INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 6 July 1888, Page 18

INVERCARGILL.

CFrom an occasional Correspondent.) PEBHAPS the most notable features of Invercargill at present are the steady immigration of our population to Melbourne, the general stagnation of business, and the liberal patronage accorded to the numerous skating rinks. The exodus of our townspeople is likely to go on for Borne time, as those who have already migrated are sending their friends here somewhat joyful accounts of their successes in the "greener fields and pastures new of Victoria. No doubt it is a consolation to know that there is at least one thriving and prosperous colony in Australasia whither the labourers and artisans can hie them in the prospect of bettering their condition. The farmers in the country districts are sending their grain to market and to port in such quantities that it is not unusual for our luggage trains to run night and day. The yield of oats this seaßon is good, and the price realised is about Is 6d per bushel. Our dairyfactories are still sending shipments of cheese to the London market, where the remunerative price of 5Gs per cwt., or 6d per lb. is obtained. It is proposed to start a butter factory at Waikiwi, a place three miles north of Invercargill, when it is to be hoped Southland butter will bear lavourable comparison in the Home countries with Denmark and Ireland. Our mineral wealth is chitfly monopolised by Chinamen, who have almost absolute possession of the diggings at Round Hill, Nukomai, and other districts. At tne present time, when work is scarce, a large number of our labouring classes, a id chi fl» the unemployed, woulJ be only too glad to avail themselves of employment on these goldfields, which were deserted when things were brisk and high wages ruling. But here, as elsewhere, the Mongolian has put in his appearance, and thus excludes the i-uropean from an important industry and a means of subsistence. It may be easily understood why the people of Southland should utontly oppose an influx of a race of men who compete in the labour market, deprive many a household of the necessaries of life, bear no share of the burden of the State, and who bring in their train immorality and disease. Subscriptions towards the Presbytery building fund are coming in freely, but the opinion of the majority of the contributors is, that notwithstanding the many drawbacks inseparable from hard times, the most advisable course to adopt would bu to erect a new snbstantial building instead of putting additions to the old one. Of course the committee appointed to carry out the arrangements in connection with the building, viewing the aspect of adverse circumstances, acted on the proverb that "half a loaf is better than no bread," and recommended that the old presbytery should be sufficiently enlarged to meet present requirements. A meeting of the committee will be held on Wednesday evening when the suggestions made to the collectors will be considered, and should there be a prospect of obtaining funds enough to undertake the building of a new, and elegant presbytery, no doubt the proverb will be amended to read " a whole loaf is better than a half." It will undoubtedly reflect a great deal of credit on the Catholic community if the latter proposition is carried out. The debate at the Catholic Literary Society, '• Napoleon v Wellington," resulted in a victory for the admirers of Napoleon. At a recent meeting of the society, prizes were offered for a reading competition, for which there were seven entries. The first prize— the President's silver meJal— was won by Mr. Buckley ; the second— a few volumes of a modern work, presented by Mr. Reid— fell to Mr. Bradley and the third— a money prize of ss— was carried off by Mr. O'Brien' At last meeting a lecture was delivered by Rev. Father Jacques on " His travels in India." The lev. gentleman gave a very graphic account of Indian scenery and pour t rayed the characters, customs and social life of the natives. He treated somewhat extensively of the history and features of Goa, of the conflicts there between the English and Spanish, of the shrine of St. Francis Xavier on whose life and labours the rev. lecturer dwelt at some length. At the close of bis lecture which received frequent and well-merited applause from the large number of ladies and gentlemen present, Father Jacques was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of M O'Brien seconded by Mr. Gnffen. After the lecture a recitation by Mr D* Bradley, and a combination Csong and dance) by Mr. O'Brien" terminated the meeting. ' ' On; Sunday evening, 24th ult., at Vespers, Father Jacques delivered an eloquent and impressive sermon on the holy life and saintly virtues of St. Aloysius. He showed with great force and effect how that young man persevered in his holy career in spite of the many temptations and allurements to which he was exposed, moving as he did in a Bphere of high and princely society in Italy and Spain, in courts whe-e immorality and licentiousness were prevalent Instead oW 1 pursuing the paths of wealth and luxury, and revelling in the splendour and power to which his high birth and o her circumstances entitled him, he despised all worldly pleasures, and sought alone the incomparable gem to be found in the next world— the glory of his Divine Master. His unbounded charity was manifested by his sacrificine his

own life for the benefit of suffering humanity in the plague- strickeu hospital at Rome, where, with the Jesuit Fathers, he ministered unto the wants and requirements of the poor invalids. Bat here the germs of disease laid hold of the noble snd pious young man and laid him in an early grave. His exemplary career, his pure and holy life, his devotions and self-denials, placed him in the rank of the saints, and in a special way he has been appointed by the Church as patron and protector of youth and of sodalities.