The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-04-30 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER,

THE STATE OF IRELAND.

A report from Clare states that the constabulary
authorities have procured copies of an extraordinary
notice, which has been extensively posted through
the country. In the document in question the
tenants on the Butler's Minor estate in the Crusheen
and Castlecrine Districts holding more than one hun-
dred acres are called on to surrender the excess over
the hundred before the Ist of May, with a view to
checking emigration, by providing small plots of land
for those unable at present to get them. It is added
that those not likely to comply with the mandate are
named for reprinls.
The evictions on the Lansdowne estates at Lugga-
curran were resumed on Saturday, when three more
tenants, whose rents range from £l5 to £25, were
ejected. Only a few people attended, and the pro-
ceedings passed off quietly. This practioally con-
cluded the evictions. 32 tenant and 10 sub-tenants,
representing altogether nearly 300 persons, having
been dispossessed. The police and military, with the
exception of a few told off to protect emergency
men. have received orders to leave the district..

An inquest was held at Killen, near Newry, on
Mondsv, on the body of Margaret M'Cl-eough, who
died from the effects of injuries received from a blow,
inflicted with a spade, which fractured her skull.
The deceased was working on a farm which is dis-
puted property, and it is alleged that the fatal blow
was dealt by a farmer named M'lsTamce. The jury
returned a verdict of " Manslaughter " against
M.‘..Namce and his wife, who are in custody.

Several members of the Irish Constabulary who
made themselves conspicuous in the prosecution of
Moonlight offences have for some time past been re-
ceiving letters threatening them with death and other
penalties for their action. The matter having been
brought under the notice of the Inspector-General of
Constabulary, he has directed the transfer of two
serjeants and a constable from the County of Kerry.

About two hundred tenants on the estate of Mr.
Madden, Rosslea, co. Fermanagh, who adopted the
Plan of Campaign at the suggestion of Mr. Dillon,
M.P., have relinquished it, and accepted a settlement
with the landlord on the basis of all arrears (some
owing as much as seven or ten years) being extin-
guished, and a half-year's rent being paid with a re-
duction in the future of 15 per cent.

A dozen of the recently-dismissed Irish policemen
of the Castle Island district arrived in Cork on Mon-
day on their way to America. They were met at the
Cork station by Dr. Tanner, M.P., who conducted them
to the -Victoria Hotel. At night the ex-policemsn
were treated to a public demonstration, and Dr.
Tanner made a speech applauding their action in
making an emphatic protest against coercion.

THE RESIGNATION OF THE IRISH
CONSTABULARY.

It is stated th;t-t-h;-Ro—ya-1-6Onabulary authori-
ties, owing to the resignations of members of the
force in Limerick, Kerry, and other counties, have
practically ceased to recruit from Nationalist dis-
tricts. Candidates for the constabulary are numerous,
but as a rule those selected, from quarters where
Nationalist views obtain, are the sons of policemen or
of persons known not to be in sympathy with the
Nationalist movement. It is said that dissatisfaction
is felt by the force at the caution observed in this
respect, as it gives evidence of an apprehension re-
garding the loyalty of the constabulary as a body
which is not well founded. Attention has also been
attracted by an innovation in the recruiting of the
body which, if carried to any considerable extent,
will completely alter the Royal Irish Constabulary in
character as well as in name. This is the admission
of Scotchmen into the force, not men resident in
Ireland for any length of time, but coming direct
from their own country. There is no objection per-
sonally to the Scotchmen, but there is an objection to
the rule confining the candidature to Irishmen only
being departed from.