Irisch News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 29, 9 November 1888, Page 21

Irisch News.

Armagh* — Jane Lavery, of Kilmore, was shot, probably by accident, during the Catholic proceseion at Lurgan on the Feast of the Assnmption. She was attended by Dr. Magennis, and is not expected to live.

The Lord Lieutenant has commuted the sentence of death passed on William Thompson for the murder of his brother-in-law, Thomis Thompson, m Knocknamuc'kley church, near Portadown, in March last, to penal servitude for life. If Thompson was a Nationalist, Londonderry would have let him hang without shedding a single tear.

CarlOW* — Thomas Bolger was chairman at the recent meeting of the low branch. The secretary said the labourers for whom sites for cottages were located over two years ago in the Tullow and Tankardstuwa electoral divisions, were getting very clamorous about the cottages, as they could not understand why no steps are being taken by toe Carlow Board of Guaidians with a view to th^ir erection. He knew some labourers for whom sites were marked out, who were depending on the good nature of other poor men for the shelter of a room for themaelvas and families. The men to whom he referred were industrious, well-disposed labourers, who would appreciate a decent home if they could get it. He knew, of course, the difficulty elected Guardians had to contend with in 1171 17 ing to force an indifferent and hostila L»ocal Government Board to facilitate the building of these cottages, but he thought Messrs. Murphy and Reid ■hould keep hammering awray at the officials about them, and, therefore, he would move "That this branch request Messrs. Murphy and Reid, Guardians for Tull ow and Tankardstown divisions, to use every exertion in their power to have the cottages built before next spring, in order that the garden plots attached may be planted next year." Thomas O'Brien, Paulville, on whose land two sites were voluntarily given, seconded the motion, which was then put and carried.

Cavatl.— The BalFlnagh branch of the League met on August 5, under the presidency of Rev, Bartholomew McCabe. The following resolution was adopted: — Tkat we are unanimous in condemning the barbarous system of prison torture employed by the coercionists against their political opponents, which lately resulted in the death of John Mandeville and the suicide of Dr. Ridley

Owing to the recent heavy falls of rain the crops in the Belturbet district have suffered veiry much. The hay crop which is an abundant one, has been greatly injured in the low-lying lands along the edge of the rivers, and great quantities of hay will in consequence become unfit for use. The potato crop offers fairly, but, owing to tbe recent storms, the blight, hjis set in, and it is feared that the crop will suffer much. The oat era p promises to be a very plentiful one, if only seasonable weather come s to ripen it.

Clare.— A large number of < viction notices have just been served on the relieving officers of the Kilrush Union, at the suit of Vandeleur against his tenants in tbe omtlying parishes. Numerous eviction notices have also been served on the workhouse officials by the Marquis of Conynham, Major-G eneral Stewart, Marcus Keane, Mr. Westby, and other landlords, again9t the tenants in West (Jlare. Great progress has been made in the building of huts for the Vandeleur evicted tenants. About '28 huts are to be erected, borne of these are built on outside estates adjoining the holdings of some of the evicted tenants. Permission has been obtained from the owners of the purchased land for the Kilrush and Kilkee Railway to erect dwellings on their line, as it won Id not be used for eighteen months. This will accommodate all the -evicted tenants of Carmacalla and Leedmore, west of Kilrush, for whom cottages will be immediately erected. Those in Carrandota. are now finished.

Cork* — Three men named Scaly, one of them a Protestant clergyman, were brought up on summonses at Balliospittle Petty Sessions charged with attacking the house of one of their tenants named Driscoll and forcibly breaking in tbe door with a, hatchet and crowbar, and also with assulting BCrs. Driscoll and her children. According to the evidence, Dr. Scaly and Mr. Lewis, a solicitor, broke in tbe door without warning the inmates, and when inside, the doctor and his brother, Rev. Mr. Scaly, assaulted the woman and children by beating them with a cane and shoving them. The defendants were returned for trial.

The recent heavy rain has done considerable damage to the crops in the vicinity of Fermoy. Still, taken all round, the harvest will be far above the average, if we have good weather for the next six weeks. Hay was extremely difficult to save and a large portion of it was lost, but co plentiful was the crop that prime hay was sold in market at 25s to 30s per ton, A considerable quantity of the oat crop is lodged and the grain will thus sustain serious injury, but the crop is fairly good. Potatoes are doing splendidly, there being a very heavy yield, but it is feared that if the present moißt weather continues the quality will not be up to the mark. Turnips and mangolds are looking healthy and evidently doing well, the weather being altogether in their favour. Wheat and barley are doing well, but there is very little cultivated in this district.

Derry. — The war of rates between the Messrs. Burns and Lairds' lines and the Irißh Traders' Co-operative Company has set in with unexpected vigour. The new company announced a passenger excursion to Glasgow, the fares being 12s 6d cabin and 5s steerage. To counteract this the Messrs. Burns and the Messrs. Laird issued a joint announcement of an excursion at 7s 6d cabin and 3s steerage. The Irish Traders' Co-operative Company's directors are confident of securing the united support ef tbe cattle-dealers throughout the Northwest and they contend that with the traffic thus obtained alone they will be able to maintain two well-equipped steamers, irrespective of whether they bring any general merchandise from England and Scotland at all. They calculate, however, on considerable support from Darry merchants, who have long since become dissatiififd with

the rates to Glasgow. The old lines, on the other hand, have through their agents expressed a fixed determination to break down the newlyformed company by lowering their rates. An element of seriousness iB imported into the controversy by tbe fact that tbe London and North- Western Railway Company are working in harmony with the new company. Their representative at Enniskillen had repeated consult atiens with the new management in Derry and through rates to English stations have been obtained for the Irish Traders' Company.

Donegal.— There wa9 a large meeting of Glenties I.N.L. on August 5, under the presidency of Rev. James Murray. The following resolution was adopted : — That tbe heartless scenes enacted at the Vandeleur evictions merit our strongest condemnation, and we think the Government that lends its forces to carry out such inhuman work deserves the censure of all civilised nations.

The crops in the vicinity of Letterkenny are f ally five weeks later than usual. Cereals on dry' land will be more than an average. Any forecast of the yield of grain while so much defends on immediate good weather for ripening would at best be only conjectural. Potatoes are, as regards tops, a fair crop, but the esculents are small, soft and unwholesome. The blight set in but is not spreading to any extent. Flax is an average crop but late, and much of it baa been laid and injured by the heavy rains. Turnips are generally a failure. There is a dread of a dearth of peat fuel, the prospect of sar ng it becoming daily worse. Unless good weather soon sets in to mature and save the crops we are likely to have a recurrence of the disastrous harvest of 1879.

The people of Crossroads, Killygordon, were disturbed by a tarrible flood the other day. The small stream which flows through Crossroads towards the River Finn through the heavy rainfall became swollen to an angry torrent. Before reaching the village the flood had torn up trees by the roots and swept away whatever came within reach of it. The police barrack at Crossroads was flooded, the water reaching to the height of about two feet on the floor. A little below the barrack the crops of a man named Smart were almost completely destroyed, the fences on Mb farm being left level with the soil. A man named McAvoy was driving home his cows, but the water came upon him so suddenly that he abandoned the cows, which, after a struggle, reached a place of safety. McAvoy took refuge in a tre«, from which he shouted for help. A crowd of people soon gathered, who saw the danger McAvoy was in, when a man named Bryson volunteered to swim in and save him. Ropes were procured, one of which was tied round Bryson's body, who swam in and, after great difficulty, rescued McAvoy from his perilous position. A small stone bridge between Garrison and Crossroads was swept away. Down. — Some months ago Samuel B. Greer and Co., Newtownards, leased the large stores on the Mall, Newry, owned by J. P. McNally, and converted them into an establishment for the production of Irish-knit hosiery. Tne industry was first commenced in Newtownards early in the spring by Messrs. Greer, but owing to a strike amoeg the operatives and the scarcity of labour it was resolved to transfer the business to Newry. New machinery has been erected, and the works have been started. When in full working order some one hundred and fifty hands will be required, and already about one hundred employees have been engaged. All sorts of hosiery are being made — in fact, there is no article that i* at present knitted by the hand that cannot be produced in the new concern. The company have also started a branch establishment at Warrenpoint, ana are giving much-needed employment to young girls in that favourite watering-place. The goods turned out are giving entire satiifaction everywhere, and it is hoped that the speculation will piove success, ful.

Dublin.— The Parliamentary return procured by William Murpby, ML. P., shows the peculiar fact that the Metropolitan Police cost more annually than the police of any city in Great Britain and Ireland except London. Ttie cost of the police in Liverpool, with a population of 552,500, is £134 076, while the cost of the force in Dublin, with a population of 373,648, is £150,531. This waste of public money in Ireland is caused by the pernicious Castle system.

Fermanagh.- The rather quiet town of Enniskillen was thrown into a etaie of confusion on August 12 by the insulting behaviour of some members of the King's Royal Rifles towards a party of civilians. The disturbance was luckily checked after a short time by the appearance of Colonel Kinlock on the scene. A pretty large number of spool mill-workers were at the back of the main barracks when a dispute arose between one of the soldiers and a civilian. In about five minutes two opposing parties were in fierce conflict. The soldiers drove tbe crowd from behind the barracks to the foot of Strand street, aud appearances assumed a very dangerous aspect, when Colonel Kiolock with a picket of 30 men arrived. The soldiers, some of whom were injured, were then taken to the barracks. Rev. J. Lambe presided at tbe recent meeting of Rosslea I.N.L. The following resolution was passed unanimously :— That we consider Mrs. Madden and her sister, Miss Now lan, have been subjected to very harsh and unfair treatment in having their only field opened up for a quarry by road contractor Nixen, while it is a well-known fact that Bailiff Graydon, who owns several farms, has a field which is more convenient and suitable ; and we call upon the members of this branch to discountenance the proceeding by every legitimate means. — It was announced at the meeting that Mrs. Madden had died on that morning, and the secretary stated that there was not the smallest doubt but that her sudden and premature death was brought about by the unjust manner in which her only means of support had been grabbed from her. After the transaction of the ordinary routine business the meeting adjourned. James Leonard is secretary of this branch .

The extraordinary inclement summer of 1888 will long be remembered by the agriculturists of this County as a time of unexampled anxiety for the safety of the crops. Flax, the principal crop in this district, grew well, but the constant rain beat it to the ground and softened the tibie, and there" will consequently be much loss in the ■cutching. Potatoes are at a critiaal stage. There has been a splendid

growth, but the continued moisture has done mnch harm, blight making its Appearance in low and boggy land. Even a little more xWn woulu«be ruinous, but with a few weeks' heat the danger will probably disappear. Turnips are late, but so far give indications of a fair crop, except where there has been flooding. Corn is a good crop, although much of it is lying. Wheat will require great heat to fill the beads, but the straw is excellent. Lastly, hay, notwithstanding the bad weather, is a good crop, but in many instances it has been badly saved, and the seed — which is an important auxiliary in this district— lost. ■pi Gal way* — It is reported on good authority that while the police stationed at Cummer, near Tuam, were attending the proclaimed meeting at Ballinasloe, some unknown persons entered the barrack and carried off a number of carbines.

Kerry* — The following is surely the most intolerable case of police impertinence that haa ever been heard of in Tarbet district :—: — Mrs. Lavery, d.essmaker, sleeps alone in her house, the Square, Tarbet, her husband, being away at Glin for some time. In this house the meetings of the National League are usually held. Oq the night of August 16 she retired to rest about 10.30 p.m., and was awakened about 1 a.m. by a knocking at the front door. Having lit a candle, Bhe inquired who was there, whereupon a hoarse voice replied, "Let me in." She, thinking it was some person she knew, opened the door, when two men walked in. One of them kept his face towards the door, which be kept closed; while the other struck a match and lit a candle which he carried. Their faces were blackened, and they wore loose jackets tied around the waist. The man with the light said :— "We have come for the books and pacers belonging to the National ' party,' and show us where they are." Mrs. Lavery replied that she knew nothing about them, but that they could search. One man remained at the door while the other went upstairs into the League room. Mrs. Lavery, becoming very frightened, implored the man at the door for God"s sake to let her out. He replied :—": — " Don't be alarmed, we won't molest you." She then went back to her bedroom, which is on the ground floor, while the man upstairs continued his search. He came down and told her to leave tho room. She did so, and he proceeded to make a farther search there, opening her trunk, looking through her private letters, and tumbling the beds. They then left and walked down the ft -gs in the direction of the police ■barrack. Mrs. Lavery further statss that the man that went upstairs bad no whiskers, sive a moustache, had a smart military walk, and appeared quite cool. The man at the door seemed quite at home at sentry duty. The greatest excitement prevails over the affair, and it has been remarked that the police have not up to the present time called on Mrs. Lavery with reference to the matter. No papers or books were found.

Kildare.— Cardinal Morsn, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia dedicated the new Church of BS. Peter and Paul. Monasterevan, on August 11. He was assisted by the pastor, Very Rev. M. Comerford Daniel Kavanagh.of Timolin, Moone.hasbeen evicted by Land-tbie Deane-Drake on account, of the active interest be has taken in the welfare of biß poorer neighbours oa the estate. One hundred policemen and a gan? of Emergencymen from Dublin carried out the " Devil's work " in a barbarous manner on August 15. Mr. Kavanagh's reot was double the valuation. King's County. — Although 200 people attended the recent auction of meadowmg on an evicted farm at Bellisle there was no bidding. It is alleged thas all the people present were NationaLsts, and that the auctioneer was an Orangeman frem Golden Grove, Koscrea. The agricultural aspect has become gloomy in the extreme in th« Tullamore dibtrict. Of tl c hay crop a very large proportion of the season's produce has already gone to loss. In many places blight has made its appean.nce in tlae potato crop. In some instances 40 per cent, of the tubers are affected, and are utterly unfit for human use. There is no hope of even a f lir average yield of core. On the whole the outlook is of a decidedly disheartening character. I^eitrini.— At the meeting oC the Kinlougb. I.N L. on August 5, Patrick Feigus occupied the chair. The following resolution was unanimously passed : —That we condemn the action of Lord Massey in harshly evicting the widow Carroll and her three helpless children from their holding, and we call uDon the members of this branch to render her all the assistance in their power in her struggle for justice. Ivinierick. — T. D. Clifford occupied the chair at the recent meeting of Fedamore I.N.L. A circular from the Dennehy Testimonial Committee was laid over till next meeting. The fo'lowing rosolution was pa«scd :— That weicsret to learn that Bloody Balfour is still inflicting thrnusjh bia Removables extraordinary sentences on our public men. particularly the sentencing of James O'Kelly, M.P., to four months' lmprifonmcn'. A lar^e open-jiv Nationalist gathering under the auspices of the Limerick (S afield) bianch cf the League was held at Ballyneety August 12. There were fully 4 000 people present. Michael Donnelly presided and ,lohn Finuctne, M.P., delivered an able address on the National came, Mayor O'Keeffe referred to the life and times of Patrick San-field as ai example to some worthy generation to come. His remaiks were heaitily cheered. Notwithstanding the recent heavy rainfall the outlook for farmers in this County seems not to forebode as bidly a3 vtiu at first anticipated. With corn and wheat ia some few quarters the *am ha 9 / played hpvoc, but on the whole the grain crop as far as it has been /L grown bids fair to give a productive yield. The hay crop is a supea- • bundant one. thougri on some farms its productiveness was destroyed by copious raine. The potato j leld promises to overtop last year, and flounders are all good Biz'd but soft. Champions, as a general rule, have not yet shown to any advantage under stalk. Everywhere the cry is for more sunshine, wi.hout which harvesting will be lacking in its primary detail of success — ripening. L,ongford« — There was a crowded meeting of Killoe I.N.L. held at Knnybegs, August 12. Edward Cooncy presided. The following resolution was passed unanimously -.—That we condemn

the present inhuman policy of the Tory Government in Treland ; and we congratulate J. J. O'Kelly, M.P., on being added to the list of Bloody Balfour's victims.

Mayo* — The people of Castlebar were very much tnrprisod to hear of the marriage of Sir Walter O'Malley, formerly a resident of this town, which took place at Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin. He is now 72 years old and he married his servant, Caroline Marie Favey, who is scarcely out of her teens. Sir Walter was High Sheriff of this Cou nty in 1838.

There was a game between the Claremorris G. H. Moores and the Newport Wolfe Tones played near Westport recently. The proceedings were enlivened by the presence of the Newport Brass Band, which discoursed sweet music on the way to the trysting place — about a mile from Westport on the Glenisland Road. The grounds being measured, the posts adjusted, the umpires told off. and Hubert McLoughlin appointed referee, play was begun. The contending Gaels fought with the energy and enthusiasm of veterans. In skill, tact, and adroitness, they may not be equal to more practised teams, but their manly exertions coold not be excelled. Victory declared itself for Claremorris by four points to one. The Newport men entered on the green with the air of men who were bound to win. Certainly their vigorons kicking, neetness of foot, and fierce endeavours deterred a larger measure of success ; but their opponents excelled in almost all the above physical excellences, and if the Claremorrit men owed their success to any other extraneous quality it was that they adhered more strictly to the rules of the game.

Monagghan* — James Mullan and Anne Mullan, his wife, were arrested on a charge of taking forcible possession ot a house, the property of Henry Ouming, from which they had been evicted, and which he had held as a labourer. Mr. Mullan 's statement is that the arrest is in reality in consequence of his having sent his children to the Catholic school lately established in the neighbourhood instead of to the Protestant school, which they had previously attended. On being brought before Captain Mansfield. R.M., both prisoners were remanded on bail.

Queen's County.— The crops in this County are not at all as good as expected. The continuous wet weather had a good deal to do with this. B irley and oats, the principal cereal crops, will not be so abnndant as la?t year. In Portarlington and Mountmellick, where the rain caused the Barrow to overflow, a great portion of the crops has been ruined. The absence of sunshine bat retarded the ripening process and the harvest will not be as early as it was anticipated. Turnips are a very fair crop, benefiting largely from the recent rains. The blight is making its appearance among the potatoes and the crop will, it is feaied, be a failure. Hay it plenty, bat it was fearfully damaged, so that it is questionable whether there will be a half crop. " Pastures are looking luxuriant and store cattle have in consequence experienced a slight increase in price at local fairs.

RoSCOmmon*— Bernard Conroy occupied the chair at the recent meeting of Kiltrustan I.N.L. After initiating some new members, the following resolution was passed— That we tender our be9t support to our fearless member, James J. O'Kelly, in hiß coming trial at Boyle, the offence being for addressing his constituents, and we pledge ourselves to carry out hiß counsel determinedly until we triumph over Balfour and his hirelings.

At a late meeting of the Boyle Guardians, one of the relieving officers applied for out-door relief for an ex-member of the Board named Patrick Sharkev. who, he said, was evicted fiom his holding. He said that the man had a wife and thirteen children, the eldest of whom was only fifteen years of age, and the youngest an infant. The Guardian of the division said that Mr. Bharkey should net £2 a week. This man's eviction has caused a sensation in the district, as he was a leading Nationalist and was at one time put forward for the Chairmanship of the Boyle Board of Guardians. Tipperary.— When introducing the new parish priest of Solobead, near the Limerick Junction, to his parishioners, the Archbishop of Cashel said :— " You may count in the future as you did in the past upon my willing co-jperation in all your legitimate aims, and thus united no power on ear. h, no pain or penalty whatever— □either the gaol nor the gibbet — can ever deter us from the pur-nit of that measure of independence to which we are entitled and irrevocably pleiged." The adjourned meeting <^f the members of the Central Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association w*s held at the Limerick Junction, August 13. Maurice Davin ocsupied the chair, and there were also present :— Rev. C. Buckley, Bnttevent ; Rev. J. Concannon, Tullamore : Messrs. R. J. Frewen, T. O'Riordan, John Culltnan, Bansha. and W. Preuderorast, Honorary Secretary, Clonmel. Tne principal business before the meeting was the '" Gaelic invasion of America.' 1 Letters encouraging the trip with subscriptions were received and submitter! to the members. It was stated that it was intended to m«ke astait for America early in September, and arangements are almost completed with one of the trans- Atlantic companies to carry tiie SO Gael". Most of the men who are to compose the teams were carefully sjlect^d, conspicuous amongst them being athletes who had distinguished themselves at the champ onship sports at Limerick and Dublin recently. Several members of the Central Council, including Father Buckley, Father Concannon, Messrs. Davin and Frewen were requested to accompany the team, and it is likely that most of those named will go. Mr. Culiinan is to start in advance, in order to make arrangements at the other side in the principal cities wheTe the Gaels are to give exhibition". With a view to aiding the funds, exhibitions will be given at Dublin, Dunleary, Kilkenny, Weaiord, Dundalk, Tullamore, Thurle«, and probably some other Gaelic localities in the South. The athletes before starting are to obtain the special blessing and approbation of his Grace the Archbishop of Cashel, and they will assemble in Thurles for that purpose, where their illustrious patron will, no doubt, address them. Letters have aho been received from prominent Irishmen in the United States, guaranteeing a warm welcome to the invading Gaels. Their sojourn in America will last about a month. Thty will also proceed to Canada, and may be expected

borne about the end of October. In Cork previous to the dep*rtur c of tbe athletes it is expected there will be a demonstration in thei r honour.

Tyrone. — The crooa in the Dungannoa district did not present a more backward aspect since the year 1879. All kinds grew well, buc cannot now be saved. The mo3t of the hay crop has rotted or is to far gone that cattle will not eat it. Flax has grown very rank. Tbe potatoes are very inferior in quality and the quantity is also considerably below the bulk of last year. Corn has grown very heavy, but the harvest will be late. The other crops are fiir, but the farmers will suffer very mmch from their inability to secure turf. From all parts of Tyrone reports come of the very bad condition of all kinds of crops.

The efforts of the Drapers' Company's tenants, who are under notice of eviction rear Draperstown, to effect a settlement with the agent, Sir Wm. Cunningham, have failed. A force of eighty police under County-Inspectors Girrett, Demy, and Garrett Nagle, B. 81., Moneymore, with the Sheriff, proceeded to the house of Michael Morgan, on the Douglass, a tributary of the Moyola. Rev. John Mclldowney and several local Nationalists were present. The housß was barricaded but the Bmergencymen battered in the door with a sledge and crowbare. The Sheriff's officers were allowed to remove the effects quietly. Whin all was removed except the family, which consists of Morgan, his wif», mother-in-law, and sevea children, the eldest of whom is about fifteen yearß, and the youngest a babe of some five months, the scene was far from cheering. The children clung to the door cases, and were only removed by the police by force, amidst violent screaming. The doors were then nailed up, and the evicting party proceeded to the house of James Quigley. After the eviction of this family a settlement was effected and they were reinstated. Mrs. Mary Ann Dougan, Dunmmrray, was then ejected, and the police and crowbar brigade returned to Draperstown, after rendering so many of their fellow-beings homelesp.

'Westttteatll* — Major D. Stevenson,wno is a small landlord near Mullingar. in conjunction with Father O'Reilly, Presides! of the National League, has sUrttd a new shirt factory in the town. One hundred pounds were collected for the support of this object at the last meeting of the League, and there are over fifty girls permanently employed in the establishment. As might be reasonably anticipated the crops in the vicinity of Mullingar are backward on account of the heavy rains which have fallen lately. The potato crop is an abundant one, and the tubers, though not up to the usual standard, may be put down as good. The potatoes are wet, but nevertheless with a few dry weeks this should bo remedied. The cereal crops all round are promising.

— There were placed on view at the Irish Exhibition, London, ihe other day, Borne historical relics of the Irieh rebellion of '98, consisting of the swords and pißtols and snsh worn by the famous Father Mnrphy at the battles of Gorey, Arklow, New tiosa, Vinegar Hill, and other hardly -contested engagements between the Boyal troops and the United Irishmen, in that disastrous year. Father Murphy, in the first instance, opposed the rebellion, but eTentually had to defend his church Irom an attack by the Royal troops. Subsequently, at a council of war, he was requested by the insurgent chiefs to take command of a division of the Wexford army, under Bagenal Harvey, who was at Ihe time Oommander-in-chief. Father Murphy was one of the few Catnolic leaders of the rebellion. He displayed extraordinary bravery and daring in many of the engagements which took place in this County and Wicklow