blunts visits in 1885 and have the highest appreciation of his benevolence. Ibe man that could impute vanity to Mr. Blunt as the motive power of his mission to the struggling and suffering tenants of Ireland must be a person of very peculiar mental obliquity. A wanton personal attack upon Mr. Blunt from the Judge on the bench is so unconstitutional that it could only be tolerated in a country robbed of its constitutional rights and crushed by coercion.

A party of tke Scotch Fusiliers and some of the 11th Hussars— a detachment and troop of which are stationed at Loughrea — while drinking in a public house picked up a quarrel with » civilian and a row ensued. Several civilians came up and a regular melee took place, the soldiers getting the worst of it. Two of them were injured and were sent to the hospital. A party of about a dozen hussars left tbe baTracks and proceeded to the house of Patrick Kilboy, where one of them attacked Mr. Kilboy's eon, and drew a revolver at him. They then attacked the bouse and wrecked the windows, not leaving a single pane unbroken. A child of Mr. Kilboy's had a narrow escape, a heavy stone passing close to her head. The wreckers then made an attempt to go up stairs, but were repulsed. Kilboy, with five policemen, afterwards went to the military barracks in order to identify the men, but on application was informed that the officers were from home.

Kei*l*y« — The police have withdrawn from the Kerry courts all summonses that have been issued for news-agents charged with selling papers containing reports of meetings of suppressed branches of the National League.

Dingle was brilliantly illuminated recently, tke releaee of Mr. O'Brien having only become known through the morning papers. The houses which attracted mjst attention were those of Messrs. M. R. Dißß.ett and Samuel Lovette, the portraits of Parnell, Gladstone and the indomitable hero of Tullamore, were exhibited in their windows Burrounded with lights beautifully wreathed with floral emblems. The two hotels— Lee's and Benner's— were also lighted very tastefully. The brass band played popular airs, and crowds paraded the streets to a late hour.

No event in the history of the present constitutional agitation in Ireland for the establishment of self-government, and the repeated endeavours to suppress it, has occured which has created such widespread feelings of pleasure in this part of Kerry, as the release of William O'Brien, M .P., from captivity. It was late when the pleasing news reached Killarney, and it is needless to say that in a short time after it was circulated quickly through the town. It was not expected that the honourable gentleman would be liberated until a day later.

No less than 64 decrees of ejectment have been made by the County Court Judge at Tralee, at tbe Quarter Sessions recently held. From one to three years' rent wae cue in each case, and unless these amounts be satisfied in a brief period, the eviction-made-easy process established by the last Land Act, will be fully availed of by the landlords. The tenants against whom decress have been issued are mostly of the poorer class ; the average of their rents is considerably under £10, and, indeed, the majority of them are under £5 per annum. There is implied in this bald list of rents, and debts, and decrees, an amount of misery not easily conveyed to the mind.

In a recent case, reported in the Kerry Sentinel, the laudlord of the Glenbeigh district sought to recover £38 for arrears due on a holding, the yearly rent of which was £8 15s. The landlord offered to accept one half-year's rent, and allow time lor the remainder to be paid, a deduction of 40 per cent. The tenant on the other hand (who had not paid any rent since 1883), offered £1 and a cow. The Judge, Mr. Curran, Q.C, in giving judgment, said that a man could not be found in all Europe to trust tbe word of a Glenbeigh man. He had to deal with the Glenbeigh people differently to others. They were not accustomed to pay rent — they had forgotten even how to pay. They even refused to pay the rates and taxes. When the rentcollector or rent-warner came within miles of Glenbeigh, there was not a cow that did not miraculously disappear. He remarked himself, and he had driven through a great portion of Kerry, that there was not a more thriving locality than this same Glenbeigh. The people there were trading on the property — those very same Glenbeigh folk. The houses there were well thatched. He made an order that if a gale was paid within a week, he would spread the other gale into quarters. The first quarter was to be paid on the Ist of June, and the second gale on the Ist of October, and a clear receipt would be given up to May 1, 1887. knn Kildare.— On learning of the release of William O'Brien, Castlecomer was most brilliantly illuminated, and tar-barrels were biasing throughout the town, though tbe police did all they could to ke*p th«m from baing lighted.

There was a grand torchlight procession in Newbridge in honour of Mr. O'Brien's release. Two bands accompanied the processionist!. All the houses in the town were illuminated. The proceediags were most orderly. Ihere were only six houses in the town of Naas that were not illuminated in celebration of the releaie of William O'Brien. Tbe John Dillon Band paraded the streets, playing National airs. This was the band's first appearance in public. Kilkenny.— Tbe Renewal Mission, conducted by tbe Bedemptorist Fathers, commenced in St. John's Church at the 12 o'clock Mass, when the opening sermon was preached.. Tbe great success of the mission is an augury of the spiritual blessings certain to attend the renewal. I*iinerick*— A Newcastle West correspondent says: — Mr. P. Murray, J.P., has allowed his Kilcolman tenants a reduction of 20 per cent. This is the third year in which Mr. Mnrray has allowed a like abatement. The tenants on the property of Mr. Oliver, near Kilfinane, have been offered a reduction of 25 per cent. The tenants consider this reduction inadequate. Lord Muskerry's tenants have accepted his abatement of 17$ per cent. Major B. Sheeny, J.P., Castleview, Newcastle West, has granted an abatement of 40 per cent, to bis Olonmore tenants. B. Atkinson, High Sheriff, has granted an abatement of 20 per cent, to his tenants. At the market held at Newcastle West the tenants on J. 0. Delmege's Glensharold estate who have adopted the Plan of Campaign disposed of all their hay. The tenants, who are expecting tbe Sheriff hourly, have barricaded their houses. A special Coercion Court was held in Limerick before Messrs. B. Eaton, R.M., and Col. A. S. Persse, 8.M., when three young men named John Moloney, Denis Kelleher, and James Naugbton were prosecuted on a charge of having wilfully and unlawfully assaulted and obstructed Constables O'Brien and O'Connor on the 14th mit; These prisoners had been discharged by order of the city magistrates on the refusal of the Crown to produce evidence in support of the; charge. They were subsequently re-arrested by the police and the prosecution brought under tbe Coerciom Act, Mr. J. H . Moran, a solicitor, defended. Mr. Moran establibhed an alibi in the caw of Naughton, who was discharged. Moloney was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with bard labour and Kelleher to ten days' imprisonment. A man named Quilligan was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for assaulting Constable Maxwell. I*onjjford.— The Longford Hunt was fixed to be at Goichen within a short distance of Camlisk, at which the hunt was stopped on December 30. A large crowd of people assembled at the meeting place, but no huntsmen put in an appearance. The huntsmen with their hounds went down to a place called Nimard, were there are several large evicted farms, and had a run over it. It was expected they were to go to the residence of T. H. Peyton, J.P., outside Newtownforbes, but a thousand people and three bands were waiting to give them a reception, and they did not persist. L,OUtll*— A special meeting of the Louth League was h?ld for the purpose of considering tbe comduct of some members who were grazing cattle on the lands from which Patrick Bellew has been evicted. As the offending parties promised never to sin again the matter was allowed to drop. A resolution was adopted condemning the policy of exasperation which is being pursued by the Tory Government. County Court Judge Kisby, Q.C;, opened the Quarter Sessions business for the division of tbe County Louih in Drogheda recently. On the bench were also the Mayor and Alderman P. Casey Connelly, J.P. His Honour, in addressing the Grand Jury, said that he Wat very glad to say that there was no business to go before them, and this was not the first or second time that in his experience such had. been the case. He had now presided in that court for the fourth time and on each occasion he had the pleasure of receiving a handsome present of white gloves. It was a very gratifying circumstance to him. Practically there was no crime in their district for the last twelve months. Monaglian. — A large demonstration was held in honour of Mr. O'Brien's release. A procession, accompanied by the band and carrying torches paraded the streets of the town, singing " God Save Ireland " and cheering for Mr. O'Brien and the Plan of Campaign. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Canon Hoey, P.P., of Castleblayney, and Father Gaughran, Bloomfield. Hesolutions were passed condemning the Government and denouncing the arrest of Father McFadden and Mr. Blanc, M.P. Bonfires blazed on the adjoining hills. Everything passed off quietly, Queen's County.— Recently the town was brilliantly illuminated in honour of the release of Father Matt Ryan, and in the evening the band turned out, as usual, and paraded the principal streets. Had the Nationalists of Edenderry been aware that the editor of United Ireland would be released in time a deputation would have gone to Tullamore to present him with an address. The deputation were actually appointed. At Carrigahorig John Haugh was evicted from his house and farm at the suit of John Dwyer, who resides in England. Two years ago an ejectment for non-payment of five years' rent was granted in the County Court, which was allowed to lapse. A writ was obtained in the Superior Court, the result being dispossession. The police were in attendance, but there was no resistance. Denis McOormack of Garryard, was evicted from his house at the suit of Murty Gleeton, en an ejectment for everholding. Xipperary.— The Mayor of Clonmel, Edward Murphy, paid a visit to John Cullinane in Clonmel gu>l and found that he - was forcibly stripped of his clothes, including all underclothing. Of necessity he bad to don the prison garb. He is being punished for refusing to do menial work ; and the want of exercise-— as he refuses to exercis* with criminals— is felt by him acutely. After the Grand Jury were sworn in by County Court Judge Wall at Clonmel, for tbe South Biding of County Tipperary, a resolution was proposed by a Quaker and unanimously passed, stating that the unsettled state of the country was earned by the unjust adminig-

I.U I ■ . timtiOQ of the Coercion Act, by which new crimes had been created' They were of opinion that the immediate release of the political prisonera, and the repeal of the Coercion Act would lead to the fittingcon«deration of Home Bale and the land queßtion. Tyrone,— Mr. O'Hanlan met the tenants on his Glencull property at ihe residence of hii agent, Thomas McCryetal, The Spout, and owing, aa he said, to the marked decrease in the price of farm produce and stock, granted an abatement of 30 per cent, from off the present rents, in addition to granting a supply to each tenant of seed potatoes. The tenants are pleased with the reduction. Wexford. — The town of New Bos 9 was in an excited state recently, as the Ballykerogue eviction prisoners drove on cars to the railway station en route for Wexford, where the appeals in their cases will be heard. Subsequently a dramatic and musical entertainment was given at Arihursiown by New Ro9s amateurs to raise funds to defray the expenses of the appeals. The affair raised a considerable smonnt of money. The Exchequer Court has set aside the sentence of two months' imprisonment passed by the Criminal Court in tne case of Mr. Walsh, editor of the Wexford People, on the ground of irregular publication of the notices forbidding meetings of suppressed branches of the National League.

J.