Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1888, Page 2

Colonial Notes.

The opening of the Victorian Parliament took place on June 19. The Governor's Speech alluded to the steps that had been taken for tne defence of the colony, owing to the rumours of European war, and, among tbe rest, stated that a cartridge factory would be established in Victoria, which it was hoped would supply all Australia. The support given to the approaching exhibition, and more especially by "oreign Governments, was mentioned as surpassing all expectations. The works of irrigation undertaken were referred to as likely to result in the public benefit, as was also the provision made for technical education. The beneficial results obtained from the votes granted for tbe promotion of the mining industry, and the promise of even greater progress in the future, were likewise dwelt upon. The Speech concluded by referring to tbe unprecedented prosperity of the colony, and praying for its continuance.

His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne received six postulants into the Order of the Good Shepherd on Sunday, June 17, of whom one was Miss Ellen Abbott, daughter of Mr. Henry Abbott, of Wellington, New Zealand.

Ihe newly formed diocese of Sale has bee i consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The ceremony took place on Sunday, June IT, the anniversary of the consecration of the previously formed dioceses of Australia. The act of consecration was read by the officiating priest in every town or district where Mass was celebrated.

Exhibits are coming in numerously from all parts of the world to the Centennial Exhibiton. The great space required, especially by the machinery has given the parties responsible a good deal of thought. There is no doubt, however, that in all cases satisfactory arrangements will be made. The work is being vigorously pushed on so as to have everything ready for the day of opening.

According to a recent report made by the Government statist, tbare is a considerable demand all through Victoria for labourers and

domestic servants. In some localities it is true, no demand exists bnt the want neems made up for in other places. It can not be good news to shearers that in some districts their labours will be supplemented, or perhaps altogether replaced by sheep-shearing machines.

▲n improvement, or perhaps, more properly, a disimprovement on the state of affairs ia the old country, has been shown in the letting for the season's cropping of land near Port Fairy. As much as £6, and even in one case £6 an acre was paid for potato land, and grain land brought from 15s to 40s. The circumstances of the case must be exceptional, indeed, or such a state of things is deplorable. It seems to point to a most undesirable monopoly.

The thrift and and industry of the Chineie on which certain legwla" tort so lore to dwell, for reasons dorotless best known to themselves, hare received an illustration in the arrest at Melbourne of three Cninoße stewards of the steamer Chingtu, in the act of smuggling on •tore a quantity of cigars. The thrifty and industrious bad resorted to the rxpedient of stuffing themselves out with the contraband article, but a landing waiter was sharp enough to detect the counterfeit rotundity of the Celestial form divine. At the request of the customs department, the delinquents were discharged and sent back to their ship, their cigars being confiscated. It is not, however, to be understood that three Europeans could not be found capable of playing a similar trick if they got the chance. But there is a lurking suspicion in tbe minds of most of us that it would be hard to find three Chinese incapable of doing the like if an opportunity offered. That is about the chief distinction : a white man who offends goes against his principles, and may reform some time or another ; a Chinaman has no principles to betray.

Sir. W. J. Clarke is erecting a magnificent mansion at Jolimont near the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. The cost of the building is •atimated at £50,000. Is not this a good example for absentees ?

The souls of the just belonging to the Anglican community in Sydney have been vexed— like those of the just interested in the manner in which the worship at St. Paul's cathedral in London is carried out, by a reredos erected at St. Andrew's cathedral and accused of favouring " Popish " notions. Tbe particular feature ■avouring of " Popery " is a panel on which tbe crucifixion is repreMnted. It is hardly a reproach to " Popery " meantime that it should be so associated. As to whether the offensive carving will be cut oat remains to be seen.

The Sydney Freeman's Journal publishes the following cablegram : — Rome, June 18. — His Eminence Cardinal Moran and his secretary, the Very Rev. O'Haran, after a pleasant voyage from Sydney arrived in tbo Orient Co. 'a b.s. Orient at Naples. The Cardinal came on almost directly to Rome, and was received by Monsignor Kirby at the Irish College. Yesterday His Eminence had a special audience with the Holy Father. His Holiness received the Cardinal with great friendliness, and in the course of a long conversation, it is understood, the affairs of the Church in Australia and the political affairs of Ireland were discussed. His Eminence will have another audience with the Holy Father before his return to Sydney. After resting some months in Rome His Eminence will proceed to France and Belgium to arrarge for the teaching Orders of the French Christian Brothers and the Brothers of Charity.

An entertainment in the shape of a trip down the harbour was given on Saturday, June 16, by the city and surburban branches of the I.N.L. to the delegates of the country branches who had ate-ided the convention. A very pleasant day was spent, and in the proposing of toasts end returning of thanks some capital speeches were made. Mr. F. B. Freehill. the President of the League at Sydney, in giving the Press, spoke especially in a highly complimentary manner of the part taken by the Freeman's Journal for more than 30 years in furthering and supporting Irish interests. He commended the newspaper to the gratitude of the Irish people of all the colonies on this account. There can be no doubt, we for our own part may add. that the Free, mans Journal deserves the special thanks and acknowledgments of the Irish colonial population. At the time of its establishment and m the earlier portion of its career, there were great temptations in Sydney to adopt a different course from that adopted and consistently carried out by it, and that it should lend its aid to a desire which prevailed in certain quarters to destroy all Irish associations and de ationalise Irish settlers. The Sydney Freeman's Journal has been an Irish Catholic pioneer among colonial newspapers, which other newspapers have been obliged to follow, however at variance their doing so may have been with the true principles of their promoters.

A case was brought to light the other day in the Legislative Assembly at Sydney, in which the Government had remitted £900 of a fine of £1000 imposed, in July 1887, on the captain of a ship which had brought to the colony ten Chinese in excess of tbe legal number me case is interesting as affording some kind of an insight into the manner in which it may become Dosßible for the wily Celestials aided by a wily executive, to evade all legislation devised for their exclusion . John, as we know, is not only thrifty and industrious but distinguished likewise by a capacity for playing tricks that, notwithstanding wh-xt the poet sings, are not always vain. And it is rumoured about that members of executives are not always quite incapable of an} thing of toe kind .

The horrible occurrence of the muiders ?t b ormanton, Queensland, has hardly bten surpassed for ma-v years.-A J .van who had quarrelled with his companions rushed to a tent inhabited by three Europeans. Two of them he stabbed to death through the side of tbe tent nnd the other coming to their aid he attacked and mutilated tearfully. The consequence was arising of the whites agatr ?r the coloured camp, which was burned and destroyed— tbe denizena f «»ubjecfc*

of several foreign powers, being put to light. Numbers of them were afterwards captured and placed on board a hulk. The boats and fishing nets of these unfortunate people were destroyed, as well as their other pr jperty, their loss being estimated at over £2,000.

The agitation for the separation of Northern Queensland is being revived. At a meeting held the other day at Towatville, a resolution was passed urging its renewal. Among the measures advocated ia the establishment of an inland capital.

The directors of the Taranganba mine assort that it exceeds Mount Morgan in richneia. The average is stated to be 3oe psr ton, at £4 2s an ounce, and there is said to be no known limit to the quantity. The gold formation at Mount Morgan narrows from the top, at Taranganba it widens.

Th« association for the promotion of Austral ian nationality going ahead in Queensland. Sir Taomai M'llwraith is its especial patron. AH white settlers woo will support the objects of the association are admitted to membership.

The following papsages cccurr jd a letter addressed by tbe Bishop of Gonlburn to the clergy of hie diocese and ordered to be read by them in their respective churches on the Sunday within the octave of M.S. Peter aud Paul .•— " We have been disturbed for some weeks past by telegrams about a Papal letter sent to the Irish Bishops. Some of these were absolutely false, and some exaggerated. Certain principles of Catholic morality are asserted :— Taat contracts with mutual consent entered into cannot be broken by one of the parties only and that wrong is done by interfering with mutual freedom to enter into contracts, both referring to land contracts in Ireland as between landlords and tenants. This is stated as being still more obligatory, because there are land courts to secure justice for those who have reason to complain. The document admonishes the clergy and the people not to overstep the bounds of justice whilst seeking relief from the evils which affLict them. As it is also a principle of Catholic teaching that evil should not ba done that good may follow, the admonition rest 9on that principle of Catholic morality. From tte facts placed before the Supreme Congregation of the Inquisition at Rome, the decision of the Ooagregati >n was that what is called the Plan of Campaign and boycotting are against the moral principles set forth. If the state of Irish affairs were an ordinary condition of things, the leaders of the Insb people could raise no question as to the principles set forth, fur they are necessary for the peace and security of society. But those who introduced these methods for the purpose of saving the Irish people from extermination, and for forcing the civil power to apply the reqaireJ remedy, could not look on tbe state of Ireland as an ordinary one nor to the courts as affording safe relief. Many non- Catholics are glad because they look on this document as likely to maka the Irish people careltss about the Pope, and likely to put them wandering like themselves. But as the Pope is the Rock on which the Catholic Church rests, and which secures unity for the Churcb and preserve* i 1 from being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, any pain given will not produce that calamity. The document is addresied to tho Irish lisnops, in whose hands the civil as well as the religious interest* of Ireland find their best and safest guides ; and what appears a shock may turn out a valuable means for securing the present obj-cU of Irish agitation. Thb agitation may be carried on with greater c.i c and with greater force until the desired end is obtained ; and this appears to be the sentiment prominent in the Papal document."

In connection with the Victorian land boom, the following caa^s are of interest :— £9,200 has been lately refused for 23 acres distant 10 miles from the Melbourne Post Office ; for a slightly larger paddock at about the same distance, £14,000 has been refused. An offer of £5000 for 9 acres at a distance of 12 miles from tbe city has b<en similarly treated . Let us hope there may coma no hour of repentance on the part of the proprietors.