Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 26 November 1897, Page 9

Irish Ne ws.

A"NTRlM.— Belfast Municipal Elections.— On Monday, September 20. a meeting of the supporters resident in St. Mary's Congregational District of the candidates selected by the Catholic Association for the Smithfield Ward of Belfast was held in St. Mary's Hall, under the Presidency of the Bishop of Down and Connor (the Most Rev. Dr. Henry). In the course of his speech, his lordship said : " I have no fear that the Catholics of Beliast, and I have no fear especially that the Catholics of this quarter of the city, will ever give countenance to the mischievous policy of deling the bishop and priests the right of intervening in municipal affairs. Had the bishop and priests not come forward in opposition to the Belfast Corporation Bill, I need hardly tell you that there would be no two wards for Catholics to quarrel about. There is no reason why the Catholics of Belfast should quairel — there is every reason why they should unite, and especially unite in the selection of candidates for municipal honours. The Catholics fought the Town Council on Catholic and non-political lines. We fought and we won on non-political lines, and because we fought on non-political lines we were able to secure the co-operation and assistance and support of the Irish Parliamentary representatives of e\ery bection and shade, and it is a strong argument in favour of the wisdom of our policy that we secured by going on non-politioal lines the ablest advocacy of some of the brightest intellects of members of Parliament on the benches of the British House of Commons. As Catholics we obtained for the Catholics of Belfast exceptional legislation owing to the exceptional treatment as Catholics we had received from an exclusive Town Council. Now, I ask. are the Catholics of Belfast, numbering nearly 80.000. to rest satisfied with the delimitation of two wards, with a preponderating Catholic population, affording them an opportunity of squabbling amongst themselves .' Is that the goal of the ambition of the Catholics ot Belfast ? Are there not other boards in the city — the, Harbour Board, the Water Board, and the Poor Law Board, where the Catholic representation is nil or miserably inadequate? In our struggle for adequate Catholic representation on those Boards are we to discard the policy of union, which has been so far successful in obtaining our municipal rights ? I will take the opportunity of saying that the gentlemen listening to me this evening from Smithfield Ward will be no party to the wreck and ruin of the Catholic cause. lam satisfied they will never give countenance to a wrong-h aded policy of dissension an.l disunion among the Catholics of Belfast. Need 1 ask you to p.iy no attention to the false and reckless charges which are spread broadcast against me, and the gentlemen who, notwithstanding these charge.-, are standing by me to endeavour to obtiin representation and employment for the Catholics of Belfast on the public boards ot the city / The real ii-bue is this : Are you going to put aside the advice anil the guidance ot the gentlemen, including your Bishop, who got for you the chance of representation in the Town Council, and are you going to put into their places a coterie of self-constituted guide-., w ho, 1 may tell you, did all they possibly could to spoil and prevent your getting representation at all I

CORK.— The Fermoy Guardians and the Sisters.— At the last meeting ot the r-eruioy Board oi Guardians a letter was read from the Most llcv. Dr. Biowne, Bishop ot Clo^ne: — '• 1 beg to make application to your Board tor permission ot two additional Mater-, ot Mercy to h\e m the Workhouse Convent under the. following cir. umstancis and conditions: (1) The bisters will rot and cannot be a souicp of any additional txpense to the Guardiars, a-> they seek lor neither salary or board at the expense ot tie rates. I nurely a-k tli.it liny be allowtd to live in the same house with the other M-*ei& of Meicy. No a national ac ommodation is net-essiry. (2; The ciicumstanct a winch le.ul we to m..ke this icque-t .ire the lollo»\mi$ . Tneie dud recently m Fermi ■)' a lady, Mi-s Eliza Kiriy. who letc the re iai.e of her property tor the purpose of e^tabui-hiug a Lounnunity ot Sisters ot Mercy or of a similar Order of nuns to visit the skk and }>oro r ot Feinioy. The property left for this purpose is only about £.{."> annually. Now this is insuincient to establish an indej end -nt hou-e, and is only in part suilieient to support two nuns lience I a-k \ou to allow them to li\e m the same hou-e as their hitlers in religion in the workhouse, and so make it possible lor me to sec uie their services for the poor and sick ot Feimoy. 1 need not point out to yuu that the attuUunix ot the nuns on the poor and sick in their homes will be a bles-in^ to then, and be in ,-ome me'isuie a relief to the rates." The request wa.-. unanimously acceded to, subject to the banetion of the Lical Govirnincnt Boaut.

DONEGrAL.-The tap of the Orange Drum.-His Eminence Cardinal Lo^ue on Saturday, September 18, delivered in D megal an address upon Irish political affairs, which dealt in an illustrative manner with the treatment ot the present Government towards Ireland. His Eminence pointed out that the Government c.une into orh'ce to kill liume Rule with kindness, but Homo Rule is neither killed by kiiidm-ss nor by any other method. The ■' kindness" has been lvmaikabl.' only for its absence. As Cardinal Logue. in a phrase destined to be heard again and again, puts it, the tap ot the Orange diuni really rules the \ les-ont administration. '• So matu r. 1 ' s. y-. the Cardinal. " what measure is proposed lor the ■\\eltare ot the- p.oi-lo and the good ot the couutiy, and taken up even in good luitu with the host intentions in the world by the Members of the present Minwiy, one tap of the Orange drum is surh'iient to have the measure put in the background." Municipal retorm, univuisity rclorm. and land reimm all have disappeared before tlio tap ot the Orange drum. Will the fear of his Eminence that local government may ui.dcigo the same fate be also realised .' We certainly will not place muuh laith (say» the Dublin FrrvnunC) in the professions ot the Government in the matter until, if ever we see the liill parsed into law. Even as the measure has been outlined it is burdened with a disgraceful proposal to bribe the Irish land-

lords. The Irish are asked to pay n big price for what Scotland and England have received gratis. Uhe Irish people will not pay the price, however, unle«s they get something likn value for their money. Meanwhile the course to bo pursued throughout the country ought to be sufficiently clear to everyone. As his Eminence well said, we want to be united. We want come of the spirit which Cardinal Logue spike of so highly as existing among the members of the National Federation in Donegal. We want the application throughout the country of the antidote to the Orange drum — namely, the tap of the Nationalist drum. When the drums of a united country commence to roll the Orange tap will have very feeble effect indeed. As long as we are split and divided we will get nothing. Whon we bind ourselves together we can force any reforms, we please from such Government as may be in office. This lesson is tiiu^ht us by bitter experience. It ought not be necessary to enforce it again. Time ot jireat promise for the country is slipping away, and if we neglect our duty until it is to > late it will be only our own fault if misfortune of a national kind follow.

DUBLlN.— Celebrating th 3 Centenary.— The executive committee of the H JB centenary committee at a meeting in Dublin, has decided on the following:, amongst other details :—(1): — (1) That deputations should wait on each trade, with the object of procuring their participation in the demonstration ; to consult with them as to banners and bannerettes associated with '98 and free from sectional politics to be borne in the prccesbion ; to recommend that any bannerettes or banners which may be now ordered may be of Irish fabric and workmanship ; and also, where practicable, they should form 'US committees, and to obtain from them their suggestions in reference to decorations of their club rooms and other street decoration-*. That deputations should also wait on branches of tue G.A.A., the courts of the Irish. National and Ancient Order of Foresters for the same purposes, and also on Dublin rural bodies to secure the organisation of '98 committees and to obtain their suggestions on the same subjects ; and also on bands, to secure that, in addition to their co-operation, the music to be played by them should be music written to words incidental to 'i) 8, and that no foreign music be played under any circumstances in the demonstrations ; also to ascertain from the occupiers of historic houses, such as those in Which Wolfe Tone was born and where he resided, Oliver Bond's House in Bridge street, Hamilton Rowan's house, and such-like places, whether they could be suitably decorated.

The Rackrenter'fl Hope. — The landlords have got the opportunity they were clamouring for (says the Dublin freeman). The Land Commission is their Commission. The precise scope of the inqui-y has been tettled between them and a friendly Government behind the backs of the tenants. The tribunal has been framed in accordance \s ith their wishes. One of the uieir bers of this tribunal, in which rhe ten-una are invited to show confidence, is an avowed and extreme but at the same time a most able partisan of the landlord elars. Tiie tenants, on the other hand, are absolutely without representation on the tribunal. Their case must be tried on the issues raised, and before the Court appointed by their opponents. It is fair to assume that it was at their instance, as it is manifestly in their interest, that in violation of the precedents of previous Royal Co nmi&i-inns, such as the Cowper and the Bes&borough ComuiLmcii-, counsel have been invittd to take part in the deliberations. The Lmdloidh are well aware, despite the whining 1 about poverty, that their length (if purse in any such conflict gives them an enor-muu-i adv-.miUJt over the tenants.

liccepticn Of a Nun. — On the Hth September, at the Po.niniu.iii Convent. Sion Mill, Blackrock, Mi«s Annie M. Stone, B.A, ■in hli^uhi hist r Alary l'eter G-onzales), eldest daughter of Mr. Llinry Mi ni». ex-lst class supervisor of Inland Revenue, Dublin, ard Mtt> r <<f L»r. 11. E. Stone, of lUoxwich, England, made her olui'in pio essio-i. having received the black viel of the Order of St. I) mi. v k Tlk> Ri-ht Rev Mgr. Plunket. P.1'.., V.G., Booteixtown, v>llK- ti'cd in tl.e alk-eiii c of Jus Grace the Most Rev. Archbishop Wal-h. The iulloumv clergymen were present : Very E,ev. Father llf.Jj , pn Hidciii University College, lilackrock; Very Rev. Father Uyland, 0.5.1., roc or Merchant's Quay ; Rev. Father Colahan, C.C., Booterstown ; Rev Father Cossin, CO , Blackrock ; and Rev. Father O'Connell, C.C.. Cork. A tier tht impressive ceremony in the beautiful chapel of the convent, at which all the nuns, novices, postulants. boarders, and day-pupils attmdo'l, the cler«y and relatives pre-eut weie hospitably enter tai m d by the Rev. Prioress and the good nun:*, v hoso lovely grounds were afterwards thrown open to the visitor.

GAL WAY.— The New Cathedral at Loughrea. —On Wedne-dav, ISep^'niber 8, work was commenced on the new catludrul in Loughrea. It has been in contemplation fully sixty years. But i.ow, thanks to the energy of Most Rev. Dr. Healy, the work will undoubtedly continue to a successful issue. The Bite eele 1 ted is in Barrack street, almost on the bank ot the picturesque Lough Rea. and close by is 1 one of the solid ivy-grown towers. A. large, long, spacious house, remarkable for nothing save its superbly hewn btone, stands r ght in the centre of the site; this structure was the famous " Monahan's Hotel," immortalised by Lever in " Charles O'Malley." Few places could be found so well laid out for a cathedral, and the people are proud of the beauty of the site. The work will give employment. Mr. Clynn. Dublin, has the contract for the building, and his tender alone was JIIo,UOO. The foundation btone will be laid on October 2.

Failure Of the Potato. — The vast extent of country between Clifden and Slyne Head, known as Errismore, which generally supplied the local market with potatoes, will not yield this season aa much as will keep alive the people of the immediate locality. It is openly stated that the digging of a meal of potatoes any way good is an entire day's work.

KILDARE.— FataI Accident to a Priest.— A. sad accident, resulting in the death of the Rev. Patrick Jones, P.P., of Blackditch, County Wicklow, took place on Sunday, September 19.

Father Jones, in common with several other clergymen, attended the devotions in connection with the forty hours' adoration at Ballymore-Eustace Church, which is somewhat over four miles from his residence. He was returning home in a trap, accompanied by the Rev. Bernard Duffy, his curate, when the deplorable accident, which resulted in his death, occurred. About two miles from Bully more-Eustace the trap was capsized. Father Jones was rendered unconscious, and Father Duffy was momentarily stunned. When returned consciousness led Father Duffy to seek his companion, he found to his horror that lie was still insensible. Exerting himself as best he could amidst the surrounding gloom, he tenderly raised Father Jones' head, which he rested on hia knees. Constable Madden, who arrived some time after, immediately set about procuring assistance. Leaving Father Duffy in care of Father Jones, he went to the residence of Mr. George Hornidge, J.P., close by, and procured a car. Father Jones was gently placed in Mr. Hornidge's car, and the sad journey towards his own residence began. About a quarter of a mile before it was reached he expired.

KILKENNY— The Annual Show of the Iyerk Society. — The annual show of the Iverk Society was held in the demesne of the Earl of Bessborough on September 7. The weather was beautifully fine and the show successful. The number of exhibits was larger than in previous years, and their quality much better. Mr. William Richardson, secretary. Horses — Judges, Major Connellan, John Hutchison and John F. Corbett. For the best brood mare, calculated to produce weight-carrying hunters, with foal at foot— First prize, James McDonald, Bailntlea, Mullinavat ; second prize, William Prior Daniel, Raheenarrin, Kilmoganny ; third prize, Michael Tennyson, Hobitstown, Hugginstown. For the best four-year-old mare or gelding, suitable for hunters or remounts — First prize, Michael Shea, Mullinbeg, Piltown ; second prize, Michael Power, Garrygang, Piltown. For the best three-year-old colt or filly — First prize, John H. Power, Mount Richard, Carrick-on-Suir ; second prize, Edward Conway, Barralely, Piltown. For the best two-year-old colt or filly — First prize, William Prior Daniel, Raheenarrin, Kilmonganny ; second prize, James Dalton, Jamestown ; third prize, James P. O'Bryne, Amber Hill, Kilmeadon. Eor the best yearling colt or filly — First prize, G. Murray Phelan, Portland, County Waterford ; second prize, William Prior Daniel, Raheenarrin, Kilmoganny ; third prize, James Reid, Garrygang, Piltown. For the best working donkey — First prize, James O'Leary, Piltown ;

second prize, Philip Walsh, Owning. Horse jumping competition — — silver cup offered by Mr. Martin J. Murphy, J.P.. for the best performer, four years old and upward, carrying not less than twelve stone, over ditch, hurdle, and stune wall — First, William Perry, Woodrooff, Clonmel ; second, the Marquis of Waterford. A silver cup, presented by Mr. John R. Anthony, Piltown, for the be^t performer, four years old and under, carrying not less than ten stone ; two second prizes were given.

LIMERICK.— Serious Outbreak of Fever.— A serious ou lbreak of fever is announced from the County Limerick. At the last meeting of the Newcastle West Board of Guardians the Local Government Board Inspector reported that numerous cases of typhoid had broken out in two villages, and that in one instance all the members of a family, numbering twelve, were suffering from the disease. In several cases milk had been sent to a local creamery from the farms of men, members of whose families were stricken dowu with fever. The closing of the creamery in qucbtion, for a time at all events, was the only practical preventive meabure that could be suggested, and in the interest of the locality its adoption is to be hoped for.

MAYO.— The New Convent, Kiltimagb..— A Claremoma correspondent writes : — The arrival of nuns to inhabit the now convent of Kiltimagh was celebrated by the inhabitants of the rising Mayo town with great popular rejoicing'!. The Sisters, numbering six, arrived from St. Louis' Convent, Monaghan, by the evening train from Sligo. They were met at Cooloney junction by the Rev. Denis O'Hara, P.P., the esteemed pastor of Kiltimagh, to whot-.e energy is due the credit of many laudable projects tor the welfare of his parishioners. For a considerable time previous to the arrival of the train an immense crowd, including the children of the local schools, neatly attired in white, had assembled at the railway station, and when it came to a standstill there was a great expression of joy and greeting, the children clapping merrily, while the general public were no less enthusiastic in their endeavour to extend as cordial an ovation as possible. On alighting from the train the Sisters were met by the Most Rev. Dr. Lyster, Bishop of Achonry, accompanied by all the priests of the deanery. After being the recipients of a hearty ceud mile failtc from his lordbhip and the clergy, the Sisters entered the Bishop's carriage which was in waiting, and drove to the church ipreceded by the children, who marched in processional

order and formed an imposing spectacle. At the church, which wa densely crowded, the ceremonies commenced by the singing of the "Benedictus" by the priests. His Lordship, ascending the pulpiC, thanked the people in felicitous terms for the cordial and enthusiastic reception they had given the nuns, and hoped that they would love, cherish, and help them in the future. In the name of the people he said to them " Ceud mile failte" The ceremonies were brought to a close by Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament, his Lordship presiding in full pontificals.

QUEEN'S COUNTY— The Weaving Industry at Stradbally. — The Sisters in charge of the weaving industries, Convent of Mercy, Stradbally, have received an order from her Royal Highness the Duchess of York for handsome linen towels for York House. Not only are all sorts of household linens, pocket handkerchiefs, etc., manufactured at Stradbally, but the convent has gained a reputation for woven coloured linens, in various art shades, used for decorative purposes as well as dresse3. Countess Cadogan ordered one of the rooms at the Viceregal Lodge to be hung with Stradbally linen. Another order which the Sisters have on hand is for 200 yards of white serge for the Cistercian Monks of Mount Melleray.

WEXFOBD.— Street Preaching in Enniscorthy.— On Monday, September 20, at noon the Rev. Mr Hallowes, Rector of Arklow ; the Rev. Mr. Harrison, ex-law clerk and evangelist ; and two lay readers took their stand at the entrance to the Abbey, Enniscorthy, and commenced their usual " preaching." It was fair day in town, and the unexpected appearance of the street " preachers " attracted a tremendous crowd. All the available police in and out of barrack were concentrated into a line of protection under the charge of District Inspector Flower. At 12.30 the Rev. Mr. Hallowes opened proceedings. Much hostility was manifested to the •' Evangelists," and ultimately a flock of cattle was driven in upon the scene. The " preachers " were forced to the brink of the water. At the commencement of the psalm singing the crowd struck up the "Boys of Wexford" with unusual zest. On the ministers realising the unsympathetic disposition of their hearers they retired from the edge of the bridge and proceeded along Slaney 6treet to the Market square, guarded all the while by a posse of police. Here another halt was made, but the sentiment of the people were so unfavourably asserted that there was no

attempt made at oratory, and a move was immediately made towards the railway station, from which the " preachers" took their departure en route for Arklow. Their progress to the station was marked by scenes of excitement. The Protestants of the town feel utterly indignant at the intrusion.

GENERAL.

Reducing the Constabulary : 900 Men to Go.— The reduction of the Royal Irish Constabulary by i><>o men (bays the Army and JS'avy Gazette), and the consequent cessation ot recruiting lor practically two years, ouq-ht to bring into the army a fair proportion of the most desirable class of recruits procurable in Ireland. Every legitimate inducement has been held out to the men to leave the force, the rnobt tempting bait being tho oiler of a permanent pension after fifteen years' service. Five hundred men have np to the present date gone into retirement, and it is expected that by the end of the financial year the whole '.)<><> will ha\e disappearid. The pride of the force, the mounted biancli. is doomed to extinctiononly '32 remain. The«<>, and possibly further reductions next year, present to the Recruiting Staff in Ireland opportunities that they should not be slow in making the most of. The writer of ''Garrison Gohsip " in the Dublin Fret wan, September I.S, writes: — "I question, however, whether the splendid young fellows who compose the R.I.C. will take service in the British Army under any circumstances while such fine opportunities of poeing life and adventure are open to them in corps like the Cape Mounted Rifles (now advertising in Ireland for men), and Ihe various South Aitican and other Colonial police forced."

The Celt in America.— The Hon. P. A. Collins, cx-Consu]-General to England from the United State?, has, returned to hisle;, f al business in Boston. In an interview with a ropu'sentative of the J lout on Herald he said, speaking of the progress of the Celt iv America and Europe : " While the Celtic clement of our population largely governs our cities I do not think its political activities end there. When I was in Congress a few years ago Members of tho House of Representatives ot Irish birth or descent formed a club to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and nearly one quarter ot the Members joined. In the chair was Andrew Cf. Curtin. War Gou-rnor of E'ennsylvannia, and ex-minister to Russia, and the sixty or eighty others present were at least as able, prominent and distinguished as any equal number of men in the House, taken as they passed iv and

out. These were Irish Celts, but there were other Celts in the House, and at their head was John Griffin Carlisle, the Speaker. Nearly all the Scotch and Welsh, as well as a large percentage of the French and English, are Celtic. Jefferson was of the race, and thousands of our most distinguished public men, down to McKinley, the President, and Bryan his competitor, both Celts ; Andrew Jackson, John C. Calhoun, James Buchanan, and Chester A. Arthur -were not only Irish Celts, but their ancestors all belonged to the same county in Ireland.

London Irishmen and '98.— -^largely-attended and representative meeting of Irishmen residing in Drury lane and neighbourhood was held on September 20 at the Catholic pchools, Macklin street. The following resolution was passed !! — l> That as the time for the celebration of the '98 centenary is rapidly approaching, it is the opinion of this meeting that a committee in connection with the executive of Great Britain and France be formed in this district, and that all Irishmen who revere the memory of the '98 patriot?, and who desire to take part in the commemoration should join forthwith." It was arranged that the next meeting should be for the purpose of electing a delegate to the Convention of '98 committee to be held at Manchester on October 3, and f«.r the transaction of business dealing with the org.miKition of the district. All Irishmen resident in the ne'ghbourl'O *l wc-e urgi d to take ;.d vantage of this opportunity to revisit the old land in common v, ith their fellowcountrymen the world over.