Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 40, 22 July 1892, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— The Unionists of the district are concentrating all their efforts towards the capturing of this seat, held presently by Thomas Sexton ; but if the Nationalists be loyal to Ireland at the polls a victory for the anti-Home Rulers will be impossible. The judges of the New York courts have dismissed the Stewart Millions claimant's petition on the ground that he had failed to produce satisfactory proof establishing his relationship io the late Mr Stewart. This does not, however, terminate the suit on behalf of the Irish claimants. There is the case of Bran ago v. Smith, which has not yet been decided, and it involves questions of the utmost importance to the Irish claimants. Armagll.— Archbißhop McGettigao's Memorial Cross is a colossal Irish cross, twenty-fire feet high, with groups of figure^ carved on each Bide, representing subjects in the Old and New Testaments. It is in Mountcharles sandstone, and will be the largest cross in Ireland. It is the memorial to be placed on ttie grave of the late Doctor McGettigan, Primate of all Ireland, in Armagh. The census for Armagh, which has just been issued, shows that the population of the County is 143,289, consisting of 68,370 males and 74,919 females, 122 per cent less than 1881. Fifty years ago the population was 232,393. The religious denominations are as follows : —Roman Catholic, 66,004 ; decrease, 9,705. Protestant Episcopalians, 46,135; decrease, 7,255. Presbyterians, 22,919; decrease. 3,168. Methodists, 5,339 ; increase, 455. Ail others, 2,863 ; decrease* 246. Of the total population, 84,360 could read and write, 20.402 could read only, and 38,527 were illiterate. la 1881 only 49 Bof the

population could read and write, whereas in 1891 the percentage was 58 9. At Portadown Petty Sessions Court last week, William Gilpio, James Watson, and William Anderson, Orangemen, were charged with having assaulted a Catholic named Robert Hughes, at Edgarstown. William Gilpin was fined 20s and costs, or fourteen days' imprisonment ; William Anderson, fined 20s and 3s cos f s, or a similar term of imprisonment, and James Watson was bound to keep the peace for six months. Of course the fines were paid, and the assaulters were liberated to pursue the same evil course. Were those who committed the assault Catholics, and the assaulted one an Orangeman, the punishment would not have been so lightly administered by the magistrates. The windows of Edenderry Catholic church, situated on the outskirts of Portadown, were recently demolished, and no clue has been obtained to the perpetrators of this wanton sacrilege. A boat belonging to a Catholic was broken to pieces. It was valued for LB. No cause can be assigned for the act save that the man is a Catholic. Again, a Catholic has been waylaid and beaten— by whom it has not as yet been ascertained, but several persons have been arrested in connection with the cowardly act. It is felt that the outrages and indignities to whioh the Catholics about here are aitjected would not be allowed to pass without the loudest protest if they took place in any district where the Catholics are in a majority. The police force here is considered to be far too small to efficiently protect the Catholic interests, and to preserve the peace upon occasioa ; but, notwithstanding this, and the fact that the outrages were committed during the Easter holidays, the magistrates refused to draft in any extra police to keep the peace. The bigotry displayed towards Catholics here by the Orangemen is extraordinary and inexplicable,

Carlow.— Majoi-General St Clair Mulholland, who commanded the 116 th Pennsylvania Regiment in Meagher's Irish Brigade, and won distinction by his service in the Army of the Potomac, on the even ings of May 12 and 13 delivered lectures upon the war at the Town Hall, Carlow. The lectures were accompanied by stereopticon views of cities and war scenes, including a two honrs 1 trip through the United States and the American Civil War— its great battles and generals. John Byrne, Tinryland, Carlow, recently wrote complaining of the taxing of bis farm, from which he was evicted. He states tha rent of the farm was £12, the area six acres, including road and wastes which leaves only five acres of tillage land. The house and premises were built by bs predecessor without one penny from the landlord and he asserts that he expended over £100 on it during the last ten years. He and his sister were not well out of it when the place and all his improvements and those of his forefathers were taken up without a penny compensation Cavan.— Rev Joseph Flood presided at a recent Kingscourt Federation meeting. Also present Revs James Duffy and Patrick Clarke, with a good attendance of members. After routine business was transacted, Father Clarke, in the course of a very encouraging speech, proposed the following resolution, which was carried unanimously : — That, being thoroughly convinced that any attempt to temper with the Bacred principle of unity of the Irish National party must prove disastrous to the cause of Home Rule, we earnestly call npon all genuine Nationalists to set their faces resolutely against such a wicked and traitorous movement, Clare*— The sub-Sheriff, with bailiffs and police, proceeded to Ballybeg to carry out two evictions on the estate of Thomas Crowe, D.L. The tenants were D. Gallery and Mary Kelly.

At recent Sessions in Kilrush the court made orders for eviction, directed to the Sheriff, against the following tenants on Yandeleur estate : — John and James Connell of Moyne, Michael MoGrath of Carnacalla, Patrick O'Dcaof Moneymore, John Crowley of Carsames, Martin Madigan, Carrandota, and Thomas Quinlivan of Bal liner inan. Other evictions are to take place on the estate near Labasheeda. On Easter Sunday, at Bally vaskin, Miltown-Malbay, after a protracted illoess, Thomas Molohan died, aged 30 years, late of the civil service education office. Thomas Molohan was the first captain who enlisted under the banner of the G.A.A. When the Metropolitan Hurling Club was started in the Bpring of 1884 he marshaled that little foice in the PLoenix Park which was destined to become the pioneer of the Gaelic movement. His genial disposition and sterling good nature won for him the esteem of all. As a wlelder of the Oaman he had very few equals, and scarcely a superior. The first great match in which be captained the old " Mets " was on Easter Sunday, 1886, in Thurles, and on the some festival six years later he died. Cork*— A valuable vein of asbestos has been discovered near Castletown Bere, The Guardians of Kinßale Union at recent meeting decided, by a vote of 20 to 13, to htve nuns as hospital nurses. An important meeting, under the presidency of Rev Canon Carmony, has been held at Caatletownbere with a view of establising a compmy to purchase the mackerel landed at that station by the fishing boats. The Recorder of Cork, sitting at Mallov a few days since, gave^ judgment in a number of applications by tenants to have fair rent fixed. Thirty-one applications were listed from tenants of Patrick

Kearney, in the Millstreet Union, and by consent the rents were fixed at the poor-law valuation. The Nationalist meeting which was to have been held at Ballyclongh, to denounce cases of land-grabbing in the district, was suppressed by the authorities. The suppression, unlike similar attempts in former years, was entirely effectual, and no meeting took place. The result was due altogether to the unexpected and sudden manner in which the proclamation was issued . A number of ladies and gentlemen in Coik have opened a People's Cafe in that city with a view to promoting temperance and counteracting the baneful attractions.^! the public-bousa. The project is a very practical one, and we hope it will be as successful as it deserves to be. Protestants and Catholics have joined hands in the good work. Donegal*— The population of Donegal in 1841 was 296,448 ; in 1891 it was only 185,635, a falling off of 110,813 persons. Rev Philip O'Doherty, Moville, the popular patriot priest of Innishowen, has been appointed a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Father O'Doherty is a Derry man by birth, is a distinguished Irish scholar, and is known for the distinguished part he took in Nationalist politics during recent yeare. Down. — A man named Sinton was fined £4 at tbe Bally bot Sessions a few days ago for using an otter for fisbiog in the Camlough Freshwater Lake. The flax ronjrhers have struck at the Annßborough Mills, Castlewellen, in consequence of their request for a small advance of wages being denied, In the working of the flax they also complain of the pieces having to be wrought too small . Dublin* — A recent number of tbe Dublin Gazette announces tbe appointment of Archbishop William J. Walsh, D.D., as member of the Intermediate Education Board vice the Right Rev Bishop Egan, D.D., deceased. There was exhibited recently in the Theatre of the Royal Dublin Society an immense lens, one of twelve made in Paris to thb order of Mr Wingham for the Irish Lights Board, to be put up at the Old Head of Einsale Lighthouse, which will then have the most powerful beacon light in tbe world. Before the lenses are taken to the South there will be some interesting experimental displays of their great power at the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth. Mr Michael Lalor, the well-known Irish sculptor, has a bust of Cardinal Manning practically ready for the Royal Academy, where it is certain to attract a good deal of attention. A short time before his death the Cardinal gave special sittings for it. Mr Lalor 's works have received great praise, particularly at the Irish Exhibition a few years ago, and at the Paris Exhibition of 1878. He is the son of tbe eminent sculptor, John Lalor, who did portions of the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park, and some of whose finesc work may be seen in the Crystal Palace. Gal'way.— The mackerel fishery outside Arran Islands is proving a bountiful success. Enormous quantities of the best spring mackerel have been dispatched to the English markets and have fetched good prices. The Midland Railway is affording every facility for tbe dispatch of the fish. The west coast must become one of the best fishing grounds in Europe. There is an ice house in a central location, and every preparation is made for the dißpatch of the fish. The mackerel fishery will continue ap to June. ! Kilkenny* — A project has been set on foot for the openingup of the linen weaving industry in Kilkenny. A house has been erected by the Most Rev Dr Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, tor the purpose of carrying on the business, and already a large number of hands are employed. The project is carried on under a pupil of Mrs Earnest Hart's training in the lace department, and a competent manager from Mrs E wart's of Belfast, has been placed in charge of the looms. Lrimerick*— Mr John Howard Parnell, brother of the late Mr C. S. Parnell, has been selected by the Parnellites of Limerick to contest the city at the general election. Last week a large number of persons, some 180 young people of both sexes, left Limerick for Qaeenstown en route to the United States. The drain of the labouring population of the country is beginning to tell in several districts, and at Croom and other places farmers are utterly unable to procure eufficient work-people for spring work, serious inconvenience and loss being thereby caused. A remarkable demonstration has just taken place on the farm of Cooltoman, near Rathkeale, following the re-instatement therein of an evicted tenant, its former occupant, Mr Daniel M'Coy, who was evicted so long ago as 1881. About two hundred persons from tbe Burrounding districts came to the farm to help Mr M'Coy in setting his crops. The party went in procession to the scene of operation, preceeded by the old Land League flag of the district, and soon forty ploughs were at work, the operations being brought to a conclusion amid a scene of great rejoicing. Several prominent farmers delivered speeches, in which they congratulated Mr M'Coy and his class generally upon this remarkably successful termination to an eleven years' struggle. The farm is situated on Lord Guillamore's property. It was watched all the time by a force of police stationed in a protection

hut. The passing of tbe latest Land Act led to a settlement with Mr M'Coy and his re-instatement. Longford. — Judge Curran has congratulated the grand jury at Longford on the peaceable state of the County. Until quite recently Lawrence Connolly, of Liverpool. ex-M.P., for Longford, has been looked upon as a probable Whig nominee for Longford, but his selection is now being strongly opposed, and there is every likelihood of his rejection. Meath. — At Liverpool, on Easter Monday, M. J. Reilly, of Navan and Dublin, " spread-eagled " a field of no less than forty competitors in the mile race at the athletic sports held there. The Liverpool Press writes in loud praise of his performance, and designates him the " coming athlete." Roscommon*— Recently large numbers of young persons left Roscommon for the United States. Most of these came from Elphin and Currighroe directions. Tipperary. — A popular little meeting was held at Dualla, and proved by the success which attended it that meetings of tbe type are beginning to be recognised by the sporting community. The course was a perfect one and was confined to one field, a fact which added in no small degree to the pleasure of the gathering. The going was rendered admirable, owing to the recent variation in the weather, and the racing was up to the average. Although tbe attendance was not as large as what is to be found on the higher class of meetings, still many notable supporters of sport in Tipperary foxhounds were to be found in tbe enclosure and exerting themselves in tbe interest of the meeting, A meeting of the National Federation was held in Tipperary last week. The various roads were literally swarmed with policemen on foot and on bicycles, but, notwithstanding all their precautions, the largest meeting yet witnessed was able to assemble and, without the eye of a policeman, transacted business of a most important nature. Rev David Humphreys occupied the chair, and in his address, said :—: — Men of Tipperary, I congratulate you on this large and representative meeting. It gives the clearest proof, if proof were needed, that Tipperary is not going to tolerate much longer the high pranks which sneaks and Bnobs, traitors and Removables have been recently practising in this parish. The Attorney-General for Ireland has said that in most cases the interest of tbe Irish tenant in bis holding is larger than the interest of the landlord. I would go farther, and say that in most cases the landlord has no interest at all in the Irish tenant's holding, because whatever interest he had — and in nost cases hiß interest was in tbe beginning very doubtful — has been purchased over and over again by the grinding rack-reuts which the tenants have been obliged for so many years to pay. Tyrone. — Hugh McKenna of Ballinasaggart, for a length of time in the United States, purchased a farm of land recently in the townland of Ballymacilroy, near Ballygawley. On Good Friday Mr McKenna's friends, with sixty ploughs and other farming implements, turned oat and commenced "hostilities" on Ewing's farm for the new tenant, whose crop they placed under ground long before the evening bell had chimed the hour for retiring. Hughy, one of the most popjlar gentlemen in the district, entertained those taking part ia the day's labour ; and on enjoyable afternoon terminated with the entire party— upwards of 100 individuals — singing on the homeward march, " He's a jolly good fellow." "Wicklow*— At the Wicklow Quarter Sessions, before County Court Judge Dailey, Mrs Catherine Parnell, Walsingham Terrace, Brighton, sued twelve tenants on the Parnell estates in Wicklow for non-payment of rent. Decrees were obtained in some cases, while in others the actions brought were dismissed, it having been proved by the receipts given toe tenants by the late agent that the rent sued for was not due. In some cases the tenants bad refused to pay their rents unless tbe abatement which had been allowed by the late Mr Parnell wa3 given thorn. It seems that since the estate was placed under new management the tenants have been sued for all arrears due, and tbe customary reduction of twenty per cent given by the late Mr Parnell, has been refused. Several writs have also been served on tenants on the estate.

Professor Huxley does not know Hebrew. And yet he is a great Old Testament critic. On the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Pius IX. by " Circle of St Peter," Rome, two letters from the Pontiff to his nephew, Count Louis Maatai, were published. They showed how earnest was the Pope's devotion to the Bleasid Virgin. The letters had reference to a picture of Our Lady, and the Holy Father intimated that he desired the whole Mastai family to be placed under her protection.