Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 19, 15 September 1898, Page 9

Irish News.

BELFAST- — Assaulted by Orangemen. — The other evening in Belfast a Catholic who was proceeding up Dale street on his way from his work was set upon by a crowd of about two hundred Orange roughs and stoned unmercifully. CLARE.— Disappearance of Cattle from an Evicted Farm. — Information re-iched Kilrush recently that 63 head of cattle, the property of a Mr. Killeen, who has taken a vacant farm at Doughmore, were missing. They were grazing on the land the night previous, but the herdsman could find no trace of them when he visited the place on the following morning. The Police Inspector, with some police constables, at once proceeded to Doughmore, and with the assistance of some of Killeen's friends a-diligent search was made for the missing cattle. Up to the evening of the day of the search 1 6 of them had been found 6traying about at a considerable distance from the Doughmore farm, but the others had not then been recovered. The taking of the surrendered farm by Killeen has created considerable excitement in the adjoining district, and in connection with this a large indignation meeting was held in Doonbeg one Sunday in July last. The search for the cattle was resumed next day. DERRY.— The Address to Father O'Doherty— Derry has long had a repute for the excellence of the skill of illuminating artists, and we can recall (says the Berry Journal) several names distinguished in the roll of those who made their mark in this delicate decorative work. We do not know, however, that we have seen anything better — in conception, design, style, and tinting — than that just turned out to the order of the Father Phillip O'Doherty Reception Committee. The engrossing is very distinct, and yet true to art, and the embellishment is in the best taste. The border oi nament is of Gothic foliated, entwining bands. The corner pieces are on gold groundwork, contrast being got by shields with devices of Australia and Jreland inscribed on them, the centre portion of border having ornaments symbolic of the Passion and the Church. The address proper is in Gothic characters with illuminated capitals. At the head, with the elaborate introductory wording, is a

view of Derry at sunset ; at the foot is a view of the Houses of Parliament, Melbourne. The view of Derry from the river is an exquisite piece of sketching-, and has a charming- effect. DOWN.— The Oldest Man in the Three Kingdoms.— Robert Taylor, Postinabter at Scarva, County Down, the oldest man in the Three Kingdoms, died early one morning in July last. Mr. Taylor, who was in his HDthycar, held his post to the last, and retained all his faculties. Queen Victoria a few months ago sent him her framed photograph. DONEGAL.— Splendid Donation to a Catholic Church. — The parishioners of the Stranorlar parish were much surprised and delighted the oth< r day when they beheld in their church a magnificent stained glass window, presented by Mr P. P. Connell, the popular manager of the Hibernian Bank of Ballybofey. This beautiful work of art, which mu^t have cost a large bum, represents with striking clearness the Blessed Virgin with the Child in her arm, whilst in the other hand she is represented as handing the Eosary to St. Dominic, who is depicted as knelt in rapt devotion. The surroundings on the window are of the most chaste and exquisite style, and as the window is placed in the rear of the Virgin's altar and statue it adds much lusire and solemnity to the sacred surroundings. DUBLIN.— In Memory of the Sheares.— lrish Nationaiists ) more particularly the patriotic citizens of Dublin, made it clear last month that they do not fear to speak of '98. On the site of Newgate, where the Brothers Sheares were foully done to death, the foundation-stone of a monument to their memory was laid in the presence of a large muster of Nationalists. Afterwards, in connection with the ceremony, a monster demonstration to commemorate the trial and execution of the Sheares and Henry Joy M'Cracken, was held in the Park, where thousands of Nationalists, many of whom were pilgrims from Scotland, pledged their devotion to the memory of the martyr brothers, and declared their fealty to the principles for which they laid down their lives. The Irish people are taunted for ctlebrating this year (says the United Ireland) incidents in the past history of their country that in the opinion of the enemies ot Irish Nationality amounted to a disastrous failure. The answer to that taunt was the ceremony in Newgate, and the enormous meeting following it in the Fhcenix Park. The Sheares and the other patriots of the time failed to free Ireland, and went down in the fight against corruption and tyranny ; but they kindled

a living blaze that nothing can withstand, and bequeathed to thcwe that came after them a sacred trust which co true Irishman can forget to discharge until England makes full atonement for the misdeeds done in her name in the past. Record Health For Dublin.— The Medical Press says : Ihe citizens of " the second city in the empire " may be congratulated upon their satisfactory condition of health as indicated by the report of the Registrar-General for the week ending July 7. For the first time within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, we believe, the general death-rate has fallen below 20 per 1000 of the population. For a city which often registered a death-rate as high as 37 per 1000 this reduction in mortality is phenomenal, and of course cannot be expected to last ; but even the much higher death-rate of 27-7, which the previous 27 weeks have averaged, shows a very material improvement on the average of the same i eriod of ihe last 10 years. Even at the lowest recorded rate Dublin contrasts unfavourably w ith London ; but let us hope that the completion of the main drainage scheme and the improvement of the dwellings and method of life of the labouring classes, will, before long, put Dublin on a level with other cities as regards its salubrity. The Wolfe Tone Monument.— The site for the proposed monument to Wolfe Tone was selected by a sub-committee of the Paving Committee of the Corporation in conjunction with a deputation appointed by the Wolie Tone Memorial Committee. The position appioved of is at the head of Grai'ton street, at the junction of Stephen's green, South King street, and Graf ton street. The Paving Committee approved of the site, and summoned a special meeting of the Corporation to take it into immediate consideration. GALWAY.-Visit of the Archbishop of Melbourne .— His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Carr, Arohbishop of Melbourne, and late Bishop of Galway, arrived in that city in the third week of July, on a visit to the Most Rev. Dr. M'Cormack, Lord Bishop. At night the town was brilliantly illuminated, says the Tablet. A torohlight procession with two bands paraded the different streets. His Grace attended at the Grand Jury room of the Courthouse to receive an address from the Town Commissioners accompanied by the Most Rev. Dr. M'Cormack, Bishop of Galway. The function was attended by a large number of the citizens, amongst those present being Colonel O'Hara, chairman of the Town Commissioners.

The address gave a cordial welcome to their former bishop and closed with congratulations on the completion of the cathedral at Melbourne. In the course of his reply the Archbishop said •— ' When the time of my departure approached I again received from you an expression of your appreciation, which, I assure you, largely helped to sweeten the bitterness of parting, and to sustain me in the midst of much fear and anxiety about my future. Since that | time my lot has been cast in a distant land and in circumstances very different from those that exist in Ireland. Here tradition traces the history of events back to the twilight of fable. There the memory of living men recalls the very beginnings of the great and splendid city in which I have resided. Here political power and civil administration are largely centralised ; there they are as largely diffused as the most liberal-minded could desire. Here the cultivation of the land or the rearing of stock is in most parts of the country the only industry to which the people have the opportunity of directing their attention ; there there are industries almost without number, to any of which a man may devote his labour or his talents according to the strength of his body or the bent of his mind. I cannot help thinking that useful lessons may be derived in Ireland from the energy and enterprise of that comparatively young land. For instance, ten or twelve years ago there waa scarcely a creamery or butter factory to be seen in Australia. Today the colony of Victoria, with which I am best acquainted is dotted over with thriving factories, from which more than a million pounds of butter is annually exported. I cannot see why the same result might not be achieved in this very country The land is certainly as good and as suitable here, the people are not wanting in enterprise, and it seems to me that only a beginning is required to introduce a large and lucrative industry. In revisiting your ancient city nothing has pleased me more than to observe that whatever material changes have taken place have been for the better. It is still true, I regret, that your spacious harbour is not used, as nature assuredly intended that it should, as the medium of inter-communication between the East and the West. This was a project which, in conjunction with your able and universallyesteemed chairman. I, while amongst you, laboured to promote. It is a project which I still hope to see accomplished.' KERRY.— Failure Of the Potato Crop.— A Killarney correspondent states regarding the conditions of some of the principal crops, the potato in particular, that the Flounders and Beauty of Butes have been early crops, and up to the present free from blight

or failure, but the Champion seed, numerous in that district, has been a bad crop, being seriously affected with the blight, and having largely failed in many places, especially in poor lands. This failure m this description of seed, which was extensively distributed by the Board of Guardians here this spring, will be sadly felt, the correspondent adds, and much alarm has been entertained that the yield will consequently be very deficient. The hay and green crops have been much improved by the splendid seasonable weather that has prevailed for the past three weeks, and which has succeeded the rain, sleet, and storm which were sadly experienced during- May and June. Advices from Glin cay : The potato blight has made its appearance in that portion of North Kerry skirting the Shannon, and extending from Ballylongf ord eastwards to the boundary of the county. The crop is also damaged in a few townlands in the Glin district, immediately adjoining the County of Kerry. The different other crops, such as turnips, mangolds, barley, and oats, are excellent, particularly the latter, which is extensively grown in the country about here. The weather has been beautifully fine for the past month, and as the farmers generally have had recourse to spraying, the fact of the disease setting in in the potato crop is regarded as extraordinary. GENERAL. An Englishman on '98.— The July number of the Review of Mevieios contains an article on '98 emanating from the pen of the editor, Mr. Stead. It is the most complete vindication of that momentous struggle that has ever been w ritten by either Protestant or Nationalist, and we warmly commend it to the attention of our readers. Here is Mr. Stead's summing up of the account which stands to-day between England and Ireland : — ' If ever one nation stood convicted of crime against a neighbouring nation, England stands convicted of crime to-day in her relations with Ireland orime the most heinous, the most incredible, the most utterly alien to all the qualities which Englishmen respect and admire in the character of their country. And that crime, which had its origin in centuries far beyond our present survey, culminated in 1798, and is being perpetuated, although in milder fashion, down to the present day.' The subject of Ireland's relations to England,^Mr. Stead puts in the following vigorous language : — ' Ireland is the great failure of the Empire. Ireland is the one black burning blot upon the Imperial record. Everywhere else all round the world the sun as he is greeted by Britain's morning drum-beat looks down upon populations which are content with the flag which shelters them. Here alone are discontent and auiniosity, no sense of allegiance to the Empire, no sentiment of loyalty to the throne. And whereas every other part of the Queen's dominions is increasing in population and in wealth, waxing mightier and mightier among the nations of the earth, Ireland alone shrinks and dwindles, her population becomes more and more insignificant compared *ith the total of the Imperial Muster Roll. Ireland is our condemnation. Everywhere else the Empire has been justified of its works. Here it has conspicuously, absolutely, and shamefully failed.' An Irish Lady as a War Correspondent.— Miss Kathleen Blake Watkins, an Irish lady, known in journalism as 'Kit' of the Toronto (Ont.) Mail and Empire, is (s.iys the Monitor) the first officially recognised woman war correspondent in the field. Her paper has sent her to the scene of action in the war between the United States and Spain to supplement the regular news services with such description ami incident as must be omitted from the telegraphic despatches Her unique position is largely due to the efforts of Lady Aberdeen, wife of the Canadian Governor-General. Miss Blake Watkins has not reached middle age. She is attractive in person and possessed of great charm of manner. She is an accomplished horsewoman, having learned to ride in her native Ireland, where she enjoyed a hunt and other outdoor diversions as few but the hearty, healthy women of the Old World can. For the past nine or ten years she has conducted a ' Woman's Kingdom ' page in the Mail and Umpire, but during that time she has°made many journeys as special correspondent to noteworthy events and places— among them being the World's Fair at Chicag- >, the San Francisco Midwinter Fair, Queen Victoria's Jubilee in London last year, and holiday tours in many parts of this continent, Europe, Cuba and the West Indies. Restoration Of Celtic Relics.— The Government will shortly be approached again in regard to the restoration to Ireland of the Celtic gold ornaments recently acquired by the British Museum ; and, inasmuch as the Irish claim meets with considerable support among members of Parliament irrespective of party, it is thought probable that these treasures will before long be placed in the National Museum in Dublin. Orange Home Rulers.— The bitterest Orangemen in Ireland have at last made a step towards accepting Home Rule for Ireland. Speaking at an Orange Lodge meeting at Dublin recently, the Rev Canon O'Connor said : ' They might not like Sir William Harcourt and Lord Rosebery for reasons which they remembered, but they preferred their Protestantism above everything else (applause), and if Sir William Harcourt should come before the constituencies in view of his Protestant principles and Lord Rosebery in view of his episcopal appointments which weie not in the Ritualistic direction, and let Home Rule slide, it would not require a prophet to tell the result of the next election. And there were Irish Protestant electors who, if they should be told that they had to choose between the terrible alternatives of Home Rule for Ireland and the Romanising of England they would say that the latter event would be the more disastrous of the two, and would bow their heads and say, ' In the name of God, we will accept Home Rule.'

Mr. P. Lundon, Phoenix Chambers, Wanganui, is still busy putting people on the soil. He has also hotels in town and country For Sale and To Lease. Write to him. — # %