NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 196, 29 December 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

We observe that a. most satisfactory ex&niination of the pupils attending St. Mary's Catholic School, ' Invercargill, has lately been held. The school has made marked progress under the direction of Mr. Sproule and Miss Thompson, and the fact that out of a total number of ninety names on the roll, there has been an average attendance of eighty, in itself speaks volumes. Generally throughout New Zealand Catholic education appears to be progressing with the best results, bearing testimony to the self-sacrificing efforts of Catholic parents to preserve the faith of their children, and the zeal displayed by the clergy in enabling them to do this. On Christmas Day a number of the younger pupils attending at the Dominican Convent Schools in Dunedin were admitted into the sodality of the Holy Childhood. This Association is composed of children, and it has for its object to rescue from paganism the children of China and other heathen countries. The members are distinguished by red badges with medals which hear an image of the Divine Infant Jesus. The prizes intended for the Art-Union to be held in aid of the Conventual Buildings in Dunedin, have been increased by the addition of two admirable views of the Ocean Beach, painted in oils by Mi\ Power. J A The annual concert and distribution of prizes took place at the Boaoimcian Convent, Dunedin, on Monday, the 18th instant. His tordship the Bishop of the Diocese distiibuted the premiums, and according to the usual custom of the establishment crowned the young lady who had been awarded the prize for good conduct. The music performed on the occasion was very admirably executed, and ■evoral recitations-were delivered in excellent rtyle, but owing to the want of accomwnJflStion if was found, as hitherto, impossible to admit the parents and friends of the pupils to witness their proficiency. Inif » extremely to be regretted; but « it is hoped that by next Christmas this difficulty will be obviated, for the new conventual buildings are being rapidly proceeded with, and it is expected that long ere the end of next year the Nuns wiU have been settled in them. Iht necessity indeed that exists for better accommodation for the community of Sisters and their pupils is very apparent and hardly needs to be recalled by the exclusion of their parents from the very creditable exhibition of the children's talents and acquirements alluded to. * At a Concert of Sacred Music given in the Queen's Theatre, Ihmedin { on the evening of Christmas Day, the "New Zealand Anthem, written by Mr. Thomas Bracken, and composed by Mr. J. J. Woods, of Lawrence, was performed. The manner in which it was received by the audience, who applauded it enthusiastically, bore ample testimony to the excellence both of words and music, and afforded the best augury for their future popularity, as well as

furnishing a sufficient proof of the fitness of the whole piece to supply the place for which it was intended by the talented autho* of the verses. The melody is extremely pleasing and original, and all impartial critics must feel themselves satisfied with the judgment delivered by the three eminent professional gentlemen of Melbourne, who awarded to it the prize. On Christmas Day several Masses were celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, Dunedin, commencing at 6 a.m., and ending with' Pontifical High Mass offered at 11 a.m. The congregations through-, out the morning were numerous, and the number of communicant*' amounted to upwards of 400. The Eev. Father Crowley preached in the forenoon, and hia Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese delivered st sermon in the evening, when the church was again wellfilled at the recitation of the Rosary and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. We learn with much regret of the death of Dr. Holme, which took place suddenly at his residence in Dunedin, on Wednesday last. The deceased gentleman was of well-known eminence in Kb profession, and for his private virtues is much lamented by a large circle of friends. On Wednesday next, 3rd prox., % picnic will be given to the boys attending the schools of the Christian Brothers. The steamer Iron Age has been engaged for the occasion, and will leave the Eattray-street Wharf for Portobello at 10 a.m. Amongst the more useful publications relating to matters connected with health, current at present, may be reckoned a '"Treatise on Scarlet Fever,' by Mr. E. H. Bakewell, M.D. An excellent method is here described of dealing with the dangerous illness in question, so as to obtain a speedy cure. Directions are also furnished for preventing the spread of infection, and many valuable hints are given iv language plain and easy of comprehension.