THE IRISH DELEGATES. INVITED TO VISIT AUCKLAND. Auckland, May 11.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 368, 15 May 1889, Page 4

THE IRISH DELEGATES. INVITED TO VISIT AUCKLAND. Auckland, May 11.

Ax effort is to be made to induce the Irish delegates au present in Australia to visit Auckland, and if the movement in this direction should prove successful, they will most probably arrive here about three months hence. It is understood, however, that Otago has put forward a prior claim. The idea assumed a practical shape at a meeting of ladies and gontlemen interested in the national cause, held at St. Patrick's Presbytery last evening. The Rev. Father Hacketfc presided, and the Rev. Father Hayes was also present. The object of the gathering was to consider the advisability of inviting Mr John Dillon, Sir Thomas Esmonde, and Mr J. Deasy, at piesent in Australi», to visit, Auckland, and it was re?ohed to hold a general meeting on Monday evening next, to send a formal invitation to the delegates, and to make arrangements for their lcception in this city. The place ot meeting was leit for future consideration, but it was decided that Mr Sheahan, who was appointed Secretary pro tern., should is=-ue circulars to the leading citizen*, inviting their attendance and co operation. The object of tho visit of the Irish delegates to the colonies i? to obtain the sympathy and support of colonists in their efforts <o obtain Home Rule for Ireland, and they will no doubt bo accorded a hearty recepnon it they come this way. Under the circumstances, some lacts about Mr John Dillon may be of interest. He is the son of the late John Dillon, of '48 celebrity, and was born in IS>l. He was educated at the Catholic University of Dublin, and returned as Nationalist memboi for Tipperary in 18S0, but owing to ill-health he resigned his seil. He was olected for East Mayo in 1885, and again in ISB6. Mr Dillon has recently been identified with the " plan of campaign ; ' and in November, 1886, while carrying that plan into operation at Loughrei, by receiving the rents of the tenants, was arrested by the police He was subsequently tried for his otlenco, and bound over in heavy sureties to keep the peace. Mr Dillon was tv ice imprisoned under Mr Forster's Coercion Act, and has been repeatedly suspended by the House of Commons, in which assembly he is one of the most poweitul speakers. At Drogheda, on May 11th, 1888, tor having taken part in what was described as a "criminal conspiracy known as the Plan of Campaign," Mr Dillon wa^ sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and the sentence was confirmed on appeal on June 21st. Mr Dillon was sent to Tullamore prison, but was liberated in September. He subsequently addressed great gatherings of his countrymen, and defended the action for which ho was imprisoned.