The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-16 00:00:00

THE LABOUR RATE ACT.

Proclamations of Extraordinary Prooentment Seuions for
the following baronies appeared in last Dublin Gazette :--
CAILLOW.—Barosy of !drone East, at BagnalstOUSl, Oct. 23.
KILDAIE.—Barony o. Narraglt and ltettui %Vett, at Athy, Oct. 23.
LONDONDERIIT.—Barony of Tirkerrin, at Muff, Oct. ; Barony of
Liberties of Coleraine, at Coleraine, Oct. 24 ; Barony of Coleraine, at
Coleraine, Oct. 23; Barony of Laughinsholliii, at Magherafelt, Oet. 2u.
MuNAGILLV.—Burunv at homey, at Carriekinuenves, tkt. 28.
QVECrell Comer.—ilarony of Marybosough East, at Maryborough,
Ott 23.

LOUTH.—BARONY or Lowee. DUNDALK.—The pre-
sentment sessions for the barony of Lower Dundalk were
held on Monday last at Riverstown, in the court-house. The
attendance of the gentry and poorer classes of the neighbour-
hood was very considerable. Nut only the court but a large
portion of the area in front of the court-house, as also the
open space at the side, was filled by the poorer classes. At
one period of the meeting several of the labourers outside
made some observations, which seemed to have given rise to
some excitement. The men complained of certain state-
ments which they alleged were made in the body of the
house, by the magistrates or others, in reference to a reduc-
tion of wages—a piece of cruel misrepresentation which it is
hardly necessary to contradict. However, the Rev. Mr.
Gowan, with Mr. Black, J. P., spoke to the crowd,
and their expostulations had the effect of putting
an end to the confusion that prevailed. The chair
was taken by Thomas Fortesci:e, E.q., J. P., who
formerly represented Louth in Pariament. The Chair-
man said the present meeting had been convened for
the purpose of devising works on which the poor of the
barony could be immediately employed. That was the sole
object for which they had met. The poorer classes who
listened to him should bear in mind that the magistrates and
associated ass-payers who were then present were most
anxious to do all in their power to give employment. He
could have no doubt but that every firmer present would
say that it would be better to give employment on lands in
draining, subsoiling, &c.; but as works of this description
could not be entered upon just at once, it would be advisable
to take the roads iu the first instance, as they afforded the
readiest mode of giving employment. (A owe, " Long
life to you.") (Cheers.) Therefore they would go on with
the roads first, till they should have discovered and arranged
the details of works of a more reproductive character. (Loud
cheers, and cries of "Long may you live.")—The Rev. Mr.
Hobson, rector of Ballymascanlan, said he should state that
there was a very strong opinion among the gentlemen near
bins that money spent on roads was almost thrown away.
—The Chairman said that he did not mean to convey that
road work was to be preferred to drainage, subsoiling, &c..
but the roads only could be immediately entered upon ; and
when reproductive works could be commenced, of course
they should be proceeded with in preference. (Hear.)—The
Rev. Mr. Barlow, rector of Carlinglord, detailed tho state
of distress in a district embracing a circuit of two miles around
Carlingford. He said he had made personal inquiry in all
the cases ; and, after the minutest investigation, he could say
that, leaving out of consideration altogether the number of
persons employed in fishing (who, however, would be un-
employed in a fortnight or so), and those now employed in
quarries and in other works, and some who were in Eng-
land, and who were anxious to return, the number who were
really destitute and in want of employment, was 214
men and 41 boys—in all, 255. There were 127 acres
of potatoes totally lost, and the means to procure sub-
sistence to that amount must be instantly provided. He
could say, that in such a state were potatoes at present, that
pigs would scarcely eat the filthy food which he saw some
families use for dinner and supper.—The Rev. Mr.
Mtlieowne, P.P., said there were 0,060 in the parish of
which he had charge, and he would state that fully one-third
of these was in a state of destitution at present ; and that in
two months, almost all would be reduced to the same state.
The number of sole-bodied destitute in the barony was esti-
mated at 1500, end the sum required to find them in em-
ployment at 15,7001.—Mr. Upton moved a vote to the effect
that the sum should he raised off each electoral division, in
proportion to the wants of such division. Mr. Wolfe
M'Neale seconded the proposition; and after the matter had
been talked over for nearly an hour, the question was put,
when the original motion (for a union rate) was carried—
the only dissendents being the mover and seconder
of the amendment —When the question of the pro-
priety of charging each electoral division with its
own expenditure, rather than a uniform rate over
the barony generally, was being discussed. Mr. Fll-
gate expre-sed his regret that while he was in favour
of the uniform rate nothing could be done to touch the ab-
sentees, whose alisence from their natural home was the
cause of much increased poverty and destitution. Various
presentments were then gone into, up to five o'clock, when,
in consequence of the numbers who were outside, and some
apprehensions being felt by the magistrates that if the people
were kept there longer a breach of the peace might take
place, it was darted expedient to adjourn the meeting to
Tuesday, when the court was occupied for a length of time
with the consideration of the outstanding applications, which
were near:y all agreed to—the total :mount presented for
being nearly 6,0001., which Mr. Neville promised would be
put in course of circulation with the least possible delay.
There was again a large attendance of the working classes,
but no disorder occurred during the day.
CORK.—KERRICURRIHY BARONY.—The extraordinary
resentment sessions fur this barony was held at the Petty
Sessions Court House, at Carrigafine, on Saturday. At 12
o'clock the chair was taken by Colonel Berke.—A discussion
took place, immediately upon the chair being taken, respect-
ing the convenience of adjourning the meeting to the chapel,
or the open air. One gentleman observed that there was
ample room for those who bad business to transact; but
that the half who were there were only disposed to humbug
and the other half to job.—Mr, J. Roberts : Turn out the
jobbers. (Laughter.)—lt was at length determined
that the business should go on where tlo meeting
had assembled.—The Chairman hoped they would
carry on the business of the day without angry discussions.
—The Secretary read the communication (already pub-
fished) from the Irish Secretary, relative to the drainage of
lands by presentment. He (the Secretary) apnlicd to the
clerks of the unions in which the several parts of the barony
were situate for returns of the valuation—but the only por-
tion of it with respect to which he had been furnished with
information, was mat in the Cork union. It was as follows :
Valuation of the electoral division of Inniskenny (part),
2,8771. ; Carrigaline (part), 10,5531.; Monkstmen, 10,4)61.—
total value of that portion of Herricurriby in Cork union,
23,8861. In answer to a question put by a cess-payer,
Captain Broughton said that under the circumstance of a
road being beneficial, exclusively or in a material degree,
to individual , that the proprietor so advantaged
would be exp to subscribe towards the presentment,
but there was no means of compelling each contributions.
Mr. Sarsfield said their safest course would be to throw
out any such presentment, unless a guarantee were given to
them that the private subscriptions would be forthcoming.
Captain Broughton said they should at the same time take
care that they relieved the destitution in every district.
(Hear.)—The Chairman said the population of the barony
was 14,641 and the acreage 23,245.—Captain Broughton
inquired whether the Belief Committees were prepared to
bring leeward any roads ? If they were, it might be the most
convenient aware. to entertain their applications first.—The
Chairmen mid theta preliminary meeting was held, but they
did net aims the merits of any of the presentments.—The
Secretary laid that applications to the amount of 17,7001.
had been mat la to him. Of these presentments upwards of
16,0001. were paned.

INCREASED DEMAND FOY BAILERA.—The &flare of the
potatoes has lammed the demand for bread to such an ex-
tent, that jourarposbokatiosonot be had at the old " nolo

of prices." Last year the partial rot in the potato crop ena-
bled them to augment their wanes from fifteen to twenty-one
shillings per week; and this 'seas= they refuse to work
unless they are paid four shillings per night, which (reckon-
ing by their time). amounts to nearly twenty.eight shill-
ings each week. Ten years ago, the salary of a Journey-
man baker, in Belfast, did not amount to much more than
lls. fid. a week.

biIIATARY ESCORT OP PROTIBIONB.—A troop of the Innis-
killen Dragoons arrived In Galway on Sunday, from Ath-
lone' for the purpose of aiding the local authorities, with the
49th regiment stationed there, to escort provisions to the
inland towns in the interior. I understand that Govern-
ment have appointed Mondays and Thursdays for the per-
formance of this duty. Yesterday seventy-five carts laden
with meal and flour, and destined fur Tuam, Dunmore,
Headford, Athenry, and Monied, were escorted a few miles
on their way by the Dragoons and two companies of
the 49th, under the orders of Mr. Kiernan, R.M.
Notwithstanding the awful destitution that prevails,
the people remain tranquil, and bear their sufferings
with wonderful patience and fortitude. The address
of the Repeal Association to the people, bearing the
signature of Mr. John O'Connell, which had been plentifully
circulated and placarded throughout this town and neigh-
bourhood, on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the exhorta-
tions of several of the clergy, in the different chapels, have
had a most salutary effect • Government is much censured
by all parties," says the Pilot, "for not having ere this
allowed the Indian corn and flour, which is stored here, to
be disposed of, even at a molerate profit, in order to control
the exorbitant demands of speculators and jobbers; but the
commissary in charge seems to be as well skilled in jobbing
in human food himself as the most sordid of our traders or
mealmongen, and actually sets the example to others of
holding out for high prices while thou6ands are famishing.
Is it possible that a liberal and maightened government
would countenance or encourage such conduct ? Ample
supplies should be afforded without delay."
ROSCOMMON.—Great blame is attributed to those who
have undertaken (but particularly those well paid) in not
setting the poor to work. Thousands of them are dying for
want of food. Oats are selling in this market to-day at from
lfis. to 194. per 14 stone, and meal hu risen to 114 s. per cwt.
The late rain has completely put an end to all the rotten
potatoes—and the people's plot of cabbage (upon which with
salt they subsisted up to this) is completely exhausted. God
only knows where this will terminate.—Whilst on this sub-
ject we cannot omit the earliest opportunity afforded us of
recording the humane and charitable conduct of an honest
Scotchman (Mr. Campbell) connected with the extensive
mills in Ath:eague. Instead of following the bad example
of his neighbours in the same business he generously opened
his stores, and himself and his men were daily occupied from
morning to night in retailing, at a reduced price, and not
more than one stone to each family, during the work, the
immense quantity of meal in his mills and stores.—Ros-
common Journal.

GALWAY.—The government have given directions that •
troop of the 6th Dragoons shall immediately proceed here,
for the purpose of protecting the trade iu provisions.—Gal-
way rindirator.
latimatiot has been received from the Castle that a com-
pany of soldiers will be ordered to Tulin as roan as accom-
modation can be provided fur them.— 'foam Herald.
ARMAOH.—The Earl of Gosford has lately intimated his
intention to make to all the small farmers on his estate,
holding under twenty acres, an abatement equal to all their
patato planted land of the present year.—Uhfer Gazette.
CLARE.—WO understand there were no less than 111
pai.pers admitted into the workhouse of Ennistcmon on Fri-
day. This is a strong proof of the utter destitution preva-
lent in the neighbourhood.—Clare Journal.
WATERFORD. EXPORTATION OF PROVISIONS.
Within the last few days there were cleared out at the
Custom-house of this city, for England, 2,400 barrels of oats,
90 barrels of wheat, 1,790 cwta. of flour, 1,400 flitthes of
bacon, 682 live pigs, and 112 head of cattle.-11 aterford
Freeman. _ _ .

The tranquillity of this county, especially of the dis-
trict in the neighbourhood of Lismore, is now restored.
Thousands of men are at work in every locality, and disorder
and tumultuous assemblages of the people are at an end.
The people only wanted employment. The postpone-
ment of the public works was the real cause of every
disturbance in this ciunty; but it will be seen that
the Lord Lieutenant and the Board of Works are now
doing their duty well, and great thanks are due to them
and to him who brought the subject pressingly before them.
Indeed, Earl Besborough is eminently entitled to the grati-
tude of this country.—The thanks of the Executive have
been conveyed to the Rev. Dr. Fogarty for his exertions to
preserve tranquillity.— Waterford Frteman.
NEWItY.—INTIMIDATION.—On Monday morning several
persons (perhaps about thirty), and apparently not in desti-
tution, exeresed the intimidating process so effectively as to
obtain a supply of bread from Mr. M'Cann, a baker in
Newry. They then visited Dr. Kelly—lint he very properly
resisted the unusual demand. Such invasions of private
property cannot be tolerated. In truth, such conduct as
that of the party in question checks beneficence, and operates
to the prejudice of the really destitute.— Newry Examiner.
THE Ancit manor OP D reference to an arti-
cle in the Evening Mail of Monday, which I forwarded to
you on that evening, reflecting os the Archbishop of Dublin
for having, it was said, prohibited in his Churches the read-
ing of the prayer fur alleviation of the famine, the following
letter from the Rev. Mr. Woodward appears in this day's
number of that Journal :