Jrisjr S*fos*

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 18 May 1888, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— A Belfast letter says:— "The Orangemen of Belfast are awake to the signs of the times. They seldom show their teeth unless when they are being honourably beaten. Stroke an Orangeman the right way and he absolutely purs and wags his tail, but rub him against the grain an 1 the cur snarls and bitea. On Thursday last an outrageous attack was made by about one thousand of the lowest Orange scum in the suburbs of Belfast, upon the funeral procession following the remains of a local Catholic clergyman. The horses under the hearse were interfered with, the traces were cut, and the hearse itself run into a sideway, while stones and sticks were being used on the mournful cortege. On the traces being couplei the driver lashed the animals, and only by getting into a galop did the remains get clear of those howling savages. Of course comment is useless. We can only commend the incident to the attention of the respected gentleman who compiles the pamphlets for the I.L.P.D. The fact of this not being a lie, may, however, render it unworthy of notice, as the gentleman in question appears to traffic only in such commodity.'"

Armagh*' — The Catholic Primate of all Ireland in the course of his Lenten Pastoral refers to the Gaelic Athletic Association, which he says has his heartiest sympathy. He says :—": — " Young men assemble early on Sundays sometimes to practice, sometimes to play set matches outside their own parishes. <s>f these many have no oportunities of hearing Mass before leaving, and of more who have few, I fear, take the precaution to do so. Nor is the evil confined to those actually engaged in the game ; they draw after them the children of both sexes, thus depriving them of instruction in the catechism, and they draw aftep them the foolish old men who would be much better employed telling their beads in a quiet corner of the church, and preparing for the end which is so close upon them. They furnish, moreover, especially by their interparochinl matches, an excuse for the keeping open of public houses on Sundays, thus exposing themselves and the spectators o the danger of intemperance. His Grace exhorts the clergy not to tolerato any club taat will not obey the rules laid down by the Archbishop of Cashel.

CaTan> — The Pope has appointed Father Minni9 to be Bishop of the diocese of Kilmore in place of Dr. Finnegan, deceased. The Bishops residence is in the town of Cavan.

The Chairman, Edward Greer, sat in the County Courthouse, Crumlin Road, recently, Wm. McG-ja^h, Registrar, b3ing also present, and delivered several decisions reducing the rack-reuts of several Land-thieves.

Clare* — The Clare Sub-Commission sat in tha Courthouse Ennis. and delivered judgment in the cases for the Ennis Union he,ird during January. The reductions were in nearly every case very large, but a number of them were very remarkable. The following may be, taken as a sample case : — Capt. F. Sampson, landlord ; Martin Brodden, tenant ; old rent, £17 ; judicial rent, £7 10s.

The dispute between Mr. Burton, Carrigaholt Castle, and his West Clare tenants has at last been settled. It is over fitteen months since the Plan of Campaign was adopted on th s estate, iD common with the Vandeleur property. The tenants then demanded reductions of 10s and 6s in the pound, or thereabouts, on judicial and leasehold rents respctively. This was refused, but has now been granted by the landlord and his agent, Major Studdert, the tenants paying a year's rent. In West Clara this is regarded as a great victory for the Plan of Campaign.

An extraordinary demonstration on bohalf of the eleven prisoners sentenced to two months' under the Coercion Act took place at Miltown-Malby. Two hundred and sixty carts of turf, and a similar number of cart-loads of potatojs were sent to toe families of the surrounding parishes. The procession forme i a most imposing sight, headed by bauds and banners. Five or six thousand persons gathered to give assistance, and 100 tons of potatoes wore pitted. When the bands were passing through the square, afterwards, the police were ordered to draw their truncheons, and the head-constable drew his revolver and called on the crown to disperse. Through the influence of the Catholic clergymen the people dispersed quietly.

The hearing of the charges for refusing to sell turf to the police against the Kildysart and Lissycaaey farmers was resumed before Messrs. Hedder and Mercer, R.M.s, at Ennis. One constable, on crossexamination, said that he went out at 4 o'clock in the morning to ask these people on their way to Knnis to sell the turf, although he admitted they did not require it in the barrack, and ba'l a sufficient quantity ; and that it was for the purpose of getting up prosecutions. In the Lissycasey case it was proved that the policemen went to the farmers' houses and required them to sell their own turf. Witnesses for the defence were then examined to show that in this case defendents were not allowed to cut turf, as they would be held liable by their landlords ; and in Donnellan's case it was proved that he had hctually to buy turf himself. Mr. Lynch defended. The magistrates dismissed the cases against ten of the defendants, and sentenced Morgan M'lnerney and Martin O'Gorman to four monthB 1 ; Michael Rourke, James Toole, and Pat Donnellan to three months', and Simon Coghlan, James Costello, Michael Uoghlan, John Kolly, and John Meade to two months' with hard labour. Au appeal in each case was lodged.

Cork* — Recently a large meeting was held in Mitchelstown, presided over by John Mandeville. The chairman, in the course of his remarks, repudiated the statements of the Chief Secretary in the House of Commons io connection with the Mitchelstown branch of the National League. They were not, he said going to force their preHence ou the police authorities. The League in Mitcbelstown, since its " suppression," hid shown increased vitality. The Secretary (Mr. W. J, Casey) said the enrolled strength of the League had never been so strong (cheers). A resolution was adopted thanking Mr. Condon, M.P., for his successful effort* in behalf of the Kingston tenantry.

A court constituted under the Grime's Act was held at New market, Messrs. Irwin and Seagrave, Resident Magistrates, presiding. The town was proclaimed, and 150 police and a company of infantry were drafted in, Major Hutchinson, 8.M., in command. The defendents were : Father Kennedy, Messrs. John Connors, John Curtain, William Collins, Grath M'Auliffa, Cornelius M'Auliffe, John Browne, Philip Curtain, and Timothy Sullivan. They were charged on retuand with taking part in a meeting of a suppressed branch of the National League, on December 18. At the close of the case all the defendente were sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour, except Father Kennedy, whose sentence was without hard labour.

A meeting of the tenants on tbe Earl of Mountcasbel's estate was held in Kilworth, Father Greene, 0.0., presiding, when a resolution w&s passed pie Iging the tenants to pay their rents pending the decision of the Land Courts, on coadition of an all-round reduction of 15 per cent., and the re- instalment of the tenants who had been sold out.

The Kanturk Coercion prisoners, including D. M'Cabe, chairman of the Kanturk Guardians, got a magnificent reception on their release. They were met at Mallow by a contingent from Kanturk, and all along the way large crowds joined the procession, which at one time wa« a mile long. Bauds were in attendance, and the town and district were illuminated with bonfires.

The tenants on the H. B. O'Sullivan estate, held a meeting oft February 23, and agreed to adopt the Plan of Campaign until their just demands— so per cent, for leaseholders, and 26 per cent., (or judicial tenants, which, with the reductions of the Commissioners, makes 50— are conceded them. The tenants are the most rackrented in the whole of Ireland, the rent being ia some cases two and a half times Griffith's valuation.

The kind tokens of gratitude of the Kingston tenants towards Mr. Mandeville conveyed in the various demonstrations on his extensive farm during his imprisonment were renewed recently, when hundreds of farmers of the Kingston estate, and enthusiastic workers from neighbouring properties were engaged in performing the necessary tillage operations for Mr. Mandeville. There was muob enthusiasm, and in a few hours all the agricultural work was carried out.

The evictions on the Poneonby estate were commenced recently. The sub-Sheriff of Cork was accompanied by a force of eighty police, fifty men of the Scottish Rifles, and several members of the Property Defence Association. They to )k the people by surprise. The first house visited, that of Michael Doyle, Inchiquin, was barricaded and defended by the tenant and two other men. After half an hour's work the Emergency man forced an entrance and Doyle was arrested. Four other evictions were effected.

Derry«— A meeting of the members of this branch of tb« League was held in their rooms, James Donagky, P.L.G., in the ohaifc The following resolutions were proposed a id carried uuanimjusly :— 1. " That we look with contempt upon, the actioa of the Executive Government in their unjust and cruel sentence passed upon Father Stephens for his noble effort in trying to ameliorate the condition of his suffering people." 2. " That we regard the transaction as an insult to the Irish priesthood, and an act calculated to driye the Irish people to exasperation." 3. " That we look upon Balfour as tbe ' criminal ' instead of Father Stephens." 4. " That we regard the action of Balfour and hia minions in their arrest of Mr. Pyne and Mr. Gilhooly as an act unprecedented in the political warfare. That we look upon such arrests as calculated to endear those arrested more than ever to the Irish heart." Mr. J. M'Oartney afterwards addressed those present ia a lengthened and eloquent speech.

Donegal.— The Pope has appointed Father O'Donnell to be Bishop of Kaphoe, in place of Dr. Logue, removed to tha Primacy of Armagh.

The Chairman of the sub-Commission granted several reductions of rack-rent in cases heard lately in Ballyshannon and Donegal-.

The Ballybofey National League held its usual meeting at th* League rooms, the Vice- President presiding, and theie waa a large attendance of the members present. The following resolutions were proposed by tbe chairman, seconded by Owen Sheil, Stranorlar, and passed*: — " That we strongly protest against and deny the statement of the Under- Secretary, Colonel King-Harman, viz., ' that it is exceedingly profitable to be an official of the Irish National League,' a* it is wellknown the National League officials work not from mercenary but patriotic motives." — " Tnat this branch of the Irish National League express their profound thanks and accord their heartfelt good-wishes to the Liberal electors of Dundee for their having returned Mr. Firtb, M.P., at the head of the poll, thus electing the man who will support Mr. Gladstone and justice to Ireland." — " That this branch do tender and express our best sympathy and regard to the twelve men of Falcarragh who were committed the other day for one month in Derry Gaol for no crime whatever — for only exposing their Z9al for their good and patriotic young priest." P. Murphy proposed, and Thomas Patton seconded, a vote of thanks to James M'Kelrey for giving the free use of his house for the use of the League.

The Land Commission sitting in this County has granted reductions averaging 25 per cent, to the tenants of Marquis Conyngham and neighbouring landlords. In the Glentiea district of the county several landlords have, on petition from the tenantry, granted an abatement of over 40 per cent.

Down,— The supply was small and the amount of business done was not up to the average. Milch cows of all kinds were eagerly sought atter and realised from £11 10s to £13 each for the bes; quality, £8 to £10 each for those of a secondary description, and £3 10s to £5 each for old animals nearly milked out. Springers. sold at from £5 10s to £11 each, according to condition and quality, A splendid national demonstration was held at Bailee, near Downpatrick, and was attended by upwards of two thousand people* a large number of whom were Protestants. Rev, L. McKenna, P.P",, occupied the chair, and the speakers were : A. Bowman, Protestant Home Rule Association, Belfast ; Rev. J. J. McKinley, 0.0., Kilelief H. M. McGrath, P.L.G., Portaferry ; and Dr. Hyndman, Belfast, lfa#.

addresses were of a thoroughly practical character and dealt with the various aspects of the political situation. A football match was played at Donaghadee and resulted in a victory for Bangor by one goal aod two tries (eight points) to nil. Donaghadee played a very heavy team all round, but their lighter opponents proved themselves superior on all points and won rather easily. Jamison scored first try for Bangor and one of the halves got through twice. Among the forwards Harvey, flanna, and Martin did some brilliant work, while Savage (Captain) proved a very reliable centre hftlf< Alckin » and Oliver were best of Donaghadee team. a it Mmnin 9 Nems Ba y» that, with reference to the proposal of Lord Londonderry to make peasant proprietors of his tenants, the terms offered are not quite so favourable as they were represented a few days ago. It was stated that twenty years' purchase of the reduced rents were the terms. It appears, however, the terms offered were twenty years' purchase of the present rents. If it were unlikely that the rate first mentioned would be accepted, still more unlikely is it that twenty years' purchase of rent, which the tenants consider ti 60 per cent, too high, will be accepted. If Lord Londonderry has gone to any trouble in sending out his circulars he will have satisfaction in knowing that under the present circumstances he will have his trouble in vain.

Dublin.— The Royal Dublin Society has issued a report on the sea fisheries of the South and South-west of Ireland, with a special report .by Rev. S. W. Green, who says :— " We want the things which have produced such good results in Scotland— bounties, a properly-constituted Fishing Board, scientific investigation, and a brand system."

A resolution favouring the extension of the Irish Sunday Closing Act to the five cities at present exempt from its full operation was passed at a meeting in the Workingmen's Club, York street. A second resolution, supporting a bill now before Parliament for the earlier closing of public-houses on Saturdays, was also adopted . tut- r. i Henrv L> Hart y» County Coroner, held an inquest at St. Michael 8 Hospital, Kingstown, on the body of Samuel Payne of the Inchicore Football Club, the " Wolfe Tones," whodied in the hospital from injuries received in a well-contested match, played at Adelaide Road, Kingstown, between the Wolfe Tones and the Dalkey Club. The coroner's jury had no hesitation in ascribing the unfortunate result entirely to accident.

A correspondent writes : The news of the demise of the Rev. William Fortescue, S.J.. (he was in his 74th year) will cause deep regret, not only in Dublin, but throughout the length and breadth of u-^i' ,'. ere are few of our cities > towns, villages, or parishes in •which he did not labour strenuously for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, leaving after him solid memorials of his apostolic ■eal. Father Fortescue was educated and orda'aed in Maynooth College. He began the exercise of the priestly ministry in his native diocese o! Armagh. Even to the present day in Dundalk the fame of hiß eloquence and his holiness lives almost as fresh as when he left it 40 years ago to join the ranks of the great Society of Jesus. After his novitiate, having spent a few years in Clongowes College, he became the constant companion and fellow-labourer of that great missionary patriarch whom the priests and people of Ireland revered so deeply, Father lioberfc Haly. As a fervid and energetic preacher of the Gospel, Father Fortescue could not easily be surpassed. Well versed in classical literature and gifted with a singularly retentive memory, he was able by wealth of illustration and raciness of laneuage to render his sermons attractive as well as solid and forcible. Moreover, this cultivated literary taste and familiarity with our best writers —especially with our poets— lent an unusual oharm to his conversation when he unbent himself in social intercourse wish his brother priests within his own Order and outside of it. He died in his 74th year— died as he had often expressed a yearning with to die — " with harness on his back," for his death sickness seized him a few weeks ago whilst still actively engaged in missionary duty. Fermanagh.— Recently intelligence reached the constabulary stationed in Derrygonnelly that a " moonlighting outrage " had been perpetrated at a place called Tonagh in this district. A young man named Hamilton, son to a Protestant farmer residing within a few hundred yards of the residence of McManus, whose house was attacked a few nights previously, came to the police with information that his father's cow-house had been attacked by some party who cut the stakes to which their cows were tied letting the animals loose. From some cause or other the police refused to return with Hamilton to the scene of the alleged outrage nor did the police go near Hamilton's residence till some days after. Nothing was found to confirm the report made when the police did arrive, nor is it now believed that any outrage occurred.

Galway. — A telegram was received recently from the W,u Office by Major Newham, commander of the Galway Artillery Militia, disbanding the regiment. No reason ia known for this step. A Loughrea telegram states that the Plan of Campaign has obtained victory over Sir Henry Burke at Marble Hall. He has accepted the terms offered, and agreed to reinstate and compensate the five tenants who were evicted 8 months ago. A largely-attended meeting of the people of Ballinasloe was held to consider the statements of Mr. Balfour in the House of Commons m reference to the local branch of the National League. T.Byrne, V.P., Ballinasloe Board of Guardians, presided. A resolution was unanimously adopted declaring Mr. Balfour's statement to be false, and stating that the Ballinaaloe Branch of the League numbered hundreds in its ranks, and that it is now more vigorous than it had been for years.

A Ballinaeloe correspondent writes :— "Thomas Keating a tenant of Rev. Mr. Laurence, Laurencetown, six miles from here, was evicted for non-payment of rent. A police force of forty, under the charge of District Inspector Oilman, was present. When three Emergencymen demanded admittance they were received with showers of hot gruel and stones. After some time they attempted to break in through the window, but were resisted by Keating with a foik, (Subsequently th« Emergencymen succeeded in breaking in the door. Two of the

men were seriously burned by iho hot gruel. Keating was secured and arrested on a charge of resisting eviction and -assaulting the Emergencymen, who acted as special bailiffs. Keating was brought here under a heavy escort. Bail was refused."

Kerry. — For some days past, says a corrcspondnet, several seizures of cattle have been made in Kerry, particularly on the Kenmare estate. The seizures were made at most inconvenient times, and the cattle seized placed in the Kenmare pound, but the bailiffs nave had very little success.

In the Qlenbeigh district, James Griffen, tenant of Rowland Winn, and Secretary of the National League Branch, was evicted. He owed several years' rent, and had three times previously been evicted, bul retook possession. In several other cases a settlement was arrived at. Umerick,— The Plan of Campaign has been put in operation on Mr. Langford's estate near Shanagoldeu. An auction was held and all the stock and other property en the lands in dispute sold off and the proceeds placed in the war-chest. Bonfires were lighted to emphasise the proceedings. It ia stated th,at negotiations between the O'Grady and his Herbertstown tenants for the purchase of their holdings are proceeding in a satisfactory manner, and it ia hoped that ere long an amicable basis of settlement will be arrived at.

Mayo.— Dr. Lyster, who was appointed by bis Holiness, Leo XIII., aa Bishop of Achonry, has uudertaken the duties of his position.

Meath.— Slane Fair was small ; the prices were ;— Prime beef, 63a to 64s ; second class, 54s to 565. Springers and dairy cows of good quality, £16 to £18 ; second class, £13 to £14 ; dry cowb, £10 to £12 ; three-year-olds, £12 to £13 10a ; two-year-olds, £9 to £11 ; yearlings, £3 10s to £5 each. Upwards cf 160 of Mr. Shirley's tenants who have had their rents fixed by the recent sub-Commission have been served with notices of appeal, so that they will have to fight their battle once again. They cannot see Shirley's motive for this course of action, except it be the heaping upon his tenants of costs, for he cannot certainly expect the Head Commissioners to exceptionally favour him so as to again make his tenants' " fair rents " rack rents. A large Loyalist meeting has been held in the Protestant Hall, Drum. The ban waa crowded to excess. Colonel Saunderson. M.P., found it impossible to be present owing to Parliamentary duties. On the motion of Mr. Bradshaw, seconded by Rev. Mr. Armstrong, the chair waa taken amid applause by George Knight, solicitor, Cionea, Deputy Grand Master of the district. He made a speech in defence of the present Government, and denounced the Home Rule programme. Rev. Mr. Armstrong also addressed the meeting. He proposed the following resolution : " That we, the Loyalists of the Drum district, take this opportunity to express our utmost confidence in the present Government, especially in the effort they are putting forth to uphold the unity of the Empire and maintain law and order in our land." Balfour was of course highly eulogised.

Queen's County.— Edenderry fair was fairly supplied with all classes of stock, but complaints were heard on all sides of unremunerative prices. Three-year-old heifers and bullocks sold at £9 to £11, two-year-o'ds at from £6 to £9, springers from £9 to £15. Sheep— hoggets, 27s to 36s ; wethers, 38s to 525.

RoSCOmmon. -The last report of the Eosscommon National League shows a flourishing btate of affairs financi illy and otherwise.

Xipperary.— J. Culhnane, a prominent National League organizer, has been released after a calender month's incarceration. During nearly half the time he was on biead and water. He suffered also from severe bronchitis. lie was warmly greeted by deputations, addresses being presented from various parts of the country. At Cahir Mr. Culhnane was met by a large crowd with two bands and at Bansha by a torchlight procession, with band. The hills around the village were aflame.

Tyrone,— Garrett Nagle, R.M., and J. O. Gage, R.M., sat in the Courthouse at Moneymore, aud concluded the inquiry into the charges of riot and unlawful assembly brought under the Coercion Act against a number of people living iv the district, in connection with a patty row at Killybeam on December 26. Thomas Sands was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and Henry Gourley to six months', and the iollowing to two months with hard labour : — Thomas Mullau, Johu ftlullan, William Devlin, aud I. Hunter. In all tbebe cases appeals were lodged. Margaret Kooncy, Mary Roouey, and Anue Mclllcauuon were oidered to be imprisoned for 14 days without hard labour. All the other cases were dismissed.

"VlTaterFord. — Count Court Judge Waters has given judgment in a number of rent cases on estates in the County Waterford. Some of the reductions were remarkable. Amongst the more notable were the following :— John Connery, landlord ; Mary Fuger, tenant ; old rent, £159 ; jndicial rent, £81. Waterford Corporation, landlord ;W. Quirke, tenant : old rent, £86 ; judicial rent, £49. J. Murphy, landloul ; J. Cashin, tenant ; old rent, £26 ; judicial rent, £13 13s.