THE LAND LEAGUE CHECKMATED.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2229, 20 April 1881, Page 3

THE LAND LEAGUE CHECKMATED.

The Property Defence Association, by attending sales of cattle seized for non-payment of rent, has struck a heavy blow at the Land League organization. Some remarkable examples of its successful operations have been reported, of which the following will serve as an illustration. In the case of an estate near Dungarvan, in the county of Waterford, the tenantry in one division refused in December last to pay more than Griffiths’ valution, and in another division they refrained from seeing the agent at all. _ Actions were finally taken against five or six of them, and an execution against one non-resident was placed in the hands of the sheriff, who said that the seizure would bo worse than useless, that there would probably be rescue, and that if a sale were attempted no bidders would bo found. After this discouraging intimation, the agent conmunicated with the Property Defence Association, who undertook to provide bidders, and, if the latter were not afforded protection by the authorities, to furnish a sufficient force to carry out the arrangements. The auction was fixed, and on the morning of the day about 200 tenant farmers, with the local committee of the Land League, went into the town to witness the defeat of the landlords. The tenant, relying on their ability to render the sale abortive, made no proposal for a settlement, and expected to drive back his cattle ; but Mr Goddard, the active representative of the association, arrived by train from Waterford with his attendants. The military were under arms in the neighboring barracks, fifty police were on duty, and under their protection the auction commenced. The Land League experienced a signal defeat. Mr Goddard purchased the first dairy cow that was put up for £l, and the remainder for prices not much higher, securing the entire lot for a very small sum. The cattle were driven off under an escort of forty policemen, to the dismay of the farmers, the League committee, and, above all, the tenant. On reaching Dublin the cattle were Boyoct'ed, by some timid persons, who would have nothing to do with them, but they were soon distributed through the northern counties. The effect of this successful attack upon the League’s policy has been that at least a dozen tenants on the estate have since paid up their rents, with costs where any had been incurred, and the remainder have promised to pay I shortly—all professing their great regret at the delay, and stating that they had been willing to pay from the first, but were afraid to do so.— 11 Argus ” Correspondent.