New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-14
AID FOR THE IRISH
RECTOR COMES OYER.


The Rev. John NJ. Robinson rector of
the parish of Ovoca. County Wicklow, Ire
land. arrived here last night on the White
Star liner Baltic. stranger in n strange
land. He had letters from John Redmond.
the Irish leader. and from the Protestant
and Roman Catholic bishops Of Dublin.
but they were general letters to be read by
whomsoever they might concern
II was the first visit of the Irish F,piscO-
pal rector TO this country; in fact It was
his first trip across the Atlantic. and. as
the Baltic doclied late, he chose to remain
aboard over night. He will walk forth into
the city to-day and look for money for
some two thousand poverty stricken irish
men. Catholics and Protestants alike. who
have been thrown out of employment by
the closing of tho copper mines of Ovoca.
The Rev. Mr.. Robinson described himself
as an Irishman who had the honor Of being
rector of Ovoca for twenty-six years. with
out the assistance of Il curate: rector of
the parish containing the vale made famous
by Thomas Moore in his poem. The Meet
Ing of the Waters" He boarded tie Baltic
at Queenstown a stranger. and when the
vessel locked last night he was busy man.
shaking the hands of the eighty c,,bin pas
sengcrs who had travelled with Inn dur
ing the last eight days.
Passengers Made Up Purse.
His personality, sincerity and table wit
were so pleasing to all in the first cabin
that eAen the stewards flocled about the
reporters to shout the praises of the fine
Irish gentleman from Wicklow Passen-
gers protested against his modesty and vol
unteered praiseworthy information of a
personal nature that the Irish Iec5or had
withheld from the reporters. Nor was the
feeling of the first cabin manifest only
from the lips, for, unknown TO the rector,
they subscribed a purse. and on Saturday
night after dinner the chairman # the sub
scription committee handed him $40 las a
starter on your search for money for the
poor Of Ovoca."
Concerning his mission here the Rev. Mr..
Robinson said:
II have heard OF the generosity OF Amer
lea. and I have come over here an entire
stranger to ask that some of it be bestowed
upon the poor of my parish. 1 a
Protestant, but half of the population in
my parish ere Roman Catholics. ! want
money for the Irish poor, regardless Of
creed. There is no section strife among us
at Ovoca. BE sure you spell Ovoca with
d capital o. The Catholic priests are my
friends. and Archbishop Walsh. the Roman
Catholic Bishop of Dublin, has made me a
gift already of $500
Asked if he intended to speak in this
city. the Irish rector said:
II hope 10 be invited to speak here. but
l have no plans. Perhaps some of the
clergy will invite ne. and I shall indeed be
glad to say something Of our needs at
Ovoca should ! receive an invitation 10
attend some celebration on ST. Patrick s
Day.
Will Stay Here Four Months.
II intend TO remain here four months to
plead for the poor of Ovoca. Many things
could be started there that would give en-
ploynent to the idle miners. The water
cress industry could be revived. and there
is a splendid opportunity for bulb cultiva-
ton. Also there are some excellent min
eral springs in the parish, and the place
might be built up into a splendid spa. l
shall go wherever a helping hand beckons
to me, and shall be glad to speak in any
pulpit for the cause that / represent.
ireland is not prospecting as much it
who go through the country on flying
but there are too many that are deplora bly,
poor I hope to get help to put the country
in better state, that it may be able to do
its work of regenerati ton"
The rector is about sixty years old and
has a wife and four sons. One son is an
officer in the British army, stationed in
India. and another is q constructing en-
gineer.