Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 1, 26 April 1889, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— Tenants on the Lame estate of Edward Coey have been offered a reduction of 10 per cent, in their rents.

Lord Arthur Hill has allowed his Island-Magee tenants a reduction of 15 per cent. A meeting of the Ballyclare Reform Association was held in the Lectuie Hall, Ballyclare, when the rent schedule recently issued by the Chief Land Commission and the administration of ihe land laws were fully discussed. The following resolutions were unanimously passed : — Resolved— That we hereby express our great dissatisfaction at the schedule varying the judicial rents, as issued by the Land Commission for the year 1888 ; that, as the present administration of the land laws, especially by the Chief Commissioners, is, to our mind?, unfair, we assert that the final settlement of the land question lies in making the occupier the sole owner of the soil on terms which shall not encroach on his interest, an encroachment which, we believe, has been made by the Commissioners in fixing the present judicial rents.

Armagh.— A few days ago Mr. English, agent for Captain Dowglass, attended at Jerrettspsss for the purpose of receiving the rents doe on his estate in the district. The tenants asked for a reduction of rent, but the agent only allowed them the judicial abatement. All the tenants paid their rents. A largely-attended meeting of the tenant farmers of the district was held at the Institute, Portadown, January 26, for the purpose of protesting against the schedule ef judicial rems recently issued by the Chief Land Commission. Amongst those present were : — Rev. Robt. Jameson, Thomas Shillington. James Finnegan, Thos. Keegan, Wm. Weir, Jacob Binton, John Joseph Wilson, William H. Orr, Ralph Bullock, Richard McConnell, William Met calf, Patrick Loughran. On motion of W. H. Sinton, seconded by James Eeegan, the chair was taken by James Hobson. The following resolutions were passed by acclamation : — That we protest in the strongest manner against the injustice of the order made by the Laad Commission raising the judicial rents ; that only by the transfer to the tenant on fair terms of the landlord's interest in the value of the soil can the country be freed from its present difficulties and agriculture prosper ; that recent manipulations of the Land Court?, indicating a tendency to control them from Dublin Castle, have produced alarm amongst farmer*, and that a permanent committee be appointed of the farmers of this district to watch the course of events, and take such steps to defend the interests of the farmers as they may judge right.

Carlow«— Rev. R. Rourke, at early Mass in Bagnalstown, January 27, referred to the timely letter from tbe brilliant pen of Archbishop Croke on the emigration to the Argentine Republic which appeared in the National papers. The reverend gentleman warned the people against the inducements held out to them by the promoters, whose placards were posted so extensively in the di9tric*-, and strongly advised intending emigrants not to quit their native land, for a brighter era was dawning on Ireland.

Clare.— Joseph R, Cox, Member lor Bast Clare, has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment at Strokeatown Coercion Court for inciting tenants not to pay rack-rents. The case of Bermingham v. Turner and others was continued before the Lord Chancellor in the Appeal Court, Dublin, on February 1. The plaintiff was one of a number oi tenants who had been evicted on the Vandeleur estate, and who have since commence 1 actions against Colonel Turner, Colonel Vandeleur, the landlord ; his agent, Hallam Htuddert ; Mr. D'Esterre, High Sheriff; and Mr. Croker. sub-Sheriff. The plaintiff c aims £500 damages for allege I unlawful trespass on his house and land. One point on which Mr, Bermingham relied was that a notice require 1 under the Land Act of 1887 had not been posted in the right district, and another was that the value of his holding being over £30 a year there was no power to remit the action. Tbe case was adjourned.

Cork.— At Kanturk Quarter Sessions a case was heard in which the Learys, father and son, ot Pruhu*, appealed from a sentence of seven weeks' imprisonment inflicted by a Crimes Act Court at Millatree'. The Recorder rever6ei tbe decision of the Removable?. The result was received with a great aeal of popular rejoicing.

A Coercion Court was held at Shandangan, near Macroom, recently for the purpose of hearing a case ia wh.ch Denis Murphy was charged with having used intimidation towards Kichard Kingston, and thereby induced him not to take a farm from wbich Denis Murphy, defendant's father, had been evicted. The Removables sentenced defendant to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. Notice of appeal was lodged. An evicion »f a distressing nature took place at Ballycurrane, near Clashmore, on Villiers Stuart's property. Lately Edmond Fleming, the evicted tenant, applied for a fair rent, and since a judicial lent was fixed he was a marked man. Efforts have been made for some time to effect a purchate, but even with the terror of eviction before him the tenant could not accept the terms asked, viz., 20 years at Griffith's valuation, and, in addition, the payment of one year's old rent. Flemine. however, under pressure, offered what he knew was too much — 22A- years on ihe judicial rent, and, in addition, £41), which is one year's, according to the judicial rent. Tbe result is that sub-Sheriff Hudson and his bailiffs, reinforcei by rangers, rent-warners, and hangers-on of the Uromana estate, armed with eviction implements and headed by a man named Aimit, effected their purpose, protect ci by a large force of police and surrounded by a crowd of Fleming's sympathisers. Fleming and hia family having been left homeless, the next move was towards Knoekanervie, where the same process was gone through, and Kdmund Dower, another of Villiers Stuart's tenants, was evicted.

Derry. — Mr Gage, Cultra House, Holywood, the agent for R. T. O'Neil. atteoded at Uerrynokl, Draperstown, the other day for the purposj of receiving the rents and arrears now due by the tenants

residing on the County Derry estates, and also to give those tenant! against whom there were ejectments an opportunity to settle them. The majority of the tenants were present, and those who paid the rent of 1888, or the last half of 1887. were allowed the reductions set forth in the schedules issued by the Commissioners. Several of the tenants owed three years' rent, and Mr. Gage accepted one year's rent from them. In the case of those against whom there were ejectments Mr. Gage settled with them on reasonable terms. Tenants who asked for an extension of time nntil they could make np their rents, were readilygranted it.

Down.— A meeting of the ten ant-farmers of South Down was held at Kilcoo recently to consider the rent schedule of the L*od Commissioners. The meeting was most successful and there were about 3,000 people present. Resolutions strongly condemning the schedule were adopted. Rev. B Garry, Kilcoo, presided. Speeches were delivered by Messrs. McCartin and Pinkerton, M.P.'s.

Dublin.— On being informed of the brutal and inhuman treatment of William O'Brien in Clonmel Goal, Thomas Sexton sent the following telegram to Chief Secretary Balfour :— " The illegal and brutal violence offered to William O'Brien by your agents in Clonmel Gaol has excited unexampled indignation and disgust throughout the whole community. I think it my duty to warn you that the anger of the public is rapidly reaching a point at which restraint may not be possible, and it you delay to instruct your agents to abstain from violence and torture, and to have regard to Mr. O'Brien's cbaraeter and position, the public judgment will hold you personally responsible for his safety and for the peace of the country now placed in the utmost danger. — Thomas Sexton." The Lord Mayor's Secretary, Mr. Whyte, on taking the dispatch to the Castle, was grossly insulted by Balfour, who called him a liar and a cur. Robert Sells, who drove Mr. Whyte to the Castle, says that Mr. Balfour's conduct appeared to be that of a madman. Ho added that he had often seen tamer lunatics than the Chief Secretary in tbe asylum.

Kerry. — A large and representative meeting of tbe Inhabitants of Tralee, specially convened by the chairman of tbe Town Commissioners, was held in the Town Hall. Mr. Slattery presided. J. O Donovan wrote apologising for his inability to attend, and expressing full symprthy with the meeting: Mr. O'Rourke proposed a resolution as follows :— That we stigmatise the treatment of William O Brien, M.P , on the occasion of his recent arrest at Manchester, and his subsequent treatment in Clonmel Gaol as base, bloody, and brutal, and we distinctly charge Arthur J. Balfour, present Chief Secretary for Ireland, with responsibility for this foul treatment of an honorable opponent, whom we, with the rest of Ireland, recognise as one of tbe most honest of our representatives. M, B. Stokes seconded tbe resolution, which was carried with acclamation. The eviction campaign on the Kenmare estate commenced on Jan uar y 31, The proceedings took place at Scrahanaveel, about 12 miles from Killarney, and 4 from Rathmore. The house of Daniel Murphy was the first visited. It was found when visited by District-Inspector Rodgers an 3 his 80 policemen, to be barricade! b y tbe occupants ; but an entrance was soon effected after which the premises were cleared and policemen placed in charge of the house. A eon of Murphy's was arrested. The next house visited was that of Mrs. Falvey, wnich was also barricaded, and in which resistance was offered. A clearance of the premises wae eff ctcd, after which the house was permanently secured. A young man named Cahill was arrested here for resisting tbe bail iff a ami police. Some young women connected witn the evicted tenants were arrested for having poured boiliog water on the bailiffs, but were afterwards discharged, to be summoned under the Coercion Act. Murphy and Cahill were brought handcuffed to Killarney, en route to Tralee Gaol, to await their trial.

Kildare.— R. J. O' Daffy, Secretary to the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language, has been appointed Professor of Celtic Studies in Clongowes Wood College, Sailing. The succe«ful record of this college at tbe last Intermedate Examination placed it in the foreground of Irish educational institutions, and the addition of Celtic to its curriculum, will, therefore, be welc^msd by students of our native literature.

King's County.— Castlejordan National League, Rev. M. M'Loughlm, President, bas contradicted the evidence of Garret Tyrell, v local informer, at tbe Forgeries Commission in London

The attempted upsetting of tbe Banagber train has been denounced by Very Rev. Dr. Monaghau, Vicar-General of the diocese, as an unjust attempt to take away the lives of a number of innocent people.

At the recent meeting of the Tullamore Board of Guardians, Jap. Roe presiding, a cumber of farm labourers applied for assistance to enable them to emigrate to the Argentine Republic. Rev. P. O'Reilly and the ratepayers were opposed to giving the proposed assistance, bo tbe Guard iaus refused the application.

Limerick* — John Finucane, M.P , and other coercion prisoners were released from the Limerick Gaol. Mayor O'Keefe presided at a meeting held in their honour, and said that Balfour might expect the vengeance of the Irish nation if anything serious happened to Wm. O'Brien.

At the weekly meeting of the Newcastlewest Guardians, David D. Leahy presiding, Edward Mulcahy proposed, and James 6. Kenny seconded a resolution protesting against the vindictive conduct of Balfour towards Sir. O'Brien, and thanking the people of Manchester for the hearty leception they accorded to Balfour's criminal.

Longford. — £. Cooney was chairman of the recent meeting oi the Eilloe National League. The following resolution was adopted unanimously :— Ttiat we disclaim any counection whatsoever with the deliberate perjurer, Igoe, us we never held any communication with him. If the London Times and the Tory Government can't employ a more reliable witness than this degraded wretch we wish them luck in their materials,

LrOUtll* — John O'Connor, Member for South Tipperary, attended the monster meeting of the Massereene tenants at Monasterboice, January 27, Rev. Henry McKee occupied the chair. Father Booth, John Drumgoole, and several other local leaders attended. In the course of a practical speech, Mr. O'Connor said the Maesereene tenants shoald arrange their rents according to the average reduction made by tbe Land Commissioners on the neighbouring estates. This was a reduction of 22^ psr cent., and they asked 26 per cent, on •ome rents and 20 on others, so that that was practically a concession to their demand. The only thing that seemed a difficulty was the refusal to reinstate the evicted tenants. On this point he would strongly press on them cot to turn their backs on tneir fallen comrades. All Ireland would cry shame at the desertion of the soldiers who had been stricken down in the fight. They should not sully their victorions banner by an act of cowardice. He was there that day on the part of John Dillon, who had Btarted for Australia to enlist the Irish people at the other end of the world in their cause. They should always remember that while they were the advanced guard of the National army of Ireland they had for their support the Irish race which was scattered over tbe world (cheers). He had one reason more to add why they should stand to their guns. It was on the cards that the Irish land question would be settled by one or other o( the great parties of Great Britain, and the Drice they would have to pay in the purchase would be according to the value which they themselves would now set upon the land. It was due to themselves and their posterity to see that the value was not fixed at too high a standard.

Hfayo« — A Coercion Court was held in Claremorris for the pupose of investigating a charge of intimidation against P. J. Gordon. The examination of witnesses having concluded, tbe magistrates 'sentenced the accused to two months' imprisonment. Mr. Gordon arrived in Castlebar on January 31, accompanied by a strong escort of constabulary, and was lodged in gaol.

A meeting of the Kilkelly and Glann National League was held on January 28 ; Rev. M. Henry in tbe chair. A good many subscriptions were banded in. Tbe rev. president handed in 10s, to be sent to the Moroney Fund. The following resolution was proposed and carried : — That we congratulate the honest and spirited electors of Oovan on the manly stand they have made for a down-trodden people, and for their repudiation of Balfour ism and landlordism. Relieving-Officer Fitzpatrick, at the last meeting of the Westport Guardians, handed in ejectment decrees against a large number of tenants on the Marquis of Sligo's estate.

monagnan. — At the Monaghan Petty Sessions, Magistrate Murray in the chair, an important case was beard . District- Inspector Fitzsimmons charged William Gillanders, an Orangeman, with having committed a Berious assault on an old man named Patrick Moan. Several witnesses testified to the assault, and identified Gillanders as the offending party. Tbe Court sentenced the brutal Orangeman to two months' imprisonment.

Queen's County. — The following are the charges preferred against J. L. Carew and Denis Kilbride, M.P.'s, and Thomas Robertson, Narragbmore, at Maryborough recently : — Taking part 44 in a criminal conspiracy " to induce certain shop-keepers, mechanical artisans, and labourers not to deal with or work for persons who had occupied farms from which tenants had been or might be evicted ; using intimidation toward Lord Droeheda, in consequence of having evicted a tenant named Thomas O'Beirne, and conspiring to induce persons not to occupy evicted farms.

Thousands of Nationalists poured into Ballacolla on January 29 to hear an address from W. A. Mac Donald, Member for the division. The meeting assumed enormous proportions, being attended by the priests and laymen of districts fully 20 miles distant. The greatest enthusiasm was displayed and tbe utmost good order preserved. Rev. R. Knaresborough was moved to the chair. Mr. Mac Donald said they had met for the purpose of considering the present position of the National cause. As to a case of eviction in the neighbourhood, he thought there were circumstances which, as far as the landlord was concerned, required explanation. It was significant that of late landlords and their agents were obliged to have recourse to tbe columns of the Nationalist newspapers in order to explain and justify their conduct in the management of Irish estates. That showed that the organisation of the people was bearing good fruit. It was well that they t-hould know what they could legally do. It would not be lawful for him or for them to advise or take part in boycotting, but tbe time had arrived when it was not necessary that tbe members of the Irish party should imperil their liberty by advising tbe people as to what they should or ought to do. After nine years of successful agitation it Bhould not be necessary to point out their duty to any intelligent body of Irishmen. There was no law to prevent the people from acting as they should towards landgrabbers »nd the other enemies of the country (applause). It would not be lawful for him, or any priest or layman, to advise them to adopt the Plan of Campaign, but nobody could interfere with them adopting it on their own motion. The people should rely on themselves and not trust to outside aid. If they acted on their own motion they might defy Dublin Castle and Mr. Balfour.

ROSCOmmon. — About 600 of tbe tenantry on the De Freyne estate assembled at tbe farm of James Gordon, at Grallagh, Frebchpark, with about 80 carts, and did all his farm work. James Gordon is now undergoing seven days' imprisonment for refusing to give evidence at a Star-Chamber Court. Two purchases under the Ashbourne Act have just been completed in the vicinity of Strokestown. After prolonged negotiations the tenants on the estate of Major Balfe, at Kilglass, have purchased their holdings at 16 years' purchase. The tenants on The O'Conor Don e6tate in one district have given 14 years' purchase for their farme.

William O'Brien. M.P., was present at a demonstration held at Lißsergool, on Lord De Freyne's estate, Castlerea, Jan. 27. He delivered a stirring speech to a crowd of seven thousand people. It was reported that the meeting would be held in Kilraore, in an exactly

opposite direction, and the police concentrated all their attention on tint place. Mr. O'Brien successfully eluded police vigilance and was early on tbe scene. He advised the people to keep firm to the Plan of Oampaign and Da Freyne would soon surrender. No police appeared. The people dispersed quietly. SHjgO. — M. Gonly was Chairman at the last meeting cf the Drumcliffe I.N.L. Tne following resolutions were passed unanimously : — That we view with disapproval the recent schedule of rents published by Commissioners Wrench and Litton ; we wish to remind those supporters of corrupt landlordism their action will tend to renewed agitation and combination amongst the tenantry of Ireland to attain their just demands ; that we admire the manly pluck of the Olphert tenantry, who so nobly defended their homesteads against the evicting horde of emergencymeo, soldiers, and police, and we deeply sympathise with them in their hour of trial.

On Jan. 27, a match was played between the Tubbercurry St. Patricks and the Curry Liberator* oa the ground of the former club. When half time was announced the play stood :— St. Patrick's four points to nil for Liberators. John Devinc scored three of those points and J. Noonc one. During the second half hour the Liberators displayed their best play, for tbe most part of the time keoping the ball in dangerous proximity to tbe Br. Patrick's goal. Tbe members of botn team* did excellent work, but tbe following attracted particular attention and praise for St. Patrick's : — Messrs. Lowry, captain; Lynch, P. Noone, Kennedy, Hennigan, Moffat, Davies, the brothers Devine, and P. Noone. Patrick Durcan did yeoman service as goalkeeper. For Liberators— Luke Walshe, captain ; P. Howley, B. Colleran, T. Owens, A. Kelly, M. Walshe, J. Oahill, and J. Murphy, goalkeepers. Field Umpires — W. Frizzle and M, Loft us. Goal Umpires— Wm. Frizzle and P. Harte. Tipperary. — The prisoners from Carriok-on Suir arrived at Clonmel, Jan. 25, with tbe police. Great groaning was indulged in by the people, and the police lost their temper and struck some onlookers with their rifles. Stones were then thrown. The police fixed bayonets to charge. Father Meagher iatervenea. The police were ordered to load and fire un the next stone being thrown, and only the doors at tbe station were closed to save the people serious consequences would have resulted. A large meeting of the people of Thurles was held in the Young Men's Society rooms to protest against the treatment given to Mr. O'Brien. Messrs. Bushe, Thomas Ryan, Jobnstone, O'Brien, and Mockler were present. James Bergan presided and in an eloquent speech referred to the barbarities practiced on Mr. O'Biien. He condemned in strong terms his prosecutor, whom, he said, all humane persons should abhor. Timothy Kennedy proposed and Andrew Callanan, Treasurer of the County Tipperary Gaelic Athletic Association, seconded the following resolution, which was carried amidst acclamation : — That we indignantly protest against the barbarous and cruel treatment which Mr. O'Brien, one of our beloved leaders in the struggle for National autonomy, has been subjected to by the callous brute, Balfour, because Mr. O'Brien has made palpable to the world his lying propensities, be has now subjected him to the greatest indignities his fiendish heart could desire. We tell him that the more Mr. O'Brien or any other patriot is humiliated by him the more they are respected by tbe Irish people.

William O'Brien was incarcerated in Clonnel Gaol Jan. 30. Next morning the door of toe cell in which Mr. O'Brien passed tbe night on a plank bed was opened and one of tbe waiders entered and told him to get up and return to him tbe quilt, the narrow blanket, and the sheet which the Governor bad placed in his cell. The warder on his part returned Mr. O'Brien's spectacles. Mr. O'Brien allowed the plank bed to be taken away from the cell, but attempted to retain the quilt. Tnc authorities, however, insisted on carrying it off, and Mr, O'Brien was again lett in his cell almost naked. A mattress was afterwards brought to the cell, on which Mr. O'Brien was obligeJ to sleep for two nights. Michael Ryan, J.P., was one of the justices who visited the prisoner and he reports that Mr. O'Brien has written a letter to the Prisons Board, giving a statement of the action of the gaol officials at Clonnel since he was brought here. The letter demands by whose orders the above outrage was carried out, and leaves the gentlem-n who direct the gaol officials of Ireland as to how they are to carry out their duties no escape from betring the responsibility of the barbarity or acknowledging tbat they were but the instruments of the vengeance of the Chief Secretary.

Tyrone.— Cookstown branch of the League, Rev. J. Bock chairman, has lcsolved to continue the agitatioa until felonious landlordism and vile Castle government shall be abolished.

There was a lengthened discussion at the last meeting of the Dungannon Board of Guardians on the question of the religion of a child inmate. The child was left by Mrs. Campbell, its mother, in care of a woman named Fullerton, who got it baptise! at Tullyniskin Presbyterian Church by Rev. T. J. Jones. When the child was placed in the charge of the Union it was registered as of the Protestant Faith, and brought up accordingly. The mother hps since got married to a Catholic and id residing in England. Rev. Canon Coyne, Moy, claimed either the custody of the child or to have it registered under the Catholic Faith. Mr. MilligaD said they must have a guarantee that tbe child would not in future be burdened upon the Union, which was refused by Mr. Shields, who stated they would give no such guarantee. On the motion of Mr. Bancroft, seconded by Mr. Shields, the child was handed over to its moiher. The chairman Baid once the child was handed over to its mother the Board would have nothing more to do with it.

'Wexford, — The eviction mania has again broken out in this County. Richard Murphy and Thomas Kehoe were evicted on the Cliff e eßtate at Ballyhogue, New Ross. General Richards evicted nine families at Ballysimoa for non-payment of rent. Win. Stamp, one of the evicted tenants, offered four years' rent to the landlord, but bis offer was rejected.

M. A. Manning was accorded a memorable demonstration of welcome on returning to We x ford. At the station he was met by the Mayor and several thousand citizens, who cheered him as he

stepped from the train. The vast crowd marched to the Hall, where addresses were delivered from the windows of the National and Literary Club. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, denounced the inhuman treatment of Mr. O'Brien. He then introduced Mr. Manning, who said he was proud of the two months' imprisonment. Bey. W. B. O'Donnell also denounced the vile conduct of the authorities in dealing with Mr. O'Brien as with a common felon. The following resolution was proposed by Alderman Byan and carried :— That we inuignantly protest against the inhuman treatment to which William O'Brien has baen subjected in Clonmel Gaol, and earnestly hepe that the honest liberty-loving people of the Three Kingdoms will take such measures as will prevent Balfour from doing to death this pure-souled Irishman.

'WlcklOW.— The other evening 11 young men were arrested at BalHnapark, about six miles outside Wicklow, on a charge of having taken forcible possession of a house from which Dominick McDermott had been evicted by Denis Kavanagb, Ballyguile, the proprietor of the Mount Dairy, Dublin. The day after the eviction a number of neighbours attacked the house, expelling the two caretakers. The police were obliged to march out to Ballinapark and reached their destination about midnight, when they arrested the persons they required and returned with them to Wicklow.