The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1881-01-28 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE CONDITION OF IRELAND.  The Irish state trials were brought to a close on Tuesday evening shortly before eight o'clock. Wlen the judges sat in the morning, the court was crow-.d in every part. Mr. Justice Fitzgerald continued its charge, pointing out that toe speeches of 31essrs. Dillon, Boyton, O'Sullivan, Siteridait, Waltin, and Gordon clearly showed that the object of the con- ' spiracy was tu crush and starve out landlords, while some of the traversers expressed their intention to do away with British rule. He told the jury to dis- • charge their duty ii ithout fear or savour, and to hat respect for the sanctity of the oaths they had taken to return a verdict according to the evidence. Toe ' jury retired at 12.30, and Mr. Parnell entering at the moment was loudly cheered. Mr. Istacdonogh, QC., took objection to the direction • given to the jury as to the law of conspiracy, and the court ruled that if he applied for a new trial and the rule was refused he could proceed by writ of error. At five o'clock the jury were sent for and in reply to Judge Fitzgerald the foreman said that they were unanimously of opinion that they could not agree, a statement which caused laughter. Two jurors asked for further time to consider, and a third said they were ten to two. This was received with cheers, which caused Judge Fitzgerald to tell the jury with warmth he could only receive a unanimous verdict. The jury again retired. The jury having returned into court twice and stated that they could not agree, Mr. Macdonogh applied that they should not be discharged until they had had time to fully consider all the evidence. Judge Fitzgerald teld the jury that he should lock them up all night, but ultimately consented to see them again at nine o'clock. He said, when the jury had retired, he was afraid, after the scenes in court that day, they were not likely to have a free and unanimous verdict. Ile directed the sheriff to increase the force round the court, so as to prevent disorder or riot, and to see that no one was allowed to communicate with the jury. '.1.% o foreman again entered the court shortly before eight, and said it was utterly impossible for the jury to agree, and they were discharged. The inquiry into the murder of Lord Mountmorres was resumed on Tuesday. Several witnesses were called for the Crown, but in every ease they exhibited the greatest reluctance to give evidence. The principal witness, a boy who was sitting on the axietree of his lordship's car at the time of the murder, tried to evade kissing the book after the oath had limn administered. He acknowledged, however, having seen two men with blackened faces drag the unfortunate nobleman off his car and murder him. lie said he did not know the murderers, although he had previously stated to the police that he did. Another witness was drunk, and ref used to give any evidence whatever, then abusing the Crown solicitor, and demanding to be paid for the evidence which he did not give.—The prisoners were discharged.— A parliamentary return just issued shows the nunther of agraran offences reported in Ireland Loin February to October last inclusive. For February the number was 113 ; March 78; April 67; nay, 100; June, 84 ; July, 81; Auguet,l22; September, 157; October, 245; making altogether 1,048, eat of which:total there were 889 cases in which the offenders were not amenable.—A branch of the Irish Laud League has been formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia.— The scenes of last winter are stated to be again visible in Mayo. On Tuesday about 400 &termined-looking countrymen marched two deep to the workhouse, and fiercely demanded either bread or work. They threatened to pull down the board room if they were not at once relieved. The guardians are doing their beit to allay 111,2 •iisireas, but it is feared that if the pre,ent weather ontlitues star-ation may lapse into Louttio.