NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 141, 14 January 1876, Page 10

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Thk Most Rev. Dr. Moran, it is announced, will pay an official visit to Invercargill on Sunday next, and to Riverton on the following Tuesday. We are glad to learn that our old friend Mr. Moylan has completely recovered from the effects of the late fire. He has opened a new establishment in George-street, next door to that of Mr. Francis Meenan, produce merchant, where he is ready to bestow upon his customers his usual attention to their orders, which, com. bined with good material and first-class workmanship, will prove most satisfactory to all who may be fortunate enough to take advantage of his services.

The election for Port Chalmers district resulted in the return of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. There are 529 electors on the roll ; of these 48 could not be found in the district, leaving 481, of whom 427 actually voted. Mr. Reynolds was returned by a majority of 56. Mr. Green took his defeat admirably, and announced that he might stand again at some future time. The tender of Messrs. M f Arthur and Gregg has been accepted for the alterations and improvements at St. Joseph's Male School. The present building is to be removed, painted, and generally refreshed, and a room 44 ft. by 24 ft,, communicating with it by a hall, is to be added. The fittings for the rooms are being made, and will be at the same time substantial and of good appearance, kauri beiug the wood which is to be iised in their manufacture. The school will open immediately, when the alterations in the present building have been made, and will be conducted as usual, until the arrival of the Christian Brothers, which will not take place until the various buildings are finally completed. We understand that the lowest tender sent in was that of Mr. Woods, which Avas accepted, but as that gentleman afterwards expressed a desire to withdraw his offer, and as the difference between the tender and that of Messrs. M 'Arthur and Gregg was very trifling, his Lordship the Bishop consented to his doing so. Improvements are also being made in the building provided for the Brothers residence, and all promises well for the speedy arrival of these long looked for and inestimable teachers.

The first reception — in New Zealand — of a novice into the farfamed Order of St. Dominic, took place on Saturday last at the Priory of Mount Sion, Waikari. The young lady received was Miss Jane Neylon, in religion Sister Joseph. His Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese officiated, assisted by the Very Rev. the Vicar-General and the Rev. Father Crowley. After the ceremony, a number oi" the relatives and friends of the young religious were entertained at a dejeuner, given by the ladies of the Priory.

Thk Rev. Father M'Kay of Queenstown has favoured us with the result of the bazaar held at Arrowtown. Considering that the present state of the district is far from flourishing, and that various matters, such as election meetings and popular amusements, interfered with the attendance, the bazaar may be looked upon as a success. The amount realised being about <£150, with over ,£2O worth of articles yet to be disposed of. Father M'Kay says — " I beg you will have the goodness to express, through your columns, my most cordial thanks to all those who have so generously assisted me, and whom time prevents me at present from being able to thank personally and by letter, more especially the many kind friends in Dunedin and Oamaru, whose valuable gifts brought in for us a large return. It would have been for me a pleasant duty indeed, to have been able to express to each, individually, my deep sense of gratitude, but our benefactors have been so numerous, and my time during this season so occupied, that they will aU excuse me for my want of formality, and believe me not the less sincerely their devoted and grateful friend." In accordance with the wishes of a number of our subscribers, it is our intention in future to give up a portion of our space to Mining Intelligence — reporting from the various New Zealand and Australian mining districts, and from the African diamond fields. We have been shown, by a gentleman who devotes his leisure to photography, an admirable picture of St. Dominic's Priory of Mount Sion, Waikari. The convent is taken from the hill opposite to that on which it stands, great taste being displayed in the choice of this site, from which a beautiful view is obtained of the surrounding scenery. The clearness of the foliage of the trees, and the absence of all excess of light or shadow in the picture are most remarkable.

The entertainment recently given at the University Hall by Mr. Woods and his party from Lawrence was repeated on Tuesday evening at Port Chalmers. The committee of management engaged the ' Golden Age ' to take patrons from Dunedin, but owing to the very short notice that they were able to give, the moonlight excursion was not as successful as on a former occasion, but the fame of the singers had gone before them, and a crowded house greeted them on their arrival. Those who availed themselves of the moonlight trip had no cause of regret, for a more lovely night could not be imagined, and the Hibernian Brass Band (the members of which, in the kindest manner, volunteered their services) kept the excurtionists in the best of humour with a plentiful supply of really good music. Everything passed off well ; and so pleased were the people that, on their way to Dunedin, three cheers were called for the band, and three more for Captain Patterson, whose obliging manner enlisted the good opinion of all on board, The hearty manner in which these cheers were given fully bore out what O' Council once said of the Irish — " That they could shout better than any other people in the world." The concert was a very great success, and the audience a most appreciative one. The marked attention and hearty applause that each item of the programme called forth must have been very gratifying to Mr. and Mrs. Woods, and to all the other ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services. We have so recently given a very full notice of this entertainment that it will not again be necessary for us to enter upon a criticism of the performances. The progress made by Mr. A. R. Sim's Swimming School is the best proof that it is appreciated almost as it deserves to be. There are now 105 members, many of them being ladies ; but when we consider the vast importance of the art there to be acquired, we should be glad to ccc it increasing still more in numbers. That no more useful art than that of swimming can be acquired is evident from the frequent reports of cases in which, but for its practice, life would have been lost, while all are agreed that it affords a most healthy exercise. . After a most successful run, the pantomime at the Queen s Theatre has been withdrawn. On Tuesday night a splendid house witnessed it for the last time. "Jessie Vere" and "My Young Wife and Old Umbrella," were produced on Wednesday and Thurs-

day evenings to tolerably good houses, and to-night (Friday) an. adaptation from B. L. Far j eon's well-known novel "Griff" will be presented. We understand that several novelties are in preparation.