Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 52, 27 December 1900, Page 9

Irish News.

ANTRIM.— A Venerable Voter.— The oldest voter in Ireland has been discovered in South Antrim. Mr. R. J. Craig, of Randalstown, writing on the subject, says .—At Toome polling station in South Antrim, in my capacity of presiding officer, I issued a voting paper to an elector who claims to be 105 years old. He is named Henry M'Closkey. and resides at Brecart, Toome, where he has spent all his long life. I have known him for a considerable time, and w»b aware that he was the oldest man in the locality. When he came to the polling booth and applied for a ballot paper I was curious enough — especially as he walked in all the way from his residence, about two and a half miles — to ask him his age. His reply was 105 years. If, as his neighbors testify, this statement is correct, I think he may fairly claim to be the oldest elector, not only in the North of Ireland, but in the whole of the United Kingdom. DONEGAL.— Tory Island Exempted from Taxation.— Remote Tory Island has a ' King,' or used to have. If there is a sovereign reigning now in the Irish Ultima thule he can sing, • I am monarch of all I survey,' as conscientiously as Alexander Selkirk. The Donegal County Council have given up Tory to itself. They passed the following resolution at a recent meeting : ' That inasmuch as we have been unable to collect any rates on Tory Island through a collector on the mainland, and the utter futility of attempting to appoint a collector on the island as no person living thereon would dare to take such an appointment ; and inasmuch as we spend no money on rates or anything else for the benefit of the inhabitants, we request the sanction of the Local Government Board to strike the island off the county map for taxation purposes, as we consider it useless to strike rates which could not be collected and had to be carried from term to term as unoolleoted rates. 1 DUBLlN.— Presentation to a Popular Teacher.— An interesting function took place recently in St. Gabriel's National Schools, Aughrim Btreet, Dublin, in presence of the teachers and pupils. Miss M. Shanahan, who has acted as head mistress in the girls' department for the past five years, is about to be married, and the occasion was availed of by the pupils and teaching staff of testifying to the high esteem in which Misa Shanahan is held. A handsome illuminated address and a silver tea and coffee service were presented by the teachers, and the monitors and pupils on their own behalf presented an address, together with a valuable dinner set and a tea set of very pretty design. Presentation to Mr. Harrington.— Mr. Harrington, M.P., has been the recipient of a presentation from the members of the North Dock National Registration Association as a token of their esteem on the occasion of his unopposed re-election for the Harbor Division after 15 years' publio Bervice to Ireland. Reception at the Mansion House.— The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress gave an ' At Home ' at the Dublin Mansion House in the early part of November, invitations having been issued to the number of 2500 to meet the members of the various temperance Booieties in Ireland. Increased Pay to Corporation Employees.— The Dublin Corporation has improved the condition of its laborers in the very important matter of pay. An inquiry regarding the relative remuneration offered by the Dublin Corporation compared with the big English cities proved very unfavorable for the laborers of the capital. Henceforth the men hitherto receiving 17s 6d, 18s 6d, and 19s will reoeive £1 a week each ; and those already in receipt of £1 will reoeive an advance of Ib, the change to take effect from April next. Proposed Monument to Wolfe Tone.— A movement to promote the erection in Dublin of a memorial commemorative of the great struggle for Ireland's independence in 1798 was inaugurated in 1898. It is a movement which embraces all sections of Irish Nationalists. Dublin possesses neither statue nor publio testimony of any kind to Wolfe Tone or to the other guiding spirits of th« great insurrection. The Bites of the prisons which held them or of the scaffolds on which they were done to death are still left as the sole witnesses to their magnificent devotion in the cause of Nationhood. This has been a reproach to all Irishmen who cherish their names and memories, and who believe in the principles associated with a fight for freedom which deserved victory for its lofty National purpose, and which defeat has been unable to rob of either glory or renown. It is therefore intended to ask the co-operation of the Irish race at home and in exile in a work of recognition and gratitude, such as can be pointed to in after generations as an evidence of the living spirit of independence which dominated the countrymen of Theobald Wolfe Tone a century after his herculean efforts to crown his fatherland with the priceless heritage of national liberty. HOdSing the Poor. — A meeting of the oommittee of the whole house of the Dublin Corporation was held recently for the purpose of considering the question of the housing of the very poor in the city. The committee had principally under discussion the report of the Town Clerk bearing on the matter. In that report the Town Clerk stated that having consulted with Sir Charles Cameron with a view to obtaining some approximate idea as to the accommodation required to meet the housing problem in Dublin, he found, according to the estimate of Sir Charles, that proper housing accommodation was required for at least 10,000 of the very poor. Thess being taken with the other classes improperly housed it might be said that about 6000 families in the city required to be provided with cheap and healthful dwellings, consisting of from oae to three apartments. It appeared to him that the Corporation

could do very little more than they had already done in the matter until they had obtained by legislation power to borrow £500,000 for the purpose of clearing unhealthy areas, and on such areas erecting dwellings for the working olasses and for the very poor, and meeting all incidental and necessary expenses. Alderman Farrell, who presided, proposed that the Corporation should proceed immediately to take steps to borrow £500,000 for the purpose of providing the required housing accommodation. Councillor Jones proposed as an amendment that the committee should adjourn for a month, and that the Public Health Committee be requested in the meantime to procure a return showing the area of the city slums, their population, etc. After a discussion, Alderman Farrell agreed not to press his motion, and the proposal of Councillor Jones waa adopted. GAL WAY.— Presentation of an Organ.— Mr. Martyn, of Tillyra, has presented an American organ to the nuns at the Gort Workhouse, KERRY-— The Bishop of RoSS— At a meeting held in Skibbereen it was resolved to present an address and testimonial to the Most Rev. Dr. Kelly, Bishop of Rosh, on his return from Rome. Death Of a Schoolmaßter.— ln the Kerry Sentinel of a recent date there is an aocount of the death, after a brief illness, of Mr. D. Leyne, Annascaul. Mr. Leyne, who was a firstclass teacher, was head teacher of the local National School for 19 years, a position which he ailed with great ability and success. Mr. Leyne belonged to a well-known Iveragh family, the Leynes, to which also belonged on the paternal side another scholarly family, the Horans, who attained high distinction as scholars in Ireland and the colonies in recent years. LIMERICK.— Proposed Pish Hatchery— At the first meeting of the new Pißhery Board held in Limerick. M. F. M. Fitt, solicitor, presiding, the secretary, Mr. H. E. Poe Hosford, read a letter from the Department of Agriculture which stated that in the event of a definite proposal to erect a hatchery on the Shannon the Department would be prepared to direct a representative, assisted by an engineer, to examine any suggested site and report as to coßt. The cost of maintenance wonld be the wages of one man during the whole year and for two or three assistants during the hatching season. Messrs. Ballingall, Place, and Blood Smith were appointed a committee to draw up a scheme. LOUTBL— Proposed Presentation to an Archdeacon-— A committee has been formed in Drogheda with a view to presenting a testimonial to the Very Rev. Father Segrave, who was recently appointed parish priest of Drogheda and Archdeacon of the diocese of Armagh. ROSCOMMON.-Death of Lady de Freyne.-The death occurred on October 26 of the Dowager Lady de Freyne, at her residence, Caher House, Loughlynn, Roecommon. The funeral took place from Caher to Frenchpark parish church, where a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated. Most Rev. Dr. Lyster, Lord Bishop of Achonry, presided, and there were present 28 priests from the dioceses of Elphin and Achonry. The remains were interred in the family vault at Cloonshanville graveyard. WEXFORD.-The Gorey Memorial of Ninety-Eight— The unveiling of the Gorey '88 memorial gavo rise to a great National demonstration a short time ago. Triumphal arches, gay bunting, patriotic mottoes, and innumerable green and other flags lent a lively and picturesque appearance to the scene. The special trains from Dublin and Wexford brought thousand? of visitors, whilst every parish in the north of the county was largely represented. The procession, which marched through the principal streets of the town, was a most magnificent affair. On the arrival at Gorey Hill the memorial was unveiled by Lady Esmonde. The memorial takes «the form of a Celtic cross of a chaste and artistic design. Sir Thomas Esmonde Baid it was those '98 demonstrations that were the means of bringing together all sections of Irish Nationalists to the one platform, and the good work thus commenoed in '98, he hoped, would continue until the ranks of the Irish people were thoroughly cemented. Death of a Priest-— We regret (says the Wexford People) to announce the death of the Rev. John Furlong, Sutton's parish, which occurred at his residence, Kilmannock, after a brief illness. Father Furlong, who was in his forty-first year, belonged to the Franciscan Order for some years, and was a member of the communities in Wexford, Limerick, and Multifarnham convents. He was a native of Kilmore, and was educated at St. Peter's College and afterward! at Isidore's, Rome. Father Furlong was a scholarly man and a very able and eloquent preacher. With the permission of his superiors he joined the secular mission some years ago, and acted as curate in Annacurra and Blackwater. The interment took place in Ballinamona. A Retreat at New ROSS— The Right Rev. Dr. James Murray, Bishop of Queensland and successor to the late Bishop Hutchinson, opened a week's retreat in the Augustinian Church, New Ross, on Sunday, October 21. This is the first time within our recollection, says the Wewford People, that a bishop conducted a retreat in New Ross, and it was availed of to a great degree. The Oldest Town Olerk in Ireland.— Mr. John Tobin, of New Ross, claims to be the oldest Town Clerk in Ireland. He is retiring shortly from the position which he has held for the last 40 years. GENERAL. The Irish Pilgrimage to Rome— The Irish pilgrims have left the Eternal City (writes a Rome correspondent), delighted with their reception at the Vatican and greatly impressed by all they have seen. At the Church of San Clemente, where they attended

Mass, they were received with great cordiality by the Irish Dominicans. Father Mulooly, 0.P., kindly acted as their guide in viewing the interesting remains disclosed by excavations beneath the church. A visit was next paid to Cardinal Logue'B titular church, S. Maria della Pace. In the evening a reunion was held at the Arcadia, when, on the motion of Cardinal Logue, thanks were enthusiastically tendered to M^r. Bartolini for his courteous attention to the pilgrims. The High Mass at the Irish College, when the Cardinal pontificated, assisted by the Bishops of Killala, Ardagh, and Ross, was a solemn and imposing function. A particularly appropriate sermon was preached by Dr. Healy, Bishop of Clonfert, hia subject being the Communion ot baints. The testival of Ah Saints was, he said, instituted to commemorate the uncanonized as well as the canonized saints of the Church. Great was the multitude of the uncanonized saints who fought Ireland's battle with sword or pen. Could they noi count amongst them King Brian the victor of Clontarf, those who blept in Monitorio, the four Masters who worked so effectually for the greater glory of God and their country, and O'Connell. perhaps the greatest Irishman that ever lived, at once the Moses and the Joshua of the Irish people, whose maxims were the maxims of the Gospel, and who had left them a lesson of devotion to the Holy Father and the pastors of his Church. His Eminence Cardinal Logue, the Irish Bishops, the Rector of the Irish College, Father King, O M.I (without whom there would have been no pilgrimage), and Canon Fricker, who had done so much for the improvement of their music, were all heartily thanked by the preacher. Later on a banquet was given at the Irish College by Mgr. Kelly. On the same evening the magnificent salons of the Hotel de Rome were crowded when Count Moore gave a reception in honor of Cardinal Logue and of the Irish Bishops and pilgrims. A number of distinguished prelates, including his Grace Archbishop Stonor and the Rectors of the English-speaking Colleges responded to Count Moore's invitation, and the evening was a most successful one, animated by truly Irish cordiality and good fellowship. Proposed Presentation to Mr- T. D. Sullivan.— His Eminence Cardinal Logue and the B ishop of Meath have become members of the committee which is making arrangements for the presentation of a testimonial to Mr, T. D. Sullivan. ' Wr'ting from the Irißh College. Rome, to Mr. W. F. Denneby, his Eminence Cardinal Logue says : — 'Nothing could afford me greater pleasure than to join in a movement intended to pay a tribute of respect and acknowledgment to Mr. T. 0. Sullivan. He has deserved well of the country. He has rendered her long, devoted, and disinterested Bervice. Even his zeal for her welfare has never brought him into unpleasant conflict with those who differed from him. While his kind, genial, considerate disposition has won for him hosts of friends, I do not believe that he has ever given real reasonable grounds for enmity. Apart from all these considerations, I believe it would be a reproach to our patriotism to permit the Poet Laureate of Ireland to retire iroun pubhu lite without giving him a cubMantial testimony of the respect, e-teein, and admiration in which he is held by his fellow-countrymen ' A Necessary Change— Hitherto a person born in Ireland who has become chargeable to a Poor Law union in England has been removable to Ireland under the provisions of the Poor Removal Act, 1845, unless he has acquired a settlement in England or a status of irrennvability from the Poor Law union in which he applies for relief, irrespective of the length of his residence in England. This arbitrary rule baa now been altered by a new Act, which provides that a person who has resided continuously for five years in England shall not thereafter be removable to Ireland under the Acts relating to the relief of the poor The Act further provides that in cases where a pauper is removable from England to Ireland,, Boards of Guardians may make a^iee'nents that the pauper, instead of being removed, shall be maintained by the Board of Guardians of the Poor Law Union from which he is removable, at the expense of the Board of Guardians of the union to which, if removed he would be chargeable. Such agreements may be entered into whether application for a warrant of removal has been made or not. Then and NOW. — The Feast, of St. Gall wa3 celebrated in the church dedicated to his name in Milltown, County Dublin. In the course of a very eloquent sermon, Father Darlington, S.T., drew a striking contrast between the state of University education in Ireland many centuries ago and to-day. The rev. preacher said . All over Ireland in the sixth century we fiud thoroughly equipped university schools, teaching all the sciences then known to the enlightened world — the classics, Hebrew, and Gaelic ; poetry, geometry, rhetoric, natural science, astronomy. To Bangor in Ulster, to Lismore, Glendalougb, Clonard, Clonmacnoise, Durrow, and a hundred other schools students in thousands nocked from every country of Europe. Teaching was free, as well as board and lodging in many casea. From Durrow, in the King's County. St. Columba founded a great school at lona, in Scotland, which civilised the pagan Picts of North Britain. From Bangor, in Ulster, went St. Columba, with 12 companions, of whom St. Gall was one, to found university schools in France. Switzerland, and Northern Italy. St. Gall has left his came in the canton and town called after him near Lake Constance. His ancient monastery there is still the richest depository of Irish M.SB. on the continent of Europe The writings of these professors from the Irish schools prove them to have been men of the greatest secular learning as well as men of exalted faith. It was through these teachers from Ireland that the pagan hordes of Europe received their higher studies. Let us turn, continued the preacher, to Ireland of to-day. The countrymen and co-religionists of St. Gall, who gave, through their university schools, civilisation to Europe, are now themselves denied an adequate provision for higher education. We have witnessed within the last few daya here in the city men of wealth and position acting like the uneducated pagans of the past, banding together and using their wealth and position to deprive the countrymen of St. Gall of their right to adequate instruction, which Ireland enjoyed in tbe sixth century, when the Saxons were still pagan a,