OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 41, 3 February 1888, Page 20

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

(From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, January 1888 . The air is full of rumours here as to the retrenchment policy to be pursued by the Government, and the extent to which it will affect us ir the capital. Civil servants literally " shake in their shoes," though awaiting with what fortitude they may the much-dreaded edict. Nothing has, however, as yet been divulged of the intentions of Ministers, though they sit in Cabinet late and early. Since my last letter we have had a visit from four of the warships belonging to the Australasian squadron, and the excitement thereat has been very great. These were H.M.S. Nelson, which brought Rear Admiral Fairfax, Commander-in-Chief of the Australasian station, and H.M.S.S. Calliope, Diamond, and Rapid. They arrived here from Auckland on the 9th of January and sailed for Sydney on the 16th, bis Excellency the Governor being a passenger to Sydney by the Nelson, whither he went to be present at tbe centennial celebration. During their stay here every effort was used to make the time pass pleasantly. The officers were entertained at a ball by the members of the Wellington Club, and the men to the number of several hundred at one given by tbe local naval Volunteers. A very creditable dramatic performance was given by the bine-jackets of H.M.S. Calliope in aid of the hospital, which was greatly appreciated. We also had a firing competition while tbe vessels were in port between the men of the squadron and the city Volunteers in which, I am glad to say, our men were tbe victors by a large number of points. A church parade was held for the Catholics on tbe only Sunday while tbe ships were in harbour, which was attended by about 200 men under Lieutenant Charleton. Mass was celebrated for them especially at 9 a.m., and the men on arrival on shore were met by the Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Cimino, and were played to the church. The Rev. Father Power officiated at Mass, which was sung by the choir. His Grace Archbishop Redwood preached a very eloquent and appropriate sermon on " The Name of Jesus." On the whole, both officers and men were very satisfied with their stay, as indeed they had reason to be, The members of St. Patrick's guild, a sodality belonging to the Te Aro parish, and their friends, to the number of about 500 people, held a very enjoyable outiDg in one of Mr. E. Rosa's paddocks at Lower Hutt on Anniversary Day. Amongst the guests present v» ere the "Very Rev. Father Sauzeau, Fathers Kerrigan, Moore, Lane, Landovar, and Bryant. A programme of sports was arranged for tbe young people present, in which the competition was very keen. The party returned to town at 5 p.m., having spent a very pleasant day. During the past week the Very Rev. Prior Butler, 0.0.0., has given a retreat to the Sisters of Mercy and also to the clergy. The retreat for the clergy was given at Sfc, Patrick's College.

On Sunday, the 22nd ult., the ceremony of the profession of three novices was performed at St. Mary's Convent by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. Their names were Miss Mary Redwood (in religion, Sister Mary Bernard), Miss Annie Oimino (Sister Mary Liguori), and Miss Daly (Sister Paula). The Very Rev. Prior Butler preached the sermon from the following test : . !' Bectfase them hast done this thing, and bast not spared thy only begotten son' for my sake, I will bless thee and multiply thy seed aB tne'sfkrs of Tieaven." On Thursday, the 19th ult., the third animal' meeting of the Wellington Catholic Beading Boom: and Literary Society was held at the Society's rooms, Lambton Quay. ThejHpn. .Dr,, Grace, president, was in the chair. A very satisfactory report was submitted, and the balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £18 18s 6d. It is satisfactory to ndticetbat this' desirable institution is how makingh'eifiway, as the support accorded it has not always been what it deserved: "We have had a cad instance of tbeTjaneful ejects of tha gpdleas education system here since I last wrote to you. j^. girl aged 18, who was attending one of our State schools, because her father corrected her informed him that she would commit suicide, and she' thereupon went and drowned herself in' the reservoir. The evidence adduced showed that the reason why her father beat her (with his hands only) was because she called him an old sneak, surely quite sufficient reason. You will be pleased to hear of the success of the pupils of St. Patrick's College at the recent University examination: Seven students presented themselves forjjthe matriculation examination, and all passed. This fact speaks for itself: The names of the successful students are Bernard McMahon, Ghristchurch ; John Sheridan, Wellington ; William Wixcey, Wanganui ; Alfred Malley, Christchnrch; Alex. Mcllroy, Dunedin ; John Lempfert, Westport ; and Thomas O'tihea, Hawera. The College re-opens after the Christmas vacation for the reception of boarders on Saturday next and for the commencement of studies on Monday Feb. 6i The annual meeting of the Diocesean Synod took place last Monday week, immediately after the retreat for the clergy. The Most Bey. Dr. Grimes, Bisbop of Christchurch, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Hickson and Binsfeld, arrived here on Monday morning by the mail steamer Aorangi.