Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 17 July 1902, Page 9

Irish News.

ANTRIM.— A Memorial. In the cemetery attached to tho old chapel, Newry, a massive cross of polished granite has been erected in memory of the late Most Rev. Dr. McGivern. A Fortunate Fishmonger. It is reported in iJeltasl that Mr. Peter O'Rorke, fishmonger, of Cromac street, Belfast, has received tho startling — but to him extremely satisfactory — information that he is tho heir to an immense fortune, tho total amount of which is estimated to be 20,000,000d015. It appears that Mr O'Rorke, who has been completely unconscious of the immense fortune awaiting him, was called upon by a gentleman from Georgia, U.S.A., whose mission was to trace tho whereabouts of the heir or heirs to the fortune in question. In the year 1868 Mr. Page O'Rorko, a native of Dromahaire, County Leitrim, died at) Chicago, leaving a sum of about 7,000,000d015, in addition to several properties which he owned in ' Porkopolis.' He left no will, but it. is represented that there was a note m his diary indicating his intention that the vast wealth ho had accumulated should go to his next of kin. Since his death, 34 years ago, tho value of the estate has increased to some 20,000, 000d015. As tho result of searching inquiries, it has now been discovered that Mr. O'Rorke is entitled to become possessor of this extensive forture. CORK. -The County Council. At the final meeting of tho first County Council of Cork, Mr. J. J . Howard, the able and popular chainman, in tho course of a farewell speech, recounted the results achieved by tho Council. Ho said ■ Three shor.t years ago a tremendous responsibility was thrown upon the peoplo of tho cau n try. When tho Local Government Act became law, and when the control of tho fiscal affairs of tho country was taken from the classes and transferred to the masses of tho people of this country, great doubts were then expressed as to what the results of the change would br.mg, and some persons were buoyed up with Hie idea that the result would pro\e disastrous to tho country Ho\\e\er, it is satisfactory to be ablo to state on this- tho finishing of the first term of tho County Councils in Ireland that tho transformation so brought about has proved in the most conclusive manner that the prophets for evil weie all wrong, and, thank God, to-day wo can proclaim m no uncertain manner that tho results ha\e clearly pro\ed that the vast majority of tho peoplo of tho country lux\e pi ovod themselves equal to the task, and it is an admitted fact that the County Councils and Rural District Councils of this country have proved themselves capable, and efhcient administrators. This is no mere idle or empty boast, for it had to be, and was admitted by the Government authorities who were responsible for looking after tho County Councils in Ireland You know yoursel\es what jour i esponsibilitios luiao been in the past. You know that e\ery year closo on a quarter of a million of the latepayers' money of this couutiy is passing through your hands You ha^e raised for agncultuial and technical education thioughout tho country a sum of £8000, and \ on me only too familiar with the wa\s and means of this Department that has been frustrating and blocking the introduction of education into tho country. Despite the hea\y dram upon our administration it is satisfactory to bo able to ohser\e that tho annual expenditure has not been on the increase, but rather, I am proud to state, on the decrease, as the following facts and "figures will' clearly show — Tho amount levied

for General County Union and District charges for the first year ending 31st March, 1900, was £189,162; for the second year ending 81st March 1901, £157,726 , for tho third yean ending 31st March, 1902, £150,180; for the fourth year ending 31st March, £1903, £149,925. DERRY, The death is reported of Mr Doa id R. Babington, solicitor, and secretary to the Derry County Council. Tho deceased gentleman, who was 49 years of ago, had been secretary to tho Grand Jury, and on the introduction of the Local Government Act, became secretary to the County Council. About 15 \ears ago Mr. Babington was stricken with paralysis, which deprived hun of tho power of his lowen limbs, and tho duties of secretaryship of tho County Council had to bo discharged largely by deputy. DONEGAL Diocesan Chapter. The new Diocesan Chapter of Raphoe has been appointed. Mgr. McFadden is Dean, and Mgr. McGlynn Archdeacon. Complimentary. At the final meeting of tho Donegal County Council Captain Storey, adressing the Council, bone eloquent tribute to tho work of tho members during their years of ollico. He touched upon the difficulties which surrounded them at the beginning ; and now, he said, a state of things oxisted in tho county which could not be paralleled at any previous time. He complimented the chairman, Mr McFadden, and bore testimony to tho courtesy and generosity with which the minority at tho Board had been always treated. DOWN.— A Serious Fire. On the morning of May 19 a nro which had disastrous consequences broke- out in Mr.. T. P. Willis's bakery premises, Newry The damage was estimated at about £5000. About 30 hands were thrown out of employment. GALWAY.— Kylemore Castle. The Gothic Castle of Kylemoro, which Mr. Mitchell TTenry, ex-M P., erected at a cost, it is said, of close on £500,000, is to be sold, also 13,000 acres of land, lakes, and ri\er.s around it Over 30 years ago when the late Canon vvilberforce joined tho Catholic Church, lie retired to the wilds of Connemana, and lented a small house on the Kylemot o estate, belonging to tho Blake family On a \ lsit to the Canon. JMr Mitchell Henry became fascinated with the beauty of the estate and icsuhed to purchase it. He did so, and built the great pile now for sale. KERRY.— The Killarney Disaster. At a public meeting in Killarney a fund was inaugurated to relievo the families of the boatmen who were drowned through the recent sad accident on the lakes. £170 was subscribed. The sum included 25 guineas from Mr. Furness, who lo&t his mother, brother, and sister on tho occasion. KILDARE. The Carmelite Order in Ireland has sustained a serious loss by the death of tho Rev. James E. Davis, O C.C , who died at tho Carmelite Convent, Kildnre, recently, in his 66th >ear. Father Davis was a man of national notice as a theologian, and was well known throughout Ireland by reason of the many missions and retreats which he had preached. A gront part of his life was spent in Dublin, and he also served in tho Carmelite Convents in Moat, Kinsale, and Kildare. LElTßlM.— Satisfactory. At the last mooting of the first Leitrim County Council, Mr. J. O'Donnell, J.P., presiding, said that tho report of the finance committee was indeed very satisfactory. They had to their credit, after paying out

that day close on £.10,000, the grand balance of £6477 0s 7d, and that was as good, if not better, than any county in Ireland. When tho County Council came into office tho Grand Jury handed over to them ■some £3000 odd, and, considering tho fact that tho County Council paid out about three times as much money as tho Grand Jury did, ho thought that their financial position, that day was splendid. All about a Flag-. I believe (writes a Dublin correspondent) it is a commonly received fallacy in Great Britain that Ireland enjoys precisely the same laws aa the sister country. Of course, every day in the week we have examples to tho contrary, and one of the 1. *..^t is that supplied by the Local Government Board in surcharging tho Leitrim County Council because it purchased a green flag to fly over the County Council buildings. If th* County Council had spent £800 on tho purchase of a Union Jack instead of £8 on this green flag the Local Government would doubtless never have mentioned tho extravagance. The County Councillors of Loitrim are responsible to tho peoplo who elected them and pay tho lutes which tho councillors spend. Needless to say, they had no objections to tho purchase of a flag, and if it cannot be paid for out of thq rates, the Leitrim men are determined to have tho honor of supply* nig it, and to raise the amount of the surcharge by public subscription. LIMERICK. Limerick (says an Irish exchange) is to be commended on its public spirit in tho matter of providing dwellings for the workers. At a meeting held at the Limerick Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May fi, tho Most Rev. Dr. O'Dwyer presiding, it was decided to form a Limerick Artisans' Dwellings Company, with a capital of £15,000. Nearly £9000 has been already subscribed Lord Iveagh has subscribed £1000 towards the company. Tho noble example set by the City of tho Violated Treaty, will, it is to be hoped, be speedily followed by other places in Ireland. MAYO.— Searching for Arms. A few weeks ago a Longford merchant, accompanied by a Westportj friend, was driving to Connemar to visit a sick nelatne when he was pursued by two policemen from Westport, who, overtaking him, much to lus surprise searched his car foi arms Tho -search was fruitless and tho constables returned homewards disappointed. Neither of tho suspected gentlemen has been identified with any political movement, and tho incident caused them considerable annoyance It is stated that the police had received infonmation that a case of arms recently arrived at Westport railway station and disappeared in some mysterious manner, but this explanation may be taken wjth tho proverbial gram of salt. A Wealthy Pauper. Whilo an old woman named Mary Rattigan, from the parish of Knock, now an inmate of the Claremorris Workhouse, was being attended in tho infirmary, a large sum of money — something o\er £180 in gold and silver — was found concealed in old rags under her pillow. MONAGHAN. Tho Bank of FJnftlond was some weeks ago the scene of an audacious 2-,obbery Patrick Canhn, of Monaghan, went to London with the idea of comma to New Zealand. Arriving at Buston Station, he was accosted in a fine Irish brogue by a fellowcountryman, who, liko Canlin, was off to the Antipodes. Consequently, for companionship sake they decided to chum in together. First 'they had breakfast During this repast Canlin, displayed his Bank of England notes as well as gold and the Ulster lad spoko of tho largo and prosperous

farm he would have on his arrival under the Southern Cross. Canlin's new ' associate suggested that these bank notes might be bad. In fact, he remarked, several men had already been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for forging such bank! notes as Canlin had. How terrible! it would be if he arrived in New Zealand to find they were, worthless! Why not go direct to the Bank of England to see if they were genuine,, and get them changed into gold ? They went to the city. While Canlini waited in the main entrance of the, Bank of England, Canlin's £5 bank notes were being changed, and the friend of a few hours departed, presumably by the Prince's street entrance. After waiting nearly an hour Canlin begun to hunt for his associate, and, not finding him, complained to the officials of the Bank of England. A telephone message to Old Jewry brought over officers, and Canlin wns conveyed back to the police station. Detective Ferguson) took Canlin to the Agent-General fort New Zealand in the hope that with the balance of cash he might get cfix assisted passage to New Zealand. In this respect Canl]in was disappointed, as there are no such passages granted now. GENERAL. Gaelic League. In the course of his annual report, read at the Irish Congress in Dublin, the General Secretary of the Gaelic League stated that the number 'of branches affiliated with the Executive was 412 as against 227 last yean. Since the last Congress two additional organisers had been apptointed, and had gone through the Irish-speaking counties of Cork, Galway and Mayo, and devoted special attention to the schools of the districts, and brought pressure to bear on the managers and teachers. Within the past year Irish has been introduced into no less than 1300 National schools, and previous to that the number of schools in which the language was taught was only 139. Higher Education. Speaking recently at the annual meeting of the Clongowes Wood Collego Union, of which he is president, the Chief Baron said — During tho time I myself was at school here — when -^ left in 1847 — we knew by comparison, of our' fellows who left 1 this for Stonyhurst, and "by compari-i son. with those who came froni Stonyhurst to us, that those that were educated at the Inish College! could successfullly compete with those) educated in England, and leave them nowhere. We have now a struggle oil another nature. We? have a struggle between Irishmen who are educated in different classes of schools. We have here in Ireland denominational education going 1 on. We have the Roman Catholic school and the Protestant school. Well, 1 have, always had the conviction formed from my knowledge of the characteristics of your race, and of the race which predominates with the other — I ha,ve always had the strongest conviction that if we only were on terms of equality, we would do to them what we and they have already done to English scholars, and to accomplish that it is the .Jesuits we have to look forward to as foremost in the movement, and it is to Clongowes — their principal college — that we have to look forward as talcing a foremost place in the van of the movement. Maynooth College. Rev. Peter Coffey, 8.D., Dunboyno Establishment, Maynooth, was the only candidate for tho vacant Chair of Philosophy at a Coneursus which opened recently in the College.