CATHEDRAL FUND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 476, 26 May 1882, Page 15

CATHEDRAL FUND.

I **% *?v, "SftS 6^ th ? receipt of the blowing subscriptions towards the Cathedral Fund :—: —

•such a system is maintained. But this is easily accounted for.

The primary object of godless systems of education in every country where they unhappily prevail is to deprive Catholics of the means of all education, so far as their enemies can, unless in opposition to their convictionn and principles they < will consent to expose their children, for whose education they i are accountable to God, to intrinsic dangers to their faith and morals. It is the alternative of apostacy or ignorance that is presented to them, with the evident intention of keeping Catholics in a poor and subordinate position if they remain faithful to their holy religion. This is the one primary object of systems of godless education everywhere. And to compass this diabolical end the enemies of our faith scruple not to wring out of our unwilling hands our hard earned money to support godless schools to which they are determined, if they can, to compel Catholic children to go for tuition for several years till the inculcation of ignorance of the most important subjects, by the ignoring of them in the curriculum of studies, and of contempt for all revealed religion, particularly the Catholic, is complete.

This is the reason why a system that satisfies nobody is maintained here as well as elsewhere by a majority, who prefer godlessness in education even for their own children to the granting of justice and fair play to Catholics. It is an unwise and shortsighted policy, however, as well as an unjust one. In order to injure and spite Catholics, the advocates of this system are inflicting an irreparable injury on their own children, on themselves and on society, whilst so far as Catholics and the Catholic education of their children are concerned, they are not effecting anything likely to lead to the end they have so much at heart. The consequence in the end will be, that whilst Catholics will be rather served by the efforts to injure the religion — the faith and morals of their children, their enemies will find themselves falling into the very pit they had dug for the ruin of Catholic interests. The faith of their children will be either lost or weakened, and their morals anything but cultivated and improved. The history of every country where godless schools have been established for some time proves that such a prophecy is not without solid foundations. The patrons of such schools here will soon be compelled to join with Italian parents and say " We are beginning to be afraid of your schools " — your godless schools.

It is said that the Houses of Parliament contain many friends to justice to Catholics on this question. We do not know that it is so, but if 6uch be the fact, it is most desirable that they should not reserve the expression of their friendship for a hole and corner on the eve of the polling day, but would make some effort in Parliament, early in the present session, to have justice done to 80,000 colonists, the most zealous and the most self-sacrificing of all colonists in the cause of education. We regard the profession of friendship on the part of a man who at the end of a session of Parliament makes a speech denouncing the injustice done to Catholics, and only then introduces a Bill calculated to relieve them, which, for want of time cannot possibly pass into law, as a sham, and that man as one whom Catholics, if they can, ought to hunt from the hustings ; and oppose in every way just as strenuously as they would their most open and offensively determined enemy. There is not, we believe, any intention on the part of Catholics to present any petitions to Parliament on this subject during the present session. Their view is, at all events it is the view of a great many amongst them, that to petition is useless, and would be only calculated to court insult. Our true policy seems to be, to exert ourselves to give the best possible education to our own children in our own schools ; to raise them by this means to a high position intellectually and morally, and thus place in their hands the best guarantees of social and political progress, and whilst doing so to discuss and agitate the question outside of Parliament, taking great care as to the registration of loyal Catholics, and unity of action at election time. But to go to Parliament with a petition which no member willingly presents through fear of a majority of his constituents, and to ask for the advocacy then of members who give such advocacy either as a good joke, or to cast dust in our simple eyes, is a position so humiliating that few amongst us will think of subjecting ourselves to it.

We learn that the ceremony of opening the new convent of the Bisters of Notre Dame det Missions at Christchurch will take place on June 11. The Bishop of Wellington will be present on the occasion.

A petition against the employment of skilled labour in prisons has been drawn up for presentation to Parliament by the Wellington tradesmen. It is stated in the petition, among other things, that by conferring trades upon prisonera an incentive to crime is offered, and this is very manifest. It is to be hoped Parliament will deal effn* tively with the matter. "^1 A meeting of the Collectors in connection with the weekly subscriptions to the Dunedin Cathedral Building Fund was held on last Tuesday evening, at the Bishop's Palace. His Lordship intimated that many new subscribers had been added to the lists, and that every endeavour would be made to obtain the names of all Catholics in the city and suburbs as contributors. He further stated that he approved of the weekly system in preference to any other. It was suggested that every person who is at present contributing should endeavour to give information to the individual collectors as to the residence of others who are not subscribing, so that they may be called npon to do so. The meeting closed by his Lordship heartily thanking the gentlemen who have been acting as collectors, and urging them to still continue until this great and noble structure had been completed, or at least that portion of it which would afford sufficient accommodation for the commnnity.

Mb. Parnell is reported to have declared in Parliament that the murders in the Phoenix Park were committed by the enemies of the Land League in order to bring it into discredit ; and, so far, ar> pearances justify the declaration.

In England the mob has been excited \y the incendiary antiIrish Press, and the consequence has been a riot at Bright House in Yorkfeouse, where the Irish residents were attacked and severely illtreated. Anti- Irish riots had already taken place either at Cranbourne or Cam borne, for the name has been variously given, in which a Catholic Church was wrecked. The assassinations in the Park have been made generally the pretence for stirring up the popular hatred against Ireland, and they have certainly been committed most opportunely for such an end. Whoever may have been the culprits, their deed was nicely calculated to serve the cause of landlordism and oppression. It has certainly answered the purpose of that "consignment of clockwork " which Mi. Healey asserts a gentleman told him recently might soon be expected, in order that the Government might find justification for additional coercion. The reward offered for the conviction of the murderers now amounts to £12,500.

The Melbourne papers report the occurrence of serious riots at the Curragh between the " English and Irish residents " — that is, we conclude, between the English and Irish soldiers, who are the only residents at the Curragh between whom it is possible that fighting to any extent, or of any gravity, could occur.— lt is not likely that the Mrs. Major O'Dowds of the situation took it into their heads to pommel its Amelias.

Another repoit concerning the murderers of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke is, that they at once drove away to Chapelizod, and drowned themselves in the Idffey. The report does not say whether the cab was also submerged, or, if not, what became of it.

Pakera and Epiha, who shot at Mr. Williams, a surveyor, at Ohinemuri, in 1879, have been taken prisoners by Sergeant M'Gowan, after a severe struggle with several Natives, at Waipu.

Sir Samuel Wilson is about to erect a memorial window in Hughenden Church as a memorial of the Queen's escape from assassination. Sir Samuel is most clearly a zealous competitor for the favours of the " Social Banditti," described by the Saturday Review. AnotV or case of ludicrous celebration in connection with the attempt in question is a charmingly guileless letter written by her dear papa or mamma for some little cockney innocent, and forwarded in congratulation to Her Most Gracious Majesty.

Sib Julius Vogbl is announced to be on his return voyage to the colony by the Orient s.s. Austral.

Ten men arrested on boaTd ship at Liverpool, and reported to be suspected of the Phoenix Park murders, turned out to be only stow-aways.

The Irish judges have very creditably protested against the task proposed to them of conducting trials without juries. The responsibility is certainly one that any matt of right feeling might well shrink from.

A little deaf and dumb girl was killed at Christchurch last week by a truck which passed over her, breaking one of her legs, and cutting off the other.

A blacksmith named Smart, of Kurow, has had his knee-cap blown off by the explosion of a gun-barrel, sent to him to have the nipple taken out, and which he had placed in the fire for the purpose. This carelessness concerning firearms is a never-ending source of death and mutilation.

It is reported from Nelson that Richard Shields, one of the oldest diggers on the West Coast, has been drowned while crossing the Matokitikiti at Hampden.

A digger named Samuel Bellard committed suicid« in the Onamatutu Valley on Monday by shooting himself.

The BangiWkei Advocate tells an amusing story of an old fat lady, who the other day was obliged to turn out of the coach and cross the Otaki River on horseback. " Two gentlemen (says our contemporary) had much ado in getting her astride of the cold, wet coach-horse, and much pity was felt for her at first. A Maori volunteered to ride behind her on the horse, to keep her from falling off. She bore it all calmly till she came into contact with the cold, wet hair of the horse, and felt the arms of the Native around her. Then her patience 'caved,' and she let loose a volume of abuse upon the Government and the coach proprietors, which would have drown ed tfeem had they beea present." Michael Davitt, speaking at Chester, has advocated the abolition of landlordism in Ireland, and recommended vigorous steps to be taken with such an end. The Dominican Nuns beg to acknowledge the receipt of £40 2s from Messrs. Lalor and Dennehey, as the proceeds, after all expenses were paid, of the concert at Invercargill in aid of the Convent there, and to tender their thanks to all who patronised the concert, especially those who sang at or took any part in it ; also to thank those who have sold or bought tickets for the art union. Blocks and money have been received from Mesdames Roche and Lalor, Invercargill ; Lennon, Connor, Kelly, White, and Conway, Dnnedin ; Mr. Moran. Westport, Mr. P. Murphy, Tinkers ; Mr. Tynan, Outram ; Mr. B. Sullivan, Naseby ; Mrs. Cameron, Queenstown ; Mrs. Ward, Blenheim ; Misses Mulholland and Harris, Dunedin ; Misses Noonan, Halswell, and Elder, Roxburgh ; Mr. E. Butler, Greymouth ; Mr. John M'Carthy, Lower Hawea. Parliament was opened on Friday, 19th instant., by his Excellency the Governor, who appeared on the scene clad in the Windsor uniform, and wearing a train which was borne by his son in the capacity of a page, and suitably attired. It is a pity, however) that an equipment which no doubt is perfectly en regie, and meant to do honour to a grave occasion, seems to have so much of the air of

masquerade about it, his Excellency, in fact, seems to be stared at as if he were Borne kind of a superfine guy. vn comprehended of the vulgar. The Governor's speech was decidedly encouraging, and spoke of the commercial prospects of the colony as very cheering. He announced, moreover, that the returns to be laid before the House

would show that the revenue has considerably exceeded the amount estimated; the receipts from the railways over the expenditure during the past year amount to 4 per cent, on the cost of construction and a new impetus appears to have been given to every branch of industry. The prospects of the goldfields are also excellent. His Excellency's tone in alluding to the Parihaka affair quite confirms the reported differences between him and the Ministry in relation to the matter. Sir G. M. O'Rorke has been appointed Speakt-r of the new Parliament, and Mr. Montgomery has been recognised as the leader of the Opposition.

The Bills now before the House, and in which for the moment the chief interest centres, are the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, and the Indemnity Bill. The first of these provides that Te Whiti and Tohu shall not be brought to trial, but shall be disposed of as the Governor-in-Council shall from time to time determine. "That is to say :— (1) To keep the said Te Whiti and Tohu, or either of them, in custody in such place as the Governor thinks fit ; (2) to release or discharge them, or either of them, unconditionally ; (3) to release or discharge them, or either of them, subject to such terms and conditions as the Government think fit to impose ; (4) after any such release or discharge, whether unconditionally or on conditions, to again arrest them, or either of them, and to keep them, or either of

them, in custody as aforesaid. No Court, judge, justice of the peace, gaoler, or other officer or person shall, during the continuance of this Act, discharge, bail, or liberate the said Te Wbiti and Tohu, or either

of them, without an order from the Governor-in-Council first

obtained." The Indemnity Bill provides for the immunity of all persons who in the raid on Parihaka, and its attendant circumstances, may have transgressed the law in repressing the Natives. Sir George Gret has declared his intention of asking to be allowed to introduce a Bill to restrict the quantity of agricultural

land that any man may hold. He also declared that a land tax was

needed and must be had, so that the men holding the best lands of the Colony, already alienated, may be obliged to return some equivalent.

Mr. M. W. Green has introdnced a Bill to Define and Regulate the Hours of Labour in New Zealand, and Employers' Liability. This is the Bill that deals with the eight hours' question, and its

progress will be watched with interest. The eight-hours' question,

moreover, being one in which are involved, in^a more or less degree, distinctions, and the formation of a Colonial aristocracy at the JRost and to the lasting injury of the working man, is one of a higher importance than that derived to it from the mere matter of longer or shorter hours of labour. The Bill which deals with it is one on which much depends, and education apart, we doubt if a more weighty measure can be brought before the House. A Goods train from Dunedin ran off the line at Kartigi, on Tuesday night, owing to the cow-catcher coming in contact with a

horse, which had strayed upon the railway. The engine and a number of trucks fell over the enbankment, and the fireman had his leg broken. A special train conveying excursionists to Christchurch had passed the place where the accident occured shortly before it took place.

Orders have been given by the French Government for the withdrawal of the army from Tunis. The matter;, has occasioned considerable dissatisfaction in Paris.

The vthicle which carried the Phoenix* Park murderers to and from the scene of their crime, is reported to have been discovered by the police, and to be an unlicensed car. If this be true the criminals can hardly remain much longer concealed.

The Porte objects to the action of the French and English fleets in having entered Egyptian waters with a view to influence the impending struggle between the Khedive and his rebellious subjects. The Becond reading of the Irish Repression Bill was carried on Tuesday, by a majority of 112. The question of arrears of rent is to be dealt with after this Bill has passed. Under the Repression Act additional facilities are to be afforded for the expulsion of foreigners ; newspapers inciting to violence are to be suppressed ; a fine is to be levied on districts in which any crime is committed.

The Sydney Express quotes from a contemporary the following agreeable sketch of Sir Henry Parkes :— " Sir Henry Parkes, then, ia a man about 68 years of age. He is tall and gaunt, ungainly and awkward in figure. He does not walk firmly and resolutely, but, as it were, glides quietly and stealthfully along. He has a large head covered with white hair, and a thick flowing beard of the same colour. His head decidedly betokens intellectual power. His face is destitute of colour, and his skin is dry and parchment-like. His features are by no means regular, but jare coarse and unshapely. His mouth is obscured by a heavy moustache, and, therefore, cannot be seen, but those who have seen it, as was possible in early days, would liken it to a gash made with a tomahawk in a bladder of lard* A cold callous indifference continually looks out from his grey eyes, which are seldom lighted up with any other expression." It is not fair to judge of the book by its cover, but when we know the contents of the book it is not displeasing to find the cover suitable to them.

The correspondent of the Dublin Freeman, writing from Glasgow on the 21st March gives us the following :—": — " The most notable of the other Patrick's Day celebrations in Scotland was that held in the Kinnaird Hall, Dundee, at which an English Catholic priestRev. Father Holder — made such a speech as ©ne might expect to hear from Canon Doyle or Father Sheehy. After denouncing in scathing language the atrocities of British rule in Ireland, he complimented the Irish in America for their munificent contributions in aid of the cause at home, and declared that the cry of ' Ireland for the Irish' was as bud on the Mississippi as on the banks of the Shannon." But why should we not expect an English priest to express just views on the Irish question and a detestation of tyranny and injustice wherever they may be displayed ? Surely we are not to judge of English priests or English Catholics generally by the utterances of that one organ of English Catholicism, the London Tablet. The bigoted anti- Irish partisan of the [worst phase of landlordism? and which, we aver, and are ready to prove, does not scruple to sacrifice even the reputation of the Catholic religion itself, to ita advocacy of the continuation of tyranny, and its defamation of the Irish people.

The following is clippsd from the Mount Ida Chronicle of April 6th— better late than never ;— On Monday last the scholars attending St. Patrick's school, Naseby, met for the purpose of presenting their teacher, Miss Dougherty, with a testimonial, on the occasion of her leaving the district. Miss M. Cogan and Master Ryan, on behalf of 39 pupils, read the following address, which was accom* panied by a purse of sovereigns :—": — " We, the pupils attending StPatrick's Catholic School, at Naseby, desire to express our regret that you are leaving your position in the school. We beg your scceptance of the accompanying purse and its contents, as a small acknowledgement of our respect and esteem, and of the trouble and anxiety which we know we must have caused you on many occasions, also for the kindness you have invariably shown us. Wishing you success and happiness in the future, we remain, &c." Miss Dougherty made a feeling and suitable reply. Three hearty cheers were given by tha scholars at the conclusion of the proceedings.

Mr. William Reid, Princes St., Dunedin. offers for selection an unrivalled stock of seeds of every description, whether for garden or farm, at an extremely low rate. Mr Reid's supply of fruit and forest trees will also be found modt valuable, and possessed of qualities to secure their growth even in the most unfavourable situations.

The well-known Royal Hotel, Walker street, Dunedin, has been taken by Mr. G. Nelson, who is fully qualified to conduct the estab-' lishment, in accordance with its high reputation. Good accomodation and moderate charges, must recommend this hotel to the patronage of the public generally.

Mr. J. Deane's, Maitland Hotel, Maitland and Walker Sts., Dunedin, offers an extremely agreeable and convenient residence for boarders. Its situation is within easy distance of the centre of the city, and is at the same time retired and quiet. The house is ia every respect comfortable and well fitted up.

Convent school children ... 3 0 0* Weekly Subscriptions. * s. d. £ a d Per Bey. J. O'Neill 6 10 0 Per Mr. W. J. Hall 2 0 0 „ Mr. J. Griffin 1 6 0 „ „ N. Smith 019 0 " " E^Pa 11 * I**1 ** 10 0 „ „ Dillon 010 0 „ „ M'Girr 2 0 0 „ „ Brennan 1 0 0 '„ „ E. A. Dunne 017 0 © P. Moban.