Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 17, 17 August 1888, Page 2

Colonial Notes.

Connected with the expulsion by the British troops of the Tibetans from Sikkim has s been an attack made oa the Catholic missions. These missions were not, properly speaking, within the boundaries of the Empire of Tibet, but in bordering provinces nominally administered by Chinese officials.— The persecution, nevertheless, was the work of the Lamas, and was especially directed from Lhassa; But orders were given that no bloodshed was to take place, and, while the priests wtre driven away and the property of the missions destroyed, the alternative offered to the converts was banishment or apostasy. Apart from the religious aspect of the matter, one of its more serious features is that, while the pretence was indignation at the action of the Government of British India, the Chinese authorities looked oh without interfering.

In the Sikkim affair the Tibetans have shown some features of a formidable enemy. On one occasion they boldly attacked the British camp and though repulsed with severe loss did not show themselves panic-stricken. An invarion of their country would be attended with grave difficulties in the way of transport and supplies, and doubt as to the disposition with which it would be regarded by China adds to the serious considerations relating to it. As matters now are, Bsgland cannot risk the danger of prejudicing the Chinese mind against her.

A reformer named Ragoonath Row has conceived the desire of bringing back the Hindoos to the original Aryan faith — pure theism. His efforts are not likely to result ia any marked success, but it seems more or less » healthy sign to see a movement against paganism initiated by one brought np in it. A spirit of dissatisfaction and inquiry must have the effect of leading men to examine into the claims of the Catholic Church, and a sincere examination can have but one result.

A case illustrating the nature of Hindooism has taktn placd in Madras, where a man desirous of getting out of a difficulty by finding a treasure, has sacrificed his child befors an idol of the god Munisawmy , whose aid he was desirous of securing.

The n«w Federal Coffee Palace is one of the sights of the day in Melbourne. It stands at the corner of Collins and King streets, aad forms a very imposing object. The house contains somewhere about 500 rooms, of which 370 are bedrooms, and is constructed altogether in a very imposing style. On the roof is a promenade, which commands an extensive view of the city.

The turning up of a nugget, yielding 375ez. of pure gold in the Burnt Creek Company's mine at Dunolly has been a subject of congratulation — especially to the shareholders of the Company. Any proof, however, that the mining industry, to which Victoria owes everything in the past, and from which she still hopes for much in the future, is far from exhausted, must needs prove welcome to the commonity ia general. The last great find was in July, 1887, and occurred in the Midas mine, where a nugget of 6170z. wa» found.

In a lecture given the other night at the Working- Men's College, Melbourne, some claims were made that, to say tht least, should not tend to lessen that disposition to " blow " which some people have set down as a distinguishing characteristic of the Australian native. The lecturer, a Dr. Maloney, ascribed to the native born inhabitants many of the qualities that distinguished the ancient Greeks, including the personal beauty which forms the criterion for art, and excites the envy of the world at large. But when some of us hear of the glories which these colonies are eventually destined to produce they may be inspired with the melancholy thought that they have been born, or perhaps have emigrated, a century too soon.

The financial statement of the colony of Victoria shows a condition of things that other colonies may well envy. Delightful news, indeed, must it be to any taxpayers, as it is an unknown experience to some, to hear that a large surplus — a surplus in this instance of close upon £900,0)0, is in hand, and still more delightful is it to receive the assurance that next year's revenue is to be far in advance of this year's. Lucky, indeed, is the country that can discuss with all con* fidenee the adviseabieness of reducing its public debt, being persuaded that its creditors would prefer to remain inch. Well, long may Victoria enjoy her prosperity, and long may her creditor! rejoice in the investment with her of their capital. People there are, nevertheless, who look upon the present state of things as exceptional, and possessing of Bolid or lastiDg basis. Perhaps, they can give no sufficient reasons for the distrust that it in them— but there it is for all tbat.

The Most Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, first Bishop of the see, has received a strikingly cordial welcome to Port Augusta. The mayor, and some members of the town council, as well as representative! of the Catholic body, met his Lordship at the railway station, and he was escorted by a detachment of the local rifles, and followed by a number of the principal residents, the streets being handsomely decorated and thronged with people, to the presbytery, where he addreswd the assembly from a platform, erected for the purpose. The Bishop thanked the people heartily for the reception they had given him, in which he said he found an encouraging and inspiriting omen on assuming the dutiea and functions of his see.

Orangeism seems to be ffoing ahead in New South Wales under the fostering administration of Sir Heary Parkes. The conduct of Mr. Abigail, the Minister of Mines, who is a leading Orangeman, has of late been so glaring, ia absenting himself from his Pamcunentary

2b£T£ h M pa fv ? %**£* me&iia^' "d otherwise degrading the SSThSL 1? i"' Sf BZB Z ? enry himself bM been obli ged to centre iS^M e \i°^u •? thehon - g eDtlem »° » conwled by his privati knowledge that the Premier speaks from the teeth out. So bold is Oranti 1^ 11 ; meant ' me> tbat be openly cenßureß the members of the ££T P n I TT h ° cupy Beatß in the HoUBe f « r not coining forward impudently to his defence. But, althoneh Sir Henry Parks diicUim. ShaTanoJaT^S *? °™e°™< «*"*" heSS^SSS S« wSUSf^ v ge W^ ni) one " ii g noiaQ t of the direction in which In SS^J * V W £ at end hiß inflQei »« ii employe! to promote, to this instance the old proverb well applies-" Like master/like

Wallta L?SH 7 IDBtalliQ g M- as French Resident at don a fn t£ ? l2f "** v per J°™ ed byQovernor Nouet, of New CaleQueen of WaIIS MS ° f Tbe Govemor ' ** addressing the eliimed »« rlnif- * especially on the protectorate lately pro"iSTsurp'TJ^^fT tb . G aboUra of tbe Catho]ic missionaries. attriS,S'fV u Wd ol e " teril W iQto your Majesty's sentiments in 5Ss 2L fnr hapP M eßal^ in g reat P«Mo the noble French re•SSSftTj? for "? ore than 50 years have consecrated their lives and efforts to the service of so Christian and patriotic a work "

the SnSff^i ??? ° f NN f W Caledonia are utterly complaining of victTatt « m n]ov g f !? comp » nieß - The y complain of the conthebSSl -££ I '° £ tbe PP a "y in g awa y °f l °e natural wealth of dta^L^H Bny i porUonß being left for ita benefit > of *c greot importation of all necessaries from Australia, and of a resoluSSif£S!f« t.t .K > E -i H !i V6BBela Onl7 " Th « n£?^? n sympathy with the complainants, but points out that SSJai^ff^ 1 ? MvM v " eceß , Mr y. Bin ce they only ein provide the SJt tuch^n 0 ' - the dev f«P ment of the mines. It, however, adds cosnt« ? ~ m P ameß Bh o ald Q ot monopolise the resource of the 2S5n lr OWn profit> and Btill IeBB t0 thafc o' foreigners. Our £m£2ie rary COndemn8 ' nofc the exißt^ce, but the abuse of large