NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 March 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

On Tuesday evening, according to announcement, a meeting of ladies and gentlemen interested in the forthcoming bazaar, took place in St. Joseph's schoolroom. The Rev. Father Crowley presided, and the meeting was attended by a goodly sprinkling of ladies, every one of whom pledged themselves to act on a committee and to do all in their power to make the undertaking a really grand success. It was resolved to meet the next day at the Convent. Subscription lists were ordered to be got ready and everything prepaied for a vigorous canvass of the city. An influential and numerously attended meeting of Catholic Ladies took place at the Convent, Dowling street, last evening, and it is gratifying to have to say that the ladies, with a unanimity rarely to Le found, set their heads together on the great business they had assembled to consider in such a manner as to leave little doubt as to the result. A good deal of business was got through and it was agreed to meet again on that day week at the same hour. In addition to the usual courses carried out at bazaars, the assistance of a large number of amateur musicians has been secured, and it is intended to enliven the hall in -which the business of the day is being carried on by instrumental music, while in the evenings, promenade concerts will be given. The young ladies of the Convent schools are, on this occasion, to take part in the performances, and when, in addition to the services of several well-known local amateurs, and of tliose some who are about to appear for the first time in public, it is announced that the aid of Mr and Mrs Woods, of Lawrence, has been kindly offered, assurance is given of first-class entertainment. The pictures provided for the Art Union are very beautiful and valuable, and we notice that, through a determination of literally adhering to the truth, the value of some of the best has not been stated on the tickets, as they were not professionally appraised, notably that of the exquisite ' Eiver Scene ' presented by Mr Woods, of Dunedin. The Rev .Father Walsh, on behalf of the Catholics of this poor mission, wishes very sincerely to thank, and begs most gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of £22 15s from Michael Tynan, Esq., Outram, West Taieri, being the handsome amount which he so charitably interested himself in collecting towards the erection of a R. C. Clergyman's residence here. The following are the names of the subscribers of the above amo nt : — Michael Tynan, dSIO ; Thomas Murray, 10s ; Mrs Webb, £l ; Samuel O'Kane, £1 10s ; James Bleckmore, 10s ; D. J. J. Dape, £2 ; William Knott, £1 ; H. C, ss ; Jane Steadman, £1 ; John Wyer, £1 ; Edmond Kildy, £1 ;Dr Me Brearty, £2 ; John Currie, <£1. Further subscriptions and donations which are much needed will be gratefully received and acknowledged by me, M. Walsh, R. C. Clergyman. Ophir, March 17, 1876. As we anticipated in our last issue — rertain difficulties incidental to the openiug of a season having been surmounted — Simonsen's Opera Troupe have now fairly established themselves in the public favor This remark app'ies with double force to Signor Morley, who has entirely dissipated the somewhate unfavorable impression conveyed by his first appearance as Fritz in the " Grand Duchess." Those who were present on the opening night, and listened to him afterwards as Ed»ar Ravens wood in 'Lucia di Lammermoor," or Lionel in " Martha, would have some difficulty in imagining it were one and the same person ; but it was as the hero of Donizetti's charming production that he appeared to best advantage. As is known, it was the Italian version that was presented, and as a consequence, Signor Morley would be more at home than if the libretto were in English ; added to which, also, it is well known that no matter Low well foreigners speak our language, they labor under considerable difficulty in their dramatic efforts, in not thoroughly understanding the varied meanings which the same words convey, and which can be taken in a variety ot senses. Si<nior Morley, however, has a powerful rival in public tavor in the person of Mr. Florence, whose first appearance was received with such an ovation ns is rarely bestowed upon a stranger. This must be the more nattering, as we understand tha', as far as opera was concerned, it was his maiden appearance upon any stage. Mr. Florence has a brilliant career before him. He is the possessor ot a voice clear and ringing as a bell, of great flexibility and astonishing ranee j and although at times shrill and erratic, when properly trained and kept under control, will be one not often to be heard. Hew also the possessor of a goodly supply of self-confidence ; but desirable, no doubt, as such an acquisition is, it is just possible it may be abused, and Mr Florence allows himself to f -.11 into this error in the character of Don Cffisar de Bazan. Although Wallace porrays the spendthrift noble as a roysterer, it is not necessary he should be made a drunken brawler, unable to keep his feet, and although a profligate and an exile, he still retains the stamp of nobility. The defects in Mr. Florence c Don Cesar may be summed up by saying that it is presented ratner

as a staggerer than a swaggerer. However, considering he is almost neir to the lyric drama, ho is entitled to the highest measure of praise, and gives promises of better thiugs in the future. On Saturday night last, Flotow's charming opera of " Martha" was presented, and although taken as a whole, it cannot rank with " Lucia ; " there were certain portions which stood out in bold relief, notably " The Last Rose of Summer," whi'h was greeted with prolonged applause, and the quartette "Kind Good-night." It must bo confessed, however, many of the beautiful concerted pieces with which the opera abounds were but indifferently rendered, the quartette in the spinning scene being very tame indeed ; while the same must be said of " Yes, 'tis really quite amusing," and the chorus of huntresses However, the singing of Madame Simonsen throughout the pice, and the chorus at the fall of curtain on the third act amply atoned for any shortcomings. We notice that Mr. Barrington has been classed amongst the bassos, for what reason we know not. He ha 3 a rich powerful baritone of great volume, an d in the character of Plunkett acquitted himself of the music allotted to him in a creditable manner, but he appeared to sustain the role with a nonchalant cavalier air, as if the whol<- thing were a bore. This is far from pardonable in artistes who hare secured a firm footing on the pedestal of fame, and Mr. Barrington should i learn that if he be anxious for success, the surest way of securing the sympathies of an audience is by evincing a riesiro to please. We have received from Adelaide the first, number of the ' South Australian Tablet.' Under the heading " Ourselves," the journal in question accounts for its publication, as follows: — "The Catholics of South Australia have not had for some time a paper possessing their entire confidence, and which could be considered a representative organ. The publication of tho 'Irish Harp and Southern Cross' having ceased, appeals were made from every part of tho colony to publish a paper which would give general satisfaction. We knew and keenly felt the want of such a paper, but were for some time deterred from the undertaking which had failed in other hands. Moved, howover, by the many appeals, and enco'iraged by the promises of hearty support, we resolved, after some deliberation, to comply with the wishes of the Catholic community, and to publish 'The South Australian Tablet ' The Catholic newspaper cupplies an antidote for the continual misrepresentation of all things connected with the Faith, which is made by the non-Catholic pres-i, and exhibits, in their true light, the actions of the Church, and those of her members in the various parts of the world, which would otherwise only be reported by the voice of prejudice, at least, if not by that of open calumny. Such a newspaper should, therefore, bo in the hands of nil Catholics, and we hail with pleasure any step that is taken of a nature calculated to work out the accomplishment of this desideratum. Our new contemporary bids fair to be an acquisition to the Catholic cause in these colonies, and we are happy in wishing unbounded success to so able an advocate of truth and justice. The Inangahua 'Times' says that in spite of the caterpillar nuisance, against which complaints were so rife at the beginning of spring, most of the crops in ihe Inangahua Valley have turned out remarkably well this year. The produce has certainly been a little behind time, but that drawback has been fully counterbalanced by the extra weight of the crops. It is informed that one of the largest farmers in the district is anxious to import some sparrows to devour the caterpillars which infest his land, but he is afraid that the birds like the Government immigrants, will not, remain where they arc wanted to, but migrate to some other part of the district. It is suggested that all the farmers in the district should club together to acclimatise the birds. On Sunday, 19th March, at Lawrence (Feast of St. Joseph), a "Missa Cantata" was sungby the Rev. rather Larkin. N> twithstanding the threatening aspect ot tl o weather, a large congrega'ion assemble). Atter reading the Epistle and Gospel of the day, the Rev. Father Larkin delivered au eloquent and instructive sermon on the Festival the Church was celebratinp on that day. The choir under the direction of Mr. J. J. Woods rendered the music of the Mass effectively. At the elevation of the Host, Mr. Ford, who possesses a tenor voice of considerable power and sweetness, sang Morello's " O, Salutari*"in an effective and feeling nrnnner. Selections from Mozart's No. 1, Haydn's No. 3, and Weber's Masses, were given in such a manner as to sustain the reputation of ihe choir as the best in the Province. The week's festivities were brought to a conclusion by a grand Proinenado Conci rt, which was given in the School-room on Monday evening last, when there was a large attendance. Th>» various items on the programme "were well rendered. The " Anvil Chorus " from "II Tr~vatore" by the company, a"d the ballads, " Oh, Mother dear" by Mr. Woods, " Strangers Yet" by Miss Hesford, and the " Vagabond Boy" by Mr. Towsey, are d serving of special mention. At the conclusion of the con<ert, tho National Anthem was played by the orchestra, the audience then dispersing in the best of humor. The visitors Ironi Dunedin were very kindly treated by the Rev. Father Larkin, and Messrs. J. J. Woods and J. Harris, who were most assiduous in their attention towards them. St. Patrick's Day was observed as a holiday by the Catholics of Dunedin. High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's at eleven o'clock, when his Lordship the Bishop delivered an address commemorative of the life and labors of Ireland's great Apostle. In the evening at vespers the Bishop again spoke on the same subject, and related some of the beautiful legends concerning the Saint, which are to be found in the history of him written by Miss Cusack, the Nun of Kenmare. At St. Joseph's female school the day was observed by the children, who presented an address to his Lordship the Bishop, and made an offering, amounting to J65, to be forwarded to the Holy Father. Various festivities were also conducted at the Convent High School, and the sounds of merriment ■with which the house and grounds were filled, gave ample testimony to the enjoyment of the pupils of the establishment. Sunday, the 19th inst., being St. Joseph's Day, the usual observances were made ; High Mass was celebrated at eleven o'clock, and in the evening at vespers his Lordship the Bishop, in his sermon, held up to the veneration of the faithful, St. Joseph, the patron of the universal

Church, and the Saint to whom the sacred edifice, in which the congregation were then assembled, is especially dedicated. At the risk of being considered tedious, we (Bay of Plenty 'Times') musk again caution bathers from venturing too far out into the wa'er. We are daily receiving information of th° presence of large sharks, ranging from 12 to 23 feet, in the harbor, and they aredescribed as being most venturesome in the way they follow boats and cauoes. The Invercargill ' Weekly Times' says: — On March 10 we learned on most trustworthy authority that a bed of lignite has been discovered within the municip.il boundaries of Invercargill. One of the residents on the flat, while digging a well on his section, nearly opposite Mr. Macrorie's ho ise, on tho Bluff roal, came upon a seam of lignite, which ho found at that particular spot to be fully 5 feet in thickness. The lig ate, we are told, is of very fa r quality, and if this is so, and if the ssam is of noeworthy extent, the discovery will, as a matter of course, prove a valuable one.