Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 18, 23 August 1889, Page 21

Irish News.

Antrim.— The directors of the Lame and Stranraer Steamboat Company have ordered a paddle 9teamer of grand proportions to be constructed Dy Wm. Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland. Could not the Irish ship-builders construct this vessel for an Irish (in name at least) company ?

Commissioners Letten and Wrench sat in the County Court, Belfast, May 29, to hear appeals on behalf of the landlords against rents fixed by the sub-Commissioners. The rack-rentera thought the sub- Commissioners were too lenient to their tenants. The following, amongst other, landlords appealed :— Lord Montague and the Earl of Antrim. The sub-Commissioners gave substantial reductions to the following on the Montague estate :— W. Hunger, Josiah Lyons, D. WilsoD, J. McAyeal, James Boyd, and James Tosh ; also to James McAfee and W. H. Donaghy on Antrim's estate. It is pleasant to record the confirmation of the reductions by Commissioners Letten and Wrench,

Armagh* — A hairdresaer named Brady got married recently in Armagh. From the church the happy pair drove to Dungannon, and during his absence some wags placed a printed card on the door bearing the words, •' Closed in consequence of the death of T. Brady," and the pole was draped in black and vthite.

Carlow.— Henry Bruen has 16,447 acres of land in this county which is valued at £14,097. The rents are always, as a rule, above the valuation, and it may then be inferred that the tenants are heavily charged. It is, however, a consolation to know that the rack-rents of former years can never be again extracted from the tenants.

An interesting incident in connection with Coercion imprisonments took place in Carlow on May 26, and ought to prove to Balfour that it is impossible to subdue the Irish people by imprisoning them or even killing the leaders off. P. J. Conlon wps entertained in the Town Hall, Carlow, at a public banquet to celebrate his release from prison. An address was read from the Nationalists of Carlow by Mr. O'Reilly. Rev. Edward Kavanagh presided at the banquet.

Cava.ll* — Constable William Twomey, who was stationed in Cavan, has resigned. He thinks it is degrading to serve under such cruel masters and enforce such brutal laws. May many more think likewise.

Knockbridge League was organised on May 26 with great enthusiasm. This is by way of protest against Balfourian rule and as an aid to evicted tenants. Rev. Patrick Brady was elected president ; Thomas Martin, vice-president ; George Mcßreen, hon. secretary ; and Pat Gorman, treasurer.

Patrick Connell, bis wife, and seven helpless children were recently thrown on the roadside at Magheron by a landlord tyrant named Captain John P. Gethin. This poor man always paid his rent until it became impossible to do so, and his land was frequently watered by the Atlantic ; but still the gallant Captain had no mercy.

Clare* — The extra police force in this county for six months cost £3532. This is a nice penny to pay for people whose services are not required by Irishmen at all.

The tenants on the Studdert estate have bought their holdings at 14J years' purchase. They can snap their fingers at tbe landlords in the future, but they ought not to be unmindlul of their country all the same.

The Kilkee branch of the League met on May 26, in goodly numbers, near the farm from which Francis O'Donnell, Farrihy, was evicted. Michael Haugh presided. A resolution condemning O'Donnell's eviction and pledging him the support of the branch, was passed, lhe resolution was spoken to by Daniel Casey, who denounced land-grabbing, and called upon the people to close up their ranks and prevent it getting a hold in their district.

Tbe people of this county are shortly to feel the exterminating landlord's power. The walls of Kilrnsh Court-house and markethouse were recently covere i with ejectment writs against tenants on the following estates :— The Marquis of Conyngham's, Westby, Hickman, Stewart, Kelly, and Keane's. Who could depict the mindBuffering of the many fathers and mothers of little ones who are shortly to be thrown upon the world by these cruel landlords ?

The Ballinacally League assembled on May 26. E. Murphy, Kildysart, presided. The following resolutioss were passed : — That we denounce the scandalous injustice and wrong-doing to which the poor struggling man, Pat Tuohy, is being made a victim by hia unecrapalous grabbing neighbour. That we heartily join wiih Rev. J, Donnellan, C.C., in condemning the recent Moonlight raid for arms at Carhoukilla as being opposed to the interests of religion and country. The we desire to add the expression of our belief in the innocence of the parties arrested on this charge, such arrests being, in our opinion, but the rampant expression of the animus borne by the 8.1.C. towards tbe parties, and with the view, too, to cover their vigilant inactivity and detective incapacity. The branch forwarded £3 to the Donegal Evicted Tenants' Fund, and £1 to the Fair Trial Fund.

Cork* — The houses of four tenantß on Longford estate who are threatened with eviction have been barricaded, and a determined struggle will be waged when the evictors show up there.

William O'Brien has gone to Nice to gain new strength to face the foe. He is accompanied by Dr, Kenny.

The tenants on the Egmont estates have been visited by the agent with the view to ascertain what the tenants would purchase their holdings at.

Philip Dea, a tenant on the Ponaonby estate, was before Removables Dillon and Caddell, at Youghal, charged with ploughing up the crops on his land, Dea thought it was as good to destroy his crops, as to let tbe money for them fall into the landlord's pockets, lie was returned for trial at the assizes.

Dr. Tanner, who is confined in Qalway Gaol, has not been supplied with copies of the speeches it is alleged he made, and for which he will be called op to account at the Commission Court, London, shortly. This is a most unfair method, and it is more remarkable as all the others have been supplied with theirs. The Youghal League members assembled in great numbers May 26. Canon Keller presided. Present :— Rev. Dr. McCarthy, W. J. Lane, M.P. : B. Carey, chairman Town Commissioners ;W. Hodnett, J. Cullinane, and P. P. O'Neil, A body of police were drawn up near the entrance, and a sergeant asked for permission to to enter but was refused. The people are determined to fight the landlords to the last. A resolution congratulating William O'Brien on his release was passed.

Derry. —Justin McCarthy, M.P. for Derry, was entertained at a dinner in Liverpool, May 27, by the Young Ireland Society, of which he is president. Dr. Commins, M.P., was present and said Home Bule was sure to go ahead, as it was now in the hands ol the English, Scotch, and Welsh peoples, who woald see it through. The Skinners' Company, of London, which owns land in and around Draper&town, are now very anxious to sell to the tenants, or, in fact, anyone disposed to purchase their interest; in the land, as long as they can screw the la9t farthing out of tenant or other purchaser, They are wise in this, because after a few years more they would not get ten years' purchase money for it; Mr. Young, Dungiven, the Company's agent, has issued notice to the effect that he is prepared to meet the tenants aad arrange to sell their holdings to them.

The following will clearly illustrate how they tried to " do " both tenants and Commissioners lately, but failed : — The agent of the Drapers' estate, County Derry, has received a long letter from the Irish Land Commissioners, refusing to sanction the agreements for sale to the tenants on the ground that on inspection of the 64 holdings on one division of the estate comprised in the agreement, they have discovered that in the vast majority of cases judicial rents bad been fixed by a County Court judge prior to the dates of the agreements for sale, yet that in the agreement the old rents are inserted, and all information as to the existence of orders fixing judicial rents was withheld from the Commissioners, and farther, that at the date of the agreements, or subsequently, receipts were given by the Draper's Company's solicitor to many tenants for arrears due before November, 1885, and for costs and also for interest to November, 1888, on definite sums of money described in the receipts as " the purchase money " and apparently calculated at eighteen times the original rent. Tho total sums unpaid named in these receipts, when added to the purchase money mentioned in the receipts as given for interest, appear to amount to the price named in the agreement for sale. Without entering into any question of the impoverished condition of some of the tenants, the amount of arrears, and the eject* ments pending at the time of execution of the contracts for sale, or of irregularities in the execution of two of tbe contracts, and with* out reference to the sufficiency of security, the Commissioners are not prepared to entertain applications for advances based on agree* ments so prepared and entered into. The Commissioners are rather of opinion that, except in about two cases, the holdings do not offer adequate security for the advances applied for, and in tbe accepted cases the agreements did not disclose the existence of judicial rents. The Commissioners, therefore, decline to sanction any of the advances, and, having regard to the facts disclosed before directing an inspection on another division of the estate namely, the Draperstown division, they desire to be informed if judicial rents have been fUed there.

Donegal. — Norbury Williams, who, with soma members of the Gladstone Liberal Club, visited ill-fated Falcarragh and Gweedore during eviction scenes, has forwarded views of these heart-rendiDg proceedings to Mr. Gladstone. They wil), no doubt, awaken feeling 9 of sympathy and also of shame in many English breasts.

Police-Inspector Martin, who got killed in the unfortunate affair at Gweedore, was buried in Ballyahannon Prot6Stant Church. Mrs. Martin was desirous of raising the sign of redemption over his grave and had a fine cross ordered, but the authorities of the church would not allow her. She then put floral emblems, wreaths, and crosses on tbe grave. These were considered, as well as the cross, idolatrous, and they were rudely torn from the grave and strewn in fragments around. An instance like this could net have happened iv any other portion of the world at the present day. James McGinley, of Drumnatinny, on the Olphert estate, resisted eviction on May 27 in a manner which will leave a deep impression on the minds, heads, and ribs of the evicting forces for some time to come. When the Sheriff asked the unfortunate man for possession he reiused, saying he might as well die inside. Fathers Boyle and Kelly, Dunfanaghy, witnessed the attack. On came the Emergencymen, bailiffs, and police, with scaling-ladders, poles, and crowbars, and then ensued a scene which cannot be describe:!. From inside was rained upon the upholders of unjust land laws stones, sticks, and broken boUles. Tbe attacking forces were repulsed several times, and then the Rifles were ordered to attack McGin ley's Fort as a last effort, which, after a desperate resistance, was entered through the roof. Inspector Crane inflicted a cheek wouud on young Cannon, a nephew of McGinley 's. When the Emergencymen and police got in they beat and ill-treated the defenders, who were brought down the ladder blejding from many wounds. The brave holders of McGinley's Fort were James McGinley, owner ; hia son Ned, and Daniel Cannon, his nephew. If every eviction was made as tough a 9 this the authorities would soon tire of assisting the landlords. The McGinleys and Cannon, it need hardly be stated, were arrested and despatched to Derry Gaol.

Down* — The tenants of the Sixtowna estate, belonging to the late James S. S'ephenson'a representative, are arranging to buy their holdings. Some have already concluded the bargains, and feel happy in the security of their homes. John King, of Derryneil, has just taken unto himself as wife, Rose Rooney, of the same townland, John is 80 years old ftud Ro»e

70. The interesting ceremony was performed in Grangorey Church, near Castlewellan.

Dungannon Board of Guardians met oa May 30. Grave reports of the ravages made by mad dogs were to hand, and the best means for protection discussed. Mr. Dorria, V.S., stated that he inspected a cow belonging to William White, of Ballymackleduff, and found her suffering from rabies and ha i her shot. Sergeant Corrigan reported that two men were bitten by a mad dag at Parkanaur. Sergeant Duffy reported a mad dog being around Dungannon, and that one had been shot at Donaghmore. The following resolution was passed : — The Board of Guardians of Dungannon, having received information of supposed canine rabies, do hereby give public warning of the existence of such supposed rabies, and all persons are informed of the following regulations, that by order and direction that all stray dogs be seized, detained, and disposed of as by authority of the Babies (Ireland) Act order of 1886.

Dublin.— Clondalkin branch of the League met at the Bed Cow, May 26. James J. Farren presided. The secretary read from "The Book of Erin" a history of the passing of the Act of Union in 1800, the base means used to carry it, and the baneful effect on Ireland to the present day. The members expressed their joy at William O'Brien's liberation, and the following resolutions were passed :— That, whilst rejoicing at the release of J. L. Oarew, M.P., after an imprisonment of three months under the Coercion Act, we protest against the brutal system of prison torture whereby his health was undermined and his release only granted when a fatal termination was feared by Balfour ; that we congratulate Rev. Canon Keller, William O'Brien, M.P., and P. O'Brien, M.P., upon their determination to teach Salisbury, Balfour, Russell, and the " Forger," by means of actions at law, that their old game of slandering Ireland's leaders can no longer be indulged in with impunity ; that our heartfelt thanks are tendered to our exiled kindred in Australia for the grand reception accorded to John Dillon, Deasy, and Sir T. G. Esmonde, the ambassadors, and feel proud that distance has not weakened their love for Mother Erin. J. Doyle, J. Nower, J. Conway, and H. J. O'Byrne supported the resolutions.

Galway.— Jas. Keane, Thomas Prendergast, Pat Moylon, Bobert Thomson, and Michael Burke, of Ardrahan, were recently released from the gentle care of Balfour's turnkeys in Galway Gaol, after being two months there. They were met by the Craughwell band, with Father Considine. Contingents from Gort, Kinvara, Kilbecanty, and Clarenbridge were on hand to welcome the " criminals."

Francis Tully, a tenant on the Clanricarde estate, who was sent to gaol for twelve months by Removables Roche and Brady for defending hia home, is growing blind. The brave Balfour confesses this. It is very likely, when poor Tully becomes totally blind, the floodgates of Balfour's generosity will open, and he will liberate him. Poor Tully, thy case has been the case of many who loved Ireland well.

John Carroll, of Tully, was evicted on May 26 by Mrs. Caroline J. Blake, of Renvyle. Poor Carroll, with his family, went to Clifden Workhouse. The e victor may claim to be a lady, but, like many others who claim that distinction, she is destitute of womanly feeling.

The Right Rev. Dr. McCormack, Bishop of Galway, performed the ceremony of blessing the new bell of the Jesuits' Church in Galway City on May 26. Father Kenny, Provincial of the Order in Ireland, celebrated the Mass, and Father Kenny, of Galway, preached. N. J. Hession was organist.

Forty-one ejectment processes were posted on Woodford Courthouse by Whelan, the bailiff to the most Vile Clanricarde that ever lived. In addition to these, 55 eviction-made-easy summonses are shortly to be tried at Woodford Sessions. The unhappy people of this district are surely not living under a man capable of feeling ; the fellow must be a stone.

Kerry* — The people of this district for miles assembled in S. Horgan's field, and lighted a bonfire to express their joy at William O'Brien's release from Balfour's clutches. A large force of the Royal Irish, with a notetaker, was on the scene. A meeting was also held ; Denis Horgan was called to preside, and resolutions of sympathy with William O'Brien and Mrs. Harrington were passed. The people assembled said they were determined never to surrender to any Coercion Goveroment.

The famous Kerry athlete, J. P. O'Sullivan, of Killorglin, commenced the season in a brilliant manner. At the Banteer sports recently he won the prize offered for the best all-round athlete, having secured no leBS than six first prizes, besides a few seconds and thirds. Mr. O'Sullivan won the lojtball place-kick, raising and striking the hurling ball, throwing the hammer, putting the 161 b. shot, the hop-step-and-jump, and the long jump. He was second in the high jump, and second in slinging the 561 b and throwing the 141 b winding weight. Newtowndillon League met on May 26. J. Nolan presided. The following practical resolution was passed :—": — " That a public subscription be immediately started in this parish for the Kenmare tenantry, who are so gallantly fighting our battle as well as their own, an! hope this will be an incentive to the other parishes in Kerry to be up and doing, as we n >w see that the olive branch held out by his Grace the Archb shop of Dublin is all but cast to the winds by the landlord dullheads." Those present at the meeting subscribed liberally. It was ordered that posters be placarded through the village announcing the collection. Kilkenny. — Kavanagb, who was evicted at Seven Sisters by Major Hey, is vow watching the land-grabber who dares to come along lor his bit of ground. Mr, de Couicey, of Bonismore House, was waited on by the members of the National League, and they Pfcsked permission to en eta hut on poitun of his land where the public road alone would separate Kavanagh from his old home, which he granted, King's County.— Albert Hurley, an assistant in the jewelery and watchmaking establishment of Mr. Aitkins, of Tullamore, •as shot by a young fellow named Duggan on May 57. It appears firearms are repaired at this establishment, and the boy took

up a gun which they both supposed to be unloaded, and, taking aim. pulled the trigger, when, to his horror, be saw Hurley fall, fatally wounded. After all the examples of how dangerous this kind of thing is, people yet continue to fool with deadly weapons, without firßt really ascertaining their condition.

L,eitrim. — Gowell branch of the League was reorganised May 26. There was a large attendance and following officers wore elected :— J. Barry, president ; T. Early, vice-president ;P. Gaffnsy, treasurer; and J. McWeeney. sectary. If Balfour thinks the League is " a thing of the past " he has only to aoply to the sergeant at the nearest police barrack to this branch to be convinced to the contrary. The following resolution was passed :— That we desire again to put on record our unalterable fidelity to the principles of the 1.N.L., and the teachings of our illustrious leader, Charles S. Parnell, and the Irish Parliamentary Party. That as land-grabbing isiheonly prop which exterminating landlords have to support them, we hereby renew our oft-expre3sed resolution that we shall hold no intercourse with persons guilty of such meanness or their associates.

I*on{?forcL— Several cases of land-grabbing are spoken of about Ballymahon. The name of the secretary of the Ballymahon branch of the League is mentioned in one case. Daniel Killian has been evicted by Lady Archdale. The sabSheriff and the police were there of course. No resistance offered. Much sympathy is felt for the evicted, as he is a good Nationalist. Sub- sheriff Dudgeon and the usual satellites were at Laugh eil recently and evicted Peter Doolan. The police made fun of poor Doolan after his evictian. Thiß English force is recruited from Irish farmers' sons generally.

L,OUth. — The people who have been or are threatened with eviction on this property may fully rely on the firm and unfailing support of the bishop and priests of the diocese, as may be gathered from the sub-joined reply of Rev. John Woods, Drogheda, to Lord Mai> sereene's letter :— St. Peter's, Drogheda, 25th May, 1889:— My Lord : I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your reply to the resolution* adopted at the Drogheda conf arenca in reference to your estates in Louth and Meath. His Grace the Primate and clergy who names were appended to the document which I have had the honour of sending you, having already, in common with the general public, been made aware, through the newspapers, of the tenor and purport of the reply you vouchsafed to give to what was conscienciously meant as a rapprocJwwnt. They will, I am sure, give to those of their flocks who are concerned that advice and guidance which are expected of and never denied by Catholic pastors to their flocks in times of difficulty and peril. I remain, your lordship's obedient servant, John Woods, C.C.

Sligo.— J. F. Walker, of Sligo, iays claim to the sea there. abouts, with what it heaves from its vasty depths, and in accordance with this magnificent notion summoned a poor mortal named Michael Foley for having the temerity to gather seaweed on the ocean's brink. A gentleman after Walker's own heart was presiding magistrate at Sligo Sessions and showed Jris horror of Foley's presumption by sending him to gaol for seven days. No wonder the people of Ireland are broken and spiritless. Cloonloo League met May 26. Father Quinn of Gurteen presided. The following resolutions were passed :— That we hereby express our horror and detestation at the cruel and dastardly treatment inflicted on the poor tenants of Ireland by ruthless and rack-renting landlords in carrying out evictions ; we also tender our hearty sympathy to our Catholic clergy and Irish patriotic leaders who are suffering from Balfour's cruel acts in their imprisoned cells ; we also condemn in the most emphatic manner the Tory Government for their cruel and harsh treatment toward Father McFadden, and also Father L, J. Farrelly, those patriotic clergymen who were at all times wishful to aid and assist and lend a helping hand to their poor paribhoners in their distress. Thomas Wynne is secretary of this branch.

Queen's County.— May 28 will be a black day in the memoiy of the people in this district for ever. The exterminator Lansdowne has struck at the smallest holders and poorest on his land. Soldiers and police in hundreds, Removables and Inspectors, Emergency men and bailiffs, all were there to drive to misery and ruin the people who for years kept Lansdowne's pocket well lined with cash by their hard and unceasing toil. J. C. Flynn, M.P., was present, and Balfour's secondself was there in the shape of Hayes Fisher, M.P. The following were evicted : — Edward Kelly, Luggacurran ; Andrew Murphy, Michael Corcoran, Michael tfrennan, Tom Dooley (long), Tom Dooley (little), Tom Ryan, Brian Brennan, and Patrick Kelly. Lansdowne is a tyrant of the purest type known at the present day.

Tipperary. — At Tipperary Sessions recently a besotted Emergency man was charged with having firearms without license, being drunk, and using; abnsive language to a man named Crowe. He was not punished for these three offences, but merely made find bail and then allowed off. This will very likely be his best recommendation to another position.

Mrs. Spring was charge 1 at Tipperary Sessions recently with the terrible crime of catching a policeman's baton and was sent to prison for seven days. A man named O'Brien was fiaed 10s for the same offend*. O'Brien seized the baton in order to save his head being cracked, and for not allowing his head to be smashed by the " bobby n he was fined 10s.

In ihe. Town Hall, Tipperary, a convention of delegates from the Mational League branches within the Parliamentary division represented by John O'Connor, M.P., was held recently. First, to take into consideration the suggestion that a testimonial be given to Mr. O'Counor; secondly, to consider the position of the tenants; a >d finally, fjr the discussion and adjustment of some local Nationalist matters. Tue following were in attendance: — Very Rev. Canon CabiH, Tipperary ; Rev. H. Power, Emly ; Rev. T. O'Dwyer, Oola : Rev. M, Power, Tipperary ; Rev. James Hartley, Tipperary ; and

■