NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 64, 18 July 1874, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

We would remind the members of the Juvenile Contingent of St. Joseph's Branch, No. 73, that a meeting will be held in the schoolroom on Monday evening, 20th July, at 7.30 punctually. As the business is of importance viz., the election of office-bearers, -we trust to sco a good attendance. A VOOAL and instrumental concert took place on the evening of Tuesday 7th inst., at St. Patrick's Hall, Ohristchurch,. The ontertainment, which was for the benefit of the Catholic Schools, was well patronised, thero being between four and five hundred persons present. The bill of fare was a most pleasing and varied one, embracing ballads, songs—comic and seniimcntal— selections from various operas, with performances on the piano by the Misses Donnelly. The entertainment commenced with an overture by Mr C. Bonnington, and the Septett Band. Mrs Wiggins received well merited applause for her touching rendering of the pathetic ballad "The Irish Emigrant." Amongst the different items by which the audience were pleased and amused were " Floating on the wind," by Mrs Oakes ; " Take back the Heart," by Mr Anthony, and " Do they think of me at home," by the same gentleman ; Mr Kimble managed to keep the audience in" continued good humour, his appearance being the signal for general merdnient, and during the evening he appeared as " General Jinks " and "On the parade." The burden, however, of the entertainment

devolved on the Misses Donnelly, and they proved themselves quite equal to the task. The selection " Eily Mavournen " from the " Lily of Killarney," by Miss Donnelly, obtained an enthusiastic encore. The evening's enjoyment closed with the laughable farce of the " Spectre Bridegroom," by the members of the Catholic Dramatic Club, which elicited roars of laughter, and sent each one home in thorough good humor, and we are glad to learn also netted a considerable sum for the laudable purpose for which it was given. The drawing in the Art-union in. aid of the funds of S.S. Mary and Joseph's Schools, Ahaura, took place on the Ist inst., in the new builidng rosently erected on the school grounds, and intended for the location of the Sisters of Mercy. The attendance of visitors was large, but not as numerous as was expected, owing, no doubt, to the state of the weather, which had been wet and stormy for the previous two or three days and still looked thieatening. Everything passed off satisfactorily, and the drawing was concluded by about half past four in the afternoon. It is satisfactory to know that the school itself has been a considerable winner, for the tickets taken by Father Pertius, on account of t the establishment, drew several valuable prizes, among them, the chief prize, a grand piano. There were altogether one hundred prizes, consisting of the piano mentioned, five harmoniums, valued at from £20 and upwards, musical boxes, watches, clocks, pictures, vases, and other works of art. In the evening, a musical dramatic, and literary entertainment was given in the large hall of the school, the performers being all pupils of the schools. There was a large audience, the hall being filled in every part with residents of the town, and visitors from the country districts. The performance consisted of songs, glees, choruses, readings and recitations, and two dramatic pieces suited to the capabilities of the juvenile performers. The little theatre was tastefully decorated with evergreens, the stage being a marvel of impromptu theatrical arrangement. After the performance the hall was cleared, and dancing was carried on for a few hours, to the intense enjoyment of the " children of larger growth " who took part in it. A meeting of Boman Catholics resident in different parts of the Grey Valley, was held at. Ahaura on Wednesday, the 24th ult., to take into consideration the financial condition of the schools at Ahaura, and to make arrangements for placing the mission on a more satisfactory monetary standing. The meeting was convened by circular, on the authority of the Vicar-General of the diocese of Wellington, and had special reference to making arrangements for the permanent settlement of the bisters of Mercy at Ahaura. An abstract, says the ' Argus,' of the liabilities of the schools, and in connection with them was laid before the meeting, and a Committee was appointed to collect subscriptions throughout the district in the first place, and afterwards to devise means of extricating the establishment from its temporary embarrassment. Fbom the local journal we learn that the Eev. Father Ecuyer takes his departure from Christchurch in the course of a few days. The rev. gentleman has been a resident there for a number of years, and his self-denial and kindness of heart hava endeared him not only to those of whom he had spiritual charge, but to many belonging to other religious denominations. He has been most untiring in his zeal for the advancement of the interests of his congregation, and his transfer from Christchurch to the West Coast will be deeply regretted by all who have been witnesses to his devoted exertions for the spiritual and material welfare of his flock. It i» mainly o firing to the labors of the Jiev. Father Ecuyer that the Catholics of Christchurch are in possession of such an excellent schoolroom as that known by the name of St. Patrick's Hall, and for some time past he had been most indefatigable in his endeavors to effect such an enlargement of the church to meet the demands of a rapidly increasing congregation. It is understood that the Rev. Father Ecuyer will be succeeded by the Key. Father Chataigner, who was transfered to Timaru at the time Father Ecuyer assumed tne charge of the Christchurch district. The struggle for the Mayoral chair, Dunedin, assumed a tangible form on Monday last, when the nomination for its occupancy during the ensuing year took place. The proceedings were held on the terrace of the Government Buildings, His Worship the Mayor presiding. The only candidates whose nomiaation was read were Keith Ramsay, proposed by F. Meenan, of George street, and seconded by James Morrison ; and H. J. Walter, proposed by Lloyd Williams, of Cargill street, and seconded by G. E. Dermer, of Princes street. The Mayor declared that as there had been more than one candidate nominated, a poll would take place on Tuesday the 21st inst. Both candidates then addressed the meeting at some length, each endeavoring to prove his claims to the Mayorality by seniority in the Council, enumerating his services in the past, and his intentions in the future. The Bpeakers were well received, and listened to with attention, the amount of popularity apparently being pretty evenly balanced. Iv the evening Mr Walter addressed a large number of ratepayer in the Masonic Hall, and denied a statement in the evening paper that the election would be carried on as a faction one. At the conclusion of his addresß Mr Sherwin proposed, and Mr John Hall seconded, " That Mr Walter is a fit and proper person to be elected Mayor of the City of Dunedin." The motion was carried unanimously. We are pleased to learn that the Catholics of Uapier are about taking steps towards the formation of a Branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. The President of St. Joseph's Lodge, No. 73, lifts received a telegraphic message from Mr Reardon, of that place, asking for a copy of the rules of the Association, and instructions for the establishment of a branch. Wo wish them success in the undertaking, and trust that ere long we shall have to chronicle a siirilar movement in both Wellington and Nelson, where up to the pre sent the Society has not been represented. From Melbourne we lea n that Bro. A. J. Templeton has been elected Corresponding Sei retary to the Executive Directory, vice Bro. F. H. Byrne resigned! We have received from the hon. Secretary, Mr Mulvey, the folio* ing scale of charges for grave sections in the St. Bathan'a Catholic Cemetery :— " For the space of four graves, £5 j three graves £4 •

two graves £3 ; one grave, £1 10s. Further particulars can be obtained on application to the Sectetary of the Catholic Church Committee, in the absence of the local pastor. With a view to encouraging the establishment of Pottery Works in Otago, a notice appears in the last number of the Provincial Government ' Gazette,' in which a bonus of £250 is offered under the following conditions : — On the erection of buildings and plant to the value of at least £300, a bonus of £75 j on the production of pottery to a value of not less than £150 — £75 ; on the production of a further quantity of pottery to a value of not less than £200 — £100. The potteryware in each case must be suitable for household and domestic purposes, to be produced in works permanently established in the Province, and to be manufactured either wholly or to a large extent from material obtained in the Province. Proposals should be forwarded to the Provincial Secretary not later than the Ist October, and should state the estimated cost of and productive power of the works proposed to be erected, the date at which the same will be in operation, and give guarantee to produce pottery to the value of £300 within two years. Mb Keith Ramsay met the ratepayers of the city in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday night, and addressed them at some length. A number of questions were put and answered satisfactorily by the candidate, a vote of confidence being moved by Mr Asher, seconded by Mr Lee, and carried unanimously. Mr Ramsay addresses the electors this evening at Melican's Hotel, Walker street. Theee should be no scarcity of labor at the barracks for some time to come. During the week no less than four vessels with immigrants have arrived at the Port, all having full complements of passengers. The vessels were the Hindoscan, Caroline, Cartsburn, and Sussex, adding over fifteen hundred to our population. As a sample of the effects of the slanderous attacks on the Caroline's passengers, we quote the following from the • North Otago Times,' whiceh forcibly brings to mind the story of the "Three Black Crows" :-*" The Immigrants per Caroline. — We observe from the shipping columns of the ' Daily Times ' of Monday that it is in contemplation to send a large number of immigrants "by the above vessel up to Oamaru per first steamer. Should this be true they may be expected by the Samson to-night. If all is correct that is said about them by the ' Daily Times,' it would seem that they are more fit for sending to gaol than for sending up here to be distributed among the respectable families of the district. Hitherto the town has happily been free from such characters, but it would appear that we are now to be burdened with what the « Times ' calls ' Mrs Howard's pets.' " An accident, unfortunately proving fatal, occurred at Port Chalmers on Tuesday evening. It appears a number of the male passengers and crew belonging to one of the recently arrived immigrant vessels went on shore and commenced drinking. On returning to go on board the ship, one of the number, named Alexander Knowles m attempting to reach the ship, fell between the vessel and the jetty. ' A young man named Patrick Melaney, belouging to the barque Mariano hearing the cries, went immediately to tke spot, took a rope and went down the piles, and succeeded in putting the rope round the unfortunate man. He was pulled up, taken on board, and undressed and put to bed, but he died early on Wednesday morning. At the inquest held in the afternoon of the same day, a verdict of accidental death was returned. A tbightbtji tragedy has been enacted at Pukiri, involving the death of a woman named Eliza Battorsea. A telegram from Auckland states that a man named Charles Dyer had been brought into that city fnm Pukiri, charged with the murder of a woman, with whom he had been living. Jealousy is supposed to be the cause, and they were constantly quarrelling. It is alleged that on Wednesday week, Dyer beat her in a brutal manner, then poured kerosene on her clothei, set fire to them, wrapped a sack round her, carried her to the river, and threw her in. A man named Watson, seeing her there, lifted her out, with Dyer's assistance. All the hair was burned off her head, the clothes burned down to her waist, and the whole of the upper part of the body half roasted. She lingered two days in great agony until she died. Dyer alleges that she spilled the kerosene over herself, and it accidentally ignited. JTJDGINO- from the following rather candid expression of opinion, the writer does not seem to have formed a very elevated idea of the powers as a legislator of the hon. member for the Dunstan. It is contained in a press telegraphic message from, the seat of Government : " There is no chance of the Gold mining Bill passing its Becond reading. Mr Shepherd has assumed charge of it. This is enough to ensure its rejection." Mr Shepherd must admit the author, if not complimentary, is decidedly candid. On Thursday, Mr T. L. Shepherd called the attention of the Speaker to tue fact that a certain telegraphic correspondent of a paper — • Auckland Star ' — had sent to that paper a very personal and offensive telegram regarding a member of that House. If that kind of thing were allowed to go on, members would have to provide themselves with heavy horsewhips. The Spearker said the reporter's gallery was under the control of the Hansard Committee. Had the power been in his hands, he should certainly have excluded from the gallery the anthor of such an offensive production. Members ought to be protected from such insults. With regard to the foregoing, the ' Guardian ' has the following : — " We have seen the telegraphic meßsage which has so greatly incensed the member for the Dunstan, and drew forth such a wonderfully learned disquisition or reportorial etiquette from the Speaker of the House of Representatives. There really is nothing in it. 'The intended wit of the thing is of the most meagre calibre, and such as would not excite the risible faculties of any sane individual. We do not quote it : too much has been made of the stupidity already." The demand for timber from Hokitika is on the increase. One firm has received an order from Christchurch for over one million feet of sawn timber, besides several small orders.