Irish News

New Zealand Tablet, 23 February 1911, Page 343

Irish News

CLARE—-A Lady Clerk of Union Miss E. M. Bennett, daughter of the late Clerk of Union in Ennis, has been elected his successor. There were five candidates, and Miss Bennett’s election was the cause of much popular rejoicing. She had acted as Clerk since her father’s death. CORK—An Incident of the Famine With reference to the death of Mr. Alex. James, which occurred recently in Queenstown, it is interesting to record that he was the last survivor of a body of young Queenstown men who in lAI9 stopped the brig Westmoreland, which was laden, with potatoes and about to proceed to the British Channel with her cargo, which she had taken on board at Midleton. Hunger was rampant at the time in Coveas Queenstown was then namedand a body of young Cove boys volunteered to board the Westmoreland, which was lying in the Whitegate roads, as it was a cruel thing to see food being taken out of the port when it was so much needed at home. The young men got on board the brig and brought her to Fitzpatrick’s quay, now the C.B. and P. Railway depot, at Queenstown, where they uncovered the hatches and called on all people who were in w-ant to supply themselves free with the brig’s cargo. A huge crowd assembled round the vessel and carried away with them as much as they could take of the potatoes. The small force of police then at Cove were unable to cope with the matter, and the military at Spike Island were sent for, and arrived, ; the officer in charge, on seeing the pitiful condition of the people, declined to use the force at his disposal in combating the people, and unbuckling his sword, tendered it ’to the magistrate presentviz., W. B. Verling. The justice also declined to interfere, and the people thus having free access, the cargo of potatoes was unloaded quickly. DERRY —Clerical Influence A talented Irish Protestant gentleman, Mr. William J. Johnston, 8.L., who was the Liberal candidate at the recent election for the representation of South Derry, and who was born in Ulster and has resided and worked all his life in his native province (writing in the London Nation explains the causes which led to the local Liberal defeat: This rather disastrous result is to he accounted for, to some extent, by plural voting; but in the main it is to be attributed to the reign of terror that was induced in these constituencies by a number of fanatical Presbyterian clergymen and other firebrands w T ho were determined that the Presbyterian , Liberals in Ulster should be intimidated from yoting for the Liberal, candidates. This system began with a fiery call to arms, delivered by the Rev. Dr. McDermott in his church in Belfast, on Sunday, November 27. In many instances Dr. McDermott’s clerical followers made a personal canvass of those members of their congregations who were suspected of being Home Rulers. In every instance they “reasoned” with their people, whilst in many cases they did not scruple to base their appeal on personal and social grounds. The clerical influence that was thus exercised during the contest will have in the future an effect upon the interests of Presbyterianism in Ireland not contemplated by those who were responsible for it.’ DOWN—A Prominent Citizen Passes away Profound sorrow is expressed throughout the district centred by Banbridge at the death of William Smith, M.D., M.Ch,, L.M., J.P., who passed away at his residence, Newry House, Banbridge, on December 31. He had been a member of the Board of Guardians and the Banbridge Town Commissioners. Deceased was an exemplary and practical Catholic and an uncompromising and ardent Nationalist, and was a close personal frieaid of Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. Election Experiences The experience of ray friend, Mr. Jeremiah MacVeagh, the popular and .witty member for South Down, in being able to fight a contest without personal expense, is as pleasant as it is rare (says a writer in fihe London Daily News). But I fancy it happened before, and in the same county, too. The circumstances, however, were very different. Just a century ago there was an election in Downpatrick, the county town of Down, and oai the day of the nominations one of the candidates was decayed on the road and ran the risk of being late. Johns Wilson Croker, afterwards the * Quarterly ’ reviewer, a friend of the belated candidate, happened to be in town, and hte was put on the hustings to address the electors and thus * kill time.’ To qualify him to speak, it was necessary , that he should he nominated— was duly proposed and seconded, and he received one < other vote — in all. : In due time the missfng candidate arrived and was duly nominated. Then the fun began. It w 7 as a lively election, ns w r as customary in th,ose days, and after all was over there was an election petition. The result was that the ©leered member was unseated, but as the conduct of the petitioner was equally bad the seat was not awarded to him. (Then it was sud-

denly discovered that there was a third candidate, John Wilson Croker, who had received three votes, and whose electoral conduct was exemplary. His unseated or defeated friend expected that Croker would make no claim but that gentleman, declaring that he would never desert his faithful constituents in number Iclaimed the seat, and was duly elected, without cost, of course. Croker cut some figure in Parliament, from which, as a strong Tory, he retired on the passing of the Reform Act. As a writer he was best known for his edition of Boswell’s Life of Johnson. DUBLINThe National University Mr. J. G. Swift Mac Neill, K.C., M.P., who is already Professor of Constitutional Law in the National University of Ireland, has been appointed by the Commissioners to the Clerkship of Convocation. Mr. A. E. Clery, LL.D., 8.L., has been appointed Professor of Law of Property and Law of Contracts, University College, Dublin. LIMERICKA Humorous Suggestion At the meeting of the Limerick Harbor Board, Councillor T. Ryan (Mayor) presiding, a letter was read from the military authorities relative to some old cannon that lie on the ground owned by the board, and which forms part of the premises of the now disused Militia Staff Barracks. During the discussion Mr. Roche asked if there . had been an application from the North of Ireland for the guns. If Captain_ Craig knew they were here he might apply for them. "The Mayor: Guns are booming just now. Memorial to a Priest At Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, on Thursday, December 29, a splendid monument, / erected to the memory of the late Father'William Casey, for a quarter of a century pastor of the parish, was unveiled in the presence of a vast assemblage of people, gathered together from Limerick, Kerry, Cork, and other parts of Munster. It was arranged that the panegyric' should be delivered by Very Rev. Patrick Beecher, D.D., M.A., Maynooth College, but an accident which he met with prevented his attendance, and his place was taken by Very Rev. John T. Murphy, C.S.Sp., Provincial, Blackrock College. The chair was 1 : 1 occupied on the occasion by Very Rev, Patrick Lee*, P.P., successor to the late Father Casey. _ Eloquent tributes were paid to the memory of the great priest, who during his life did herculean work for Faith and Fatherland; by Father Murphy, and other clergymen and laymen who knew his worth. But the inscriptions on the beautiful bronze statue of Father Casey, which are both in Irish and English, epitomise the history of his labors as well as the most eloquent of orations. They read as follow : ‘ His grateful fellow-countrymen at home and beyond the seas have erected this monument to the memory of the Rev. Father Casey, for a quarter of a century prior to his death the parish priest of this parish. He found his people struggling in the toils of landlordism; he left them owners of the soil: and freemen. By his death religion lost a shining light, the cause of temperance a strenuous advocate, the poor, without distinction of creed, an ever-helpful friend, and Ireland a devoted son. But his memory, which will live for ever in the hearts of the people, is a rich, ennobling, and inspiring inheritance.’ LOUTHThe Parliamentary Seat Several candidates have already been mentioned in connection with the vacancy which may be created in North Galway, owing to the election of Mr. Hazleton for both his old constituency and North Louth. Amongst the names which have been brought prominently before the public are those of Mr. J. M. Briscoe, secretary of the Town ants’ League; Mr. Frank McDermott, son of the late Mr. McDermott, K.C., formerly Attorney-General for Ireland; Mr. Farrell McDonnell, a local shopkeeper and landlord; Mr. Frank Guy (who has been recommended by Right Rev. Dr. Clancy, Bishop of Elphin), and Mr. Peter Newell, retired Inspector of National Schools. A rumor is, however, prevalent that Mr. Hazleton will resign his seat for North Louth if his action in so doing will have the effect of disposing of Mr. Healy’s election petition. As Mr. Healy has not claimed the seat, this would necessitate another election. MAYO—A Hearty Welcome Home Very Rev. M. J. MHugh, Crosshoyno, County Mayo, has returned to his parish after a very successful mission, extending to almost three years, in the United States, in aid of the Castlebar New Church Fund. Father M'Hugh has been heartily welcomed home by his parishioners. Old Age Pensions , The Poor Law relief disqualification, which expired on December 31 (says the Freeman’s Journal), will bring within the benefits of the Old Age. Pensions Act in the County Mayo over, one thousand, at the very lowest estimate, of the deserving poor who, through receipt of a ‘ miserable pittance from the rates, had forfeited their title to the larger Treasury grant. ■ Almost, all the claims of these old people have now been dealt with by the various sub-committees in the county, and 95 per cent, at least of the total number have been passed. at the full amount the remaining 5 per cent, being adjourned for further evidence of age. There was not as great a difficulty as was

at first anticipated in tracing the ages, and where any difficulty was experienced the Pension Officers were given discretion to act on their own judgment, as far as general appearance was a guide in estimating the age. _ In any case where the Pension Officers and the committee disagreed as to the age of a claimant, the committee approved of. the pension, so that in the event of an appeal, and their decision being upheld, the claimant may be paid from the first Friday in the New Year. All the recipients of outdoor relief who have been passed for the pension have been paid their last contribution from the rates, which carries them up to the morning of January 4. In some unions that amount had been doubled in accordance with an old Christmas custom, but it was not general. The amount payable in pensions to the qualifying out-door paupers in the county, about 800 in all, will be £2OO per week, or £10,400 per annum. In the case of the indoor paupers, not so many of them will avail of the pension as was expected. In the county about 200 of these aged poor have already been passed for the pension, but it is estimated that no more than 80 will leave the work-houses, so that the income of the county under that head will be no more than £2O per week, or £IO4O per annum. Of the remaining 120, 80 at least consider that they are better looked after inside than they could possibly hope to be outside at 5s per ■week. * TIPPERARY— be Forgotten 5 A few weeks ago, following the poisoning of some hounds, there was a danger that the Tipperary Hunt would not be continued this season. The indignation expressed by the Master, Mr. Bouch, was shared by the people of the county, who in public meeting at Fethard and through resolutions passed by the various representative boards condemned the outrage. But it as urged that the whole community should not be penalised for the acts of a few, wanton or careless, and further explanations having been given Mr. Bouch has decided to resume hunting. He thanks the farmers for the immediate, unanimous and decisive way in which they supported him, and adds : ‘ For my part, I consider myself a very lucky man to be living in this county of Tipperary, where I have met, from the beginning, with so much friendliness. My one desire now is to have the whole unfortunate business forgotten as quickly as possible.” WlCKLOW—Experience Teaches Mr, H. A. Hinkson, writing to the London Times, endorses the opinion recently expressed by Mr. Stephen Gwynn, M.P., as to the position of Protestants under Home Rule. Mr. Hinkson says: May I from my own knowledge endorse the opinion expressed by Mr. Stephen Gwynn as to the position of Protestants under Home Rule? I am a Conservative and an Irish Protestant descended from Ulster Protestants on the one side and from Wicklow Orangemen on the other. When a boy I lived in a rectory in Wicklow. The Land League was then at the height of its power; but so little did it affect the friendly relations existing between Catholic and Protestant that every summer the Protestant rector’s Roman Catholic neighbors came with the machines and forks, horses and carts, and cut and made his not for reward, but because he was a minister of religion. One cannot imagine Ulster Protestants doing a like service for a Roman Catholic priest, though with curious inconsistency they not infrequently take an ailing cow to a priest to be blessed. While I was at T.C.D. I was selected out of a number of candidates, Catholic and Protestant, for the post of Senior Classical Tutor in the Jesuit College of Clongowes Wood, which is the most important Roman Catholic lav college in Ireland. If they had desired a Roman Catholic the authorities would bave had no difficulty in finding one equally competent. While I was in residence every consideration was shown to me, and not only was there no attempted interference with my religious beliefs, but, although it was the rule of the college to abstain from meat on Fridays, meat was specially cooked on those days for me and my two Protestant colleagues. At that time we Protestants regarded all appointments in the gift of the Irish Government as by right, as well as by tradition, belonging to the Protestants, regardless of the claims of the Roman Catholic candidates To Mr. Balfour and Mr. Wyndham belong the high credit of having made merit, not religion, the basis of selection. And surely if the profession of the Protestant faith is to be a condition precedent of self-government, the Imperial idea must be abandoned.’ * The Archbishop’s Munificence X. , His , Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, has sent a cheque for £IOO to the committee promoting the fund on behalf of helpless widows and families of the poor fishermen who lost their lives in Arklow Bay some weeks ago. y general The Parliamentary Fund The subscriptions to the Irish Parliamentary Fund for 1910 totalled £14,987 9s 3d, a sum unprecedentedly large as compared with the totals for any year since 1905