NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 153, 7 April 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

We are happy to inform our readers, that the long-looked for arrival of the Christian Brothers has at length taken place. The Arawata, which reached Port Chalmers on Sunday morning' last, brought in her from Melbourne four members of the famous "Order, named respectively, M'Mahon, Healy, Bodkin, and Dunne. His Lordship the Bishop, accompanied by a number of gentlemen belonging to the Catholic congregation, went to the Port to meet them, and they were conveyed to Dunedin in a carriage, as it was feared that, had they waited to come by the train, they would have been late for the 11 o'clock Mass ; for which, as it happened, they were in ample time, owing to the capital driving of Mr. Fitzgerald, who drove them up from Port Chalmers, a distance of nine°miles, in three-quarters of an hour. The fact that the Melbourne boat came in on Sunday morning was unfortunate, as it prevented the Bishop from being attended by any of his clergy, and hindered other persons, who were most anxious to do so, from taking part in the reception given to the Brothers. However, there is no doubt that the most heartfelt satisfaction prevails on all sides, and this may well atone for whatever was wanting in outward manifestation. It is most pleasing to encounter everywhere expressions of gratific ition at the f ulfilment of a desire so long entertained, and the supply of a need so severely felt, as that of efficient means of educating the Catholic boys of Dunedin. Those means are now at hand, and the sincere congratulations heard on all sides, afford the Christian Brothers the best possible augury of that success and happiness in their new position, which we join in most earnestly wishing them.

H.A.C.B Society, Invkrc\bgiix Bkancit, No. 96. — The sixth quarterly meeting was held in St. Mary's Schoolroom, on Thursday, March 16, at the usual time ; the president, John ICirwan, in the chair Present — John Flanagan, V.P., John Maher, S., Thomas Meehan, W., Richard Fahy, and Owen Gallaher, S.V. There was also a good attendance of the brethren. The St. Patrick's Day Committee report that they have resolved to disallow at the evening amusements, what is known as fast or round dancing. Report received with applause. It was moved and seconded that the members of this branch attend in regalia, in a body, at the opening of the New Church at Riverton, which would soon take place. This was carried with acclamation. A member was found guilty of riolating law 94, clause 15, by the Committee of the Branch, and for such offence, was suspended from all receipts for six months, and fined 20s. The sum of £4 11s. 9d. was passed for payment to Secretary, and postage and stationery. Contributions received, £14 165. 6d. The Rev. Father Higgins was present for a short time during the evening. After the usual routine business, the meeting was closed with prayer. — A Member.

Balfe's opera, " The Bohemian Girl," was produced at the Queen's Theatre on Monday last. The music of this opera is of a light nature, and is characterised all through by brilliancy and prettiness. It was admirably put upon the stage, and the excellent scenery and well chosen dresses much enhanced tho general effect, which was exceedingly good. Of Madame Simonsen's singing in the role of Arline it would be difficult to speak too highly. There are few songs which have obtained so lasting a hold upon the popular taste, as that well known one which occurs in this part, " I dreamt that I dwelt in Marble Halls," and it has rarely been more charmingly rendered than on the present occasion. The tenderness and playfulness of the wayward gipsy maid were charmingly expressed, and the vocalisation was of a very high character, more especially in the piano passages on the upper notes, which were remarkable in the extreme, being of exceeding sweetness and, with all, wonderfully clear and distinct. Throughout the whole opera, indeed, the singing of the lady in question was exceptionally charming, so that it is impossible to select any portion more particularly to commend in addition to the above mentioned song ; but if there be anything that deserves mention more than another, it was the staccato notes which occurred in one or two of tha harmonised pieces, and which were given exquisitely. Mr. C. Florence as Thaddeus sang and acted capitally. His rendering of " Then you'll remember me ' was honored by an encore ; and had he not been resolute in discouraging a second attempt made at conferring a like compliment upon him, he would have been obliged to give another repetition of the same. In the concluding part of this air, he, with much success and a charming effect, made use of one or two falsetto notes, but on trying the same in an allegro passage of one of the concluding choruses, he was not equally happy. The part of Devilshoof afforded Mr. B. Levison scope for his excellent acting, and he played the wild Bohemian admirably well. Mr. Hodgson sang correctly in the charater of Count Arnheim ; he possesses a voice of considerable power and of much sweetness, but as an actor he wants ease and spirit. Miss Lambert as the Gipsy Queen sustained her reputation ; her part wa§ rather a subordinate one, but her mellow contralto was heard to much advantage, and the dignity of the untutored mistress of the wandering tribe w»s well portrayed by her. Mr. Sceinbach proved himself, as Florestein, an amusing farceur. The choruses, in which this company is particularly strong, were, as usual, exceedingly good, and the orchestra was, in itself, worth going to hear, the violin and clarionet playing especially. This evening and to-morrow, an opera new to the colonies, and named in French, " Las Dragons de Villars," and in English, " The Hermit's Bell," will be performed, and we take it upon us to advise any lovers of music, who have not as yet heard thiß excellent company, to avail themselves of the opportunity of doing to, while it is in their power. During a recent thunderstorm at Timaru, a large aerolite of of metallic structure fell, and has been forwarded to the museum. — « Weekly Argus.*

The 'Leader' says : — Three hundred weight of fruit has been gathered from one plum tree grown at Bell Block, Taranaki. The annual general meeting of the Directors of the New Zealand Tablet Company will be held on Monday, 22nd May next. Particulars will be furnished in our next issue. The Committee of the Christian Brothers School Fund Bazaar beg to acknowledge the courtesy of the Eev. the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, in granting them the University Hall, in which to hold their sale, commencing on Monday, 17th inst. The Caledonian Society of Otago will open their new grounds, near Kensington, on Easter Monday. The sports held under the direction of this society are so highly appreciated, and so well carried out on all occasions, that it is only necessary to announce them, in order to secure for them the patronage of the public. Owing to the indisposition of the Lady Superior, the names of some of the contributors to the Bazaar have been unfortunately omitted from our list ; they will, however, be inserted in our next issue. Messes. Butel Brothers, of the Arrow, have met with an accident of a severe nature. On Wednesday, the 29th ult., about 5 p.m., a spark from the threshing machine, which was at work on the farm of Mr. Fox, Speargrass Flat, set the threshed straw on fire. In a moment, under the strong southerly breeze that was blowing, the fire spread instantaneously. The machine was consumed ; the threshed produce, the bags — in fact, everything — and a man named Michael O'Donnell, through an attempt, it is reported, to save his clothes at the machine was burned to death. It is supposed by others that O'Donnell was hurt while jumping from the stack, and could not save himself. — ' Wakatip Mail.' The Grand Bazaar in aid of the Christian Brothers' School Fund will open on Easter Monday, commencing at 10 a.m., and will close on that day at 5 o'clock, in order to afford the public an opportunity of attending the concert to be given in aid of the same fund, on Easter Monday evening, at the Temperance Hall. The bazaar will continue every day during Easter week. The doors will open at one and close at six, and, in the evening, from seven till ten o'clock. During each evening a promenade concert will be given, and such satisfactory arrangements have been made on this head as to justify the Committee in promising to the patrons of the bazaar some first-class vocal and instrumental music. Many ladies and gentlemen of the highest order of talent having kindly volunteered their services. Everything is being done that is calculated to render the bazaar and promenade concerts a brilliant success. Admission, one shilling The Committee desire to thank, in the warmest manner, their host of generous friends for their kindness and liberality and to acknowledge with gratitude the costly and valuable donations made to the bazaiu*. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the ' New Zealand Magazine' for April. We are obliged to defer our review of it until our next issue. The Thames correspondent of the ' Southern Cross ' telegraphs under date March 21 :—": — " Among the passengers by the ss. Hero are fully forty men, miners from the Thames. It is believed that they take with them about £3000 of their savings. Last trip the s.s. Hero took with the Thames miners at least £4000 savings ; and my informant says that the men will not go to the South, but prefer leaving altogether and trying the Palmer diggings." The ' North Otago Times' reports further shocks of earthquakes. It also adds : — "The following circumstance, the accuracy of which is vouched for, is also worth recording, viz., that a never failing spring of water at the Maerewhenua Station ceased flowing after the two heavy shocks on the 26th February for some time, and has since been running intermittently."