News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 292, 6 December 1878, Page 14

News of the Week.

We understand that a Diocesan Synod will be held in St. Joseph's Dunedin, on Wednesday, the 23rd of next January, and that the foundation stone of the Cathedral will bo laid en tie following Sun day. A lecture will be delivered in aid of the Dominican Convent Building Fund, in the Temperance Hall, Dunedin, on Thursday 19th inst., by the Rev. J. O'Malley, S.J. The subject will be an exceedingly interesting one, namely, the Catacombs of Home, and we understand that the Rev. lecturer is provided with some excellent illustrations of these haunts of the early Christians. His Lordship the Bishop of the diocese will occupy the chair. We have been requested to return thanks, on behalf of the Dominican Sisters, to those person? who so kindly helped to further the success of their late art-union. The inhabitants of the West Coast, and of Hokitika, especially, have merited the warmest gratitude of the community in question. THE Rev. Fathers O'Malley and M'Enroe, S.J.. will open a mission at Oamaru on Sunday next, Bth inst. ON Sunday next, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a number of little girls attending St. Joseph's Schools, Dunedin, will make their first communion. THE wreck of the s.s. Taianaki on Lizard Island near Tauranga during a fog has been the event of the week. The vessel struck on the rocks in an inlet about 9 a.m. when the passengers were at breakfast. All who were on board got safely on shore, but the vessel is a total wreck. Captain Malcolm and the officers are said to have behaved admirably. The concrete shafts and arches on which the Dunedin Cathedral is to be erected have now been completed. In every instance the shafts have been sunk to the rock, and most solidly and powerfully constructed. A foundation has "been thus obtained that is unsurpassed In security and strength.

A reception of children of Mary will take place at St. Joseph's Church, Dunedin, on Sunday evening next, after vespers. The drawing in connection with the art-union in aid of the building fund of the Queenstown presbytery has been postponed until March 19th next. We understand that owing to the destruction occasioned by the recent floods, the ability of the inhabitants of the district in question to help in this matter has been much crippled : it is therefore hoped that persons charitably disposed elsewhere will interest themselves in furthering the success of the undertaking. Many handsome prizes have been provided, and a novel feature amongst them is that several of them consist of nuggets generously contributed by members of the mining population. The price of the tickets is the moderate sum of half-a-crown. The bazaar in aid of the Convent at Christchurch will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Leithfield-street, commencing on Monday next, 9th inst, and lasting for three days. It was originally intended that it should be held in St. Patrick's Hall, Barbadoes-street, but on consideration it was decided that the position was not sufficiently central. The nuns have been greatly aided in their undertaking by the efforts of the Catholic congregation ; the ladies have been most zealous, not only in providing attendance for the various stalls, but in f >xrnishing them as well with a large quantity of handsome and useful articles and they have been joined in their efforts by the gentlemen, who give all the assistance in their power, and have especially undertaken the department upon -which it devolves to provide for the entertainment of the visitors. Everything promises a thorough success ; there is no doubt that the affair has been very finely set on foot, and it is certain to present attractions that cannot fail to procure for it a large amount of public patronage. The Rev. Father Hennebery still continues his mission at Auckland, where a large attendance waits upon his ministry. WE clip the following telegraphic correspondence from the Dunedin Eveimig Stai :—" While preaching at the Roman Catholic Cathedral yesterday morning (Ist inst.), Father M'Guiness followed up the remarks of Father Hennebery at Auckland. Father M'Guiness spoke strongly against balls and othpr worldly amusements, and condemned the young ladies of the present day for dressing in the extreme of fashion and in rich garments whilst they were standing on the brink of awful eternity. He quoted Tertullian's remarks, " That earth is but an abbreviation of hell," and said that if the Catholics properly ealised their position, they would go about in tears instead of spending their brief lives in thoughtless gaiety and heedless pleasure." We learn with much regret of a fatal accident which occurred at Napier on the 30th ult., and by which Mr. J. Barry, an old and respected settler at Taradale lost his life. The deceased gentleman was attempting to mount his horse in front of the Telegraph Office, when the animal took fright, and threw him to the ground with such violence that his skull was crushed in. A few months ago Mr. Barry visited Dunedin, and, from all appearances, many years of life seemed to lie before him. He leaves a wife and young family to mourn his loss. — R.I.P. We observe that the Presbyterians of Auckland have, to quote a line of one of Dean Swift's most unclean verses ;most apt in this connection, " Resolved for a fortnight to swim in delight." They have invited the unfortunate apostate Chiniquy to come over and edify them. We are conscious of this man's presence in the j colonies, but hitherto have taken but slight notice of him, as we have no desire to enter upon lewd subjects unless we are actually forced to do so. Mr. Hosan, late of Christchurch, has been appointed master of the Catholic school at Naseby.