The Witness - Friday, 6 September 1918

Roll of Honour

JOHNSTON -- Aug. 23, died in Red Cross Hospital, France, of wounds received in action, Lieut. R. Ivan Johnston, Royal Irish Rifles.

Deaths

GORMAN -- Sept. 3, at 26, Loughview Terrace, Skegoniel Avenue, Andrew J. H. Gorman, the dearly-beloved husband of Rebecca Gorman. Interred in the City Cemetery on Thursday, 5th September. Deeply regretted.

ANDREWS -- September 2, Herbert William Andrews, of Old House, Comber, eldest son of the late James Andrews, Carnesure, Comber.

BELL -- August 31, at Carnaughlis, Isabella, widow of the late Alexander Bell.

BROWNE -- Sept. 4, at her residence, Pond Park, Lisburn, Margaret Jane Browne.

CRANGLE -- August 31, at her father's residence, Cockhill Road, Upper Maze, Hillsborough, Florence May, second and dearly-beloved daughter of William John and Margaret Crangle.

DAVISON -- Sept. 3, at his residence, Brookhill, Lisburn, Thomas, dearly-beloved husband of Sarah Davison.

FORRESTER -- July 14, at the Victoria Nursing Home, Shanghai, China, Martha, the dearly-beloved wife of Edward D. Forrester, aged 46 years.

FREW -- Aug. 31, at Cottown, Bangor, William John Frew.

HAYES -- Sept. 4, at his residence, 62, Claremont Terrace, Fleetwood, David Hayes, late engineer of ss. Duke of Cumberland.

LAW -- September 1, at Crossgar, Sarah (Sadie), youngest and much-loved daughter of William and Lizzie Law, of 235 Ravenhill Avenue, Belfast.

MAGAHAN -- Sept. 1, at 1, Leinster Villas, Glengeary, Kingstown, in the 83rd year of his age, Frederick William Magahan, late of Lurgan.

PLUNKETT -- August 28, in London, Charlotte Grey, daughter of the late William Valentine Plunkett, of Belfast.

In Memorial

LYONS -- In ever loving memory of the Rev. A. S. Lyons, who passed away on the 7th September, 1908.
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." -- Phil. i. 3.
Inserted by his sorrowing Wife and Family. Windsor Bank, Newry, September, 1918.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

Casualties in the Australian Forces to June numbered 261,500, including 49,047 dead and 246 missing.

During June French naval patrols covered 447,040 miles, including 59,100 miles covered by naval airships

Sir Newman Chambers, J.P., formerly Town Clerk of Derry, has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for County Donegal.

According to an official telegram from Washington there are 57,000 negroes in the American Army, of whom 20,000 are reported to be in France.

Monday was observed as Labour Day in the United States, record-breaking celebrations in all the cities and towns sounding an unmistakable note of loyalty to war policy. Huge processions and reviews were held, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.

Mr. J. M. Flood, B.A., B.L., has been appointed Secretary to the Primary Education Inquiry Committee. Mr. Flood is a member of the North-West Circuit, and is Professor of Law in Galway University College. He was for many years an official in the National Education Office.

The directors of the Northern Banking Co., Ltd., have declared a dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum, on the A shares and 7½ per cent. per annum on the B shares of this company, less income tax, being 3s per A share and 1s 6d per B share, less income tax.

Further discoveries of coal have been made in the Irish Midlands, and departmental inspectors are examining the recently discovered seams in King's County and elsewhere which promise to give an abundant yield. In King's County several seams have been discovered within a month.

At a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the control of pigs for slaughter held in London it was agreed to co-opt the following:-- Mr. Finlay Kerr (Irish Department of Agriculture), Mr. M'Cann and Mr. Caruth (Irish Food Control Committee), and Mr. P. M'Kenna (Irish Pig Dealers' Association).

Archbishop Kelly, of Sydney, at the opening of a new school, said concerning Ireland that the people there should not be criticised. If the Irish had one fault it was that they were too idealistic and too enthusiastic, and the pot overboiled, as it were. Those who know Ireland best say that it has no government.

It is stated that the Irish Railway Executive Committee are at present engaged in reviewing the train services on the different railway lines, and that some very drastic curtailments of the existing services are under consideration. The whole matter is being reconsidered in relation to the coal, shortage which has to be faced this winter.

On completing a sentence of six calendar months' imprisonment for incitement to cattle-driving, Mr. Lawrence Ginnell, M.P., was re-arrested at Mountjoy Prison and conveyed to Arbour Hill Detention Barracks, where he was handed over to the military authorities. It is understood that steps are being considered for his deportation.

The Speaker has informed his constituents that he proposes to stand for Parliament again at the General Election, but to retire at the end of the war. Previously he had said his health forbade him to sit beyond this Parliament. Ergo both the General Election and the end of the war are, in his opinion, not far off. And he is a good judge.

At a conference of the South-East Leeds Labour party, Captain Jamies O'Grady, the present member for East Leeds, was nominated, and was unanimously selected as the Labour candidate for the new constituency formed as a result of the new Franchise Act. Writing from the Irish Recruiting Council, Dublin, Captain O'Grady has accepted the nomination.

The Belfast Corporation considered the question of the rearrangement of the City Surveyor's staff, and adopted the recommendation of the Improvement Committee, appointing Mr. E. S. Pinkerton as assistant city surveyor, Mr. H. F. Gullan assistant city engineer, and Mr. Samuel Mahood senior superintendent of the street and house cleansing departments.

Viscount French, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, writing to the Lord Mayor of Belfast (Alderman Sir Jas. Johnston, J.P.), says -- "Will you please convey to the Council my warmest thanks and my high appreciation dt the great honour they propose to confer upon me in making me an honorary burgess of the city. I have the greatest pleasure in accepting the invitation."

The report of Dr. Bailie, Medical Superintendent of Health, Belfast, stated that the death-rate in that city from all causes in 1917 was 16.7 per 1,000, exactly similar to that for 1916, when the rate was the lowest ever recorded for the city. In 1917 there was a decrease of 1.9 per 1,000 in the birth-rate. Infectious diseases fell off by 37 per cent. as compared with 1916.

Belfast Corporation have approved of the increase of gas prices for lighting, cooking, and heating to 3s 9d per 1,000ft., and for high pressure to 3s 11d, and for automatic supplies the price was fixed at 1d per 22ft., residents in Cregagh, outside city boundary, to pay 4s 7d per 1,000ft. Enniskillen Gas Co. have increased the price of gas for lighting to 8s per 1,000, and for cookers and power to 7s 6d.

In reference to the announcement that President Wilson intends to visit England and France "at no distant date," the Press Association says that this does not necessarily mean an immediate visit. The Government have as yet received no official intimation of the date of the visit, but when they are apprised of the President's plans a most cordial welcome will await the distinguished visitor.

A number of suggestions are being put forward for reducing the consumption of gas in Belfast during the winter months. The Corporation is being urged to compel all shops to close at 7 o'clock, or at latest 7-30 p.m., on the first five days of the week, and not later than nine o'clock on Saturdays. The churches, it is suggested, should also hold their evening services earlier, so that they would not require the use of gas or electricity.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Mr. James Walsh, proprietor of Drumcree Nurseries, Portadown, to the Commission of the Peace for County Armagh. Mr. Walsh, who is an office-bearer in Drumcree Church and a lay representative of the parish on the Armagh Diocesan Council, is an energetic member of the Portadown Agricultural Society, a representative of the Drumcree electoral division of Lurgan Union, and a member of the North Armagh Unionist Association.

Mr. and Mrs W. R. Young, Galgorm Castle, have just celebrated the twenty-firth anniversary of their wedding day. The teachers and scholars of Galgorm Schools and a few friends were entertained to tea at the schoolhouse in the afternoon, and sports were engaged in an adjoining field. A procession was afterwards formed, and the members of it marched to the castle, where they were received by Mr. and Mrs. Young who suitably replied to a well-worded congratulatory address.

The report of the Belfast District Lunatic Asylum for the past year shows that the numbers under treatment were 693 males and 733 females -- a total of 1,426; and the daily average numbers resident during the year were 536 males and 578 females -- a total of 1,114. The discharges were -- Males, 70; females, 87 -- total, 157. The number remaining on Dec. 31st was 1,096 (515 males and 581 females). As compared with the previous year the admissions increased by one, the discharges by twenty-eight, and the deaths by eleven.

At a luncheon given in London to overseas journalists, Colonel Lord Burnham, one of the proprietors of the "Daily Telegraph," referring to the veracity of the British Press, said he believed the less the official narrative was garbled or twisted the better for the country. When the war was over the governing masses would insist upon being told the truth. The newspaper Press was the intelligence department of the Empire, and should work to help public opinion to judge aright on the vast issues that arose on every side.

The Rev. A. J. Carlyle, D.Litt., Chaplain and Lecturer on Political Economy of University College, and rector of St. Martin's (Carfax) and All Saints, Oxford, has accepted an invitation from the Archbishop and the University of Upsala to lecture, on the "Olaus Petri" foundation, on "The Historical Position of the Church of England in Relation to Universal Christendom." Dr. Carlyle, whose father was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and is well known as a writer on both historical and economic history.

Sir John Simon, in a message read by Lady Simon at a garden party at Walthamstow, said the Kaiser told the truth when he described the war as a conflict between two ideals. It was a conflict between those who regarded war as an instrument and those who regarded it as a pestilence which threatened to destroy mankind; between those who acted as if the weak had no rights and those who wished their neighbours to live in full security. The democracies of the world realised the nature of the conflict, and were resolved to grind the Prussian war machine to powder. To abandon the ideal would be to lose all hope for the future.

At an inspection of Royal Irish Constabulary men at the Depot, Dublin, the Lord Lieutenant (Viscount French) referred to the difficulties of the constabulary when isolated in out-of-the-way parts of the country, and said they must remember that they would be supported in carrying out their duties, and that when they called upon military help, they would get it. He asked for mutual confidence between them and the Government and himself. They were, he would remind them, doing their part in the war as well as if they were in the trenches with the Germans in front of them. Returning thanks, the Inspector-General mentioned tha 400 officers and men of the R.I.C. had enlisted in the Irish Guards.

The King has degraded Sir Joseph Jonas, a former Lord Mayor of Sheffield, from the degree of Knight Bachelor. Joseph Jonas was recently convicted in the Central Criminal Court, London, under the Official Secrets Act, 1911, of misdemeanour, and was fined £2,000. Born at Bingen-on-the-Rhine in 1845, he came to England when he was 21, and was naturalised in 1875. He was first German Consul in Sheffield, and during his Lord Mayoralty received from the Kaiser the Order of the Prussian Crown. He was knighted by King Edward in 1905. The last case of degradation from knighthood, and the first for many years, was that of Roger Casement, who was hanged for high treason.

The funeral took place to the Belfast City Cemetery from his late residence of Mr. Robert Rodgers, who, up to a few years ago, was chief inspector of the city tramways. Included in the procession were a number of tramway officials and members of the Masonic Order, in addition to deceased's personal friends. The chief mourners were Captain John Rodgers (mercantile marine), son; Mr. Robert Hugh Rodgers, grandsons; Mrs. Nicholl, daughter; Mr. R. Nicholl, son-in-law; Mrs. Forsythe, daughter; Mr. David Forsythe, son-in-law; and Mr. G. M'Keown. Prior to the removal of the remains a brief service was conducted at the house by Rev. W. J. Sirr, who also officiated at the graveside. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Melville & Co., Ltd.

According to a Berlin telegram the new harvest in Germany is officially estimated as showing an increase of 10 to 15 per cent. compared with last year.

The American Senate has passed a Bill favouring the total prohibition of manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors after June 30, 1919. It is believed the House will pass the Bill.

Mr. Samuel Gompers, the American Labour leader, has issued an appeal to the miners to produce more coal, and to the people of Great Britain to save coal in their households.

Mr. James Graham, manager of the Irish Peat Development, Co., Ltd., Portadown, has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the Commission of the Peace for County Armagh.

Mr. Shadforth Watts, a well-known London shipowner, has forwarded to Captain A. W. Clark, the deputy chairman of King George's Fund for Sailors, a gift of £10,000 in aid of the fund.

Mr. Barnes, M.P., writing to his Glasgow constituents, challenges his Labour opponents to contest his seat. Recent scenes at his Glasgow meeting he describes as an orgy of fanaticism and mendacity.

Under an order of the English Board of Agriculture the wages of male agricultural workers (above 21) have been fixed at 33s weekly for 48 hours. Overtime is to be 9d and Sabbaths 11d per hour.

Chief Petty Officer Reece, awarded the D.S.M. was formerly stationed at Newcastle, Co. Down. Captain J. F. Buller, who has been awarded the M.C., is nephew to Mr. C. W. Dunbar-Buller, D.L., Donaghadee.

The "Petit Parisien" states that M. Diagne, Deputy for Senegal, has returned to Paris from a recruiting tour in West Africa. He recruited 75,000 natives in all, 60,000 of them in West Africa, and 15,000 in the Equatorial zone.

The Secretary for the United States Navy has ordered the collier Cyclops to be struck off the Navy register. She was last reported at Barbadoes on 4th April. It is believed she encountered a cyclone and sunk. 293 persons perished.

Mr. Samuel Kelly took his seat for the first time at the Belfast Harbour Board on Tuesday. Mr. Kelly, who is a leading shipowner and coal merchant, was cordially welcomed by the chairman, Mr. H. M. Pollock, J.P., and Mr. James M'Connell, J.P.

Mr. Edward Hilden has resigned the principalship of the Newry Intermediate School, which he has held for the last fifteen years, consequent upon his appointment to a responsible position in the engineering firm of Ruton[?], Proctor, & Co., Ltd., Lincoln.

According to reliable estimates some 9,450,000 tons of refuse are made annually in Britain, each ton of which is worth, at least, 7s. Some 38 per cent. of the waste represents cinders not consumed by uneconomical grates, or the equivalent of 2,250,000 tons of raw coal.

Mr. Haywood, secretary Industrial Workers of the World, convicted with others of conspiracy to disrupt America's war programme, has, says a Chicago telegram, been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment; others received 20 years, and were fined 20,000 dollars each.

Mr. H. W. Andrew who has died at his residence, Old House, Comber, was son of the late Mr. James Andrews, Carnesure. He was a highly-successful agriculturist, and was connected with the Liverpool and London and G[?]e Insurance Co. He was a keen footballer and hunter.

Belfast Corporation have requested the Government to utilise empty ships at Archangel for conveying flax to this country. Councillor Stirling said there were 50,000 tons of flax at Archangel, whereas the yield from home acreage would only meet one-third of the normal requirements of the linen trade.

At a meeting of the Coleraine Urban Council the Technical Instruction Committee reported having, unanimously appointed Mr. W. R. Johnstone, Banbridge, as principal of the Technical School, in succession to Mr. David Hyndman, M.Sc., who has been appointed principal the Barrow-in-Furness Technical Institute.

General Seely, M.P. Deputy Minister of Munitions, speaking in the East Midlands, said new tanks were being provided in thousands, and would be instrumental in saving thousands of lives. With tanks available casualties were relatively small. There was no doubt that on a certain day the tanks saved Amiens.

The "Telegraaf" (Amsterdam) reports from the frontier that two German regiments from Russia refused to proceed to the Western front, and that 130 men were shot. At Munich some 700 men of a Guards regiment also refused to go to the front, and barricaded themselves in the barracks, but they finally had to surrender.

After having served in four Polar expeditions, twice with Scott and twice with Shackleton, Alfred Cheetham, of Hull, has lost his life at sea through enemy submarine action. Mr. Cheetham had made voyages in the Morning, the Terra Nova, the Nimrod, and Endurance. One of his sons lost his life through his vessel being torpedoed two years ago.

Poyntzpass magistartes discussed a prosecution, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, against David Allen, shopkeeper (trading as Allen Bros.), for selling cornflour alleged to be adulterated with 100 per cent. of prepared rice flour. Sir C. Cameron stated that cornflour was not a proper name to apply to this sort of article, but cornflour was a mere trade term, which everyone understood. Rice cornflour was as good an article as maize cornflour.

The late Canon S. Campbell, formerly Rector of Hollymount, County Down, Left property valued at £43,577. He bequeathed £5,000 to the Representative Church Body to apply £500 a year from the income for the stipend of a curate at St. Patrick's, Ballymacarrett. The bulk of the residue he left in equal shares to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, the Representative Church Body, and the building fund of St. Ann's Cathedral, Belfast.

=========================

Death of Mr. Joshua Chambers, Ballynagarrick, Gilford.

The death occurred recently of this highly-respected resident. The loss of his wife, who died some three years ago, deeply affected him, and since then he had been in failing health. He was a loyal and devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and for the past thirty-three years held the office of elder in Newmills. Deeply interested in the religious training of the young, he early devoted himself to the work of the Sabbath-school, and for a lengthened period, until growing infirmities necessitated his retirement, he rendered faithful and efficient service as a teacher. He was for some years a member of the Rural District Council, and in that capacity served the interests of the community with faithfulness and acceptance. He leaves a family of two sons and five daughters. One of his sons is in the Army, and was wounded in action in France. The funeral, which was largely attended by the residents in the district and friends from a distance, afforded a striking testimony to the respect in which he was held throughout a wide circle. Rev. T. W, Coskery and Rev. James Irwin officiated at the residence of the deceased, and Rev. D. M. M'Connell and Rev. James Edgar at the grave.

=========================

If the next of kin of Carolyn Irwin, born Caroline Henry, whose father was a Presbyterian Minister, and who left the neighbourhood of Belfast about fifty years ago, would communicate with the undersigned, they would hear of something to their advantages. In her girlhood Miss Henry had a close friend named Key, who was also a Presbyterian Minister. George Hopper, Manager, Gresham Insurance Society, 72, Royal Avenue, Belfast.

=========================

Roll of Honour

Lieutenant R. J. Johnson, who has died of wounds received in the battle on Sabbath, August 25th, came from Canada in 1915 to fight for his country. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and served as a sapper in France for sixteen months without being wounded. He then obtained a commission in the Third Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, and proceeded to France in June of this year. He was educated at Marlborough College, in Wiltshire. The deceased officer was the son of Mr. S. A. Johnston, Dalriada, Whiteabbey, and his mother was a daughter of Mr. William Barbour, of Hilden, Lisburn. He was a fine footballer and swimmer, and a splendid all-round athlete, and at on time a most popular member of the North of Ireland Football Club. He had a most attractive and winning personality, and his loss will be deeply felt by a large number of friends and relations with whom he was always a great favourite.

=========================

Death of Mr. A. J. H. Gorman.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Andrew J. H. Gorman, an old and valued member of the composing department of this newspaper, which occurred at his residence, 26, Loughview Terrace, Skegoniel Avenue. The deceased attended his business as usual on Friday last, when he took seriously ill, and notwithstanding the unremitting attention of Dr. Macintosh, Dr. M'Connell, and Dr. Calwell (in consultation), he passed away on Tuesday forenoon to the great sorrow of his numerous acquaintances. The late Mr. Gorman entered on his apprenticeship as a compositor in the "Banner of Ulster" about forty-five years ago, and remained on the staff when that paper was merged into "The Witness." He was connected with the department up to the time of his lamented death, and for some years past held the distinction of having been longer associated with "The Witness" than any other employee. A skilful and reliable workman, a staunch friend, and a man who was ever ready to give the benefit of his wise counsel to those who sought his aid, he was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact, and his removal is greatly deplored. The deceased was prominently identified with the Rechabite and Masonic Orders, and was a leading member of Spamount Congregational Church. The larger-attended funeral yesterday demonstrated in a marked degree the esteem entertained for him, as did also the numerous floral tributes, which covered the oak coffin. The impressive service at the house and at the City Cemetery was conducted by the Rev. W. Davey. The late Mr. Gorman leaves a widow and a large family to mourn his loss, and to them we extend our heartfelt sympathy in the irreparable loss they have sustained. The funeral arrangements were admirably carried out by Messrs. Melville Co., Ltd., Townsend Street.

=========================

The engagement is announced of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Seymour Lloyd, K.B.E., C.M.G., and Mrs. Cuthbert, of Bentham Hill, Southborough, Kent, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Prenter, D.D., LL.D., and widow of William Mitchel Cuthbert, Capetown.

=========================

Rev. Robert Blank, who acted as substitute for Rev. W. N. Maxwell, of Dervock, while acting as an Army chaplain, has been appointed assistant to Rev. Samuel Cochrane, B.A., of Sinclair Seamen's Church, Belfast. Mr. Cochrane has been doing a splendid work among the men of the Navy at the port of Belfast, as well as in his own congregation, and the help of an assistant was absolutely necessary to enable him in justice to himself to overtake the extra duties which his position as a naval chaplain entailed.

=========================

In aid of the funds of the Belfast branch of the Irish Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers, a flag day will be observed in the city to-day, and it is hoped that a liberal response will be made to assist this most deserving of charities. Our adverting columns contain full particulars of the splendid work being done on behalf of the men who have done so much to uphold the honour of the British Empire, and now unable to take an active part in the great war. Subscriptions will be gratefully received and acknowledged by Miss E. Fitzmaurice, organising secretary, 43, Globe and Textile Buildings, Donegall Square South.

 

^ top of page

The Witness - Friday, 13 September 1918

Roll of Honour

BLAIR -- Sept. 2, 1918. at 59th Casualty Clearing Station, France, Alexander (North Irish Horse -- attached 5th Cyclists' Regiment), third son of Alexander Blair, 18, Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

IRWIN -- Sept. 2, 1918, killed in action, 2nd Lieut. J. Ross Irwin, Royal Irish Regiment, dearly-beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Irwin. The Diamond, Donegal, aged 19 years.

Marriages

KENNEDY--SMITH -- Sept. 4, at Carland Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Stanley W. Thompson, B.A., of First Dungannon, David George, son of the late David Kennedy, of Belfast and Ballymoney, and Mrs. Kennedy, Rockview House, Craigatempton, Ballymoney, to Sara, younger daughter of H. J. Smith, and Mrs. Smith, Scotch Street, Dungannon.

PATTERSON--MOSS -- Aug. 27, at the Spa Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. John M'Adam, B.A., Thomas, youngest son of the late John Patterson, Rann House, Downpatrick, to Frances Peden (Fannie), only daughter of A. W. Moss, Drumaness, Ballynahinch.

PORTER-KENNEDY -- Sept. 4, at Fort William Park Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. A. Lyle Harrison, B.A., Robert A. Porter, Cliftonpark Avenue, to Elizabeth Kennedy, Rathmore, Glenburn Park.

RITCHIE--BEGGS -- Sept. 10, at Groomsport Parish Church, by the Rev. Thomas M'Creight, B.A., Walter S., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ritchie, Belfast, to Marjorie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Beggs, Dunmurry.

Deaths

ALEXANDER -- Sept. 10, at 2, Glanworth Terrace Belfast, Agnes, wife of late James Alexander, of Glasgow, and daughter of the late James Thom, of Glasgow.

BELSHAW -- Sept. 7, at Kilcorig, Magheragall, Lisburn, William Belshaw.

BUCKLEY -- Sept. 3, at Houghton Cottage, Wrea Green, in her 82nd year, Sally, widow of Joseph Houghton Buckley, late of Wesham Mills, Kirkham, Lancashire.

CAMPBELL -- Sept. 8, at her husband's residence, 16, Main Street, Strabane, Sarah, the beloved wife of Thomas Campbell.

CAUGHEY -- Sept. 8, at New Street, Donaghadee, Jane Caughey.

GREENE -- Sept 7, 1918, at Millview, Dunmurry, Sarah Greene. "She hath done what she could." Inserted by M. GREENE, 34, Athol Street, Belfast.

HOLLEY -- Sept. 8, at Redgorton, Helen's Bay, Hilda Mary Holley, aged 25.

JOHNSTON -- Sept. 9, at 28, Bryansburn Road, Bangor, W. N. Johnston, nephew of the late Wm. Johnston, Ballykilbeg.

MOORE -- Sept. 10, at Newry General Hospital, John Moore, of The Commons, Newry.

MILLIKEN -- Sept. 7, at Ballykennedy, Dundrod, Eliza Jane, relict of the late John Milliken.

MULLIGAN -- Sept. 9, at Millbank, Banbridge, John Watson Mulligan, M.D., J.P., in his 75th year.

STANLEY -- Sept. 7, at her father's residence, 1, Alexandra Terrace, Cable Road, Whitehead, Martha (Pattie), third daughter of Alfred and Martha Stanley.

SWEENIE -- Sept, 6, 1918, at her mother's residence, 4, Florence Terrace, Londonderry, Marguerite Mills (Marzie), daughter of the late Dr. W. F. Sweenie, Jagersfontein, South Africa.

WILSON -- Sept. 9, at Mill House, Warrenpoint, James Wilson.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF

Prince Albert of Saxe-Weimar, who was a major in the German cavalry, has fallen on the Western front.

Mr. Joseph Sweeney has been selected as Sinn Fein candidate for West Donegal. Mr. Hugh A. Law, M.P., represents the constituency at present.

At a sale of British Frisian cattle at Beccles, Suffolk, the celebrated imported cow, Golf Sietske X. sold for 4,500 guineas. This is a record for the kingdom.

The Welsh Free Church Council have decided to support the proposed League of Free Nations, but declined to send a delegate to the proposed International Christian Conference at Upsala.

Sir Arthur Yapp will shortly leave for the United States, where he will take part in a crusade on behalf of a great Anglo-American Y.M.C.A. movement on the different fronts.

Mr. O. S. Spokes, chief assistant in engineering, Derry Technical School, has been appointed principal Banbridge Technical Institute, in room of Mr. W. R. Johnston, appointed principal Coleraine Technical School.

At a meeting of the General Committee in connection with the recent Red Cross in Banbridge, it was stated that the "Red Cross" would benefit to the extent of £600 as the result of "Our Day" effort.

At the Letterbreen sittings of the South Fermanagh revision court the U.I.L. interests were watched by Rev. Canon M'Mahon, P.P., while the Sinn Feiners had their interests looked after by his curate, Rev. T. Caulfield.

The Marquis of Downshire left £135,540 He left £1,000 to his wife, £1,000 to Lord Arthur Hill, one year's wages to all persons in his employ three years previous to his death, and the residue to his son, Lord Hillsborough, now Marquis of Downshire.

A statement issued by the Canadian Finance Department shows an increase of over twelve million dollars in the revenue of the Dominion during the first five months of the current fiscal year. War expenditure in August totalled 11,571,723 dollars.

By special permission of the Rev. Dr. Peacocke, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Mr. John Bristow, a Belfast layman, and a licenced lay reader in the Down diocese, is to preach next Sabbath in Derry Cathedral on behalf of the Poorer Clergy Income Augmentation Fund.

It was stated at Antrim County Council that, owing to a House of Lords decision in a Dublin case, the proportion of contribution of Belfast Guardians' expenses would be assessed on the basis of the new valuation of the city, which meant a saving of £274 for the present year.

News received from Teheran confirms the massacre of Christians at Urumiah by bands of Kurds emboldened by the announcement of the imminent arrival of Turkish troops. Among the victims are Mgr. Sontang, French Lazarist, and the Vicar Apostolic and three priests.

Sir Thomas Dewey, chairman of the Prudential Assurance Company, has notified the Chancellor of the Exchequer that as practical recognition of the glorious victory achieved by our men who broke the Hindenburg switch-line the company had purchased two million pounds' worth of national war bonds.

The U.S. Navy Department states that the U.S. ss. Lake Owens was sunk by a submarine on Sept. 3 in foreign waters, and that five of the crew are missing, and that the U.S. troopship Mont Vernon (formerly German owned) was torpedoed 200 miles off the French coast, but no lives were lost.

The Food Controller recently retraced the prices of certain cuts of bacon to 157s 6d per. cwt. wholesale, and 1s 8d per lb. retail. These prices apply to bacon in its green state. The Food Controller has now made an order fixing the prices of it when pale dried or smoked at 171s cwt. wholesale, and 1s 10d per lb. retail.

Figures issued by the Food Controller show that the output during the first thirty-two weeks of this year was 140,958,200 tons, against 164,450,300 tons in the corresponding period last year; the net shortage being about 8.7 per cent. Stocks for industrial works, public utility undertakings, and household purposes are lower than ever before.

At the thirty-eighth annual sale of the Lincoln Long-Wool Sheep Breeders' Association all previous prices and records were broken. The aggregate of the sale of 385 rams was £12,980. The record price for a single sheep was reached when one from the flock of Mr. Joseph Brocklebank was secured by Mr. T. W. Dean for 700 guineas. The previous best figure was 350 guineas.

Rev. H. W. Brownrigg, M.A., rector of the Mariners' Church, Belfast, has resigned the parish, and intends devoting himself to mission work among the troops in France. The Rev. Mr. Brownrigg was appointed rector of the Mariners' Church, Belfast, in the year 1891. He was ordained in the year 1884 for the curacy of Christ Church, Lisburn,

Glasgow United Free Church Presbytery, by 124 votes to 45, carried a motion in favour of the status quo in regard to religious instruction in Scottish schools. The amendment expressed approval of the joint letter recently issued by the Moderators of the Church of Scotland and of the United Free Church, and favoured compulsory teaching.

Lurgan Technical instruction Committee have appointed as art teacher Mr. Charles Braithwaite, A.R.H.A., Belfast; rural science, Mr. J. Edmund Mercer, Belfast; engineering subjects, Mr. A. Hutton, Belfast; manual instruction, Mr. A. S. P. Light-body, Lurgan; introductory art, Miss. R. Murphy, Avenue Road, Lurgan; grocery lectures, Mr. Gordon, of Messrs. Gordon & Miller, Skipper Street, Belfast.

The Trades Union Congress at Derby passed resolutions demanding an increase in the scale of soldiers' and sailors' pay, and a policy of national housing, calling on the Government to apply the Whitley Report principle to all departments of State service, and accepting the new Reform Act as a compromise only, re-affirming a previous declaration in favour of a reduction of the qualifying period to at least three months.

Investigations by the United States Bureau of Standards show that while inferior concrete, of which the surface skin has been impaired, suffers deterioration in sea water, nothing need be feared in the case of concrete which has been carefully prepared and applied. The investigations further show that Portland cement itself is durable in sea water, and that the rich mixtures of concrete used in shipbuilding, if properly deposited around the reinforcement, will protect the metal effectively from corrosion.

On the recommendation of H.M.L., the Earl of Leitrim, his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has conferred a commission of the peace on Councillor James Hamilton, shirt and collar manufacturer, John Street, and 13, Sunbeam Terrace, Londonderry. Councillor Hamilton is one of the leading officials of Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church, a member of the Executive Committee of the Good Templar Order in Ireland, a member of the Derry Presbytery, and other important bodies that have the interest and welfare of the Maiden City at heart.

The "Statist" advocates the disendowment of the Church of England to pay the war debt.

The Admiralty announces that one of his Majesty's destroyers sank on the 8th inst. as the result of a collision in a fog. There were no casualties.

The Government is appointing a Special Committee to consider and report upon the question of the renumeration of women in occupations in which they are doing men's work.

Wage increases have been granted in the United States affecting a million track and other railway workers. It is estimated that the increase in the pay notes will amount to £20,000,000 per annum.

Mr. Gompers, the American Labour leader, addressing the Trades-Union Council at Derby, said his sympathy was with the real heart of Ireland and that his friends were pledged to Home Rule.

Addressing a meeting in Derry, in furtherance of the recruiting campaign for the Q.M.A.A.C., Miss Stack, Recruiting Controller, said that in a fortnight they had received 450 applications in Ireland.

Mr. Hodge, at Derby, said there were now 50,000 disabled men under training. He wanted to find light employment for them. This would have to be provided by the creation of national factories or by compelling employers to give them work.

The U.S.A. war expenditure for August broke all monthly records by £26,000,000, amounting to £342,360,000 or more than £11,068,600 daily. Ordinary war expenses reached £293,600,000, or £40,000,000 more than July's high record.

A correspondent of the "Weekly Dispatch" states, on the authority of a repatriated war prisoner from Holland, that 600 of the British garrison there have married Dutch girls, and that 300 more "have their names down" for contracting like unions.

At the Viceregal Lodge his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant invested the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin (Rev. John Pentland Mehaffy) with the Order of the Grand Cross of the British Empire and conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.

The Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades has decided to communicate with the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging that, with the present value of money at one-half, income-tax should only be assessed on earned incomes beginning at £200.

The names of Captain Rentoul, R.A.M.C., Lisburn, and Captain Shekleton, R.A.M.C., Holywood, have been brought to the notice of the Secretary for War for services rendered on the occasion of the sinking or damage by enemy action of hospital ships.

A message from Nes Ameland says that one of the German warships which was cruising off the coast ran on a mine or was torpedoed. The ship was suddenly seen to heel over and immediately afterwards disappeared. Four boats were seen is the vicinity.

At Ballynure fair a springing cow, the property of Mr. Robert H. Wilson, J.P., of Straid, was sold at £60, which beats all previous local records. Another springer, the property of a farmer named John Gettinby, of Lismenary, brought £50. Both animals were purchased by Mr. Robert J. Gamble, J.P., Ballyclare.

At Glasgow Mr. Barnes said he did not believe that either Free Trade or tariffs would be helpful in the post-war position, but Free Trade was the best policy, considered only from the economic point of view, and assuming that other countries would adopt it, and also that they would have continued peace.

Dr. Evansun, in the "Aftenphosten" (Christiania), quotes a pamphlet by Herr Thyssen, the German Iron King, that the Kaiser, on August 14, promised him 30,000 acres in Australia after the war in return for a war contribution, and that other magnates were promised grants from the revenues of Indian princes.

An inquest was held at Whitehead on Saturday on the body of an unknown man whose body was found floating in Belfast Lough. The dress indicated that the deceased was either a ship's officer or a marine engineer. The medical evidence was that death appeared to be due to drowning, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

It is, Mr. J. H. Thomas says, the intention of the Labour Party to hold concurrently with the Peace Conference a Labour Conference, to be attended by representatives of Labour in all the belligerent countries. These Labour delegates will sit in the same town as the Peace Plenipotentiaries, with whom they hope to get into close touch.

Words uttered by the Kaiser in compliment to the newly-constituted Ukrainian State may be construed as a hint of a possible German entente with that great grain-growing country. He hoped that he political and economical relations between the two countries, who seemed called on to supplement one another, might grow ever firmer and more intimate.

Right Rev. Dr. D'Arcy, Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore, has suggested, as a means of saving fuel and light, that afternoon services be substituted for evening services in country churches, and that in the city churches only, half, or probably less than half, the usual number of lights be used, while evening services should be made as short as possible.

Lord Pirrie, giving impressions on his tour in the big shipbuilding districts, was pleased with the progress of the new private yards, and extensions, and installations of further plant and labour-saving devices. Organised labour was co-operating, and in several yards men who a few months ago were opposed to pneumatic rivetting were now actually applying for pneumatic tools.

Mr. Schwab, Controller of United States Shipbuild, announces that during August the output of shipping from American yards constituted a world's record. Sixty-six vessels were completed, forty-four of them being of steel. This increased output put construction far ahead of the destruction wrought by submarines The total tonnage completed by the Shipping Board exceeded two million tons.

Speaking at a prayer-meeting in London Sir Jos. Compton Rickett, M.P., the Nonconformist leader, said he knew of people who had received messages by instant thought transference from friends 10,000 miles away, and Sir Oliver Lodge said that this undoubtedly could be done. It was probable that something not yet discovered enabled man to project his thoughts in prayer to the other world.

Mr. P. Donnelly, M.P., South Armagh, has been officially informed that Sir Auckland Geddes is advised that there would be serious difficulties about applying to poultry and fish dealers who visit England the arrangements applicable to cattle drovers regarding exemption from military service, but facilities would be provided for Irishmen desiring to visit temporarily on urgent business.

The U.S. Revenue Bill is designed to produce £1,600,000,000 -- double the amount of last year's taxation, and half of what it is planned to raise by war loans. The taxes on incomes below £800 are to be doubled, those above that figure trebled, and the graduated super-tax and taxes on incomes and profits of companies are to be increased, and death duties and excise on tobacco and alcohol more than doubled.

The Road Board grants to Ireland for the year ended March 31, 1918, were £976; for the year ended March, 1917, £290,568; further sum promised for the period ended March last, £51,582. Loans advanced to Ireland for the last financial period, £4,741; promised, £13,132. Irish loans repaid to March 31 last amounted to £23,681. The aggregate sum paid to local bodies throughout the United Kingdom is £916,379.

By way of proving the Prime Minister's recent statement that at least 160 U-boats had been destroyed by the British, a statement which the German papers have denied, the Admiralty have issued a list of the names of 150 U-boat commanders whose boats have been disposed of. These names do not by any means exhaust the list. The commanders include those who torpedoed the Lusitania, the Sussex, the Arabic, the Belgian Prince, and others.

As a result of the recent revision sessions in County Tyrone the Sinn Feiners claim that they will easily win the new Parliamentary divisions of North-East and North-West Tyrone at the next General Election, while the Unionists are certain of retaining South Tyrone, and are very hopeful of winning the other two divisions should the Nationalist vote be split, which is not improbable. The Sinn Feiners profess themselves confident of being able to capture the County Council from the Unionists.

Mr. Gompers, the U.S. Labour leader, at an American luncheon in London, said America was in the war to fight to a finish; the struggle must not end prematurely. To an interviewer, Mr. Gompers declared that America wanted nothing out of the struggle except the right of the world's democracies to live without the menace of a dominating military spirit. American Labour would not meet representatives of enemy countries until victory had been achieved. The German people, if they had a true heart and conscience, must overthrow their Imperial autocracy.

The Chief Secretary, in a letter to the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, states that the Lord Lieutenant and he are satisfied that the members of the forces are entitled to a substantial rise both in the amount of pay and in the amount of the widows' pension. As was the case in 1914 and 1916, the rise in pay and pension could only be obtained by Act of Parliament, but they were taking the necessary steps to bring the matter forward, and would do their utmost to press it to a successful conclusion. They thought it would be fair that any increase which they might be able to obtain should be retrospective as from 1st Sept.

The marriage was solemnised in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, of Miss Martha Cruiks, only daughter of Mr. Henry Cruiks, Oberon, Ormeau Road, and of the Belfast Steamship Company. Ltd., and Mr. Wm. Moorhead, Irwin Avenue, auditor of the Belfast and County Down Railway Company, Ltd. Rev. A. Wylie Blue was the officiating minister, and Mr. C. A. Moore, general manager of the County Down Railway Company, acted as best man, whilst the organist was Mr. Jack M'Keown, A.R.C.O. Miss Norah M. Morrow, a cousin of the bride, was a charming bridesmaid. After the ceremony a reception was held in Messrs. Thompson's (Belfast), Ltd., Donegall pLace, and the happy couple left later in the afternoon for the honeymoon tour.

In aid of the local branch of the Irish Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers a flag day was held in Belfast, and met with a gratifying measure of success. The federation has been established for the purpose of protecting the interests of men who have suffered in the service of their country, and its remarkable growth is the best tribute which can be desired of its popularity amongst those for whose benefit it was brought into existence. The Belfast branch has already done much good work. It has provided a club in Donegall Square East, and the committee have been instrumental in obtaining an increase in the amount of the pension paid to disabled men in several cases in which the allowance was not up to the standard. The claims of widows am=nd dependents are also brought under the notice of the proper authorities. The arrangements were made by a representative committee, with Miss E, Fitzmaurice as the organising secretary.

A farmer near Ballybay has just threshed an acre of this year's crop of oats which, on being weighed, totalled 28 barrels, or 392 stones.

A Scottish business man in Barcelona has sent £500 to the Church Army to replace a Waacs' recreation hut which was bombed in France recently.

Pigs killed in Ireland during the week ended 5th inst. numbered 8,981, and the total exported 986, compared with 20,165 and 1,356 respectively in the same week last year.

Captain J. G. Cecil, nephew of the Marquis of Salisbury, is unofficially reported killed in action, and, if true, he is the third son which the Bishop of Exeter has lost in the war.

Mr. C. T. Garland, the American millionaire, has been adopted as discharged soldiers' and sailors' candidate to contest the Warwick and Leamington Parliamentary division. He is himself a discharged soldier, having served an a trooper in the Warwickshire yeomanry.

The "Telegraaf" (Dutch) learns from an eye-witness that the 25th Regiment at Cologne mutinied on August 31, on being ordered to leave for the Western Front/ Another regiment refused to fire on its comrades. Eventually a fight took place, in which 11 boys were killed and many wounded.

The United States Embassy issues the following -- A report having recently appeared in the Press to the effect that the President of the United States contemplates a visit to Europe in the near future, the American Embassy is authorised to state there is no truth whatever in this rumour.

Mr T. Cassidy (Derry), Chairman, presided at a meeting of the National Executive of the Irish Trades' Union Congress and Labour Party, in Dublin, when it was decided unanimously to contest a number of seats at the forthcoming General Election. Preparations were made for local conferences and the selection of candidates.

The Rev. T. Wilkinson Riddle, of Wood Green, has accepted an invitation of Sir Arthur Yapp and the National Council of Y.M.C.A.'s to go to France as secretary in charge of religious work. On his return Mr. Riddle has been invited to become minister of the historic church at George Street, Plymouth, formed in 1520, the year the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth in the Mayflower.

Mr. Lloyd George, at Manchester, replying to an address from Armenians, asked them to believe that the British Government was not unmindful of its responsibilities to their martyred race. To a Syrian deputation, he expressed the hope of the Government that the Arabic-speaking peoples, who had suffered under Turkish rule, would once more enjoy the liberty that would enable them to rebuild the edifice of civilisation and prosperity. He assured a Zionist deputation that he believed the fulfilment of their hopes was an essential corollary to the enfranchisement of the oppressed peoples of the East.

=========================

Death of Mr. A. T. Robinson, Jordanstown.

Mr. A. T. Robinson, Elland, Jordanstown, has died aged 64. He was prominently identified with the provision trade in Belfast, and also carried on business as a lard refiner and mineral water manufacturer.

At the funeral striking testimony to the affectionate esteem in which the deceased was held was afforded by the extent, of the cortege. The chief mourners were Messrs. John, Tom, and Fred Robinson, sons; J. J. Robinson, Wm. Robinson, and F. C. Robinson, brothers; Captain J. M. Smith, R.A.M.C., Messrs. J. S. Callaghan, and A. C. Gordon, sons-in-law; Mr. T. Cottingham, ex-district-inspector R.I.C., District-Inspector J. A. Marks; Messrs. Thomas English, and J. Gordon, brothers-in-law; Jack Robinson, Arthur Robinson, Gordon Jackson, Arthur Jackson, and Arthur Robinson, nephews. A funeral service was held in St. Patrick's Church, Jordanstown, conducted by Rev. W. H. Bradley, M.A., Coleraine, and Rev. R. N. Ruttle, M.A., and the interment took place in the City Cemetery. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Melville & Co., Ltd.

=========================

Death of Mr. James Wilson, Warrenpoint.

The death took place at his residence, Mill House, Post Office Street, Warrenpoint, on Monday, of Mr. James Wilson, a prominent citizen of that town, and head of the building and contracting firm of James Wilson & Sons. The deceased gentleman was one of the old Warrenpoint Town Commissioners, and from the coming into operation of the Local Government Act of 1898 up to 1913 a member of the local Urban Council. He filled the chair from November, 1907, to the 1st January, 1909, and the vice-chair in the years 1910, 1911, and 1912. He was a staunch member of the Presbyterian Church and a sterling Unionist. He leaves a widow, one daughter (Mrs. Harpur), and two sons, James and Arnold.

There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral. The chief mourners were -- James E. and Arnold Wilson (sons), William Wilson, Carrickfergus (brother), James Everett, Richhill (brother-in-laW), John M'Mahon, Richhill, and Samuel M'Mahon, Cavan (nephews). The services in the church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. A. Stevenson, B.A., of the Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church (with which congregation deceased was connected), and the Rev. James Meeke, B.A.

=========================

Death of Mr. J. Hutton, J.P.

The death took place on Wednesday morning of Mr. James Hutton, J.P., Bell's Hill House, Crossgar. The deceased was a native of the Ards peninsula, and an extensive farmer. He sat at the Petty Sessions Courts of Killyleagh and Downpatrick. Since the inauguration of the Local Government Act, he represented Inch division as a District Councillor on the Downpatrick Boards. He was also an active member of the Downpatrick Pension and Killyleagh School Attendance Committees. In Religion he was a Presbyterian, and worshipped at Lissara Church, Crossgar. Predeceased by his wife, the only daughter of Dr. James Carlisle, he leaves a family of two sons and three daughters, with whom sincere sympathy will be felt in their bereavement.

=========================

The death occurred yesterday of Sir George Reid, M.P. for St. George's, Hanover Square, Loudon. Deceased was a son of a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, and was twice Premier of Australia. Later he became High Commissioner for Australia in London, and a few years ago resigned and entered the British House of Commons as one of the members of the Unionist Party. He was a great Imperialist.

=========================

The "London Gazette" of 2nd inst. gives a list of names of persons who have been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War tor valuable services rendered in connection with the war. Amongst those mentioned is Mr. J. W. C. Coulter, Army Pay department. Mr. Coulter is a son of the Rev. D. S. Ker Coulter, Gilnahirk, and prior to the outbreak of was engaged in the accountant's of the Belfast City Hall.

=========================

The Roll of Honour

TRIBUTES TO FALLEN SOLDIERS.

In Windsor Presbyterian Church on Sabbath Rev. Dr. John Irwin, ex-Moderator of the General Assembly, at the close of his sermon said -- "I know that you will all learn with profound sorrow that another of our gallant young Volunteers has fallen on the battlefield -- this is the tenth of our number. Last Sabbath Alexander Blair took time to write a short letter to his home, in which he said that his squadron was then engaged, and had been for a week, patrolling in front of the British Infantry; and one could gather from the letter that he regarded the task as one of exceptional danger. On Monday he was fatally wounded, and died that day at the clearing station. He was a good, gentle, retiring boy, as we knew him, and his life, which was brief, was passed in a good home, and now it has had a noble ending in the path of duty. We all profoundly sympathise with his father and mother, and with his brothers and sisters, who have for long held, what I may venture to say, a special place in our esteem and affection as servants of this Windsor Church, and now they have a place, in our prayers and in our sympathies.

At a meeting of the session and committee of Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, held on Sabbath last, the following resolution was proposed by Mr. Vint, and unanimously passed:-- "That we, the session and committee of Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, have heard with deep sorrow of the death in action of Lieutenant R. Ivan Johnston, who has offered up his life so gallantly in defence of the Empire and for the cause of liberty and righteousness in the world. We desire to express to his father, Mr. S. A. Johnston, J.P., our sincere sympathy with him in his sorrow and bereavement, and we are assured that this feeling is shared by all the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, where Mr. Johnston is such a large employer and benefactor, and where he is so highly and deservedly esteemed."

At the close of the morning service in Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church, Derry, on Sabbath, Rev. H. M'Kinty made suitable reference to another member of the congregation's Roll of Honour who had made the supreme sacrifice -- viz., Private. J. Fulton (U.V.F.), 13, Kennedy Street, Derry. Private Fulton, he said, was one of the first to join the regiment from the city on its formation early in the war. He went overseas in 1915, and saw much service since, emerging unscathed from all the engagements in which his regiment took part. On the 23rd ult, he was engaged in an advanced trench, when an enemy shell burst close by, killing him instantaneously. Letters received from his officer and chaplain spoke of him as a cheerful and courageous soldier. Their prayers and sympathy went out to his sorrowing mother, brother, and sisters in their sad bereavement.

Lieutenant J. K. Clarke, Royal Air Force, previously reported missing, and now reported killed, was the eldest son of the Rev. Edward Clarke, Strabane. Educated at Campbell College, Belfast, Lieutenant Clarke enlisted in the Ulster Division on its formation, and took part in the battle of the Somme, and also in the battle of Cambrai. Subsequently he transferred to the Royal Air Force, and was wounded last May, a fortnight after his return to France. Deceased's brother, Second-Lieutenant T. V. Clarke, is serving with the Indian Army.

Second-Lieutenant W. R. Anderson, the King's (Liverpool Regiment), officially reported wounded in the right shoulder, was organist of Great James's Street Presbyterian Church, Londonderry, until he joined the colours in 1916.

Military honours were accorded the funeral of Private Robert Reid, Royal Irish Rifles, whose death occurred on the 6th inst. at Huddersfield from disease contrasted while on active service. Deceased, who was 36 years of age, was the second son of the late David and Antrim Road, and brother of Miss Jane Reid, from whose residence (13, Matilda Street, Belfast) the remains were removed for interment in Balmoral Cemetery. Prior to the outbreak of war he was an employee of the Belfast Corporation. Two of his brothers are still serving with the forces -- Charles, who is on the Royal Irish Rifles, and Andrew, on the A.S.C. The latter while serving with the Royal Irish Rifles (Ulster Division) received a certificate for gallantry, and was once wounded. Rev. J. M. M'Ilrath, Donegall Road Presbyterian Church, was officiating clergyman. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Melville & Co.

=========================

RANDOM READINGS.

WOOD FIBRE IN MAKING GAS

In France and Switzerland sawdust and wood have lately been experimented with fro gas making, says "Popular Science." Ten per cent. of sawdust added to coal, it is reported, has given good results in Geneva, and logs of wood have likewise proved satisfactory for the same purpose. Condemned flour was carbonised at Royan, and produced a good quality of coke.

A MARK TWAIN STORY.

A good story is told of Mark Twain. He walked home with the Rev. Joseph Twitchell, an old friend, and complimented him on the sermon he had preached. "But," added Mark Twain, "you know, Joe, I've a book at home with every word of that sermon in it." "Excuse me," said Mr. Twitchell, indignantly. "that sermon is absolutely original. Here is my manuscript." "I cannot help your manuscript," persisted Mr. Twain; "I've a book at home with every word of that sermon in it. I'll send it along." The two friends parted on distinctly cool terms. In an hour Mark Twain sent Mr. Twitchell a dictionary!

COURTESY ON THE RAILWAY.

An American railway company has issued a charming little essay on courtesy, which is printed on the time-tables and on conspicuous places in the stations. It reads as follows:-- "This railroad believes in courtesy. It expects its officers and employees to be courteous in all their dealings with passengers and one another. It asks that they in turn be treated courteously. Courtesy is catching. Courtesy makes the rough places much easier, and helps to smooth life's little differences. Courtesy is a business asset, a gain and never a loss. Courtesy is one mark of a good railroad man. 'Life is not so short but there is always time for courtesy.'"

WAR ON RATS.

At the instance of the Ministry of Food a general crusade is to be undertaken against rats. Arrangements have accordingly been entered into with the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture, whereby powers will be conferred on local authorities, and to see that they are carried out. Poison will be the principal weapon to be used, and farmers and others concerned will be obliged to join in a comprehensive campaign. The Treasury will be asked to contribute towards the cost of the scheme, which, however, should not prove very great. At an expenditure of only a trifle over £300 in Scotland, for instance, 20,000 rats, it is estimated, have been destroyed.

 

^ top of page

The Witness - Friday, 20 September 1918

Roll of Honour

LEITCH -- Missing since Jan. 31, 1918, now officially reported killed in action on that date, Charles Alexander Leitch (20 years, 6th Sept., 1918). First-class Aircraftsman, R.N.A.S., youngest and much-loved son of William and Ella J. Leitch, Rathglass House, Ballysakeery, Bailing, Co. Mayo. "He walked with. God, and was not, for God took him."

ROBINSON -- Sept. 8, 1918, killed in action. Captain James Thompson Robinson, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, aged 25 years, fifth and dearly-loved son of John C. G. and Lizzie Robinson, Myrobella, Chichester Park, Belfast.

Birth

FULTON -- Sept. 10, 1918, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. Edens Osborne, Marine Parade, Holywood, Co. Down, the wife of Lieutenant R. M. Fulton, Remount Service, B.E.F. -- a son.

Marriage

GILLESPIE--BATTLE -- Sept. 11, at St. Andrew's, Wells Street, by the Rev. R. W. Burnaby, Rector of St. Katharine Coleman, E.C., Captain Henry Albert Gillespie, R.A.M.C., fifth son of William Gillespie, Newry, Co. Down, to Dorothy Maud, third daughter of the late Charles Key Battle, of Stainfield, Wragby, and Minster Yard, Lincoln, and of Mrs. Battle, 58, Lancaster Gate, W.

Deaths

ARTHUR -- Sept. 17, at Kewrin, Garvagh, Mary Jane, relict of the late Robert Arthur.

BELL -- August 4, at 3,826, Loma Vista Avenue, Oakland, California, Lizzie, the beloved wife of W. Y. Bell, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, King Street, Newcastle, Co. Down, aged 37 years.

CRAIG -- August 11, at Vereeniging, South Africa, John C., youngest son of the late Thomas Craig, Shane Lodge, Randalstown, and of Mrs. Craig, 13, Ashley Avenue, Belfast.

DANIEL -- Sept. 13, at Derryvale, Coalisland, Robert, eldest son of the late Samuel Daniel, Oaklands, Cheshire, in his 72nd year.

GILMORE -- Sept. 14, at Ballymurphy, Ballynahinch, James Gilmore.

HADDEN -- Sept. 11, 1918, at Ballentate House, Whitecross, Co. Armagh, Harry, third son of Samuel C. Hadden. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Father, Brothers, Sisters, and a large circle of Friends. SAMUEL C. HADDEN.

HEATLEY -- Sept. 18, at the residence of her father (Alexander Beck, Hamiltonsbawn), Anna J., the beloved wife of David Heatley, Bridge Street, Portadown.

IRWIN -- Sept. 17; at Irish Street, Downpatrick, William Irwin, County Inspector, R.I.C., aged 61.

LITTLE -- Sept. 13, at Kell, Co. Tyrone, Richard Little, aged 75 years.

LUSK -- Sept. 14, at Ballyalbana, Eliza, relict of the late Wm. Lusk.

MAGOWAN -- Sept. 16, at her late residence, Corcraney, Waringstown, Mary Ellen, dearly-beloved wife of Alexander Magowan.

MATTHEWS -- Sept. 17, at Cluntagh, Crossgar, Henry Matthews, in his 87th year.

MORRISON -- Sept. 15, at her brother-in-law's residence (Robert Heron, Rathfriland), Mary Macauley, late Matron of the Samaritan Hospital, second daughter of the late Atkinson Morrison, Rathfriland.

M'CRUM -- Sept. 16 (suddenly), at Ballyvesey, Carnmoney, John, the beloved husband of Elizabeth J. M'Crum.

M'DOWELL -- Sept. 14, 1918, at Tullycahan, Louth, Dundalk, William M'Dowell, aged 72, second son of the late John M'Dowell, Esq., Faughert, Dundalk. "Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away."

M'MEEKIN -- Sept. 15, at her residence, Ballycarry, Mary, relict of the late James M'Meekin, in her 95th year.

PATTERSON -- Sept. 18, at her residence, Legmore, Derriaghy, Dunmurry, Lucinda, widow of the late Joseph Patterson,

PEEL -- Sept. 15, at Ben Neigh House, Crumlin, Henry James, son of the late Jonathan Peel.

REA -- Sept- 15, at his residence, Drumasloggy, Aughnacloy, John Rea, J.P., aged 73 years.

ROBINSON -- Sept. 18, at 61, Frances Street, Newtownards, Agnes, widow of the late William Robinson.

RUTLEDGE -- Sept. 10, at the residence of her daughter-in-law, Clonallon, Warrenpoint, Mary A., widow of the late James Rutledge, County Tyrone.

SMYTH -- Sept. 16, at Ivanhoe, Whitehead, David (late pilot of Belfast Harbour), dearly-beloved husband of Nellie Smyth.

SPEER -- Sept. 15, at Ballyrobert, Templepatrick, James, the beloved husband of Mary F. Speer.

TODD -- Sept. 15, at her parents' residence, 22, West Street, Portadown, Agnes Muriel, aged 5 years and 5 months, dearly-beloved daughter of John and Lily Todd.

WALLACE -- Sept. 14, at Caskum, Loughbrickland, Maggie, eldest daughter of the late Robert Wallace, Caskum.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

The Food Controller (Mr. Clynns), at the request of the Viceroy, will visit Ireland in October to examine the food question here.

Prof. Eoin MacNeill has been approved by the Sinn Fein Standing Committee as candidate for Derry City (present M.P., Sir J. B. Dougherty, R.).

The Duchess of Abercorn and her daughters Ladies Cynthia and Kate Hamilton, have opened a buffet for soldiers passing through Newtownstewart district.

News has reached the Vatican of wholesale massacres in Persia by Kurds. The Vicar Apostolic in Teheran and many other French priests are among the victims.

Lord Robson, of Jesmond, has died at Telham Court, Battle, Sussex, aged 66 years. He was successively Solicitor-General, Attorney-General, and Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.

Forty persons were killed and about 150 injured in an accident to the express train from Apeldoorn to Amsterdam. The train fell down an embankment owing to a subsidence following floods.

Mr. Hugh M'Kervill, Ballymoney, an ex-vice-chairman of the Urban Council, an ardent Unionist, a prominent Mason, and a member of First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church, has been appointed a magistrate.

Mr. P. J. English, of Sissinghurst Court, Cranbrook (Kent), who has died at the age of 51, built on his estate a Catholic church, one of the windows of which was made of stained glass from the ruins of Soissons Cathedral.

Leading financiers, merchants, and Catholics in Germany are striving to induce public opinion in Switzerland to support efforts for a peace compromise, and Catholic dignitaries, including Cardinal Hartmann will meet at Einsiedeln.

Lieutenant-General J. C. Smuts, receiving the honorary freedom of Newcastle-on-Tyne, said that we would never agree to Germany getting her Colonies back until that country was run on the same lines as the British Empire.

Corporal M. Sinclair, M.M., who has died of wounds, is the youngest son of Mr. A. Sinclair, of Hawthorne Terrace, Derry, who has now lost tour sons in the war, and the fifth, Lance-Corporal R. Sinclair, is still serving in France.

Maxim Gorky, the famous Russian writer, who was opposed to Bolshevik methods, has now gone over to the Bolsheviks, on account, it is said, of the attempted assassination of Lenin, and has been appointed to the management of the Government literary publications.

A professor of agriculture at Fontainebleau gave a little wine to six hens and kept another six hens enforced teetotalers. The teetotalers were badly beaten, as the wine-bibbers laid 180 eggs to the teetotalers' 27, and the eggs of the former were much superior in quality.

Miss Mary Murray, colonel in the Salvation Army, has received the Mons decoration. She accompanied the first British Expeditionary Force, and for mouths travelled in the trains up and down the lines of communication. She is a daughter of the late General Sir John Murray.

The Press Association learns from a reliable source that the Germans, despite their depression at recent events in France, are not yet genuinely afraid of Allied military triumph; food shortage and discomfort have been worse in the past than they are to-day, and have been borne.

The Irish Farmers' Union have declared that the farmers had been unjustly treated by the controlling authorities as to the 1918 harvest, in view of the increased wages, and they were now resolved to consider the necessity of downing tools if reasonable treatment be not afforded.

At Sierra Leone the influenza epidemic is still raging. About 800 deaths among Africans have been registered since Sept. 1st, and a large number have not been registered. Deaths among Europeans, including Army, Navy, and civil officials and merchants, number about thirty.

If the proposals submitted by the Amalgamated Society of Engineers for amalgamation of unions in the engineering, shipbuilding, and cognate trades be adopted, as is expected, the amalgamation will become the most powerful union of skilled craftsmen in the United Kingdom.

The twin-screw Diesel-engined vessel Glenapp, built by Messrs. Barclay, Curle, & Co., on the Clyde, is the largest and most powerful motor vessel yet built. She is of 10,000 tons dead-weight, and has two sets of engines constructed by Messrs. Harland & Wolff. These give a total horse-power of 6,600.

The death has occurred at Cowes of Captain Henry John Kindred, aged 75. Deceased was captain of the well-known auxiliary steam yacht Sunbeam, and accompanied the late Lord Brassey in his voyages round the world, and later was in charge of the Sunbeam on the occasion of the great trans-Atlantic race from Sands Hook to Lizard.

At a sale of pure-bred, shorthorn, Aberdeen-Angus, and Hereford cattle under the auspices of the Royal Dublin Society, the biggest prices were 120 and 130 guineas, the latter sum being paid by Mr. J. Gill of Stainton, Penrith, for the first-prize winner (exhibited by Mr. H. J. Toler-Aylward) in the class for shorthorn heifers, calved in 1917.

The funeral took place of Mrs. Catherine Montgomery, wife of Mr. James Montgomery, Teennaght, County Derry, who died at the remarkable age of 102 years. Up to the last she retained full use of her faculties, and until within a short time of her death attended to her household duties. She had the unique record of having 130 sons, daughters, grand-children, and great-grand-children.

An agricultural mission from America has arrived in England to study agricultural conditions. Later it will go to France, then to Scotland and Ireland. The head of the mission says they want to tell their own farmers, from first-hand knowledge, what is being done in Europe. English agriculture had impressed them as being thoroughly awake to the situation and progressive in its methods.

To help to meet the coal demand for the Army, Navy, and national service, a scheme is under consideration for the release from the Navy of pre-war miners employed in harbour and shore sections, and from the R.A.F., of unskilled men who were formerly miners. The War Office and National Service Ministry have arranged to discharge pre-war miners from the Army at the rate of 2,000 a day.

The "Daily Mail" correspondent at St. Mihiel relates the story of his meeting Miss Aline Henry, of Toberdovey House, Dunleer, who arrived there in June, 1914, to learn French, under the care of her uncle, a major in the French Army, and who had experienced much of the hardships and anxieties of the war. She was delighted at the relief of the peoples from the burdens imposed by the Germans.

Sir J. C. Browne, in his presidential address at the Sanitary Inspection Conference in London, said they were threatened with a new invasion of malaria or ague. The mosquito, the carrier of the disease, was found all over England, and when men returned from the Eastern fronts with the parasite in their blood, as they will in large numbers, it will have abundant opportunities of disseminating the disease.

The Chief Secretary has written a letter to Mr. E. J. Duggan, solicitor, intimating that steps are being taken to set up a special tribunal, with a Judge of the High Court, to conduct an inquiry into the alleged ill-treatment of Sinn Feiners in Belfast Prison. A Bill for the purpose has been already introduced in Parliament; and will be pressed with all speed on the reassembling of the House.

A number of "B" standard ships were completed in August. They are 5,100 tons gross up, or 8,100 d.w. and 400ft. long. In completing them Belfast shows up brilliantly, as shown in, the following records of (1) time from laying keel to launch, and (2) from laying of keel to completion:-- Belfast (1) 23 -- (2) 24 weeks; Stockton, 31-41; South Shields and Hull, 37-44; Sunderland, 34-35 -- 47-48; Glasgow, 45-47 -- 54-55 weeks.

At a meeting of the Commissioners of Irish National Education in Dublin, the present rate of war bonus to the teachers of National schools was sanctioned as from 1st December, 1917. It was also decided, having regard to the improved war bonus given to civil servants, to renew the request made in October, 1916, to the Government and the Treasury, to grant to Irish National teachers a war bonus on full civil service terms.

A meeting under the auspices of the Ulster Temperance Council, and presided ever by Rev. John Entriess, B.A., was held in the Courthouse, Cookstown. There was a good attendance, all the Protestant Churches being well represented. After a rousing address bv Rev. R. J. Patterson, LL.B., who advocated the uniting of all temperance societies in favour of prohibition, a resolution advocating prohibition during the national crisis was unanimously passed.

County-Inspector W. Irwin, R.I.C., has died at his residence, Downpatrick. A native of Hampshire, he joined the force as a constable over forty-three years ago. During the land war he was a Government notetaker, and at the time of his promotion to commission he was in charge of the shorthand staff at the depot. After being stationed at Newry for several years as district-inspector, he was transferred on promotion to the county-inspectorship of Cavan, and went to Down some four years ago.

A Government Blue-book shews that the schools in operation in Ireland in 1816, the last year for which returns are given, numbered 8,118, with 677,707 children on their rolls, average attendance 494,318. The principal teachers employed were:-- Men, 4,399; women, 3,288. Assistants -- Men, 1,272; women, 4,462. Expenditure figures were:-- Training establishments and model schools, £67,771; salaries in National schools, £1,843,020; salaries of inspectors, £48,258; central offices, £30,989, &c.; total, £2,156,711.

Addressing a Nationalist meeting in East Tyrone, Mr. W. J. Harbinson, M.P., said that if, owing to Nationalist division, Tyrone returned a solid Unionist representation at the General Election, what answer would a Sinn Fein representative give, if admitted to the Peace Conference, to a demand by Sir E. Carson for the complete severance of the province of Ulster from Ireland. If the Sinn Fein policy of contesting all seats in Ulster was persisted in, Carson would be able to show a three-to-one majority in the Parliamentary representation of tha province.

A number of London business houses have announced their intention of closing at an earlier hour during the coming winter in order to save fuel and light. In order that the view of shopkeepers generally may be ascertained, a house-to-house canvass has been undertaken by the Early Closing Association. Four hundred and twenty-one shopkeepers were consulted, and 253 voted for a compulsory seven o'clock closing, forty-one against, others preferring to express no opinion. The districts selected were popular shopping centres.

Lieutenant-General Sir Hubert Gough, opening a Church Army Recreation Hut, said that a soldier suffered under two conditions hard to bear. One was when he was wet, cold, miserable, and nerve-shaken after great dangers; and the other was boredom, home-sickness, and loneliness. Under either of those conditions the Church Army huts and the Church Army workers were a great boon, and had done an incalculable amount of good. Those things were going to help to lay the foundations of a greater England and a greater and better world, because it was on those qualities of sympathy, love, and kindness to other people that the whole basis of Christian faith depended.

Sir Samuel Evans, the well-known President of the Admiralty Prize Court, died at Brighton. He was formerly President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Courts.

The Press Bureau announces that the number of American troops embarked for Europe during the month of August was 313,000, of whom 180,000 were carried in British ships.

On August 29th the U.S. Government paid out 156,000,000 dollars for ordinary expenses, making the largest single day's expenditures for these purposes in the nation's history.

A new world's shipbuilding record has been created by Messrs. Workman, Clark, & Co., Belfast, who have completed for sea an 8,000 ton standard ship in 3¾ days after launching.

The death took place in London of Field-Marshal Lord Nicholson, in his 74th year. He was Chief of the Imperial General Staff and first military member of the Army Council from 1908 to 1912, and a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence since 1902.

Mr. R. Daniel, J.P., Dungannon, who has died, for many years carried on a linen-finishing and dyeing business at Derryvale, was an ex-officio guardian of Dungannon Union, a parochial nominator and parochial treasurer, and Diocesan Synodsman.

Professor Otto Schmeernkase, the German gas specialist, and the exploiter of chlorine gas as a form of civilised torture, was captured in Thiaucourt by the American advance. He is reported to have been developing some new atrocity of "Kultur."

Mr. Prothero, President, Board of Agriculture, speaking at a dinner, said women working on the land had been increased by 200,000. Allotments had raised 800,000 tons of additional food. As regarded corn, we had the largest crop over recorded m the United Kingdom.

At a meeting of Banbridge Board of Guardians, Rev. John T. Anderson, B.A., was appointed chaplain to the Presbyterian inmates, in succession to Rev. Jas. Scott, the temporary duties of the office having been ably performed in the interval by Rev. John Boyd, Searva.

In view of the outbreak of rabies at Plymouth, the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland have issued an Order prohibiting the importation into Ireland of dogs from Great Britain for a precautionary period of four calendar months from September 12.

The Postmaster-General announces that letters and parcels intended for delivery to the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force by Christmas should be posted so as to reach London not later than 5th October. Those for the East African Expeditionary Force should be posted at least a week earlier.

A large assemblage of Orangemen and friends witnessed the unveiling of a handsomely designed roll of honour, containing the names of over 50 members of Killowen Orange Lodge, Coleraine, who have served or are still serving with the colours. Captain F. H. Watt, J.P., County Grand Master, presided, and Miss Lyle, Laurel Hill, performed the unveiling Ceremony.

The "Labour Gazette" says that the retail prices of food on Sept. 2nd averaged slightly lower than a month earlier, the increase on July, 1914, being 115 per cent. against 118 per cent. a month ago. The only movements of importance were a seasoned fall of 22 per cent. in the price of potatoes, and advances amounting to 4 per cent. on the average price of milk, and 2 per cent. on that of cheese.

One effect of the war on the foreign trade of the United Kingdom is the great disparity it has created between imports and exports. For the month of August the imports represented £118,235,900, while the exports were down to £43,522,000. For the eight months there was an increase of £180,528,000 in imports and a decrease of £16,735 in exports. The reduction in exports is chiefly in manufactured goods.

The "Labour Gazette" says -- The number of trade disputes beginning in August was 84, and the total number of workpeople involved in all disputes in progress was 227,800 as compared with 96,900 in tho previous month, and 63,700 in August, 1917. The estimated total aggregate duration of all industrial disputes during the month was 707,900 days as compared with 582,500 days in July, 1918, and 372,700 days in August, 1917.

The almost continuous rainfall since the beginning of this month has seriously impeded harvesting operations throughout Ulster, and particularly where the corn crop was heavy and beaten down great damage has been done. In many fields untied sheaves have been lying for over a week. Rain fell heavily during the weekend, and it is feared that what promised to be an abundant crop will turn out poorly.

The council of the Ballymena Farmers' Association had before them letters from the A.A.O., Royal Hospital, Dublin, and the Central Organisation, concerning the Government's allowance for the shrinkage of hay, and stating that, under the new conditions, 5 per cent. per annum, calculated as from the 1st October, 1918, to the date of completion of baling, and interest at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, in lieu of shrinkage, calculated as from the 1st January, 1919, to the date of completion of lifting, had been conceded. This was considered satisfactory.

At a meeting of the council of the Ballymena Farmers' Association the question of the sale or pork was brought forward, and it was resolved that the secretary forward a resolution to the Department protesting "in the strongest manner possible against the present pernicious system which controls the sale of pork" and demanding "that all restrictions be removed forthwith, and that an open market be established for the sale of pork as hitherto, and that a flat rate be fixed which shall in no case exceed the present price of bacon to the consumer."

Omagh Guardians hare passed the following resolution:-- "That this Board of Guardians is of opinion that unless permission is granted to mill home-grown wheat into flour the sowing of the wheat in the coming season will he seriously reduced. Seeing that the practice of milling Irish wheat is an old-established practice in this county, we consider that it is a very serious and retrograde step to hamper home industries, which are already too few. Even if licences to allow, say, a maximum of one ton of wheat be granted for each grower, we believe it would cover the case."

The Belfast Teachers' Association passed a resolution pledging support to the Central Executive of the Irish Teachers' Organisation in the steps it had taken, and might have to take, to secure a war bonus on full Civil Service terms, with all arrears. Mr. R. Judge, Poyntzpass, President of the I.N.T.O., said they were going to prepare for war. Their cause was the cause of justice. It was the duty of every single teacher to stand firm behind their pledge. Justice could not be done to the children of the brave men who had gone to fight on the present starvation wage. The Government had made is impossible for the teachers of the country to be loyal to them. (Applause.)

Mr. F. G. Barrett, merchant, Hope-Croft and The Emporium, Glenavy, has been appointed a magistrate for County Antrim.

Mr. Lloyd George took ill in Manchester last Friday, and was obliged to cancel a number of engagements. The latest bulletin states that the Premier is now convalescent.

At a meeting of the Electricity Committee of the Belfast Corporation, in connection with the plant for the new electricity generating station, tenders amounting in the aggregate to £200,000 were accepted.

At a meeting of the Ulster group of the Irish Convention, held in Belfast -- Mr. Hugh T. Barrie, D.L., M.P., in the chair -- the following resolution was passed:-- "That all restrictions with regard to public references to the proceedings at the Irish Convention should be removed."

It is reported that an explosion occurred at Acrones (?), Russia, in which six railway trains, the station, and neighbouring buildings were destroyed, The damage amounts to thirty million roubles. Three hundred and fifty bodies of killed have been counted, and over 1,500 arrests have made.

In view of the coal shortage, a Ballymena traders' meeting decided upon six o'clock shop closing (eight o'clock on Saturdays), with recommendations for the closing of licensed premises at eight o'clock (Saturdays nine), and of clubs and public halls at eleven, private householders to be asked to reduce kitchen fires and hall lights.

The Hon. John Davis, Solicitor-General of the United States, has been appointed United States Ambassador in London, in succession to the Hon. W. H. Page. The new ambassador was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1873. He sat in Congress as a representative for West Virginia, and resigned to become Solicitor-General in 1913.

In a manifesto the council of the United Irish League states that the reason the annual Conventions have lapsed for some years was because of the enthusiastic response of the Irish in Great Britain to the call for war service, and that the Irish in Great Britain look to the policy of the President of the United States as pointing to them the path of duty and Security.

The death has occurred of Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York. Born at Newtownhamilton, County Antrim, in 1842, his early education was received in St. Macartan's College, Monaghan. In 1902 he succeeded Archbishop Corrigan as the fourth archbishop of the great diocese of New York, a See with an area of 9,183 square miles. Papal honours, which had been bestowed upon him in great number from 1884 onward, culminated in 1911 in his elevation to the rank of cardinal.

At a sale of pure-bred shorthorns, at Cookstown, Mr. F. H. MacLean, Glenanne, County Armagh, paid 650 guineas for the Right Hon. Frederick Wrench's Secret Science, a famous Clipper cow. Another fine young animal from the same herd was secured by Dr. Taylor, County Wicklow, at 600 guineas. Charity 19th, from the famous herd of Colonel Ogilby, D.S.O., Dungiven, was purchased by Henderson Bros., Annaghone, Cookstown, at 450 guineas; Auguste 115th, from the same herd, went to Mr. John Robinson, Dungannon, at 322 guineas; while still another, Nonpariel Countess, was disposed of to Mr. Wright, Carlow, at 230 guineas. Mr. Robert Thompson, Killinchy, paid 310 guineas for Mr. Edward Coey's splendid white heifer, Brough Butterfly.

=========================

Death of James Speer.

VETERAN SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHER AND ELDER.

The death of Mr. James Speer, which took place on last Sabbath, at his residence, Thrash Lodge, Carnmoney, removes one who, for many years, was a most successful Sabbath school teacher, and a prominent and honoured member of the congregation of Carnmoney. Although the deceased gentleman was in his seventh-seventh year, he enjoyed the best of health until about three months ago, when it began to fail, and he was obliged to give up all active work. In his. early years Mr. Speer had a desire to enter the ministry of the Church, an office which his talents, geniality, and piety would have adorned, and for some time he studied with that end in view. The necessities of the farm, however, seemed to require his presence at home, and he remained a member and useful worker in the Carnmoney congregation during the whole of his life. When only fifteen years of age he began to teach in a small Sabbath school; which met at eight o'clock in the morning, near his own home; fifteen years later he became superintendent of the King's Moss school, where he laboured continuously until July last, thus completing sixty-one years as a voluntary worker for the spiritual well-being of the young. As a teacher his sunny disposition and marked abilities made him a great favourite and most successful instructor of youth. There are a good many to-day in different parts of the world who revere his memory, and look back upon the time they were pupils in his class, with feelings of pleasure and gratitude. From former scholars he often received letters which were to him a source of joy and encouragement in the world, which he lovred so well. The Sabbath school however, was rob the only sphere in which he served the Master and the church. For fifty-one years he was an elder in the congregation of Carnmoney, and the duties of the eldership were discharged by him in a whole-hearted manner. Regularly he visited the sick of his district, and for many years conducted a prayer meeting in it, whilst bis attendance at the Sabbath services in the church was all that could be desired. Frequently he was a member of Assembly, in whose meeting he always took a deep, intelligent and sympathetic interest. He had a fine command of language; and had circumstances allowed him to enter the ministry, he would have been an excellent preacher. In the whole parish, and beyond it, he was held in the highest esteem, and his death is felt to be a serious loss to the neighbourhood. Deceased was president of the Carnmoney branch of the Ulster Farmers' Union since its inception, and brought to bear upon the duties of that office his wise Counsel and great influence. The funeral to Mallusk graveyard took place on Tuesday, a very large concourse of people being present to show their respect for one whom they all felt to he deserving of honour. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. H. Waterworth, Carnmoney, and Rev. W. M. Kennedy, Ballylinney. Mr. Speer leaves a widow and two sons, to whom the sympathy of the entire community goes out in their sorrow.

=========================

Belfast-Built Liner Torpedoed.

LOSS OF 15O LIVES FEARED.

The Galway Castile, a Union Castle liner, has been torpedoed and sunk, with a feared loss of over 150 lives, the missing including -- Crew 34, and passenger -- 1st class 20, 2nd class 10, and 3rd class 90, whole families, it is believed, having been wiped out. Hundreds of survivors have been landed at Plymouth, with six dead bodies including three children. The scenes at landing were heart-rending. Here and there were little children scarcely able to walk crying for their parents, and in many eases their cries were in vain; there were also parents eagerly searching for news of children and women seeking in vain for lost husband. It was seven a.m. when the Galway Castle was attacked. The inrush of water was tremendous. One of the engineers was swept into the tunnel from the engine-room, and was drowned. Captain W. B. Dyer ordered the boats to be lowered, all the passengers having lifebelts. One boat was swamped, and another injured through falls being fouled, and a third drifted back on to the liner, and was swept by a wave on blades, which smashed it to pieces. Of the time spent in the boats the survivors speak with much feeling. Occasionally bodies were passed in the water, one, a woman with two children in her arms. When the liner left port she carried 749 passengers, of whom a great majority were women children, whilst, among others, were soldiers returning to South Africa. The Galway Castle was a vessel of 8,000 tons, built by Messrs. Harland & Wolff, in Belfast, in 1911.

An American store ship has arrived at an Irish port, having oh board about one hundred survivors belonging to the American steamship Dora, 7,000 tons, which was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.

=========================

The Roll of Honour.

Captain James Thompson Robinson, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action in France, aged 25 years, was the fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. G. Robinson, Myrobella, Belfast. He entered the Army on the formation of the Ulster Division, and received his commission six weeks later, being posted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served in Palestine and France, and had just returned to his battalion from leave, immediately going into action, in which he fell three days later. His brother, Lieut. H. Fraser Robinson, R.F.A., was seriously wounded some time ago.

The commanding officer, in a letter to the father of the deceased officer, wrote -- During a heavy enemy barrage a direct hit blew in the dugout in which he was sitting. He died instantaneously, and as in life so in death -- he had a smile on his lips. His loss to us is irreplaceable. He was beloved by us all. Always cheery, nothing was too much trouble to him. He was a man who knew no fear, and was always ready and willing for thy enterprise. His company would have followed him anywhere. We mourn the loss of a gallant soldier, who died nobly fighting for his country. Our sympathies are with you and his family.

Second-Lieut. Charles Legg, Royal Engineers, soft of Mr. Charles M. Legg, J.P., Carrickfergus, has died as a result of injuries received through being thrown from his horse while on duty at the front about ten days ago. Deceased was a graduate of Queen's University of Belfast, having taken the B.Sc. degree in 1914. His brother, Lieut. H. G. Legg, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, attached Durham Light Infantry, is serving in France.

In Adelaide Road Church, Dublin, on Sabbath, Rev. R. K. Hanna announced the death of Lieut. Thomas Leslie Bourke, a member of the church, who had been killed in a flying accident on the preceding Monday. Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Bourke, of Grove Park, Dublin, have had four sons and a son-in-law in the war. Robert, who holds a commission in the Dublin Fusiliers, was severely wounded in France about eighteen months ago. Cecil, who is also an officer in the Dublins, is with his battalion in France. Harry, who came over with the Canadians, has been wounded in the recent fighting, and is at present in hospital at Boulogne with a fractured thigh. Tom, the youngest, was in the 1st City of Dublin Cadets, and has been serving since the outbreak of war. He went to Gallipoli with the Pals Battalion of the Dublins, and was wounded before his nineteenth birthday. Returning to England he received a commission in the Royal Air Force. A motor mechanic by profession, he learned the flying quickly, and was acting as a flight instructor when the accident occurred which occasioned his death. Mr. Hanna said Tom Bourke was known to them in Adelaide Road as a keen and intelligent lad, with a pronounced capacity for making friends. He was a favourite at home, and, naturally, he was a favourite in the Army. We respected his sterling character, his love of home, and his noble conception of duty. The funeral (which was a military one) was on Monday to Mount Jerome, and was attended by many members of the general public. Rev. R. K. Hanna and Rev. J. S. Crockett officiated in the mortuary Chapel and at the graveside.

The "Capetown Times" contains a long article relative to the late Major Walter Brydon, who was killed while commanding a battery of artillery in the South African contingent. Major Brydon was the son of the late Mr. W. W. Brydon (formerly of Belfast) and Mrs. Brydon, of Lewisham, London. He was a particularly gallant and popular officer, and a gunner of his battery, who tells the story of his death in the journal above-mentioned, says that "he enjoyed the affection and even the love of all the men. He was a soldier to the backbone, and essentially a win-the-war man. There wasn't a man who would not have followed him to the death -- not, I honestly believe, a man who would not have sacrificed his life for him. There was a lot of human nature about him. He recognised that a man in the ranks was a human being, and that was one of the reasons why he gained the affections of us all to a degree which I have never seen attained by any other officer. He was a man of remarkable character. He seldom left his battery, and was always in the thick of it when shells were falling. He was leader in everything, and frequently carried wounded chaps through curtain and shell fire to out-of-danger places. There was no self-interest in anything he did. He could have had his colonelcy again and again, but refused because he would not leave his boys of the battery." Describing the action in which Major Brydon lost his life the gunner says -- "We got the guns into a new position, and while the Major was in the doctor's hands the Germans got the range, and 4.2 shells began to fall all around. He got out of his bed, gave the doctor the slip, and, coming away to the battery, took over the command from Captain Hands. A few minutes later a shell, the last of the German bombardment, fell almost at his feet, and he and two lieutenants were instantaneously killed. Of course he should not have been out of his bed at all, but he could not hear the battery to be fighting without him. Major Brydon had been recommended for the V.C. and a bar to his D.S.O." The narrative concludes -- "It is hoped that Capetown will erect a memorial over his grave. It is the very least tribute it can pay to him."

The death in action of Lieutenant James H. Barr, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Barr, 9, Aubrey Street, Derry, was referred to in eminently suitable terms by the Rev. John Huey, M.A., B.D., at Sabbath morning's service in Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church. He said -- Lieutenant Barr as a boy took his place and did his full share of work in all the organisations about the church, and did all cheerfully and with the utmost efficiency. When he took his place as a teacher in the Sabbath-school the high opinions we had formed of him were more than confirmed. Accordingly we were not surprised when we saw his name again and again among the prize-winners in competitions offered in different magazines. In the Intermediate examinations he found himself pitted against the brightest and best of his own age from every part of Ireland, and out of each of the grades he emerged with a long list of high honours. Nor was it different at Foyle College. When he left he bore with him the highest reward it had to bestow. And, as we expected, success went with him when he entered the Queen's University of Belfast, and all who knew him anticipated for him a collegiate career of rare brilliancy. But this section of his life was suddenly brought to a close by his entering the army. Into the new sphere of activities he carried his old ways and habits -- his devotion to duty and thoroughness in work -- with the result that he soon got his commission and rapidly gained promotion. He has fallen in the [--?--] a good soldier of King and country, and he [--?--] a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He early gave himself to the Lord, and throughout his whole course he wore the white flower of a blameless life, and has left behind him a memory of sweet fragrance and tender affection. To his bereaved parents, his devoted sister, and loving brothers, we tender our heartfelt sympathy, and earnestly pray that the God of all grace who has kept and blessed them in the past will comfort and bless them now in their great sorrow and overrule all for His own glory and our good.

 

^ top of page

The Witness - Friday, 27 September 1918

Roll of Honour

M'CORMACK -- Killed in action in France on Sunday, 22nd inst., Major Campbell M'Neill M'Cormack, M.B.. M.C., R.A.M.C., dearly-loved husband of Ella Todd M'Cormack, aged 27 years.

M'CORMACK -- Killed in action in France on Sunday, 22nd inst.. Major Campbell M'Neill M'Cormack, M.B., M.C., R.A.M.C., youngest and dearly-loved son of William and Sarah E. M'Cormack, Hillhall House, Lisburn, aged 27 years.

Marriage

M'GEOWN--QUINN -- Sept. 11, 1918, at Ballinderry Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. J. Meeke, B.A., assisted by the Rev. R. G. M'Farland, B.A., James E., eldest son of Joseph M'Geown, Prospect Hill, Aghagallon, to Sarah G., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Quinn, Laurel Hill, Ballinderry.

Deaths

M'CURDY -- Sept. 13, 1918, at the residence of her brother-in-law, Brae, Glenwherry, Anne, daughter of the late James M'Curdy, Craigs. Interred in the family burying-ground, Glenwherry, on 15th Sept. JOSIAH GRAHAM.

COCHRANE -- Sept. 21, at Station Villa, Portadown, Martha Jane, eldest daughter of Robert and Martha Cochrane, 3, Underwood Terrace, Banbridge.

CRAIG -- Aug. 11, at Vereeniging, S. Africa, John C., youngest son of the late Thomas Craig, Shane Lodge, Randalstown, and Mrs. Craig, 13, Ashley Avenue, Belfast.

CRUIKSHANKS -- Sept. 20, at his residence, 66, Wesley Terrace, Low Road, Lisburn, William, dearly-beloved husband of Agnes Cruikshanks.

FISHER -- Sept. 20, at Lyncot, Helen's Bay, Wiliam John Fisher.

GALBRAITH -- Sept. 24, at Bellevue, Glengormley, Susan, widow of the late Samuel Galbraith.

HAMILTON -- Sept. 22, at Slate House, Carrickfergus, Jane, widow of William Hamilton, late of West Street, Carrickfergus.

HATTON -- Sept. 20 (suddenly), at Ardtole, Ward Avenue, Bangor, Harriet S. Hatton, late of Holywood.

HAY -- Sept. 19 (suddenly), Annie, the beloved wife of James Hay, Jubilee Villa, Whitehead.

HOUSTON -- Sept. 21, at 1, Unity Street, Carrickfergus, Minnie, daughter of the late Sergeant-Major David Houston, 2nd Brigade, N.I.D., R.A.

HUDDLESTON -- Sept. 20, at Monlough, Mary, widow of the late Robert Huddleston.

JENKINS -- Sept. 18, passed away at her residence, Armaghbreague, Co. Armagh, Agnes Jenkins, wife of the late James Jenkins.

MACAULAY -- Sept. 25, Robert Macaulay, son of the late Wm. Macaulay, of Newtownards.

MAIRS -- Sept. 22, 1918, at Morningside, Crawfordsburn, the residence of her brother-in-law, Mary, daughter of the late Claudius Mairs, Dundrod.

MILLAR -- Sept. 24, at Drumsough, Randalstown, James, beloved husband of Margaret Millar.

M'NALLY -- Sept. 22, at Sprucefield, Lisburn, Elizabeth, widow of the late Wm. M'Nally.

ORR -- Sept. 22, at Orpington, Princetown Road, Bangor, James, son of the late Joseph Orr, of Belfast.

PAISLEY -- Sept. 18, at Sierra-Leone (of influenza), Lieut. Wm. Paisley, R.N.R., fourth son of Captain J. Paisley (B.S.S. Co.) and of Mrs. Paisley, 2, Oak Terrace, Beech Street, Liverpool.

RUTHERFORD -- Sept. 20, at 39, Holborn Avenue, Bangor, Annie Rutherford.

SMITH -- At W-----ago, Ontario, Matilda, Rodgers, wife of Hope Smith, and youngest daughter of the late William Rodgers, Old Manse, Carnmoney.

WILKINSON -- Sept. 23, at St. John's, Hillsborough, Robert Wilkinson.

WILSON -- Sept. 22, at 8, Donaghadee Road, Bangor, Elizabeth (Lizzie), daughter of the late George Wilson, Mulladry, Richhill.

WITHERS -- July 5, 1918, at Southbridge, Canterbury, New Zealand, Thomas J. Withers, M.D.

WOODS -- Sept. 19, at 22, Beatrice Road, Bangor, Ellen M'Larnon (Nellie), second daughter of Wm. Ritchie, 10, Mount Pleasant Parade, Dublin.

In Memoriam

MARTIN -- In loving memory of our father, the Rev. James Martin, organiser and first minister of Eglinton Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, who died at his residence, Eglintown, Antrim Road, Belfast, 28th Sept., 1894. F. P. H. and J. C. M. M.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

A Helsingfors message states that the number of persons imprisoned for political offences in Finland now amounts to 26,000.

The Continental system of time -- that is, the 24-hour clock -- will be brought into use in the British Army from midnight, Sept. 30.

At the Argentine Rural Exhibition, the champion shorthorn, Pear Hunter, was sold for £18,000, which is stated to bo a world's record.

Three hundred and eighty-two people were killed and a number badly injured in the explosion at the Woellersdorff Ammunition Factory in Vienna.

Dr. Page, the retiring American Ambassador, was presented, in London with the freedom of Plymouth, enclosed in a silver model of the Mayflower.

The death is announced at Hatch End, Pinner, of Madame Liza Lehmann, who was distinguished as singer and teacher, but most of all as composer of songs and song cycles.

Winter prices for milk in England are:-- Oct. 1 to Nov. 21, maximum retail, 9d per quart; Nov. 22 to April 30, 10d per quart. The prices are subject to variation by local committees.

The Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades has decided to apply to the Committee on Production for 15s a week increase to all its members at the periodical review of wages next month.

Major P. K. Kerr-Smiley, M.P. (N. Antrim), who has been serving as A.D.C. since Dec. 1916, has relinquished that appointment and his commission, and is granted the hon. rank of Major.

Castleblayney Farmers' end Flax Growers' Association have asked the Flax Control Board, in view of the increased cost of labour, to increase the price of flax to 40s per stone, minimum, and 50s maximum.

The United States House of Representative* has approved a measure making national prohibition effective on July 1st next year. An amendment permitting the importation of wines until May 1st was rejected.

As the Right Hon. F. Wrench, D.L., will have to give entire attention to the Estates Commission he will surrender the chairmanship of the Irish Food Control Committee, and will be succeeded by the Earl of Granard, K.P.

A seaplane, flying low off the East Coast of England, caught the mast and sail of a shrimp boat and lifted the craft out of the water, but the tackle broke, and the boat settled again on the water. The seaplane was disabled, but the pilot was rescued.

Sir Brien Cokayne presided at the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of England, when it was announced that the profits for the half-year were £511,831, making the amount of the rest on that date £3,531,063. After a dividend of 5 per cent., less tax, the rest would be £3,081,686.

Mr. Hoover announces the Belgian Relief Committee will feed ten million inhabitants of occupied portions of France and Belgium during the next twelve months, at an expenditure of 280 million dollars, which will be supplied through extension of credit to France and Belgium.

Speaking in London, Mr. Ben Tillett, M.P., said that one of their docker soldiers had arrived in Cardiff with a baby he had rescued from a house at the front, where the mother had been disembowelled and other members of the family mutilated beyond description by the Germans.

Sir Albert Stanley, President of tha Board of Trade, asked at a coal conference why Ireland had not been rationed, said nothing like the same amount of coal was burnt in Irish households as in England; but it was proposed to limit the import of coal into Ireland by 25 per cent.

The secretary to the Belfast Chamber of Commerce has been informed by the High Commissioner for Canada that steamship companies are permitted, until otherwise ordered, to accept linens, wollens, cottons, and manufactures thereof, for importation into Canada without evidence of individual import licences having been obtained.

The National Conference of Friendly Societies at Leicester adopted a resolution declaring that the establishment of a Ministry of Health was of such paramount importance to the welfare of the community that strenuous opposition would be offered to any Bill which proposed to convert it with any existing Government Department.

All records for speed in wooden shipbuilding have been broken by the Foundation Shipbuilding Company, of Victoria, Canada. Work was started on a ship for the Imperial Munitions Board on August 31st. The machinery was installed within twelve and half days, and on Sept. 17 a successful going trip took place. The vessel will commence to load cargo within seven days of her trial trip.

Lord Willoughby de Broke, speaking at Warwickshire Hunt Horse Show, said that all officers who came back from the front said cavalry was in greater request than ever, and the prophecy of those who said that cavalry in modern warfare was a thing of the past had not been fulfilled. It was sincerely hoped that the Government would pay better prices for remounts, and encourage breeding.

The Prime Minister will be present on the 1st Oct. at a luncheon given in his honour by Sir Kingsley Wood, and which will be attended by the President, ex-Presidents , and many ministers and laymen of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Lloyd George will, it is understood, take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the Wesleyan Church for its many national services rendered throughout the war.

At the annual meeting of Londonderry Y.M.C.A. the secretary reported that the committee were making alterations to provide a buffet and recreations for the young soldiers in training at Ebrington Barracks. The Mayor of Derry, Sir Robert N. Anderson, who is president of the association, wrote expressing his warm approval of the undertaking, and enclosed a cheque for ten guineas towards the cost of the alterations.

From Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo, comes a story to the effect that a sensation has been created by a vision of a little old woman seen frequently at night during the past week by children of between 5 and 14 years of age in a neighbouring wood. The woman is described as appearing in different dresses, but as invariably dressed in black; and it as added that, vanishing in one part of the wood, she is quickly seen in another.

An Order will be issued by the Food Ministry in regard to the rationing of jam, the Order coming into force on 2nd November. It is believed the ration will be four ounces per head weekly for adults and six ounces for children. As to the position of restaurant proprietors, the question has not yet been settled, but it is expected they will be given a certain supply of jam on the same lines as the butter supply they now receive.

In a lecture on "Wholesome Beverages," delivered in Dublin, Dr. A. B. Osier said that drink was one of the fundamental necessities for the sustenance of life, and the desire for water was greater than that for food. The water drinking habit was an excellent one, although a good many people did not seem to realise it; no drink was more efficient for quenching thirst, and it was better to drink too much water than too little.

General Sir John Monash, Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Forces in France, declared to an interviewer that if the weather be favourable it is not inconceivable that the enemy may be pushed out of France by Christmas. "Of course," he added, "I do not say the same of Belgium." The next query to the General was, "You do not regard the Hindenburg line as too formidable?" and he answered, "No, it will be taken in due course."

Another flag day was observed in Belfast, the object being to aid the funds of the Babies' Home, Shore Road. A numerous band of flag sellers did a busy trade in the little flags. Miss Annie Entrican and Mrs. Reid are hon. secretary and hon. treasurer of the Home, where twelve nurses, and a sister, under the charge of Miss M'Cormick, matron, carry on the work the extent of which may be judged by the fact that seventy-four babies passed through the Home last year.

The funeral took place from 4, Camberwell Terrace, Antrim Road, Belfast, of Mr. James Fleck, who died as the result of an accident in Milewater Mill. Though private, many friends attended to pay a tribute of respect to his memory. Deceased, who had been for over forty years in the employment of the mill, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a staunch unionist. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Melville & Co.

Miss S. C. Ialbot, Cavendish Square, London, who has died in her 78th year, was the richest woman in England. The estate of her father, the late Mr. C. P. Maunsel Talbot, was estimated at between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000, and Mrs. Talbot became the owner of real estate worth £1,500,000 and the beneficiary for trust funds of several millions. The property included the whole of the Rhonda Valley, and a few years ago it was said she lost £90,000 by keeping a colliery open to provide work for miners.

The Women's Party, in a statement on the recent inter-Allied Labour and Socialist Conference, declare that its deliberations were characterised by confusion, hesitancy, and compromise. With respect to the demand that the workers should be represented at the Peace Conference, the statement points out that the Labour and Socialist sections have no greater claim than other sections, but if British Labourists and Socialists secure special representation the Women's Party also will insist on having its own representative.

At the Belfast inquiry of the Parliamentary subcommittee on Inland Transport, a statement was made on behalf of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners to the effect that any question of a financial grant from the Government to an individual port would only tend to improve that port to the disadvantage of another, and so create unfair competition. In principle it did not seem to be the duty of the general taxpayer of the Kingdom to pay the direct cost of providing port accommodation and facilities. That cost was properly payable by the vessels and goods in the form of port dues. That did not create any artificial barriers, and consequently trade would flow through the most suitable channels.

Thirty-three persons were killed in the second last air raid on Cologne, says, the "Cologne Gazette."

General March, Chief of the U.S. Staff, stated that more than 1,750,000 U.S. soldiers had been sent overseas to date.

Toronto contributed £11,000 for dependents in the British Isles of men of the British merchant marine as the result of the sailors' week campaign.

Prince Eric of Sweden, Duke of Vaestmanland, the youngest son of the King of Sweden, died at Wrottingholm Castle from pneumonia, brought on by Spanish influenza.

A Berlin telegram reports the resignation of Admiral Von Capelle, German Naval Minister. His successor is Vice-Admiral von Beacke, who took part in the Jutland battle.

Mr. Balfour, the "National News" says, is to exchange places with Lord Reading, and go to the United States as a peer, while Lord Reading returns to take charge of the Foreign Office.

One of his Majesty's monitors was sunk in harbour as the result of an internal explosion. One officer and nineteen men were killed by the explosion, and fifty-seven men are missing, presumed killed.

President Wilson has proclaimed October 12th, the 426th anniversary of the discovery of American, as Liberty Day. He calls on all citizens to celebrate events by a generous response to the Fourth Liberty Loan.

The "Corriere d'Italia", learns from Switzerland that the Emperor William is somewhat seriously indisposed, and has been obliged to abandon all his engagements. The news is confirmed by the German newspapers.

At the dispersal of Mr. Wm. Black's shorthorn herd at Ballyleek, Monaghan, a three-year-old cow brought 600s gns. from Sir A. Anderson, who bought a bull of the same age for 540 gns. Other animals brought 320, 315, 180, and 170 gns. each.

One of his Majesty's armed boarding steamers has been torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Eight officers, including one mercantile marine officer and 50 men, including 25 mercantile crew, are missing. Presumed drowned.

The magistrates at Letterkenny dismissed a summons for using petrol for driving to Dooen Holy Well on the ground that, to the personal knowledge of two others, 6 persons had been cured by making Stations at the Well, but they agreed to state a case.

Further corroborative evidence has recently been received by the British Governments to the effect that the exchange of prisoners under the Berne agreement is being persistently blocked by Enver Pasha at the instigation of the German Government.

Mr. J. R. Clynes, Minister of Food, declared there was no foundation for the mischievous allegations that trade interests had recently strengthened their hold upon the working of the Food Ministry, and that changes in organisation had been dictated by those interests.

Belfast Food Committee have decided that the price for milk for October should be -- Producers, 2s 1d per gallon; wholesale, 2s 4d; retail, 2s 8d. It was also decided the price of flour retail in shops be advanced to 2s 10d pet stone, cash, and 3s, credit or delivery.

It is stated that owing to the threatened scarcity of milk the Department will immediately re-impose the embargo prevented the export of milk cows from Ireland except by special permit. Consultations are proceeding on the prices and supply of milk for the winter.

The Prime Minister has returned to London. Though still wearing a respirator, he appears to have fairly recovered from his recent illness. "The message that I take back to the Government from Lancashire." he told an interviewer, "is to persevere in winning the war."

Mr. Patrick J. Plunkett, father of Count Plunkett, M.P., has died at the age of 100 years. Deceased was also father, by a second marriage, of two other sons, one a major in the British Army, who was killed in the present war, and another who is serving with his Majesty's forces.

The Alma Lodge of Freemasons, whose home is at Hounslow, has, a proud war record. Thirty-six out of thirty-eight of its members have taken part in the war. Of these, six have made the supreme sacrifice, one has gained the Victoria Cross, five the D.S.O., and six the Military Cross.

Dealers in oats, by wholesale or retail, must be registered as such with the I.F.C.C. Forms for registration under this Order -- which does not apply to sales by a grower of oats grown on land of which he was the occupier on the 1st September this year -- will be obtainable to-day.

From 1st March to 1st June no fewer than 334,030 head of cattle have disappeared in Germany, according to statements made to the Federal Government by the Secretary of the State Food Department. The stocks of German cattle have decreased in these three months by 832,000 head.

District-Inspector Gillis, prosecuting grocers at Dungannon Petty Sessions for selling excess quantities of flour, stated that in some parts of Ireland it had been found cheaper to buy flour at 2s 8d per stone to feed pigs with than to buy Indian meal 4s 6d per stone for the same purpose.

The Duchess of Abercorn has become president of the Irish Ladies Guilds of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society; and the Dowager Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, the Countess of Clanwilliam, Lady King-Hall, Lady Kennedy, Lady Crawford, and Lady M'Cullagh have become vice-presidents.

Mr. T. P. Gill, Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, states that the total number of allotments in Ireland last year was 15,350, with 1,500 acres. This year there were some 23,000, covering 2,800 acres, and the estimated value of the food produced had jumped from £150,000 to at least £250,000.

The Home Secretary gives notice that summer time will cease and normal time will be restored at 3 a.m. (summer time) in the morning of Monday next, the 30th September, when the clock will be put back to 2 a.m. The hour 23 a.m. summer time will thus be followed by the hours 23 a.m. Greenwich time.

Two American naval men riding to Killarney on motor cycles with their heads bent down dashed into a wall, and were picked up unconscious, both suffering from concussion. They were taken to Macroom Hospital by Dr. Kelleher in his motorcar. One man, named Montgomery, recovered consciousness. The other man, whose name was Henius, and who was said by his companion to be the son of a millionaire, has died.

=========================

Roll of Honour.

Major Campbell M'Neill M'Cormack, M.C., M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, officially reported killed in action on 21st September, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. William M'Cormack, Hillhall House, Lisburn. This officer received his earlier education at Lisburn Intermediate School, and graduated in Queen's University of Belfast in 1914, entering the army shortly afterwards. He was mentioned in despatches by Field-Marshal Viscount French in January, 1916; and in the following summer was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Two months ago he won a Bar to that decoration. His name appears amongst the wounded in a recent official casualty list, but his injury was comparatively slight, and he remained on duty. He married on 12th September, 1917, Miss Ella Todd Warnock, of Fernlea, Eastleigh Drive, Belfast, only daughter of the late Rev. W. J. Warnock, B.A., B.D., of Drumbo Presbyterian Church. At Tuesdays meeting of the Lisburn Board of Guardians a resolution of sympathy with the widow and other relatives was passed in silence.

In First Monaghan Presbyterian Church a brass tablet was dedicated on Sabbath last to the memory of the late Major Wm. Ingram Macauley, of Easton Crescent, Belfast, and formerly of Monaghan. The service was conducted by Rev. Wm. Armour, B.A. Major Macauley was killed in France in May, 1917.

=========================

Gallantry of Presbyterian Ministers Son

Captain Robert Simpson Hanson, Royal Irish Rifles, son of Rev. D. H. Hanson, Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne, has been awarded the Military Cross. The official record says -- This officer rendered valuable services as brigade transport officer during operations lasting for a prolonged period.

He never failed in getting the rations and small arm ammunition up to the battalions, in spite of heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On one occasion, when a horse in a small arm ammunition limber had been hit by shell and its leg broken, he himself dismounted under very heavy shell fire, ordering the remainder of the convoy to gallop on, and, having destroyed the wounded horse, hooked his own horse into the limber and brought up the ammunition to the line. His personal gallantry, coolness, and resource have been conspicuous on many occasions.

=========================

Presbyterian Minister's Gallantry.

It is officially announced that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a bar to the Military Cross to Rev. James Gilbert Paton, M.C., Army Chaplains Department, of Coleraine. Under heavy shell and machine gun fire he helped to evacuate wounded, and in one instance helped to carry a serious wounded case four miles to an aid station. He showed fine disregard for personal safety and devotion to duty.

 

^ top of page