Dublin Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 18, 30 August 1895, Page 11

Dublin Notes .

(From contemporaries.) The portion of tbe Oughterard railway which runs from Oogbterard to Olifden was recently opened for Uafno. Mr Tatlow the manager, was present at tbe opening, having gone down spsoially tor the purpose. He accompanied the first passenger train from Olifden, which left that station at 7 20 a.m. and by which 23 passeo - -gen travelled from OUfden and Recess. Ballinahioch and Maam cross stations have not yet been opened, but will in tbe course of some weeks be ready for traffic. A very large extent of conntry is opened up by this line, as well as some of the magnificent scenery of Conemara. It should prova a great benefit to tbe distriot through which it runs, and will, no doubt, be the means of largely increasing the tourist traffic. Ireland, though actually one of tbe poorest is potentially one of x the richest countries in the word. Her greatest riches, which she i* oonfeiaoally givimg awssy to qtser naiioßs without any equivalen* received, is ber fine race of young men aDd women, physically morally, and in natural intellect, superior to most other races. Then •he has a fertica soil the powers of which lie fallow. And among her sources of riches a*re her bogs. In these are contained stores of fusl, of peat moss litter, and of materials for various manufacture*. Her climate, pastnre. and breed of cattle are favourable to tbe prodnction of the finest butter, as well *s to the groth of grass and roots for feeding stock. She might easily support in comfort four times her present population. The neighbourhood of Abbayfeale, was en fete recently owing to the fact that within tbe week three evicted tenants were reinstated on their farms after long years of struggle. A large meeting was held and long speeches delivered. Father Casey, in tbe course of bis •aid tbat cbe landlords were almost on their knees. Governments might come and go, but if they were true to themselves and to tbe teachings of their religion no power on earth could withstand them. Hartnett, after ten yean, Cahill five, and Barry, nearly three years, were back again in their farms. The landlord gladly acoepted the email sum of £47 in lien of all rents and law costs up io 15th March last, all of which was an objsct lesßon to tbe landlords and tenants of the neighbourhoodLaurel Hill Convent Limerick hat just been the scene of a terribly and tragic occurrence. Nuns and boarden to tbe number of nearly eighty, have been prostrated acd three have died from the effects of some irritant poison whic'i as yet has not b>een discovered, tt appears that on Wednesday, July 10, shortly after d.nner some of the sisters were attacked with vomiiing ; towards night others became ill in a -similar manner, and by morning nearly every inmate of the Convent was prostrated. Medical aid was at occe obtained, bot notwithstanding that everything possible waß done for tbe sufferers three have already died and eight others are in grave danger. The three who have died are Mother Mary Billot, Sister Mary Joseph Oaffrey, aud -one of tbe boarder*, Miss o'Flynn, Cork lady, aged about seventeen years. Tbe only clue to the unfortunate occurrence so far is that two nuns who did not partake of custard with dinner on tbe day of the cad event were not attacked, while all the others partook of the cub. tard. Widespread eympothy is felt for the good Sisters who tre extremely popular in the Soutb. Scarcely a month baa passed since tbe golden jubilee of tbe convent was celebrated in a befitting manner The question of the hour for all patriotio Irishmen is bow to restore unity to tbe ranks of Ireland's representatives. Without unity the party will be ineffective in Parliament and therefore an object of contempt to both the two English parties. Tbis was tbe topic that was discussed on Sunday, July 7, at the meeting of the West Darby Branch of the liieh National League, whose president is Mr Patrick Shannon, Tbe following resolution was passed unanimously — " That even at tbis eleventh houT, another gieat effort ought ■o be made to bring about a reconciliation among the various sections of tbe Nationalists aad we call upon the Archbishop of Cashel, whom all parties respect, to take the initiative by inviting, say, Mr Justin M'Oartby, Mr John Bedmond, Mr John Dillon, Mr T. Healy, and Mr T. Harrington, to meet him in friendly conferecce as soon as possible." And also :—" Tbat all Nationalists being agreed as to the platform upon which they stand, viz., Home Bule, amnesty, land reform, «fee, it only requires the parties concerned to approach the questions at issue in a conciliatory spirit to biiog about such an honourable compromise as will put an end to the present internecine strife. That it is essential tbat tbe pledge to sit, act, and vote with the party ba made the basis of any agreement arrived at, and tbat all questions of policy toe discussed by the party only." At a crowded meeting on Sunday , July 7, at the Irish National Club, Dalton street, Birmingham, Mr T. J. Moore, president of tbe branch, delivered his promised lecture on "Old Irish Fairy Tales," whioh he treated in bis usual able and attractive style He concluded by remarking tbat be was far prouder of tbe Ireland of the past tban that of tbs present, with its shameful and heart-breaking dissensions-

Bot he looked to Inland herself to rid benelf of that demon whiob hat wrought such havoc in the old land: In view of the ooming contests in tbjs ttrongbold of Obanberlainism be urged all preeent to leare nothing undone to break down the rampart of laleebood, deoeit* and treachery, behind which the " Familj Party " or " Brummagem Oabioet" had taken refuge. The hearty applauw of toe meeting wae sufficient indication of the stal with which the memben of the branch will throw themselves into the fight. We hare Mid that one of the sources of ber richei might be her bogi. Leaving out of account their nee for producing good fuel, if properly extracted and condenced, there ii in them an inexhaustible ■apply of peat-moss litter. But in order that the industry of the production of peat-moss litter ibonld succeed the following thingi are requisite— Enterprise on the part of the proprietors of the bogs or theix agents, some skill on the part of the extractors in avoiding using peat, fuel and taking ont only the part fitted for litter, and the careful avoidance by them of becoming involved with the promoters of English or foreign com panics. Honestj is also required so as not to mix good and bad stuff together. No manufacturing is required but simply the extraction of the layer snitable for litter and compressing it for sale, withaot mixing it with the surface vegetable growth or with tbe good turf below. Manufacturing and mixing could be used only for the purpose of adultering tbe litter and destroying its good quality, and it is here that bonesty comes in. Dishonest surveysrs of peat moss litter try to get a short-lived profit, but after a short time the business iaogniehes, showing that after all '• honesty is tbe best policy." If yon want to establish a good business permanntly yon mnst aim at a superior quality in what yon supply to the public, and you must beware of tbe wiles of company promoters. Much depends, too, on the public spirit aud enterprise o* the present owners of oar bogs, on which qualities we cannot complimeat them. The president and vice-president of Maynootb College bave issued in circular form aof the proceedings at tie meeting retuvie held on Thursday, S7th June, tbe last day of the Centenary celebration in the Great Hall of the College, to discuss " tbe utility of ettab. liehicg a Maynooth Society of Past Students and Friends of tbe College." The circular adds : It will be observed that tbeße resolutions make provision for the full and complete establishment of the society, and for the convening of the first general meeting. The object iv view is to bind together tbe past students and friends of tbe college, for their own improvement, for the good of the coliege, for the defence of religiOD, and ths welfare of tbe Irish Church. Tbe meetings to beheld periodically in tbe college will be aciddemic and religious, as well as social. Papers will be read on tbs problems of the day ; questions of interest to eccltaiastics will be disensaad ; and tbe Acts and proceedings will be printed and published for the benefit of those members who may be unable to attend. Every meeting will be sanctified by some religious function, which will aim not merely at the spiritual edification of the members, but also at the higher cultivation of ihe music and liturgy of tbe Church. There will be a small yearly subscription to defray expenses ; and any balance that may be left will be applied to such purposes as the members may approve. The amount of the subscription, as well as all other details, will be determined by tbe working commtitee and provisional connc : l. Irish priests, whether living at home in Irelrnd orlabouring abroad in the ministry, are now invited to add their names to tbe list of members which has been opened in tbe college. A letter, with name and address, to ths secretary pro. tern. of the Maynooth Union, Maynooth College, will secure enrolment. John F. Finerty has been for yeaas a prominent figure in Chicago. Orator, j ..urnalist, publiciit, congressman, political leader, ha has been a factor iv making the history of the times. He has been a soldier, a political speaker, a city and a government officialbut the bent of his mind is towards journalism. John F. Finerty was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1846. He received a good edac»Hon, and whan but a youth espoused tbe cause of Irish independence. I He came to America iv 1864 and joined the 99th New York Regiment in oreer to secure military instruction, and with it volunteered for tbe United States service. He kept up his connection with the Nationalist organisations in Ireland and was looked on as one of ihe leaders of tbe Irish independence movement. In 1868 he came to Chicago and went to work on the Republican, of which he became city editor in 1871. Later he was engaged on the Evening Post oE those days and subsequently on tbe Tribune. In 1875 he went 'o the Times, and was the " star " man of the paper. In 1g76 he took the field as correspondent for the Times with General Crook in his campaign against the Sioux. In 1889 he was with General Miles when tbat great Indian fighter whipped the same tribe, and in 1882 he was with General Carr in the war with the Apaches. In these campaigns Mr Finerty travelled all over tbe country of the boitile Indians. Iv 1877 he wrote up tbe Nichols- Packard troubles in Louisiana and tbe Pittsburg riots. In 1882 be was elected to Congress from the second district. In 1882 he established the Cititen weekly newspaper, of which be is still owner and editor. He is the author of a very enter* taining gook about the Indian wars, tbe greater part of which is compiled from personal experience*. He supported Blame iv 1884 and

was a candidate for Congress, bat was drfeated. He was city oi inspector under Mayor Bocha. He is a powerful political orator, and in every campaign bis services are in demand.