The Witness - Friday, 5 July 1918

Birth

DOBBIN -- May 21, 1918, at The Manse, Powell River, British Columbia, to Rev. J. W. and Mrs. Dobbin -- a son.

Marriages

ALLEN--GILLESPIE -- June 20, by special license, at The Lodge, Castleblayney, by the Rev. Robert H. Smythe, assisted by the Rev. Samuel Lewis and Rev. A. Duff (uncle of the bride), Gordon Hamilton MacFarland Allen, elder son of the late Andrew Allen, M.D., of London, to Elizabeth Margaret Adeline (Dell) Gillespie eldest daughter of Mr. John Gillespie and Mrs. Gillespie, The Lodge, Castleblayney. At Home -- Frankford Lodge, Castleblayney, 14th, 15th, and 16th August.

BOYD--DOUGLAS -- June 26, at First Donegore Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. A. M'Kinney, B.A., assisted by the Rev. J. A. H. Irwin, M.A., B.D., D.Ph., Killead, Wm. Rea Moffet, of Lisnataylor, only surviving son of the late John M'Keig Boyd, Rathmore, Dunadry, to Agnes Boyd (Nannie), younger daughter of the late William and Agnes B. Douglas, Falls Road, Belfast, and niece of the late Samuel Gordon, Islandreagh, Dunadry. American papers please copy.

CARROLL--WILSON -- June 19, at Great Grimsby (by special license), Captain J. Francis Carroll, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, second son of R. F. Carroll, Barrister-at-Law, 24, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, to Ivy, daughter of the late Archibald Wilson, Ormidale, Marlborough Park, Belfast, and Mrs. Wilson, Woodmere, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin.

FUREY--M'MORDIE -- June 25, at Crossgar Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Dr. M'Mordie, uncle of the bride, assisted by Rev. J. Johnston, M.A., Martha Carmichael (Marty) M'Mordie, daughter of David M'Mordie, Beech Hill, Crossgar, to James Furey, Killyleagh, Co. Down.

JEFFREY--BROWN -- June 27, 1918, at the Presbyterian Church, Bandon, by the father of the bride, assisted by the Very Rev. J. Howard Murphy, D.D., of Cork, Robert, Thomson Jeffrey, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, to Pearl Rentoul, eldest daughter of the Rev. Thomas Brown, M.A., of Bandon, and grand-daughter of the late Rev. James Buchan RentouL, D.D., of Garvagh, Co. Derry.

Deaths

APPERSON -- July 2 (suddenly), at 81, South Street, Newtownards, Agnes Elizabeth (Nannie) Apperson.

BECKETT -- July 2, at his father's residence, Glenview, Aghalee, John, youngest and dearly-beloved son of John and Annie Beckett.

BURNS -- July 3, at Hillhead, Dunadry, John Burns.

CORRIE -- June 28 (suddenly), at Ballybay, Maggie, beloved wife of James Corrie.

COWAN -- July 2, at 189, Mill Street, Newtownards, Grace Cowan, aged 76 years.

CROOXS -- July 2, at her sister's residence, Bangor Road, Newtownards, Jane, relict of the late William Crooks, Regent Street, Newtownards.

DUNLOP -- July 2, at Ashleigh, Broughshane Road, Ballymena, Wm. J. Dunlop, in his 86th year.

FEE -- June 28, at his father's residence, Pebble Lodge, Holywood, Co. Down, Thos. Walter, youngest son of Thomas Fee.

HEWITT -- July 1, at the residence of her son-in-law, Alexander Brown, Kildarton, Susan, widow of the late Robert Hewitt, Clonroot, Portadown, aged 72 years.

MABLE -- June 30, at The Hermitage, Randalstown, Thomas Mable.

MANSON -- July 2, at his residence, Barnish, John Manson.

MARTIN -- June 30, at Harphall House, Carnlough, Mary, the beloved wife of William Martin, 1, Eden Terrace, Woodvale Road, Belfast.

M'CALL -- June 30, at his sister's residence, Woodvale, Dungonnell, British, Alexander M'Call, in his 75th year (late of Tweed Heads, Australia).

M'ILMOYLE -- July 1, 1918, at his father's residence, Artikelly, Limavady, William, youngest and dearly-beloved son of Robert and Margaret M'Ilmoyle.

REA -- July 1, at Causeway House, Drumsnad, Ballynahinch, Hariette Rea.

STEWART -- June 27, at Millbay, Islandmagee, Sarah Nelson, widow of the late James Stewart.

THOMPSON -- July 2, at Ardmore, Crumlin, "Mac," youngest child of Willie and Nannie Thompson, aged three years and three months.

THOMPSON -- July 2, at Bangor, Co. Down, William Hamilton, youngest son of the late John Thompson, Ellerslie, Windsor Park. Funeral strictly private.

VERNER -- Suddenly, at 2,163, Morrison Avenue, Lakewood, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., Arthur Verner, the dearly-beloved husband of M. J. Verner, late of Whitehead, Co. Antrim.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

Rev. W. P. Hall, B.A., minister of Gortnessy Presbyterian Church, has received a co-mission as a chaplain to the Forces.

The first Irishman to win the Distinguished Flying Cross is Lieut. M. L. Cooper, son of Mr. J. H. Cooper, of Dublin, add grandnephew of the late Mr. M. Linden, Belfast.

Lord Beresford, in London, said that Britain must win if the war lasted thirty years, while Mr Hughes, Australian Premier, declared that "we must win in order to live."

After forty-six years' service under the Board of National Education Mr. William Marshall, B.A., headmaster of the Ballymoney Model National School, has just retired on pension.

A peerage has been conferred on Colonel Sir Arthur H. Lee, K.C.B., M.P., in recognition of his services as Director-General of Food Production. He represented Fareham as a Unionist since 1900.

Rev. J. Herbert Orr, B.A., Presbyterian minister, Hillsborough, who has already seen war service in France and Salonika with the Y.M.C.A., will leave for the Western front next week as chaplain to the forces.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast told a meeting of the Local Prisoners of War Fund that the ladies had been raising £3,000 per month, and that the increased number of prisoners entailed the raising of an additional £3,000.

According to the "New York World," the priests of Brooklyn diocese have been forbidden by Bishop M'Donnell to take any part in Sinn Fein meetings or activities. The bishop refused to make any comment on the order.

Mr. Hughes, the Australian Premier, speaking in London, dealt, with the organisation of industries with a view to the coming of peace. What was wanted was a clear, definite, economic policy, adequate to all needs.

In a speech on the Military Service Act in Parliament, Mr. Lloyd George said America had allowed her men to be brigaded with ours on the distinct understanding that when our men from the comb-out came in the Americans should form their own divisions. That was the reason for urgency.

Speaking in the House of Lords on the Finance Bill, Lord Emmott said that Germany was marching to bankruptcy. She was providing from taxation less than half the amount she would require to meet her expenditure if the war ended on March 31 next, while we were providing the whole amount.

At the half-yearly meeting of the County Down Teachers' Association held at Newcastle, resolutions were adopted urging the Government to appoint the proposed Committee of Inquiry to investigate the teachers' grievances, and condemning the reduction in age and standard for admission to continuation schools.

Captain J. M. Tyrrell, son of Alderman Tyrrell, Belfast, "was the greatest loss this unit has suffered. A splendid pilot, a first-class officer, and one of nature's gentlemen, he is missed by all of us, both in an official and personal way," writes Lieut.-Colonel G. Gould. A telegram of sympathy was received from the King and Queen.

Viscount Chinda, the Japanese Ambassador, on whom the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred by Sheffield University, spoke on Anglo-Japanese relations, and stated that Japan had done and would continue to do her best and her utmost, ever convinced of the righteousness of our common cause, and with every confidence in its ultimate triumph.

News has been received of the death of Mr. James Fearon, principal of the Deaf and Dumb Institution in Halifax, N.S. Prior to leaving this country some twenty four years ago, Mr. Fearon was a member of the teaching staff of the Ulster Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, and was afterwards employed as a reporter on the staff of the "Belfast News-Letter."

At the Labour party conference in London M. Kerensky, the ex-premier of Russia, dealt at length with the way in which Russia has been betrayed by the Bolsheviks, stated that his country would never accept the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty, and appealed to the older democracies of Western Europe and America to stand by the new democracy of Russia in its travail and its struggle.

The Ministry of Food announces that a limited quantity of dried fruits will shortly be distributed through the ordinary trade channels. The maximum retail prices are fixed as follows -- Dried pears and dried apricots, 1s 4d per lb.; currants, sultanas, all varieties of raisins, dried plums, and prunes dried peaches and nectarines, 1s 2d per lb.; apple rings and dried apples, 1s per lb.; figs, 8d per lb.

Sir Acheson M'Cullagh, medical inspector Local Government Board, dropped dead at Roscommon while talking to the hotel proprietress. In his early medical career he was resident house surgeon of the Derry Infirmary, and one of the city dispensary officers; while in 1893 he held the position of Mayor of the Maiden City, and entertained the late Marquis of Salisbury on his Ulster tour.

Throughout the Catholic world Masses for the Pope's intention that concord and peace may return to humanity were celebrated on the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, the universal devotion being led by the Pontiff himself, who offered up the Eucharist at 12-45 a.m., afterwards praying at the Tomb of the Apostles until two o'clock, a large gathering of eminent clergy and laity repeating the petitions after his Holiness.

The Lord Mayor (Mr. James Johnston, J.P.) has received a letter from Viscount French, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, expressing his warmest thanks for the excellent arrangements made on the occasion of his visit to Belfast, and also for the kind and hearty reception accorded to him by the citizens. His Excellency added that he is looking forward with keen pleasure to his more prolonged visit, which he hopes may take place towards the end of July.

The death has occurred of Mr. Travers K. Duncan, younger son of the late Commander Adam C. Duncan, R.N. Mr. Duncan was educated at the Royal Academical Institution and in France, and was all his business life in the linen trade. In politics he was a strong Unionist and a member of the Ulster Club, and was an ardent member of the Orange Institution. He was an attender of the Belfast Cathedral, although latterly a frequent worshipper in All Saints' Church and also Elmwood Presbyterian Church.

The death has taken place, at his residence, Kin-Edar, Windsor Park, of Mr. Henry Hutton, J.P., head of the firm of Messrs. Henry Hutton & Company, timber and slate importers, Whitla Street and Duncrue Street. He was a native of Larne, and was a member of the Belfast Corporation for Dock Ward some years ago. In 1904 he became High Sheriff of the city, and in 1906 retired from the City Council. He was a member of the Harbour Board, was connected with the Masonic Order, and was associated with St. Thomas's Episcopal Church.

At the annual convention of the Irish Land and Labour Association, resolutions were adopted which demanded that the minimum rate of wages be raised to 30s; asserting the right of the association to have representatives on the Board of National Education; calling for facilities to enable labourers to purchase their cottages; asking that five acres be taken out of every fifty acres, and so on, in proportion, and distributed amongst labourers and landless people; that the Estate Commissioners buy all farms offered for sale at market value, and distribute land to labourers.

The death has occurred of Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Martin, pastor of Adelaide Place Baptist Church, Glasgow. For many years Dr. Martin lectured on Church History and Homiletics in the Baptist Theological College of Scotland, and did much to mould the minds of an entire generation of young preachers. The son of a missionary, he always took a deep interest in foreign missions, and at the Central Board of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society his counsels were eagerly sought. He also took a large part in the life and work of his denomination in Scotland.

Speaking at a banquet in London to celeste the anniversary of Greece's entry into the war, Mr. Churchill said that on two occasions at the beginning of the war the armies of Greece were placed at the disposal of the Allies, but both opportunities were thrown away. The greatest obstacle to concerted plans was the German-hearted King of Greece. The British failure to prosecute with whole-hearted resolution the attack on the Dardanelles led to the downfall for the time being of the Allied cause in the Near East. Out of this ruin M. Venenelos had arisen, and steadfastly Greece was moving forward.

At the hilf-yearly meeting of the Ulster District of the Institute of Journalists, held at the Northern Counties Hotel, Portrush -- Mr. T. L. Price (chairman) presiding -- the honorary secretary (Mr. Albert Withers) presented the report, which showed that the membership on the district numbered 85. A resolution of cordial thanks to the Midland Railway (N.C.C.) for the excellent facilities placed at the disposal of the members for travelling to and from Portrush was unanimously adopted. The members afterwards had lunch in the hotels and later they were entertained at tea by the chairman and Mrs. Price, who were heartily thanked for their hospitality.

In the House of Commons Mr. Macpherson informed Mr. George Lambert that General Sir Frederick Maurice had received a salary of £1,500 a year as Director of Military Operations, and was now receiving a retired allowance of £225 a year.

General Sir R. Hart, of Ballymoyer, Co. Armagh, who has been placed on retired pay reaching the age limit, won the V.C. in the Afghan War; was Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, 1912-14, subsequently filling the Governorship of Guernsey.

The Food Controller has fixed, the maximum retail price of strawberries at 9d per lb. where the total quantity is not more then 5lbs. The price in sales of more than 5lbs is governed by the Soft Fruit Order, under which the price should be less than 9d per lb.

Miss Ida M. Alister, Monaghan Model School, was the winner of the M'Murtry Memorial Gold Medal awarded by the Irish Temperance League for beet answering in tho pupil teacher class at their recent hygiene and temperance examination for all Ireland.

In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law presented a Bill to make further provision for the prolongation of the present Parliament and the postponement of local elections. The Bill, which was read a first time, prolongs until January 31st the life of the present Parliament.

It is stated that notices have been served upon a number of aliens of enemy birth or origin resident in Belfast informing them that they must not in future reside in a prohibited area or within ten miles of the coast. They are further required to notify their future residence to the police within one month.

The Earl of Crawford stated in the House of Lords that the fruit crop this year was one of the worst ever experienced. After the demands of the army had been met there would remain less than loa. of jam per head per week for the civilian population, as against an average allowance of 4oz. per week during 1916-17.

Sir Albert Stanley, replying to Sir Edward Carson in the House of Commons, said that patent agents were permitted to enter into and receive communications from inventors in Germany by general licence of the Board of Trade. Such communications were made through agents in neutral countries, and were subject to censorship in the ordinary way by the postal censor.

Earl Stanhope, in the House of Lords, said the situation in regard to the supply of hay was not a good one. The requirements for the Army for the year ending 30th September, 1919, would be about 1,000,000 tons, and the same for civilian purposes. In view of the almost certain increase in the price of hay, farmers and others should be careful not to waste what hay they had.

Colonel Sir James Craig, Bart., M.P., has been unanimously elected Grand Master in England of the Loyal Orange Institution. Writing from the House of Commons in acknowledgment Sir James says -- I assure one and all that I will keep ever before me the noble example of William Prince of Orange, and will endeavour to maintain the high tradition of the office this day committed to my charge.

Amongst Civil List pensions recently granted are £70 to Mrs. Mary S. Kettle, in consideration of the distinguished services of her late husband, Mr. T. M. Kettle, on literary and economic questions; £50 to Mrs. Alicia A. Needham, in consideration of her work as a composer; and £30 to Mrs. Jane S. Coffey, in consideration of the value of the researches of her late husband. Dr. Geo. Coffey, in Irish Archeology.

Antrim Flax Scutchers Association was held in Ballymena. The chair was occupied by Mr. Peter Millar, secretary Flax Scutchers' Association, Armoy, who pointed out that the dressing of flax had now become a technical process requiring a high degree of skill, and it was unanimously decided that each member of the association charge the scutch millowner with whom he worked 2s 6d per stone and £6 a week for time mills, with £3 of a bounty.

The vast majority of the working men of Belfast and Ulster are staunch Unionists, and it has been deemed advisable to emphasise the fact by the formation of an organisation for the province in which Unionism and labour will both be identified in the membership. The new organisation will be known as the Ulster Unionist Labour Association. Sir Edward Carson, K.C., M.P., has been unanimously elected president, and Mr. J. M. Andrews, D.L., chairman. The members of the committee and other officials are representative working men.

At a meeting of the representatives of Irish Co-operative Creameries a resolution was unanimously passed stating that in view of the grave danger of a shortage of butter for home consumption in Ireland during the coming winter, the Food Control Committee for Ireland were called upon to make arrangements for the cold storing of butter in public stores and at creameries. For this purpose a reasonable price for butter sold in the winter months should be guaranteed; and also assurance should be given that creameries will be allowed to sell this butter without Governmental interference.

Captain Eric Dickey, Royal Air Force, has been interned in Holland. A son of the late Rev. Professor Dickey, of M'Crea Magee College, Derry, and Mrs. Dickey, who now resides in England, Captain Dickey took a leading part in a big air fight early in June. The machine in which Captain Dickey was flying was one of two that alighted close to the Dutch coast owing to engine trouble. While repairing their machines the brave airmen were arrested and interned. Captain Dickey, who holds for gallant service the D.S.O. and two bars, was cox of the famous Derry eight who won the King's Cup at Cork Regatta in 1912. He has also been mentioned in despatches.

At the quarterly meeting of the South Antrim Teachers' Association resolutions were passed protesting against the delay in setting up the committee to arrange an equitable scale of salaries for all Irish National school teachers; requesting the Treasury to grant all Irish National school teachers a war bonus on full Civil Service terms, stating that the terms of reference to the proposed Committee on Salaries should include a proper scheme of pensions; that the Irish school child should, like the English child, be supplied with school requisites gratis; and that the compulsory education law should be amended so as to secure a higher percentage of attendance, that the age of exemption should be raised to fifteen, and the standard of exemption to having passed the sixth standard.

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Interesting Wedding in Co. Cork.

An interesting wedding took place on Thursday week in Bandon Presbyterian Church, when Miss Pearl Rentoul Brown, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Brown, M.A., of Bandon, and granddaughter of the late Rev. James Buchan Rentoul, D.D., of Garvagh, was married to Mr. Robert Thomson Jeffrey, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was wounded in France on the 25th March. The officiating clergy were the father of the bride and the Rev. J. Howard Murphy, D.D., of Cork. The bride, who wore a white satin frock, and wreath and veil, and a gold and pearl necklet, given by the bridegroom, was conducted up the aisle by her brother, Mr. Thomas Rentoul Brown, A.B., and was attended by her three sisters, the Misses Elfie, Irene, and Zoe Rentoul Brown, who wore pretty blue frocks and black hats, and gold brooches, gifts of the bridegroom. The Rev. Captain W. J. Falside, M.A., C.F., chaplain to the 3rd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, acted as best man. The church was prettily decorated for the occasion, and Miss Daisy Clasby presided at the organ. The wedding presents numbered over a hundred.

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INTERESTING CEREMONIES.

A touching tribute to the officers and men who laid down their lives was paid on Monday by a number of representative ladies, headed by the Lady Mayoress, who reverently placed wreaths of laurels and choice flowers beside the Queen's statue, in front of the City Hall, Belfast. The wreaths will be renewed with fresh flowers daily, and will remain until to-morrow, on which day it is expected that the Citizens and the public generally, especially the children, will join in the tribute by placing flowers at the base of the structure.

Prior to the ordinary meeting of the Belfast Corporation an interesting ceremony took place in the Council Chamber, when, on behalf of the subscribers. Sir John Stronge, Bart., presented to the Corporation a painting depicting the charge of the Ulster Division. Sir James, in handing the picture to the custody of the Lord Mayor, paid a high tribute to the gallantry of the Ulster Division.

The Lady Mayoress unveiled the picture, and was presented with an artist's signed proof.

The Lord Mayor, in accepting the painting on behalf of the Corporation, said the anniversary of Ulster's heroic day would always, as that morning, stir in their hearts mingled feelings of joy and sorrow -- sorrow for the loss of many of their valiant countrymen, and joy and pride for the recollection of their glorious deeds.

Brigadier-General Hackett-Pain said that no body of men learned their military duties with more keenness and adaptability than the men of the Ulster Division he had under his command in the early days of the war.

Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. C. M'Calmont, M.P., said the charge of the Ulster Division was regarded throughout France as one of the finest advances that had ever been made in the history of the war.

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In Memoriam.

LATE MR. S. MARSHALL, J.P., MANOR-CUNNINGHAM.

At the Sabbath morning service in Manorcunningham Presbyterian Church (First Ray), Co. Donegal, a letter was read from the pastor, Captain Rev. E. J. M'Kee, LL.D., who is serving as an army chaplain with the British Expeditionary force on the Western front, relative to the recent death of Mr. Samuel Marshall, J.P., a devoted member and official of the church. In the course of his letter Dr. M'Kee wrote:-- I know what a blank the loss of Mr. Marshall will make in our district, where for so marly years he had endeared himself to the community by his kindness, generosity, and usefulness as a neighbour and friend. As his love for his Church was great, so was his service, constant, deep, and abiding. After a long day's work he has bowed his head in the evening hour of life's day, and fallen asleep but to awaken in a new world of light and promise. The memory of his name will linger with us, and especially with those of that inner circle of friendship of which I am happy to be one, who realised the big heart and considerate spirit that lay beneath the exterior. Three sides of his character deserve special mention -- his great integrity, his kindness of heart, and his devotion to work. Behind a quiet and undemonstrative manner lay a deep sympathy and capacity for true friendship that those who knew him well could always count upon. The increasing years of his life did not abate his loyalty, liberality, and work for the good of First Ray, but rather have we many proofs that they grew more and more. The Lord's Day always found him in his pew, and that loyalty was witnessed afresh in the last few months of his life when, yet far from well, he struggled out again in his attendance upon God's house. To his support and generous gift we owe much of the success of our recent effort, when we raised over £600 in the space of my leave. Carefully and most conscientiously did he seek to discharge his duties as secretary of the congregation, and in my absence to do his best for the welfare of all concerned. I need not write of Mr. Marshall's public services to the district and county. They are well known to you. His generosity was not limited to the needs of his own Church. As a friend, constant and true, as a helper so willing and thoughtful, and so there are many in our district who owe to his sane and wise counsel much help and assistance. We shall cherish his memory in our hearts in so far as it will help us to discharge our duties, remembering his work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope! Whilst, placing on word our appreciation of one who was the benefactor of our church, and our deep senes of loss that one who belonged to such an old and honoured family has passed away, we would as a Church tender our sincere and deep sympathy to his sisters and relations, and pray that God may sustain and comfort them in their loneliness and trouble.

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Death of Rev. A. W. Whitley.

Rev. Alexander Williams Whitley, senior minister of Cloughey Presbyterian congregation, died at his residence, Corneen, Knock, on Tuesday, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was ordained in Magherahamlet, Ballynahinch, on the 14th July, 1874, and installed in Cloughey on the 2nd October, 1877. He retired from active duty in November, 1906, and went to reside at the Knock. While on active duty he was a diligent and efficient minister.

 

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The Witness - Friday, 12 July 1918

Births

MORROW -- July 9, 1918, at Rockville, Ballyjamesduff, to Mr. and Mrs. John Morrow, jun. -- a daughter.

PARKER -- July 4, 1918, at Gort Manse, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal, to Rev. S. J. and Mrs. Parker -- a- daughter.

Marriages

KINKEAD--DUKE -- July 3, at First Lurgan Presbyterian Church, by Rev. W. B. Sproule, B.A., assisted by Rev. W. G. M'Farland, B.A., James Kinkead, Dublin, youngest son of the late Joseph Kinkead, Toughlomney, Lurgan, to Martha Alice, daughter of the late Joseph Duke and of Mrs. Duke, Lurgan.

O'NEILL--DUGAN -- June 25, at Newcastle Presbyterian Church, by Rev. W. Shepherd, B.A., assisted by Rev. E. Williamson, B.A., of Ballyroney, Henry Theodore O'Neill, M.B., B.Sc., elder son of the late Henry O'Neill, M.D., and Mrs. O'Neill, Benburb, King's Road, Knock, to Evangeline Margaret Kennedy (Eva) Dugan, daughter of Mr. David Dugan and Mrs. Dugan, Whitegates, Rathfriland.

WHITESIDE--STEVENSON -- July 3, at Leitrim Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. James Whiteside, B.A., uncle of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. James Hagan, B.A., Thomas John, elder son of Joseph Whiteside, Ballymacareney, Banbridge, to Ellen, third daughter of Isaac H. Stevenson, Benraw, Castlewellan.

Deaths

LEITH -- July 5, at Union Place, Dungannon, Margaret (Daisy), beloved wife of Robert Leith, and eldest daughter of Zeno Sloan. Interred on the 8th inst.

M'CONNELL -- July 6, at his residence, High Street, Ballynahinch, Hamilton M'Connell. Funeral took place in the family burying-ground, Second Presbyterian Church, on Monday, 8th inst.

PATTON -- July 6, at her residence, Ramelton, Jeanie, youngest daughter of the late Andrew Patton. Funeral private.

ABERNETHY -- July 5, at his residence, Bailycreely, Henry Abernethy.

BEATTIE -- July 9, at Cahard, Saintfield, Margaret, relict of the late William Hanna Beattie.

BENNETT -- July 7, at 4, Princetown Terrace, Bangor, William Bennett (of Sandown Park, Knock), younger son of the late John Bennett, Solitude, Ballygowan.

BEVERLAND -- July 6, at Erneville, Holywood, David Beverland.

GAMBLE -- July 7, Wilfrid, only and dearly-beloved son of Robert Gamble, cattle dealer, Ballyclare.

GRAHAM -- At High Street, Brighouse, Yorks, Dr. Graham, late of Glenwherry, Co. Antrim.

MACKEY -- May 14, at Pretoria Hospital, South Africa (after a lingering illness), Esther Blair, second daughter of William Mackey, of Killealy, Muckamore, and sister of William and Robert Mackey, of Johannesburg, South Africa.

MORRISON -- July 2, at the residence of her brother, Dr. John Morrison, London, Lizzie Neill, youngest daughter of the late Wm. Morrison, J.P., Crookedstone, Muckamore, and late of Camcairn, Crumlin.

MORRISON -- July 5, at his residence, Ennismore Avenue, London, W., Dr. John Morrison, third son of the late Wm. Morrison, J.P., Crookedstone.

M'CARTNEY -- July 7, at Larne Infirmary, Mary M'Cartney, of Marshalstown, Carrickfergus.

M'NALLY -- July 6, at 47, Sloan Street, Lisburn, Margaret, relict of the late James M'Nally.

M'VEY -- July 5, at her son's residence, Knockaconny, Cookstown, Eliza Jane, widow of the late John M'Vey.

PALMER -- At 49, Melbourne Street, Clayton, Manchester, James Montgomery, son of the late William H. Palmer, of Wolf hill, Belfast

REID -- July 7, at 6, Wilmont Terrace, Lisburn Road, Mary Elizabeth (Elsie), only daughter of John and Elizabeth Reid, Shaftesbury Square. J. REID.

RITCHIE -- July 6, at Ballydavey, Craigavad, Ann Jane Ritchie.

SOMERVILLE -- July 10, at Laurel Hill, Mountnorris, Co. Armagh, Richard Newman Somerville, of 72, Osborne Park, Belfast, late County Surveyor of Cavan, aged 67.

STRONGE -- July 6, at Garvaghy Post Office, Banbridge, Anna Matilda (Tillie), fourth daughter of the late Thomas Stronge, Bendigo.

Thanks

Mr. and Mrs. ROBERT M'ILMOYLE and Family wish to return sincere Thanks to all kind friends who by letter and otherwise sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement. Artikelly, Limavady. July 8th, 1918.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

Some seventy Protestant clergy have been "combed out" by an episcopal tribunal in Essex diocese for army work.

Rev. W. F. A. Ellison, M.A., Rector, Fethard, has been appointed as from October 1 director of Armagh Observatory.

Haakon Ohlson, sole survivor of a torpedoed Norwegian barque, was picked up in the North Sea by a British warship after nine days of terrible agony. He is recovering in a British hospital.

In the fiscal year just closed the United States built a mercantile marine of nearly 30,000 vessels (10,040,659 gross tons). In addition the country has 200,000 tons of Dutch ships, and 404,700 operated in war services.

The I.F.C.C. state that proceedings will be taken against persons who were allotted more sugar than required for the amount of fruit available for jam-making and who converted the excess allowance to other purposes.

It was mentioned at Claremorris District Council that numbers of young men who were entitled to votes had refused to fill in the franchise forms or give the information asked for, and their names do not appear on the new register.

An order received in Athlone precludes the attendance of extern teachers at National schools. These teachers were principally instructors from the local centres of the Gaelic League, who gave lessons in the Irish language to the pupils.

The death has taken place at Banbridge of an old-age pensioner, Patrick Grant, who is believed to be upwards of 120 years of age. He often told how he was at Loughbrickland market, with pork for sale, in 1815, when the news arrived of Waterloo, and the price of pork fell £1 per cwt.

The King, in Council at Buckingham Palace, signed a proclamation to compel disputants in connection with flax industry labour matters in Ireland to submit to arbitration under the 1915 Munitions Act, the differences being prejudicial to the manufacture and supply of munitions.

The death is announced at the age of seventy, of Cardinal Martinelli, prefect of the Congregation of Rites. He acted as Papal delegate in America for six years. He was professor of Theology to the students of the Irish Augustinian Province in Rome, and was General of the Augustinians in 1889 and 1895.

At the National Rose Society's Show at the Royal Botanic Gardens, London, Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons, the well-known Belfast and Dublin florists, secured a gold medal for a new, rose -- the "Colonel Oswald Fitzgerald" -- a rich velvety crimson bloom of the hybrid tea variety -- and Messrs. Hugh Dickson were also in the honours list.

It is officially announced that the Lord Lieutenant has appointed to the office of Under-Secretary Mr. James MacMahon, Secretary to the G.P.O. in Ireland, and that he will take up his duties at an early date. Sir William Byrne returning to resume his duties as Chairman of the Board of Control in London.

The directors of the London City and Midland Bank, Limited, announce an interim dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 18 per cent, per annum, less income tax, payable on the 15th inst., and have paid a sum of £125,000 as a bonus to the staff. The dividend for the corresponding period last year was at the same rate.

A telegram from Washington says that the Senate has adopted a Bill making 2.40 dollars per bushel the guaranteed price of wheat, and has sent the measure, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, to the President for signature. The Senate had first contended for 2.50, dollars per bushel.

A Salzburg telegram says that the Prince Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Kaltner, has died. He was born in 1840, and appointed Archbishop of of Salzburg, the Metropolitan See of Austria, in 1914. Although not a Cardinal, he had, as Primate of Germany, the right to wear Cardinalitial robes and was assistant at the Pontifical Throne.

In the House of Commons the Irish Attorney-General stated that a number of prisoners who were receiving special ameliorative treatment in Belfast Prison were guilty of a serious outbreak, involving damage to prison property to the extent of £58. The prisoners were not required to work, and there was no question of refusing work.

At a Conference on War Memorials, in the Royal Academy, London, it was decided to form a General Committee which would appoint an Executive Committee to secure a combined, instead of an isolated effort, in the erection of war memorials, and to protect churches and public buildings from unsuitable treatment in setting up monuments of war.

Mr. Parker stated in Parliament that the I.F.C.C. is considering measures to secure an adequate supply of Irish butter for Ireland during the winter, including the question of cold storage and that all classes of consumers in Ireland would be considered. It is hoped to save bacon and other foods, in addition to butter, if the cold storage accommodation allows.

The Board of Trade ordered an increase of 1s 6d per ton in the price of all coal for consumption in the United Kingdom from Monday last, this being the cost of the increased war wage recently granted to the miners. Coal for shipment for export is subject to a further 6d to meet increased dock, &c., charges. This follows an increase of 2s 6d per ton recently announced.

At a meeting of the Southern Unionist Committee in Dublin a resolution was passed re-affirming its adherence to the maintenance intact of the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland, and its determination to oppose any form of Home Rule for Ireland, whether Federal or otherwise, as being a serious danger to the integrity of the United Kingdom and the Empire.

Mr. Kellaway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, said that even now the U boat menace was one of the greatest dangers against which the Allies had to fight. It was by no means overcome, and those who supposed it possible to abolish the risks of losses were living in a fool's paradise; but losses were being brought within limits which they could bear without flinching. The Germans had not sunk a single ton of munitions.

War cannot be said to be at an end until peace is finally and irrevocably obtained, and that cannot be until the treaty of peace is signed and ratifications exchanged. That is the finding of Mr. James Atkins Committee on the interpretation of the phrase, "Period of the War." They think, however, that the Government should get statutory power to enable it to declare by Order in Council or otherwise the date at which the country ceases to be at war, and that proceedings for offences against the D.O.R.A. regulations should automatically lapse.

The death is announced from Constantinople of the Sultan of Turkey, as a result of influenza. The Sultan is the second ruler of a belligerent enemy State who has died since the war began -- or the third if we include the ex-Khedive, who died in October last. Mahmoud V., who until his accession in April, 1909, was known as Reshed Effendi, was born in 1844. During the thirty-three years' reign of his predecessor and half-brother, Abdul II., he was practically a close prisoner in the Palace of Dolma Bagtche, and his captivity had broken his spirit.

Government standard suits will be on sale on September 20 in this country. They are to be in three qualities -- "A" for juveniles, "B" for men and youths, and "C" for overcoatings. The material must be "all wool" and made in Ireland. In each of the three classes there are many patterns. The new cloths will pass direct from the Irish mills to the wholesale manufacturers, who will turn out the standard clothing for the retail trade ready to wear. None of the cloth will be allowed out in the piece, and it will be impossible for the retailer or tailor to obtain the material.

The report on Indian constitutional reforms which was signed at Simla on April 22 by Mr. Montagu, Secretary for India, and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy, has now been issued. The outstanding proposals of the report may be summarised as a considerable measure of responsibility in various fields to the Provincial Legislatures, the bifurcation of the Viceregal Legislature, the institution of a Select Committee of the House of Commons on Indian Affairs, an inquiry into the working of the Secretary of State's Council and the India Office, and the creation of an Indian Privy Council and a Council of Princes.

Mrs. Liddell, widow of the late Mr. William Liddell, J.P., died at her residence, Winona, Donacloney. The deceased lady, who was in her seventy-eighth year, was held in high esteem for her benevolent disposition, her practical sympathy with the poor, and her regard for the welfare of the workers at Donacloney. Her eldest son, Mr. Harry Liddell, J.P., represented West Down in the Imperial Parliament from 1905 to 1907 and another son is Sir Robert Liddell, D.L., whose work on behalf of the Unionist cause and in the interest of our soldiers and sailors it would be be impossible to praise too highly.

Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., has been appointed Food Controller.

The Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation launched a ship of 12,000 tons dead-weight within 38 days of the laying of the keel.

The directors of the London County Westminster & Parr's Bank, Limited, have declared an interim dividend of 10 per cent. for the half-year ending 30th June. The dividend, 10s per share (less income tax), will be payable on the 1st August.

The Nationalist members of Parliament are expected back at the House of Commons at the beginning of next week, as Mr. Dillon has stated he is anxious to discuss on the report stage of the Education Bill the position of the Roman Catholic schools.

A memorial service was held in the Presbyterian Church, Roscommon, on Sabbath in memory of the fallen members of the Ulster Division. The preacher was the Rev. James Henderson, Roscommon and there was a large attendance, including a number of military.

Professor W. Elkenton, the well-known American authority on public health and hygiene, believes that in all probability disease will bring the war to a dramatic end. The new disease is raging in South Belgium, being brought there, it is stated, by recent convoys of German troops.

In Vancouver and Victoria the industrial situation is extremely grave, and the serious food destruction threatened by loss of power to storage plants must be a national calamity. A Board of Conciliation, has been suggested by the Minister of Labour. Negotiations are proceeding to avoid a railway strike in Canada.

In Parliament it was intimated that the system of rationing household fuel and lighting introduced in England could not, owing to the different conditions, be applied to Ireland, but the amount of coal consumed in Ireland for all purposes had been reduced by about 25 per cent., which secured practically the same degree of economy as in Great Britain.

A sum of £25,000 has been placed at the disposal of the Government by Sir Basil Zaharoff for the purpose of endowing a Professorship of Aviation. It is proposed that the professorship shall be called "The Zaharoff Professorship of Aviation," and that it shall be a professorship of the University of London, attached to the Imperial College of Science and Technology.

The Parliament and Local Elections Bill -- the fifth of its kind -- was read a second time in the House of Commons, and Mr. Bonar Law said it was undesirable that, in times like the present, the energies of the nation should be diverted to political controversies. The question whether an election might or might not be desirable must depend on circumstances beyond the control of the Government.

The ocean convoy system continues to improve, Sir Leo C. Money stated in Parliament. In the case of the homeward-bound vessels the Allied and neutral losses since the system was established up to June 29 were 1.31 per cent. on the gross and 1.29 on the dead weight, and to homeward-bound ships to the United Kingdom since January less than 13 per cent., including marine and war risks.

The Aliens Restriction Act applies equally to Ireland and Great Britain, Mr. Bonar Law told Colonel M'Calmont, and the administration of the regulations was similar, being carried out by the competent naval and military authorities and the Chief Secretary. The number of aliens of enemy origin uninterned in Ireland was 170, including 125 Germans, 40 Austrians, 4 Turks, and one Bulgar.

Mr. Bonar Law, in Parliament, said the Government were not prepared to adopt the suggestion, when asked by Sir H. Cowan, if the Government would consider the desirability of taking steps for the devolution to a subordinate legislature, representing Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, of all matters not affecting Empire interests as a whole, leaving the present Parliament to deal with Imperial questions.

The Corn Production Amendment Bill -- admitted to be a breach of a Parliamentary bargain -- renewing the powers granted under the Act of last year, was read a second time in the House of Lords, Lord Clinton, faced with a rejected motion, undertaking to insert provisions in regard to compensation and appeal rights. A division was forced, however, but the rejection was negatived by 42 votes to 21.

Mr. Bonar Law, at a Government farewell dinner to the Inter-Parliamentary Commercial Conference of delegates, said the conflict would end in failure for us unless the result was that never again should the world be plunged into horrors. He did not despair of Russia. This was the fateful hour of the war. If during the next three months our enemies won no strategic object then they would have failed.

Messrs. Workman, Clark, & Co., Belfast, have created a new shipbuilding record, having completed a standard ship of over 8,000 tons in readiness for sea in fifteen working days after launching. The previous best time for a similar vessel was nineteen days. Eleven hours after the ship was launched her engines and boilers were shipped and put in position. There was no Sabbath work on the vessel, and overtime was reduced to a minimum.

The death has taken place of Mr. David Beverland, at his residence, Erneville, Kinnegar, Holywood. Deceased was well known in commercial circles in Belfast, he having been a partner in the firm of Robert Beverland, boot and shoe merchants, of North Street and High Street, and Bridge End, Ballymacarrett. A devoted member of the Episcopal Church, he took a prominent part in Sunday School and other congregational activity in connection with St. John's Church, Laganbank.

The death has occurred at Bangor of Councillor William Bennett, who represented Pottinger Ward on the Corporation for seven years, and was also a member of the Newtownards Urban Council. Deceased was a native of Ballygowan, and was forty-nine years of age. A Unionist in politics, Mr. Bennett was naturally strongly opposed to Home Rule in any form. He worshipped in the First Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street, and generously supported the various funds of the congregation.

Mr. F. J. Leitch, Belfast, writes in "The Times" that the shortage of flaxseed is so great that a further reduction of ten working hours per week in spinning mills is feared, bringing the working week down from fifty-six hours to thirty hours. Should the war last during 1920 the Allies, he states, will be at a tremendous disadvantage regarding aircraft and field equipment. Mr. Leitch says also that for two years he has tried unceasingly to force official attention on this subject but without success.

At a meeting of the Ballymena Farmers' Association it was pointed out that the linen manufacturers had offered a very considerable sum to the Farmers' Associations for flax-growing competitions amongst their members during this season. The amount of prize money allocated to each Farmers' Association would be in proportion to the number of entries received, and the association was anxious that every member who had any flax crop at all should enter for the competition, as there was no entry fee charged and the prizes would be valuable.

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M'Crea Magee College Students in Arms.

The number of former M'Crea Magee College students who are at present serving King and country in one capacity or another, whether as soldiers, chaplains, or Y.M.C.A. workers, is about 120. By the kindness of some Derry friends of the College, including the Mayor and other members of Council, a souvenir on the First of July -- a red-letter day in Ulster's calendar -- has been sent out to each of them, in the form of a book gift with a lithographed letter written by one of the Professors of the College. "May this little token of our affection," so the message runs, "serve as a link between you and the Maiden City, and especially as a greeting from your 'Alma Mater on the Foyle,' who is following the career of each of her gallant sons -- 'Students in Arms' -- with the deepest interest and the warmest admiration. We do not cease to remember you in our prayers; you are never out of our thoughts; and we live in the hope of welcoming you home to Ireland when the long struggle is ended and the victory of righteousness won. And we assure you that we shall endeavour not to be altogether unworthy of sacrifices you are making for us."

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Aghadowey Roll of Honour.

Rev. Dr. Macmillan, Belfast, dedicated in Aghadowey Presbyterian Church on Sabbath week a handsome tablet containing the names of sixty-six members of the congregation who have served or are serving in the war. In the course of his remarks Dr. Macmillan complimented the congregation on the fine contribution which it had made to the Empire's fighting forces. Sixty-four men and two nurses had volunteered. Fifteen had made the supreme sacrifice, some were missing, while many had been wounded. Rev. S. W. Morrison, minister of the congregation, read the names on the roll of honour, and Dr. Macmillan afterwards led in prayer.

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At the April examination in connection with the London College of Music, held in Belfast, Nora Gray, Bryandrum, Markethill, was awarded the Honours Certificate for pianoforte playing, elementary section. This reflects great credit on her teacher, Miss Burns, L.L.C.M., as well as on her young pupil.

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A Day of Remembrance.

The Lard Mayor of London states that, inspired by the King's wish, he is making arrangements to hold August 4th as a Day of Prayer and Remembrance throughout the Empire. The date is the anniversary of Great Britain's entering the war, and it is thought that the idea would keep fresh within the hearts of all the memory of the fallen brave who have made the supreme sacrifice.

In a private letter from a correspondent in Illinois occurs the following:-- "Just as I wrote this last I stopped and bowed my head a moment. The town clock struck twelve (noon), and at the same moment our church bell tolled seven times. All over the land, at the request of the Presbyterian Church, all bells are requested to toll seven times -- v-i-c-t-o-r-y -- and everyone, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing, are expected to bow their heads and pray; not for peace, but, for Victory, for our armies across the sea. It is a beautiful idea and a good one."

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Death of Mr. Hamilton M'Connell, Ballynahinch.

The death of this highly-respected resident took place on Saturday last, after a lengthened illness. Deceased was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and held the position of elder for the past thirty years in Second Ballynahinch. During those years his place was seldom vacant, either in the Sabbath-school, where he was a most conscientious teacher, or in the church, where he was a devout worshipper. His wife's death, some eighteen months ago, seemed to have affected his health considerably, and it was apparent for some time that the end was approaching. During his illness he was attended with great devotion by his daughters, two of whom are nurses, but all that medical skill or sympathetic nursing could do was of no avail. He leaves a family of four daughters and four sons to mourn his loss -- all of whom were able to be present during his last hours. Some of these are actively engaged in war work. One of his sons, Major W. M'Connell, is chaplain to the Canadian forces; another is a second-lieutenant, while his eldest daughter is a sister in one of the Canadian hospitals in France; and his eldest son. Rev. Thos. M'Connell, of Comber, has just recently returned from Y.M.C.A. work in France. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Monday evening to the family burying-ground, Second Ballynahinch Church, Revs. Stewart Dickson and J. H. Coulter officiating at the graveside.

 

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The Witness - Friday, 19 July 1918

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, & DEATHS

ANNOUNCEMENTS under this heading are charged for as follows:-- Thirty-five words or under, 3/-; and 6d for every additional seven words. All announcements must be prepaid end authenticated.

Marriage

BLACK--NICHOLSON -- July 15, at Windsor Presbyterian Church, by Rev. John Irwin, M.A., D.D., assisted by Rev. David Purves, D.D., Harold, youngest son of John Black, College Gardens, Belfast, to Margaret Frances, only daughter of the late Samuel Nicholson, Frankfort, Myrtlefield Park, Belfast.

Deaths

LOWRY -- July 7, 1918, at his residence, Mayville, Holywood, John, the beloved husband of E. J. Lowry. Interred in family burying-ground. Holywood.

ADAMS -- July 12, at Glenalton, Clifton Park Avenue, Belfast, Agnes, second daughter of Thomas J. Adams, Fedney House, Banbridge.

ANNETT -- July 13 (suddenly, from heart failure), at Maghereagh, Kilkeel, Charles Annett, aged 74.

BURROWS -- July 12, at Woolwich, Robert James, third and dearly-beloved son of the late George Wm. Burrows, and of Mrs. Burrows, Willowdale, Dunmurry.

GILPIN -- July 14, at 20, Shore Street, Holywood, Arthur Ivan, dearly-loved son of George and Mary E. Gilpin.

GOOD -- July 13, at his parents' residence, Highbury, Stockman's Lane (of acute pneumonia), Ashton Byrom, only and dearly-beloved son of Robert Good.

JONES -- July 16, at Corbrackey, Portadown, Rachel, relict of the late Wm. Jones.

KANE -- July 14, at Dundonald, Hannah, relict of David Kane.

KNOX -- July 14, at Deepdene, Kensington Road, Knock, Samuel C. Knox, aged 43 years, fourth son of the late James Knox, of Ballymoney.

LATTA -- July 14, 1918, at her residence, 2, Roundhill Street, Belfast (suddenly, of heart disease), Margaret Ann, wife of John Latta. Deeply regretted by her sorrowing family. JOHN LATTA.

MACGILL -- July 13 (suddenly), at Ardrossan, Mary, beloved wife of David Macgill, and eldest daughter of the late John and Alice Bailie, 6, Jubilee Avenue.

MARTIN -- July 14 (suddenly), at Carsonville, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Thomas S. Martin, Princetown Road, Bangor, County Down.

RITCHIE -- July 14, at Glenview Villa, Ligoniel, James Ritchie, late of Loughview House, Ballyuteag, dearly-loved husband of Matilda Ritchie.

SHIRLEY -- July 12 (very suddenly), at Lough Fea, Carrickmacross, Emily, widow of Sewallis Evelyn Shirley, of Ettington.

STEVENSON -- Suddenly, at Maze View, Hillsborough, Bobbie, youngest son of Andrew and the late Martha Stevenson.

VAUGHAN -- July 15 (suddenly, of pneumonia), at his father's residence, Ballylumb House, Portadown, Joseph A., (of 8, Woodhouse Street, Portadown), beloved husband of Annie E. Vaughan.

WAUGH -- July 14, at Cil-na-hard, Wheatfield Gardens, David, dearly-loved husband of Lottie Waugh, and second son of the late David Waugh, of Banbridge and Manchester.

WEBB -- July 16, at Portballintrae, Charles Walsham, M.D., second son of the late Charles James Webb, Knockvarre, Randalstown.

Thanks

Mrs. WM. T. HARPER and Family desire to Return their sincere Thanks to the many Friends who have expressed sympathy with them in their recent bereavement. Laurel Bank, Clintnagooland.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

Lieut.-Col. Wm. Tyrrell, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.M.C., son of Alderman John Tyrrell, of Belfast, has been awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

Private James Duffy, on his first visit to his mother's home at Bonagee, Letterkenny, since he was awarded the Victoria Cross, received a hearty reception.

The Representative Session of the Wesleyan Conference at Manchester elected the Rev. Samuel Chadwick as President. It was decided to hold next years Conference at Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Rev. T. B. Hardy, Temporary C.F., who has been awarded the V.C., is a brother-in-law of Mrs. Glendinning, wife of the Right Hon. R. G. Glendinning, D.L., Windsor Avenue, Belfast.

The Pope has appointed Monsignor Petrelli, now Apostolic Delegate at Havana, Nuncio at Peking. It is reported that Japan will shortly inaugurate diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

A meeting of the Irish Nationalist party has been called for the House of Commons on Tuesday next, and the "exceptional importance" of every member being in his place in Parliament on that date is especially emphasised.

The first steel vessel built without rivets has just been launched on the English South Coast. Instead of the plates being riveted and caulked they are joined together by electric welding, saving both time and material.

Lady Londonderry had a narrow escape from death, or at least serious injury, while travelling to Kingston Hill on a visit to Lady Titchfield. She fell in front of a train, which fortunately was brought to a standstill in time.

General March, says an Exchange Washington cablegram, says three U.S. army corps, numbering from 225,000 to 258,000 men each, have been formed in France, and the shipment of U.S. troops to France has continued at the same rate as in previous months.

An agreement has been reached at The Hague regarding prisoners of war, but it is subject to ratification by the two Governments, Mr. Bohar Law stated in Parliament, and as soon as the delegates returned the matter of prisoners in Turkish hands would be dealt with.

At a meeting of Ballyclare and district branch of the Ulster Farmers' Union, it was resolved to establish a market at Ballyclare for the sale of flax tow, and it was also suggested that the Government should be asked to fix the price to be charged by the millowners for the scutching of flax.

Sir George Cave, in the House of Commons, said the total number of alien enemies, convicted and imprisoned for offences of all kinds was -- In 1917 -- 128 (88 males, 40 females). In 1918 to date -- 75 (46 males, 29 females). At the end of their sentences practically all the male offenders would be interned.

The Postmaster-General has appointed Mr. S. G. Forsythe, Postmaster and Surveyor of Leeds, to be Secretary to the Post Office in Dublin, in succession to Mr. J. MacMahon, appointed Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. The new secretary was until twelve months ago Postmaster of Belfast, a position he held for some three years.

Mr. T. A. Armstrong, general manager of the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway, was drowned in Upper Lough Erne. He had accompanied a party on a pleasure trip on a steam launch, and, accidentally falling overboard, disappeared before the launch could be turned or any assistance rendered. He was aged 43, and unmarried.

The result of a debate in the Prussian Upper House on a motion to exclude Prince Lichnowsky has, according to the "Cologne Gazette," been kept back for the present, the Royal sanction being necessary to enforcement! This, an Amsterdam correspondent points out, indicates that the House is resolved to deprive the Prince of his hereditary membership.

An official report states that a Woolwich pepper-grinding firm was prosecuted for employing a boy of 16 for 108 hours a week. He began at 8 a.m. on Monday, continued to 3-30 p.m. on Tuesday, began again at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, working to 8-30 p.m. on Thursday, and finished the week by being on duty from 6 a.m. on Friday to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The magistrate described the employers' conduct as inhuman.

Mr. W. F. Massey, New Zealand's Premier, at a luncheon of the Empire League in London -- Lord Sydenham presiding -- urged increased production after the war and the encouragement of emigration, with improved communications between the parts of the Empire. The Allies had made up their minds to win the war, however long it lasted, and no matter what the cost. New Zealand would never tolerate handing back Samoa to Germany.

A further bonus of 4s a week has been granted to constables in the R.I.C. throughout Ireland. In addition the grant of 1s 6d a week hitherto allowed in respect of children under 15 years of age has been increased to 2s, and to wives from 2s to 2s 6d. Previous increases and bonus to the ranks amounted to 8s, which, with the increase now granted, brings the war allowance up to 12s a week. The new scale is to be retrospective as from 1st June.

Mr. Hughes, Premier of Australia, in London, said the policy of Australia was that it dare not assent to the islands, formerly owned by Germany in the Pacific, being handed back after the war. "Hands off the Australian Pacific," he declared, "is the doctrine to which we have committed. We do not desire Empire but only security." In order that Australians might hold Australia it was necessary that those islands should not pass to a predatory Power.

The report on the accounts of the Red Cross Auxiliary Hospitals in England, Wales, and Ireland for the year ended 31st December last states that the number of hospitals in use during the year was 1,073, an increase of 113 on the previous year. The total cost, including £3,144,362 for maintenance and £19,930 for administration, came to £3,479,573. The number of in-patients admitted was 402,023, against 279,268 for the previous year, and there were 7,662 out-patients. The average cost per in-patient was 3s 7.70d per day.

The American wheat crop prospect, although somewhat reduced by the extreme heat of June, is still such as to promise great abundance for home consumers and for Europe. The Government's figures of indicated yield for the four main bread crops were reduced, in all, 107 million bushels, during June, as shown by this week's monthly crop report, but the July indication is 130 million bushels greater than that of last July, and the first forecast of the Indian corn crop promises to break all records.

Lord Beresford, in the House of Lords, said the White Paper relative to the abandonment of the right of search at sea in connection with the Dutch convoy sailings to the East Indies was contradictory and confused, and said the British Government had given way after a Dutch threat. The Lord Chancellor denied that international law had been, or would be, abrogated, but explained why effective search at sea was now impossible, and the new arrangement gave them all, and more than all, they could have got under the old.

A miniature debate took place at question time in the Commons upon the discovery that Mr. Charles Payne, the managing director of Messrs. Harland & Wolff's, and several other important officials of the firm had been engaged to superintend the work at the national shipyards. Mr. Roch asked if it would not be better to hand over the yards altogether to the Belfast builders; but Dr. Macnamara defended the arrangement on the ground that the yards would be first employed in turning out the "fabricated vessels" of which Messrs. Harland & Wolff had made a speciality.

The remains of the late Mr. David Waugh, founder of the firm of Messrs. David Waugh & Co., linen merchants and finishers, Ligoniel, were interred in the Belfast City Cemetery. The deceased was a well-known figure in connection with the linen industry, with which he had been actively associated during the whole of his business career. The funeral was private, but a number of close personal friends attended in order to show their respect and affection for the deceased. The chief mourner was Mr. Geo. Waugh, of Dromara (uncle). The service at the graveside was conducted by Rev. A. S. Woodward, rector of St. Mark's, Ballysillan. Messrs. Melville & Co., Ltd., had charge of the funeral arrangements.

The death occurred at Glenview Villa, Ligoniel, of Mr. James Ritchie, late of Loughview House, Ballyutoag. Deceased was born near Templepatrick, and for the past 25 years successfully carried on an extensive farm outside the city, only retiring three years ago. Mr. Ritchie was a strong Unionist. For over thirty years he worshipped in the Methodist church at Ligoniel, where he was superintendent of the Sunday school. He was for a long time a member of the Belfast Board of Guardians, as was also his son, Dr. Hugh J. Ritchie. Deceased is survived by his widow, four daughters, and seven sons. Two of the daughters and three of the sons are in Canada, while Mr. Arthur and Mr. Joseph Ritchie are members of the firm of Messrs. A. S. Ritchie & Co., florists, High Street. The other daughter and Mr. Wesley Ritchie reside at the home farm.

During a severe thunderstorm in Letterkenny district, the house of Mrs. Mullan, Gwendowan, was struck by lightning, portion of the upper roof being injured.

The "Daily Mail," in re-offering its £10,000 prize for the first flight across the Atlantic, says it is rumoured that there is a possibility of a American airman attempting to fly the Atlantic this year.

Lord Methuen, Governor of Malta, has been appointed Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by the French Government. This is the highest honour possible, there being only seven Grand Crosses in all.

The distinction of being the highest-priced calf in the world belongs to the seven-months-old Holstein bull, Champion Sylvia Johanna, which was sold by auction at Milwaukee, Wis., for the record-smashing figure of 106,000 dollars (£22,000).

A resolution urging the Government to introduce at an early date a Bill to constitute a Ministry of Health was agreed to in the House of Lords, the Government asking that the words "early date" would be interpreted in a large and liberal sense.

Mr. S. F. B. Martin, LL.B., of Dundrum, County Down, who sailed for the Far East in March to resume legal practice in the Straits, has been gazetted President of the Penang Bar Council for 1918-19. This is the second, time Mr. Martin has held the position.

Lord Beresford, speaking in London, asked what was the use of talking about compromise, discussion, and negotiation in regard to the war. They did not talk about discussion with a rattle-snake. They killed it, and that was what had got to be done with the Bosches, a loathsome and obscene nation.

A dispute between Irish migratory labourers and farmers in parts of Scotland as to wages and other conditions of work has been referred to arbitration through the medium of the Glasgow Trades Council, and an early agreement is probable. In the meantime the labourers are proceeding to the harvest fields, some minor points having been adjusted.

The death took place at Kirkcaldy of Mr. Adam Hunter, late resident engineer at the Forth Bridge. He was engaged in the building of the Forth Bridge from 1885, and had charge of the workshops on the Dalmeny side. By his methods of construction the time for the building of the bridge was reduced by fully two years, and on its completion in 1890 he was appointed resident engineer.

The Cunard Co. profits last year were £1,260,400, and after providing for all demands, including 10 per cent. interest on ordinary shares and a bonus of an equal amount of fully paid up 5 per cent. inscribed War Stocky a balance of £157,552 is carried forward. The company has purchased all the ordinary shares of the American-Levant line. Their steamers are all requisitioned by the Government.

Flight Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, youngest son of the ex-President of the U.S.A., was killed in an air fight, and fell into the enemy's lines. His cousin Philip Roosevelt witnessed the fight and the fall, from the trenches near Chateau Thierry. On hearing the news, the ex-President said -- "Quentin's mother and I are very glad that he got to tee front and had a chance to render some service to his country."

According to the "Echo Beige", a serious riot took place in Brussels, caused by German officers requisitioning all the vegetables in the Brussels market for their own use. The peasants opposed their demands, and used violent language, which the Germans answered by calling up soldiers with rifles. The shooting lasted some minutes in the market place. Five peasants were killed and thirteen wounded.

 

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The Witness - Friday, 26 July 1918

Marriage

JENKINS--HAMILT0N -- July 19, 1918, at Carrowdore Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Alexander Cuthbert, M.A., Carrickfergus, assisted by the Rev. Thomas Patterson, B.A., Greyabbey, Samuel, the third son of Samuel and the late Mary Jenkins, Duneane, Carrickfergus, to Mary (Minnie), youngest daughter of the late Robert and Martha Hamilton, Ballyboley, Co, Down.

Deaths

M'CRACKEN -- July 12 (suddenly), at Lessize, Rathfriland, Elizabeth (Lizzie), third daughter of the late Alexander M'Cracken. Interred in family burying-ground, Rathfriland.

BLACK -- July 21, at Derrinleagh, Cookstown, Thomas James Black.

DIAMOND -- July 12, 1918, at her late residence, Barronville, Downshire Road, Holywood, Isabella, widow of the late William Diamond, "She being dead, yet speaketh." ISOBEL DIAMOND.

GRAHAM -- July 19, at her brother's residence, Lisnod, Lisburn, Eliza Graham.

HADDY -- July 19, at Florenceville, Bangor, Eliza, third daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William , Brent Haddy, of Belle Vue, Plymouth, in her 87th year.

HINGSTON -- July 24, at the residence of her niece, 18, Bachelors' Walk, Lisburn, Jane, wife of the late John Hingston, Belfast, and daughter of the late Daniel Collins, Newcastle, Co. Down.

JONES -- July 21, at The Square, Warrenpoint, Robert Alexander Jones, pharmaceutical chemist, in his 81st year.

MOSS -- July 11, at 208, Cross Flatts Grove, Beeston, Leeds, Gerald L. Moss, only and well-beloved son of C. H. Moss, 8, Granby Road, Stockport, and formerly of Belfast.

M'CARTHY -- July 21, at Kirkcubbin Bog, Esther M'Carthy.

M'COUBREY -- July 19, at Dublin, James, the beloved husband of Ellen M'Coubrey, of 121, Madrid Street, Belfast.

M'GIFFORD -- July 22 (suddenly, result of accident), at Lincoln, William John M'Gifford, the beloved husband of Margaret M'Gifford, 358, Donegall Road.

M'KINLEY -- June 22, at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, U.S.A., Annie M'Kinley, formerly of Belfast.

M'MULLAN -- July 23, at 106, Main Street, Bangor, James, the beloved husband of Edith M'Mullan.

M'NEICE -- July 20, at 49, Balfour Avenue, Daniel, son of the late Daniel and Annie M'Neice, formerly of Lurgan.

PEEBLES -- July 22, at the residence of her son-in-law, James M. Henry, 62, Fitzwilliam Street, Mary, widow of Robert Peebles, formerly of Holywood, Co. Down.

SCOTT -- July 21, 1918, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Hugh Wilson Scott, youngest son of the late Hugh Wilson Scott and Mrs. Ruth Scott, 16, Nansen Street, Broadway, Belfast.

SIMPSON -- At Shane's Street, Randalstown, Matthew Simpson, formerly of Ballymena.

Clippings

NEWS OF THE WEEK

IN BRIEF.

Prince Arthur of Connaught, on leaving Japan, was presented with a cheque equivalent to £11,120 for the British Red Cross Fund by Baron Heitars Fujita.

M. Clemenceau has awarded the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre to Miss Fraser, a British motor-driver, who was wounded while in the exercise of her duties.

The French Cardinals have addressed to the bishops of France a letter requesting that Sabbath, August 4th, be kept as a day of public prayer for France and the Allies.

A skip accident occurred at the Meyer & Charlton's mine, Johannesburg, due to the hauling rope breaking. The skip fell a thousand feet, killing twenty-one white miners.

It was stated in Parliament that the result of Sir William Plowden's administration of enemy banks in Great Britain had been that liabilities to British, Allied and neutral creditors had been satisfied to the extent of £28,000,000.

Maximum prices for poultry from August 1 are fixed as follows -- Cockerels, pullets, cocks and hens, 2s 2d per lb. to retailers, 2s 8d per lb. to public; turkeys, 2s 2d and 2s 8d; domestic ducks, 1s 10d and 2s 3d; geese, 1s 4d and 1s 8d.

The King, who was received by Admiral Sir D. Beatty, spent some hours with the Fleet at a naval depot, and inspected the most powerful naval force ever assembled. If placed end to end the ships would stretch in a continuous line for over twenty-one-miles.

Reuter learns that a French steamer has been sunk by a U boat. The crew got away from the ship in two boats, but both were rammed by the German submarine, one of them being cut in two. There was only one survivor, who was in the water fourteen hours.

Mr. William Henry Johns, F.R.H.S., formerly horticultural instructor in the Municipal Technical Institute, Belfast, who is now conducting teachers' classes in County Kilkenny and Waterford city, has passed the final examination for the National Diploma in Horticulture.

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland will reach Belfast on Friday, 2nd August and will remain till the following Tuesday as the guest of the Marquis of Londonderry at Mountstewart. Viscount French will receive a number of addresses on his appointment as Viceroy, and will visit various industrial establishments.

Earl of Lytton, moving the English Education Bill in the Lords, said it was the first time that the nation had been asked to decide definitely that the claims of education should come before those of industry, and to restrict the employment of child labour. Valuable lives were daily being lost, and all they could do was to try and improve the value of those left.

It is believed that the sugar ration of ½lb. per week per person may have to be reduced, as there is a marked shortage in the United States. A long conference took place between the Chairman of the Sugar Commission (Sir C. Bathurst) and Dr. Lonsdale Taylor, representing the United States Food Ministry. The outcome is likely to be a pooling of resources.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Mr. William Laird Cowdy, B A., Portadown, to the Commission of the Peace for County Armagh. Mr. Cowdy is a partner in the firm of Messrs. Wm. Cowdy & Son, handkerchief manufacturers, and a leading member of the Methodist Church. He is widely known as an active and enthusiastic worker in the cause of Christian Endeavour.

The Local Government Board intimated to Lisburn Guardians that they had instructed their inspector to hold a sworn inquiry into the reduction, if any, in the duties of the chaplains entailed by the closing of the body of the Workhouse. The Guardians had resolved to reduce the salaries of the chaplains, and the latter protested and applied for an increased remuneration.

The disastrous fire at Fez last month is believed by some to be the work of German incendiaries. The fire started at four points simultaneously in the Great Kainoria Bazaar. The main street was quickly involved, nearly 1,000 shops being burnt out. The French authorities blew up the surrounding houses and stopped the fire at the very doors of the sanctuary of Medai Idriss.

"Ireland is one great field of green," says an inspector who travelled the country in connection with the allotment movement. Plotholders this year have grown many varieties of vegetables besides potatoes. The total area under allotments is 16,900 acres. In the county boroughs the figures are:-- Dublin, 410 (2,787 plots); Belfast, 400 (3,200); Cork, 89 (712); Limerick, 122 (976); Waterford, 26 (208).

Sir Robert Kirk Inches, head of the firm of Hamilton & Inches, goldsmiths, Edinburgh, his Majesty's clockmaker for Scotland, and an ex-Lord Provost of Edinburgh, died suddenly. Sir Robert was a director of the National Bank of Scotland and the Scottish Widows' Fund, and Senior Elder of St. Giles's Cathedral. He was knighted in 1915, and was a liberal giver to war charities and to philanthropic institutions.

A letter from Most Rev. Dr. Cohalan was read in Cork Roman Catholic churches on the subject of mixed marriages. His lordship said it was with pain that he brought under the people's notice, but duty compelled him for condemnation and as a warning to others, a very grave offence from the Catholic standpoint recently committed by an Irish Catholic who contracted marriage with a Protestant lady in a Protestant church.

In recognition of their heroic action at the naval raid on Zeebrugge, the King has been pleased to confer the Distinguished Service Order on Engineer Lieutenant-Commander R. C. Boddie, R.N., eldest son of Mr. C. L. Boddie, C.E., Lodge Road, Coleraine, County Surveyor of Londonderry, and on Lieutenant Oscar Henderson, R.N., second son of the late Sir Jas. Henderson, D.L., and Lady Henderson, Oakley House, Windsor Park, Belfast.

Great disorder is reported in the Austrian Chamber when Baron Seidler appeared. The Czechs and Socialists greeted him with cries of "Resign," "Criminal," "Immoral Thief." Tumult reigned. The Slav parties methodically interrupted the German speakers with cries of "Go to Berlin," "Prussians," "Servitors of Hindenburg." It is rumoured that, in view of the evident impossibility of obtaining a majority, Baron Seidler will resign. It thus appears that his pronouncements of strong Germanisation policy have raised a storm.

The Archbishop of York, giving some impressions in London of his American visit, said that though many of the Irish were most bitter against England, the great bulk of them whole-heartedly supported the President. Rev. J. M. Robinson, M.A., Rector, Woodenbridge, who has also returned from America, says he never saw such a change as had come over the people in regard to Ireland, and that, with the exception of a few irreconcilables, the Irishmen there were all on the side of England, and think the anti-conscription attitude cowardly and treacherous.

Mr. Clynes, the Food Controller, speaking in Manchester, said we had now reached the stage where the wheat reserves of this country were absolutely safe, even if the war should last a considerable time. This would enable the Government to release a greater quantity from reserves and allow the people to get better bread soon. Also, it would be able greatly to improve the quantity of meat, as instead of consumption, being 70 per cent. of imported meat and 30 per cent of home-fed meat, the proportions would be reversed, with imported meat nearer 20 per cent, than 30 per cent.

By the recent additional appointment of a Cabinet Minister, the Government now numbers ninety-one. "Lead them against the Germans," said Lord M. Cavendish Bentinck, amidst laughter. Mr. Swift MacNeill asked was it the case that no fewer than sixty-seven were members of the House, or 10 per cent., and that there had been nothing like it since the time of Walpole; but Mr. Bonar Law said that even before the war the Government numbered upwards of sixty. Mr. Flavin Suggested increasing the number, but when Mr. Pringle said, "Take a few Irish members," Mr. Flavin retorted, "Oh, no; you won't."

Pointing out that the Hibernian Society had not been proclaimed as a "dangerous association," and that doubtless the proclamation was drawn up to facilitate Orange demonstrations and prohibit Nationalist ones, Mr. J. D. Nugent, M.P., urges Hibernians to proceed with their arrangements for the holding of their demonstrations on Lady Day (15th August), as if no proclamation had been issued. "I need hardly say," he adds, "that in the present circumstances we shall not imply for any permit, as I do not believe any Nationalist should attend any demonstration held under permit and by leave of the present regime in Dublin Castle."

In view of the increased burden of work which the necessities of the war imposed upon him, Mr. Balfour has expreseed a wish that Lord Robert Cecil, Minister of Blockade, should take a larger part in the work of the Foreign Office, and this has necessitated his resignation of the post of Minister of Blockade. The following appointments have therefore been made:-- Lord Robert Cecil has been appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Sir L. Worthington Evans, Bart., Minister of Blockade; Major-General Seely, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Munitions; Major Hon. Waldorf Astor, Parliamentary Secretary of Food, in succession to Mr. Clynes.

The Earl of Antrim died at his County Antrim residence, Glenarm Castle. The late Earl, though he had been socially almost a recluse for the last thirty years, was a familiar figure in his native county of Antrim. Latterly he resided for a considerable portion of the year at Glenarm, and took a keen interest in agriculture and particularly in stock-raising. The Countess was a daughter of the late. General the Hon. Charles Grey, and was formerly lady of the bedchamber to Queen Victoria, who conferred upon her the Older of Victoria and Albert. The successor to the title is Viscount Dunluce, who was born in 1878, and married in 1904 Margaret Isabel, daughter of the late Right Hon. John G. Talbot, D.C.L. The eldest son of the new Earl, the Hon. Randal John Somerled, succeeds to the Viscountcy. The remains of the deceased peer were interred in a part of the demesne at Glenarm known as the Deer's Park- He had selected as his own burial-place a mound from which a splendid view of the picturesque glens can be obtained, and also by his own direction the coffin was placed is the grave in as upright position facing the sea.

It is learned that under the new cheese scheme the price to the consumer for imported is raised 4d per lb. to 1s 8d. This represents an extra halfpenny to the retailer.

At the pastoral session of the Wesleyan Conference at Manchester, Dr. W. T. A. Barber, headmaster of Leys School, Cambridge, was designated to fill the office of President in 1919.

At a meeting of the Belfast Harbour Board it was reported that the chairman, Right Hon. Robert Thompson, D.L., M.P., who is indisposed, was making very satisfactory progress.

A whole family has been wiped out in Derry by the influenza. The latest victim is a four-year-old child, whose father, mother, eight-year-old brother, aunt, and another relative had succumbed within three weeks.

Mr. Hodge (Minister of Pesions), speaking at Hartlepool, said he hoped to get £3,000,000 for a voluntary fund to enable disabled men to start in business on their own account and to assist tuberculous men also.

At a meeting of the County Tyrone Technical Education Committee, the following instructresses in domestic economy were appointed -- Strabane, Miss Murray, Belfast; Omagh, Miss Parker, Dublin; Dungannon, Miss Hill, Ballymoney.

Mr. Hughes, Australian Premier, at Cardiff, said their colossal liabilities could only be met by producing wealth, and Bolshevism had proved that a country could not be developed by following the meandering footsteps of visionaries and doctrinaires.

Opening a hut for American officers at Winchester, Mr. Rudyard Kipling said they started the war resolved to destroy German war power. If that was inseparable from the German people, then it was their resolution to destroy the German people.

In connection with the Mourne district of the Loyal Orange Institution, an anniversary service was held in the Mourne Presbyterian Church, Kilkeel, on Sabbath last, the preacher being Br. the Rev. Alfred Eadie, B.A., minister of the Kilkeel Presbyterian Church.

It was announced at the prize day of King's School, Canterbury, that in memory of their son, an old scholar, who was killed in action, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Drughorn, of Lancaster Gate, London, proposed to endow the school with laboratories at a cost of £25,000.

The Government are prepared to require an oath of allegiance from everyone entering the Crown Civil Service in future, Mr. Bonar Law stated in Parliament; but he had not, he told Colonel M'Calmont, considered the question of the oath in connection with Civil Servants now in government offices.

The Government has appointed an Inter-Departmental Committee to advise the Departments concerned as to what courses of education and training it may be desirable to arrange for the benefit of officers and ex-officers of the Forces with a view to fitting them for suitable employment after the war.

Ex-President Roosevelt has received a cable that his son, Major Theodore Roosevelt, jun. has been wounded in action in France. He has been taken to a Paris hospital. The wounds are not serious. His son, Quentin, who was killed in a duel with a German airman, has been buried by the Germans with military honours.

Facilities for leave to soldiers, suspended recently, would be resumed as soon as the situation permitted, Mr. Macpherson stated in Parliament, and would be made as equitable as possible. From the 20th inst. the restrictions had been relaxed, particularly in the case of men who had come from another front after a prolonged absence from home.

At Belfast Assizes, Thomas Derrig and Thomas Kitterick, of Westport, were found guilty of feloniously demanding by menace a military service rifle from Annie Ralph on the night of October 13th, 1917. The jury recommended the prisoners to mercy. Derrig was sentenced to four months in the second division, and Kitterick to six months, with hard labour.

According to the "Labour Gazette," the number of paupers relieved on one day in June, 1918, in thirty-five selected, areas corresponded to a rate of 126 per 10,000 of the population, showing a decrease of two on a month ago and of fifteen on a year ago. The rate in Belfast district was three per 10,000 of the population, as compared with eight in the Dublin district.

It was reported to the Down County Council that motor licence duty amounting to £2,095 10s was paid by residents in Down in the year ended 31st March last, being the highest of any of the Irish counties except Dublin. Vacancies on the Council were filled by the co-option of Mr. J. L. Galway for Holywood division and Mr. O. E. Graham, J.P., for Hillsborough division.

Two boys, named Jack and William M'Ghee, Ophir Gardens, Belfast, were drowned whilst bathing near the White Rocks, Portrush. The boys' father, Rev. John M'Quitty (minister of Trinity U.F. Church, Glasgow, and formerly of Ballymena), and a boy named Jamison made unsuccessful rescue efforts. At the funeral in Belfast, Rev. J. S. Pyper, Portrush, assisted at the burial service.

Lord Derby, British Ambassador to France, speaking at Liverpool, said the greatest of modern battles was how being fought in a way which showed the importance of unity of command, and which he hoped would bring the end nearer. Referring to trade after the war, his Lordship added that the Allied nations had a monopoly of certain raw materials. Let them make use of that weapon.

Probate of the will of the late Sir Alexander M'Dowell, C.B.E., solicitor, of the firm of Carson & M'Dowell, 51, Royal Avenue, Belfast, has now been issued. For the purpose of obtaining the grant the personal estate of deceased within the United Kingdom has been provisionally disclosed at £9,449 5s 7d. After making a specific bequest, deceased left the residue of his estate to his widow, Lady M'Dowell.

The death is announced of Mr. Wm. Jamison, of the firm of Messrs. Shaw & Jamison, Limited, wholesale chemists, druggists, and general merchants, Townhall Street, Belfast. Deceased, who was a well-known and highly-rejected figure in the drug trade in Ireland, of which he was one of the oldest active representatives, was for several years the president of the Chemists' and Druggists' Society of Ireland.

Mr. Hodge, Pensions Minister, speaking at Wolverhampton, said a certain section, which was not representative of Labour, had singled out and cast aside Mr. Barnes, Mr. George Roberts, and "Honest Will Thorne." He, at any rate, was not lying down to it. They would stand together if they died together. He announced that he had received that day £115,000 in donations towards the Voluntary Fund for our Disabled Men.

Lord Lee of Fareham announces that he has asked to be released from his post as Director-General of Food Production, and that his resignation has bean accepted. He states that he is not so convinced of the defeat of the submarine peril or of the security of our food supplies for the next few years (whether the war continues or not) to be able to acquiesce in the sudden reversal of the policy for 1919 which had only recently been approved by the Cabinet.

A passenger by the motor char-a-banc running between Cushendall and Larne sustained fatal injuries about three miles outside the latter place. The car was crowded, and the deceased, an elderly man names James M'Millan, 27, Cavehill Road, Belfast, had given his seat to a lady, and was leaning against one of the doors of the vehicle. The door suddenly opened, and he fell to the ground, sustaining injuries to which he succumbed three hours later. Deceased was a draughtsman in Messrs. Harland & Wolff's.

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Rev. T. M. Johnstone, Newington Presbyterian Church, Belfast, will proceed to France in a fort-night's time to engage in Y.M.C.A. work amongst the troops.

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Death of Mr. Samuel M'Elhinney, Derry.

The death is announced at an advanced age of Mr. Samuel M'Elhinney, of Magazine Street, Derry, who has had a life-long connection with the congregation of Great James Street Presbyterian Church, of which he has been senior elder for many years. In earlier life he took a very active interest in Sabbath-school work, and later was clerk of session, until failing health obliged him to relinquish that office. He was also for a long time superintendent of Bennett Street Sabbath-school in connection with the Presbyterian City Mission, and of which he was one of the organisers. In his earlier years he took a very active interest in the work of the Y.M.C.A., and at the time of his decease was the oldest member. Of a retiring disposition, he never figured largely in the public eye, but being of a truly sympathetic nature every claim made on him for charitable or religious purposes found in him a generous giver.

 

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