 the recognition. Diplomatic relations are, therefore, at an end, but the French Government leaves a Consular Agent at Helsingfors.
Private Robert George Strain, M.M., The King's (Liverpool Regiment), killed in action, was the eldest son or the late Mr. Robert Strain and of Mrs. Strain, Rosetta Park, Belfast. Before joining the army he was connected with the firm of Wm. Strain & Sons, Ltd., Great Victoria Street. He was a member of the First Battalion East Belfast Regiment, U.V.F. This gallant soldier was awarded the Military Medal "for conspicuous, gallantry and devotion to duty on 1st September."
At a meeting of the Dublin Diocesan Synod, Rev. W. Baille, proposing the adoption of the report of the Church of Ireland Temperance Society, said that temperance was one of the greatest national questions they could possibly deal with. He did not think they were doing their duty as a Church in this matter. If the Church were to take action against the Food Controller for the awful waste of food which he permitted in the manufacture of strong drink she would be doing her duty.
The wedding of Miss May Davidson Meharg, daughter of Mr. William Meharg, Belfast, and Mr. Gerald Garfield Doak, C.Q.M.S., A.S.C., youngest son of the late Mr. Wm. Doak, Kinnego House, Lurgan, in Castleton Presbyterian Church was of special interest, the bridegroom having won the M.S.M., having also been twice mentioned in despatches, awarded a parchment certificate, and also honoured with the Belgian Croix de Guerre. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. Pattison Black, B.A.
The Committee on Production have issued their award in the claims for a minimum wage of £5 per week made by the shipwrights in the Clyde area and other districts and by the members of other woodworking and furnishing trades. The committee explain their reasons for coming to the conclusion that the claims cannot be granted, and state that earnings so far as the claims raise the question of present earnings apart from war-wage payments, they do not feel that they can be dealt with without making some provision to secure that measure of output essential in the national interest.
The Irish Roman Catholic Hierarchy have fixed Septuagesima Sunday of next year for a general collection throughout Ireland to defray the expenses of the ceremony of the beatification of the Venerable Oliver Plunket, and of Apostolic process on behalf of the Irish martyrs. These martyrs number 258, and it is explained that every case must be subjected to the most thorough and critical investigation. Many thousands of documents and not a few large volumes of print will have to be transcribed from a great number of libraries and archives throughout Europe, it is estimated that not less than £10,000 will be needed to cover all expense*.
At the annual meeting of the Irish Women's National Health Association, the Marchioness of Aberdeen, president, referring to the visit she and Lord Aberdeen paid to America, said that in all £18,936 odd had been remitted from that country, and in addition £114 for the maintenance of Irish milch goats for the benefit of poor families, and a further sum of £800 for child welfare work in Scotland. The expenses incurred in collecting this fund were about £3,600. About half the money received from America was needed for buildings at Peamount and Rossclare, and the remainder for maintenance of various sections of work for the sick poor and for mothers and children.
Mr. Bonar Law stated in the Commons that no date had been fixed for the General Election.
The top price of 820 gns. was paid by Mr. Crawford, Cookstown, at the Aberdeen Shorthorn sale for a roan heifer clipper calf.
The Bishop of Raphoe has appointed Rev. Dr. Furey, late of the Irish College, Rome, to be professor of St. Eunan's[?] College, Letterkenny.
To ensure strict rationing for members, all honorary membership of the sergeants' messes at Aldershot has been abolished, and no civilians may be served with drink.
500 persons have been burned to death in a forest fire in North Minnesota, extending from Ashland to Moore Lake. The loss of property amounts to many millions of dollars.
Owing to the shortage of yarn an order has been issued by the Cotton Control Board closing the Lancashire mills throughout the week ending October 21. About 300,000 workers will be thrown idle.
The London correspondent of the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph" understands that the Parliamentary Committee concerned are adverse to the cutting of a tunnel to Ireland, and favour a ferry train service.
General Peyton March, Chief of the United States Staff, has announced that the American troops overseas now number more than 1,900,000. He adds that the War Department is preparing another 2,600,000 men to follow the first two millions.
Sir D. Haig, in a telegram to the army, vigorously repudiates the false peace rumours which the enemy have circulated in order to discourage the troops, and say now, more than ever, it is indispensable for them to concentrate their energies on the great goal.
A boating disaster, involving the loss of six lives, occurred at the western entrance to Baltimore Harbour, County Cork. A fishing boat, with a number of people on board, was returning from a trip to Schull, when she ran on a reef off Sandy Island. A heavy sea was running at the time.
While working a large saw in his flax scutching mill at Mullabawn, near Dundalk, Mr. Jos. Murdock, farmer, slipped from the bench and received fatal injuries, one of his feet and one of his hands being snapped off and his chest and abdomen slit open. He leave* a wife and eight children.
In grateful recognition of the work which the Joint-Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John and those working under it have accomplished for the men in whose welfare her Majesty has such a deep interest. Queen Mary has contributed a donation of £1,000.
Sir Guy Calthrop, speaking at the Cumberland coal owners' and delegates' meeting, said the need for increased output grew as the victorious armies advanced and lengthened their communications. Nothing would so materially contribute to early close of the war as the means for transporting troops quickly to the front lines. There was a chance of the war finishing this year.
The British Government have given formal notice to the German Government that, unless certain specific requirements with regard to the treatment of prisoners are carried out within four weeks, Great Britain will, in concert with her Allies, take reprisals. In any case the British Government will take all steps in their power to ensure that the persons responsible for these outrages to prisoners shall be punished.
A Court of General Synod heard a petition of Most Rev. Dr. Bernard against the Rev. John Moore Robinson, Rector of Avoca, charging him with leaving the house of residence at Castlemacadam, and going to the United States without petitioner's licence, and did not return when required by petitioner. The unanimous finding of the Court was that he be suspended from his benefice for three months, and that he pay petitioner £20 for costs of proceedings.
Viscount Grey, speaking in London on a League of Nations, said President Wilson's reply to Germany seemed to be firm and wise, and displayed a clearness and caution absolutely essential. The League of Nations must be formed at the peace, and the Government should prepare whatever scheme they could through the best minds at their disposal in order that things might be ready. No nation could be admitted that was not sincere, and every Government in the League must represent a free people.
Speaking at a luncheon Admiral Sims (United States Navy) said the average of the enemy submarines operating against merchant ships and transports across the Atlantic was about eight or nine, and sometimes ran to twelve or thirteen. That was all the submarines the enemy could keep out at a time. Around the British Islands Admiral Sims said there were about three thousand antisubmarine craft operating day and night. Of American craft there were 63 per cent. It was about the same in the Mediterranean.
The Board of National Education has made the following appointments:-- Messrs. R. P. Templeton and W. B. Crowe, assistant teachers in Ballymoney Boys' Model School; Miss L. Harbison, assistant teacher in Belfast Girls', Model School. Eleven principals having an average attendance of 140 pupils or above were awarded supplemental salaries of £30 each; one principal of a school average between twenty and thirty pupils awarded bonus of £5, and three assistant teachers awarded bonuses of £5 each under the new scheme.
At the sixteenth annual meeting of the Irish branch of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors, Mr. E. Kevans, J.P., presiding, said that Ireland's record in the Nov. examinations had been exceptional in all respects. Of the twenty-two entries, nineteen had been successful. The society's gold medal was presented to Mr. John Linahan, articled clerk to Messrs. H. B. Brandon & Co., as the best candidate for 1917, on obtaining the prize and first certificate of merit in Nov. Mr. Wm. M'Cready, Newtownards, gained the prize and first place in May.
The organisation of the National Novena for the Feast of All the Saints of Ireland (Nov. 6), has been entrusted by the Hierarchy to the