Further investigations in the distressed districts of the West of Ireland continue to pile up the proof of the awful condition of the unfortunate people.
In the districts of Glenscaul, Killineen, Killentrana, Gortmore and Treen. in the neighbourhood of Ballinrobe, the people are reduced to most desperate straits.
For weeks past their supply of potatoes has been exhausted — many have not seen a potato for six or seven weeks — and absolutely the only food procurable is Indian meal mixed with water.
The only drink is water, for even milk is not to be had, as from want of proper sustenance the cows have failed to yield it A correspondent, in relating the case of one wretched and apparently dying woman, tells how the priest (Fr Corbet) was unable to arrange that she should be supplied with a quart per day, even though he offered 6c1 per quart.
Indeed the description of the state to which the wretched people have been reduced would seem incredible were not the facts so incontrovertible. Yet we are told by the Chief Secretary that "no money remains which could be made available."
Joan of Arc fete
A favourable report has been made on the subject of the proposed fete in honour of Joan of Arc in Paris. The process of canonisation is approved both by the French Government and by the Vatican. The fete is to be held on the second Sunday in May,
Duke of Norfolk
At Arundel Castle last week. the employees on his Sussex estate, numbering 500, presented the Duke of Norfolk with an illuminated album and address congratulating him on the attainment of his 50th birthday.
The ceremony took place in the great hall, and the presentation was made by the oldest servant on the estate.
I40 YEARS 7
Education Act praised
"I do not think the new education laws are against us or in any way designed to harm our schools."
This is the opinion of Mr J. F. Parker, past-president of the Catholic Teachers' Association. He explained the working and significance of the new laws at a debate in the Catholic Citizens' Parliament at St Anne's Settlement Hall at Vauxhall.
By the terms of the new Act, fresh senior schools, accommodating more pupils and giving a higher and more efficient education, have to be built, Mr Parker explained that local authorities were empowered to help the Catholics in the building of these schools by giving them 75 per cent of the building cost.
The Act was permissive; neither the Catholics nor the local authorities were bound to unite in building the new schools, However, if these schools were not built, then it was probable that in the future many existing Catholic schools would he condemned as too small or inefficient.
Mr Parker added: "It is up to Catholics to come to terms with the local authorities and begin building the schools, even if it means sharing one school between two or even three parishes in order to get the required number of pupils , . . we must make the best of the Act: 75 per cent is a generous grant."