NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 88, 2 January 1875, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

The Sisters of St. Joseph's Dominican Convent, who have removed during the Christmas Vacation to the Priory at Waikari, entertained between twenty and thirty of the pupils of the "day school at the Priory on Tuesday last. The treat was given as a reward to those of the scholars who, during the past year, had in some way deserved this especial mark of favor, and as an encouragement to emulation for the coining year. The little visitors arrived at Waikari about midday, and after having partaken of the good things so generously provided by their kind entertainers, spent a most enjoyable day in the spacious grounds attached to the Priory, in skipping and swinging, and other pleasant juveniles games, returning to town about six o'clock. We have little doubt that Tuesday will rank as a Bed-Letter Day in the juvenile calendar, and it is more than probable that the pleasure thus derived will be a powerful incentive to further the kind aim of the Sisters, and will be the means of taxing their hospitality to a much greater extent at the next annual vacation. The prisoner John Brennan, who was lately sentenced by his Honor Judge Chapman to imprisonment for life for his murderous assault on the girl Mary Hall, arrived in town, in the charge of Constable Flannagan, on Sunday. He will take his place amongst the hard labor gang in the Dunedin gaol.

On Christmas Day the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church at six, seven, eight, nine, and eleven o'clock, at which hour the Rev. Father Higgins delivered a most eloquent and impressive sermon. The choir mustered strong on the occasion, and Haydn's and Mozart's No. 1 Masses -were most effectively rendered, under the conductorship of Mr R. A. Loughnan. In the evening, after Vespers, his Lordship the Bishop delivered an eloquent address on the festival celebrated by the Church, followed by the Holy Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

We must apologise to our readers for the absence of the usual qxiota of the tale, which has been unavoidably held over, owing to a press of advertisements. We shall, however, make amends for the omission by publishing a double portion in our next issue.

Last week we had occasion to remark upon the number of accidents and sudden deaths which had taken place. This week the casualties have assumed the phase of fires, two of which have taken place within the past few days ; but in both cases, fortunately, not to any great extent. The first took place early in the week at the premises of Mr. Murray, confectioner ; and on Tuesday a fire broke out at the Well Park Brewery, Rattray street, which, were it not for the prompt attention of the Brigade, and the energetic measures taken, would undoubtedly have been attended with farge loss. The damage done, amounting to about j&OO, has been fully covered by the insurance. The half-yearly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society took place in St. Joseph's schoolroom on Monday evening. During the evening Bro. Hallenan put in a claim for £1 10s, having had to engage Dr Burrows in consequence of Dr Cole refusing to attend his family when called upon. It was moved by Bro. J. Toal, and seconded by Bro. Dooley that the claim be allowed, and deducted from Dr Cole's account. Bro. J. J. Connor reported that he and Bro. Toal, in compliance with instructions from a previous meeting, had attended to the medical question, and had made temporary arrangements with Dr Brown, which were considered satisfactory. Dr Brown was then, on the proposal of Bro. Connor, duly elected medical officer. The half-yearly Balance Sheet was submitted, but owing to the numerous holidays the Secretary could not get it audited. The consideration of it was

therefore left over for next meeting. The election of officers was then proceeded with — which resulted as follows : — President, Bro. Burke ; Vice-President, Bro. Morooney ; Warden, Bro. Breunan ; Secretary, Bro. Cantwell ; Treasurer, Bro. Connellan ; Guardian, Bro. Leary. The ceremony of installing the new officers having been gone through, a vote of thanks to the retiring officers brought the meeting to a close. During the evening three gentlemen were proposed to become members.

The Choral Society gave their second concert of the season on Christmas Eve, and they must be congratulated on the admirable selections which constituted the programme, and the manner in which they were rendered.l The programme embraced selections from Haydn, Mendelssohn, Sir Michael Costa, Handel, and Bennett, and, notwithstanding the extreme heat of the evening, long before the hour for commencement every available seat was secured. The best effort of the evening was decidedly Stemdale Bennett's quartette, unaccompanied by music, "God is a Spirit," which was loudly and deservedly applauded. If the society had deserved the strictures which were passed on the preceding concert, they made a - nple amends on Thursday night, and the applause which was freely bestowed during the evening bore ample testimony to the judicious selections which had been made, and the excellence of the execution.

The Turkish' Baths, which have been in the course of erection for some months in Moray place, were formally opened to the public on Monday, by his Honor the Superintendent. His Honor was accompanied by the honorable member for Eangitikei, and was received at the baths by the directors of the company. After thoroughly inspecting the establishment, the visitors were invited to an excellent lunch, provided by Mr Dunning. Mr Asher, one of the directors, presided, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr Telfer, his Honor being on the right, and Mr Fox on the left, of the chairman. In responding to the toast of his health, proposed by the chairman, his Honor spoke in terms of the highest commendation of the beneficial effects of such an institution, and stated that he believed if one tithe of the money which was spent in nobblers and tobacco was spent in baths, the health and longevity of the community would be largely increased. Mr Fox and Dr Burrowes also spoke in commendatory terms of the benefits to be derived from the establishment of the baths, and of the very moderate rate at which they were within reach of the public.

The following paragraph has been going rounds of the Press for some months, and we can only add, with a Celtic gentleman who had been made the " supposed " victim of credulity, on the wonderful narration coming to a close — "Begorra, it's wonderful; clane wonderful — that is, if it be true ! " This is the .story alluded to : — At a recent meeting of the Paris Scientific Academy, it" was presented by one of its members with a vial, sealed tightly, containing about fifteen pounds of osmium. The distinguished chemist, in making the presentation, stated some interesting facts concerning the substance contained in the vial. They amounted to this : Osmium is the most powerful of all poisons. Twenty pounds of it would poison the entire population of the world. One thousandth part of a grain of osmic acid, set free in a volume of air of 100 cubic yards, would possess such a deadly influence, that all persons respiring the air would be nearly killed. Worst of all, no antidote to the poison is known." We do not for a moment doubt the statement, but we would like to know by what means the distinguished chemist managed to capture his vial full.

We do not know whether the vernal influence in the Taranak 1 district extends to journalistic composition, but we should be led to that conclusion from the following " flowery " intimation in a contemporary that " spring is coming." This is how the writer informs his readers, and. we have little doubt the information conveyed below was thoroughly appreciated : — " Spring is not only a period of resuscitation : it is much more ; it is the season of genetic activity, and, as such, grace and beauty are its concomitants. In the season of nidification the plumes of the bird become lustrous, and its twittering voice is expanded into melodious song% At the call of spring, numerous chrysalides, which have laid for months at the bottom of pools, or have been encased in living or dead trees, come forth metamorphosed into fairy forms, and glide through the air on diaphanous wings for the ptu-poses of generation. And, as if to show how near akin the animal is to the vegetable, the vernal sun, which wings the butterfly, gilds the neck^of the bird and evokes his sweet carol, calls for the blossom from, the herb, and shrub, and tree. The forest giant who has stretched out his bare arms to the cold grey skies of winter, not only hangs all his leafy banners out, but, in order to yield seed after his kind, puts forth garlands of blossoms ; and in the humbler forms of vegetables, expanding chalices of crimson and gold become the splendid accompaniment of the procreation of vegetable life. It would really seem that life is a royalty of the universe, and that its extension is a regal act, fit only to be accompanied by songs and coronals, and robes of purple and. gold."

The annual meeting of the St. John's Branch, Napier, of the H.A.C.B.S. took place on Wednesday, the 15th ult., the principal business being the instalation of officers for the ensuing six months. From the large attendance, t is quite evident that the members of this Society take a lively interest in its welfare. The followinc Brothers were elected office-bearers : — President, Bro. J. A. Eeai° den; Vice-President, Bro. T. Fox; Secretary, Bro. F. Shanly; Treasurer, Bro. J. N. Bowemian ; Medical Officer, W. 1. Spencer^ Esq. ; Warden, Bro. M. Hayden ; Guardian, Bro. P. Cranny. A fatal accident occurred to Mr Lawrence Cunningham, saddler, of Palnierston, and of Cunningham Bros., saddlers, Dunedin. Ho was thrown from his horse whilst in the act of disinountino-, and was dragged and trod upon by the horse. He expired in about 15 minutes after the accident occurred. Dr Moffat, being upon the spot, rendered prompt aid.