WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 24 April 1885, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The most absorbing topics of newt and gossip here during the past RnaL^V 1 " 6 , *£ w ?!t Uitfai of a ° war between Russia and England, and the means of strengthening our Colonial defences. The latter follows as of course from the importance of SI^SSSnISL 00 " 168 J°l he *W P«toaw»UT, whenever, at least, tne cable informs us of there being any ominous signs of warfare apparent on the European horizon. The intelligence of there «il gg * R T an 3 , fi«*d o^. destined for the Southern Pacific, seems to have fully aroused the apathy of our local "horse guards, for active steps are being taken to fortify our valuable USSt ?w? haß r*^ 6 - Thelocal defences, consisting o? the erection of batteries for large ordnance, commanding the entrance to the harbour, are being pushed forward with all due dispatch, and are expected to be in position in complete telegraphic communication within a week orso. The batterie? will be manned by a force of Armed Constabulary men, who are being instructed for that purpose and who will form a permanent artillery, or the nucleus of such a^ force. Active preparations are also being made for the immediate calling out of the first-class militia of the district. The existing commissions of all former militia officers are cancelled and the services of military officers are in requisition. A feeling of uneasiness and alarm naturally prevades the female breast on such occasions as the present, when such si^ns of active warfare are abroad, and so many unexpected nocturnal commotions cause the more timid, at least, to believe that a Russian force has landed and are actually pillaging the city A casern point came under my knowledge a few days since, which will show that this statement is not quite fictional. A peaceable inhabitant of our rising suburb of Newtown was induced through the strong inducements, nay, supplications of his better half, to purchase a revolver for the protection of their domicile in the event of any Russian marauders discovering that retreat. The "shooting iron "was procured, loaded with great care and placed beneath the pillows to ensure its being to band in case of being required on the shortest notice. A wakeful watch was now nightly kept during the "sma' hours ayant the twal"by husband and wife alternately, as a provision against any too sudden or unannounced indoor visit by such unwelcome visitors in search of booty Things went on capitally in this manner for a few days, without; any powder being wasted, until in the early hoars of Good Inday morning when the sentinel wife aroused her liege lord, with the startling announcement that the enemy, were upon them, for she had just heard the sounds of voices and footsteps in the back premises. They listened, yes, it was no false alarm,— the sound of muffled voices were plainly audible from the out-houses. Her husband grasped his instrument of defence, determined that if they were to be served a la Bmse, they would sell their property, nay their lives, as dearly as possible. Without delaying to habilitate themselves in any other garments than those they "had on, they stealthily proceeded in Indian file from the marital apartments to the back part of the premises where the aggressors would now be. Peering through the scullery windows, figures were visible groping around the wash-houEe. This was sufficient. After a fond embrace and an impressive request by the wife to be sure to do for all of them, or else they would be done for, the husband with valiant effort fired through the window into the outside darkness, deeming it were waste of the English language to give any admonitary notice of their intention to resist the cupidity of the Muscovites. The sound of two bodies falling against the building with a heavy thud, a low pitiable moan from one. and some pleading expression in th.3 English vernacular from the other followed, breaking the stillness of the midmeht air. This caused the shootist to pause in his bloody career and enquire in trembling accents, who were there. A voice as from the tomb replied " Oh, please sir, don't shoot no more we are only the baker's boys, bringin the hot-cross bun", Ob, lnd 1 oh, lad ! " Tableaux. A fainting wife, a spectre-like figure wildly rushing outside the premises and exclaiming amid sobs over ths swoonine boy. " I've shot the baker I Oh I I've shot the baker." I cannot chronicle any special celebration of the anniversary of Ireland s patron Saint, by the Clan-no- Gael of this city. A feeling of something akin to apathy seems to have crept over us for some years past, regarding the commemoration of St. Patrick's Day, which does not redound to the credit of Ireland's sons. There was a time when the celebration took the form of a dinner, at which all Irishmen could assemble whate'er their varying creeds or political opinions, when speeches, anecdotes, and songs, " racy of the soil " abounded, which enkindled a spirit of unsectarian nationality and brought to the minds of many present the remembrance of scenes passed in dear old Ireland.

« That ling'ring haunt, The greenest spot on Mem'ry's waste." Were it not for the sports organised by the Hibernian Society within the last few years, for the celebration of the occasion, St. Patrick s Day in Wellington could not now be distinguished from any other day in the calender. Even for this small mark of appreciation of the day, the Society are blamed, and cold water thrown on. their efforts, and that too in quarters where it should be otherwise. It is to be regretted that this Society, which is purely a benefit and nonpohticalsociety, should be discountenanced and banned by the powers that be, as if it were a secret Society. There might be a reason for this, if another Catholic Society of similar objects, but with a less national appellation and sympathy, was proposed to be formed or in existence. In addition to the usual sports, the Hibernian Society this year arranged a capital concert appropriate to the occasion, which was held at the Athenaeum Hall, and was remarkably well patronised An interesting feature of the entertainment was the introduction of a genuine Irish reel and jig, danced to the music, supplied by a real Jive Irish fiddler. It is needless to add that this part of the programme was thoroughly appreciated. The concert was repeated on

Easter Monday evening by special request. The proceed! of the SSS% *« t0 a * the P™ ol "** of a .pSd banra honSe! * OrdeWd *° * mMQf actated P tor it inlS I mnst defer the mention of some other matters until ray i»«xt.