Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 26, 26 June 1902, Page 9

Irish News.

ANTRIM.— Over a Century. On May 3 the remains of the oldest inhabitant of the parish of Glenra\cl near Ballymena, were laid to rest in the Catholic burial ground in the locality. His namo was John Duffin, and at his death ho was at least lOfi or 107 years of ago. Ho had a distinct recollection of tho ' rising ' in '98, and a vivid remembrance of some of the stirring incidents of that period. Ho was married twice, and leaves a widow and grandchildren Up to tho last ho retained tho uso of his faculties, and died fortified by the rites of Holy Church CAVAN A Protest. At the quarterly meeting of the Cavan County Council, Mr 1\ McManua presiding, on tho motion of Mr Lynch, seconded by Mr Kenna, the following resolution was adopted unauimously. ' That we, the County Council of Cavan, take this tho first opportunity of protesting in the strongest possible manner against tho uncalled-for action of tho Government in proclaiming this county, one; of tho most peaceable in Ireland, as was shown at the Quarter Sessions just held at Cavan, Ballyconnell, Bailieborough, and Cootehill, wherei thero was not a single caso, but that which vras of the most trifling description, tho judge himself emphasising tho fact ; and wo also condemn tho unwarrantable expenditure of tho public money in drafting large numbers of policemen into certain districts, thereby increasing the rates upon an already overtaxed, but peaceablo and law-abrding people. Copies to bo sent to the Chief Sec-< retary, Mr J. Redmond, Mr Young, and Mr T. M'Govern, M. P's. Sur-geon-General Hoe, C. B, , General Clifford, C. B , Captain Smith, J. P., ami Mr S. Sanderson, I) L , Unionist members, were present, and did not dissent from the resolution. CORK.— No Reason Given. The Chief Secretary (says the ' Freeman's Journal ') was unable to tell Captain Donclan tho other day why Midleton (County Cork) was proclaimed Captain Donelan had drawn attention to tho fact, which we commented upon last week, namely, that the Recorder of Cork stated at the Midleton Quarter Sessions that the only case to go before the Grand Juty was one of potty larceny In that case somebody was charged with stealing two bottles of wine and a toilet bo*. The Grand Jury found ' no bill ' N"o wonder the Chief Secretary declined to explain how it was that Midleton is a proclaimed district It was the same judge who, speaking a few days previously m the proclaimed city of Cork, complained that owing to hick of cases his knowledgo of criminal law was growing rusty. Under these circumstances the Irish member who wanted to know why Queen's County in view of tne fact that it had been crimelcss for many years, has not been proclaimed, had common sense to support his amusing query. Stucco Work. Apropos of tho ornamental stucco work which forms such a prominent feature of tho architecture of tho Cork Exhibition, a correspondent writes that t l \is art flourished in tho South of Ireland even before the advent of those Italian craftsmen to whom Irish architecture of the late 17th and 18th centuries owed so much of its distinction ' Many people will remember, for example, an old house at Kinsale which had sheltered James the. Second, the front of which was richly ornamented with stucco. Till some 3 5 or 20 years ago this house was standing and in perfect preservation ; but, like, so many of tho historical and archaeological remains in this country, it has been sacrificed to the vandalism of ignorance.

Dedication of a Church. On Sunday, May 4, the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Cloyne solemnly dedicated tho Church of the Holy Cross at Charleville. It is a ■very handsome edifice built at a cost of £18,000. It owes its erection the unremitting exertion of the reverend pastor of the parish, the Very Rev. Canon O'Callaghan. DUBLIN. His Graco the Archbishop of Dublin, in the course oi a preface to v pamphlet on tho University Question, which has just been published, deals with a movement which is on foot to induce the Royal Commission now sitting to recommend tho construction of a makeshift scheme based upon the continuance in some shape or form of the anomalous organisation known as the Royal ' University,' with a college therein for Catholics The warning note from his Grace should sound the death-knell of this proposal Once again Dr. Walsh, in the clearest manner possible, lays down tho lines on which this oft-debated question can be definitely settled. Tho Royal Commission will scarcely recommend a scheme which Irish Catholics do not want and will not accept GALWAY.— Boating Fatality. On tho evening of May 4 word reached Galway that a terrible boating disaster had occurred at Kilcolgan. A boat which had come from Galway and holding eight men had capsized about a mile from Kilcolgan Point. The men were .seen clinging to the upturned boat, but before aid could bo given they were washed off by the waves. The sad news was received in Galway and among t>ho fishing population with the utmost consternation, and cast a gloom over tho whole town. Eight men belonging to Claddagh, the fishing part of the town, had left 1 here m the forenoon, and it is supposed that those aie the men who had been drowned. They had left in a fishing bo.it on an excursion trip across tho bay, and had landed at Kilcolgan Point. There were, it appears, originally 12 in the boat, but four had remained on land, while the other eight had again cast off in the boat, and it was there that Ihe accident was supposed to li.uo taken place The names of the lost men are gi\en as Michael I)\\\er, l'at Folan, John Barrett, Michael Bourkc, Pat Walsh, l'at Burns, Stephen Hynes, and Pat MacDonagh Michael Dw\er and Pat I'olan wei c married 'men and had families The other men were all \oung Cre.it crowds of people gntheied at the docks, amongst whom were the relatnes of the supposed missing men Later a boat was dispatched to kilcolt>an with two men, and they returned with the information that the boat had been capsized in a squall,, and that all the. occupants had gone down Pat Walsh one of the paity, who was a good swimmei , swam to the shore, but succumbed to exhaustion on the beach. KERRY. — A Nonagenarian. The death is announced of Mrs. Maurice Leonard, winch occurred recently at Liselton, at tho ripe old age of <)() years The deceased, who was much respected m the district, lejwes a large family to moui n thenloss Some of her sons are m this Colony, one being * resident in i lie TemuUa district Her funeral was one of the laigest seen m the district for years Mrs Leonard was a consistent and practical Catholic, and she died fortified by the rites of the Church. Death of a Priest. Much regret will he felt by Kerry priests and Kerry men all o\or the world at the death of the V<>rv Uc\ l'\\ther Timothy Crow ley, lately president of St Michael's College, Listowel. Father Crowley was a nativo of Kilsarken, and received his earlier education at St. Brendan's

Seminary, Killarney. Going thence to Maynooth, he had a distinguished career, and wag rnado on his ordination president of the Kerry Diocesan Seminary. Subsequently he made a tour m America collecting for the O'Connell Memorial Church, and on his return was appointed to tho presidency of St. Michael's College, Listowrl. Failing health overtook him, and ho passed away in his 54th year, to the great regrei nf his confreres in tho diocese, who deplore- tho. loss of so able a colleague KlLDAßE.— Obituary. Tho death occurred recently of Mr. Luko Dempsey, of Ballygarrett, Clonbulogue, who belonged to one of the oldest Kildaro families. Tho deceased saw a great deal of foreign life, a good portion of which was spent beneath the Southern Cross. Mr. Dempsey travelled for a Melbourne firm, his peregrinations taking him into the TransAaal. On tho death of his brother about eight years ago, ho succeeded to the farm and residence of Clonbulogue, it being necessary for his other brother, Father Dempsey, to advertiso for him in Australian papers. His funeral was of au imposing character, over 100 vehiclea following tho remains tx> their last resting placo in the Rathangan Cemetery. LIMERICK — A Popular Priest. A remarkable- and spontaneous expression of popular feeling was witnessed in Limerick recently, when thes Rev. Father Tiernoy, C.SS.R., took hi;* departure for Dundalk. Father Tierney had boen spiritual director of the great Arch-Confraternity of tho Holy Family, numbering nearly 6000 members, for tho past year, and tho keenest regret is felt at his transfer from Limerick. Immenso crowds, accompanied by bands, escorted tho carnage in which Father Tierney sat and which was drawn by relays of members, on its way to the terminus, at which a wonderful demonstration of affection took place. MAYO. — Illicit Stills. Tho Chief Secretary for Ireland has gn en IV Robert Ambrose a return showing thn amount paid in fines and rewards for seizures of illicit! stills by the police in t>hc subdistiicts of Pontoon, Turlough, and Ball\\ary, in tho County Mayo during the \t\irsl lS'.'U, l!)0(\ and 1001. Tho figures are rather remarkable. For example, in 1900, m the district of Pontoon, there were 33 illicit stills seized, two convictions weresecured, lines to the extent of £12 imposed, and rewards to the amount of UlO7 10s p.nd to the police. This illicit st 111-findniß, indeed, is altogether a most profitable business for tho police, though 1900 was their record year Shortly afterwards attention was drawn in Parliament to the suspiciously lar^e amount of rewards recei\ed by the police, and tho sum immediately dropped It us e\ ident that some kind of lobbery was carried on m that year, and, in fact, Dr. Ambrose has witnesses ready to gne evidence heforo a sworn inquiry as to the methods by which these ' seizures ' are manipulated. MEATH.— More White Gloves. At the Trim Quarter Sessions. Mr. J Lowrv, Sub-Sheriff, presented County Court .fudge Curran with a pair of white fj,lo\os, as a token of the crimeless condit ion of the County Meath Ills Honor said it ga,\e him gre.it pleasure to recei\o the white glo\es, as tliov represented on the present occasion the complete immunity from ci line of the County Meath SLlGO.— Another Canard. Some I mio ago it was stated by tho. Consor\,iti\e papers in Ireland and Kngl.ind t hat .1 circular had been issued from the ollice of the ' Sligo Ch.unpion ' informing United Trr h L-oague .secretaries that no re— solutions would in future be published by that paper which contained references to boycotted persons, Mr.

P. A. McHugh states that he never issued, nor even thought of issuing, such a circular, nor did he ever authorise anyone else to do so. Mr. McHugh believes the object of circulating such a statement was to intimidate the branches of the United Irish League from, forwarding such resolutions for publication, and he declares that, so far as the ' Sligo Champion ' is concerned, its policy could never in any way be influenced by any Coercionist proclamation. Those acquainted with Mr. McHugh's record in Irish politics, will, of course, need no such assurance from him that he has in no way modified his attitude as the result of any action by the Irish Executive, but, at tho same time, it is well that the tricks of the enemy should be promptly arid effectively exposed on every occasion that they may be attempted. TIPPERARY.— Obituary. Widespread regret was felt in County Tipperary and various other parts of Ireland at the announcement of the death of Mr. Samuel Burk, Kilmovee, Cahir, in the 80th year of his age. The*, deceased played a prominent part in the commercial, industrial, and social life of the County Tipperary, and was a well-known and energetic member of most of the public boards of the county. WATERFORD. The city of. Waterford enjoys the unenviable notoriety of possessing the only toll-bridge in Ireland (says an exchange). Ever since the year 1795 the citizens and callers to Waterford have groaned beneath the tax which is levied on all that cross! the bridge. In 18,23 the tolls were farmed out at £4260 a year, and in 1895 the tolls were let at nearly £7000 per annum. From 1845 to 1897 the freeing of the ' bundle of st icks ' — for so the American oak bridge is called in derision — has been a regular stock problem at the annual corporate elections. During the years 1898 to 1901 a glimmer of hope dawned, and it was fondly believed that at length a free bridge would be built. But the various negotiations and projects for coming to terms with the bridge trustees came to naught, and even the promised railway bridge was abandoned. Now, however, after a lapse of 108 years, the various public bodies have promised to support the movement for constructing a free bridge. WEXFORD. A curious discovery was made at Johnstown, County Wexford, a few weeks ago. Mr Somers, District Councillor, had an old mattress, which, having become useless to him, he gave to the wife of a poor laboring man in the district. While the mattress was being forced through tho narrow door of the laborer s cottage it was torn, and a parcel dropped out, which contained irfyu in gold wrapped up in a silk handkerchief. The money was returned to Mr Somers, who had no idea that for ySars he had been sleeping on such a goldmine. GENERAL. A Poor Prospect. The Committee of the Irish Land Clerks, or more accurately the lnsn landlord clerks, have again sent a statement of their case to members of Parliament. When estates aie sold under the Land Purchase Acts these gentlemen are evicted, and what they propose is in effect that Ihev should be readmitted as caretak?rs of the interests of the Irish tenants, ' with whom they have always been on friendly terms,' _ in tho offices of the Land Commission. This of course, is not a new proposal, and tho land clerks arc not be blamed for endeavoring to save themselves in the wreck of landlordism. But, at the same time, 10-Ling at the matter, from a rational point of view, it would appear

that they claim for compensation for disturbance, should be not against the public, who have incurred no obligation toward them, but againsti the landlords, who sell them at the same time as they sell their estates 1 . The Land Question. A cable message received last week states that ' at the instance of Lord Defreyne, with a view to enforcing, the law laid down by the House of Lords in the case of Quinn v. Lathr am, the Court of Chancery in Dublin has ssued. writs against 30 persons, including several Nationaist members of tho United Irish League and the proprietors of the ' Freeman's Journal,' on a charge of conspiracy to compel the sale of property below its value in the course of the norent agitation on Lord Defreyne's Connaught estates. Damages are claimed. .The trials will be the most important for years;'