Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 24, 5 October 1888, Page 3

Colonial Notes.

It is much to be regretted that Ireland is so badly represented in the Melbourne Kxhibition. At a time when so much attention is directed to the country, her exhibits would be sure of being examined with interest, and it could not but prove advantageous to her to have her capabilities in the matter of art and industry prominently brought forward. Nor does the neglect tell favourably for the business aptitudes and the enterprise of Irish merchants and manufacturers. — As to the Kxhibition generally it would be impossible to write of it to any purpose within the Hmit3 of a njte. It, as a whole, fulfils the expectations formed of it, The picture gallery especially is well worth a visit, and Bhould go far towards encouraging artistic tastes among the native population. Tt is greatly to their advantage to have an opportunity, not iv the ordinary courfe of things to be looked for, of seeing so fine a collection. The attendance continues large, and there is every reason to expect that it will do so until the end of the season.

Some excitement has been caused in Melbourne by a constable being shot, and severely woundei. He was attacked by a man described as a short thick-set fellow, in the open street, and twice fired at, the bullets taking effect in hn hip and neck. The assailant, believed to be a spieler, escaped. But the use of the revolver in the streets is au Americanism whose introduction could be excused and should be severely repressed.

The Protectionists of New South Wales claim a great victory ia the return of their candidate at the election for Redfern. The constituency bad hitherto been strong for Freotrade. The conversion has taken place within the last two years and has been as marked as it was rapid. It is boasted of as a test case and the triumph of the party is loudly proclaimed.

The New Zealand court at the Melbourne Kxhibition, concerning which the complaint went forth that the minerals of the colony were not sufficiently represented, now bids fair to be over-stocked. A large quantity of exhibits have arrived, and, as the space ia small, Sir. James Hector is at his wits' end as to bow tl cy are to be disposed of. No one doubted that hew Zealand could make a fine display, and the practical proof is now given perhaps a little too fully.

It is announced that the Most Rev. Dr. Moore, Bishop of Ballarat, is on his return voyage from Europe in the li. M. S. Ormuz. His Lordship is accompanied by a Krge number of priests and nuDS for reinforcing the mission* of his diocesr. and opening new ones. Notable among his company is the Hon. W. M. Plunkett, uncle of the Earl of Fingal, and who, if be survives his nephew, will succeed to the title and estatep. He is to join aßedcmptonst communny about to be established at Windermere, near Ballarat, and whose Prior is to be the Rev. Father O'Farrell, well known and much belovei thronghout the colonies in connection with the missions of his Order.

It is believed that a settlement of the New-Castle strike is approaching. Mr. Melville M.L.A., is using hi 3 influence in such a direction among the miners, whu place; much reliance on him. The basis of an agreement is sud to be nlrea ly under consideration both by strikers and owners, but the difficulty is as to the satisfactory selection of an arbitrating body. It is, however, h ipod that some mean 3of obviating this difficulty will speedily be found.

Something like a band ot freebooters has been formed near Borroloola in the Northern Territory. A company of outlaws from Queensland are assembled there, and have betaken themselves to the muster of all unbranded horses and cattle. They declare their determination to resist interference, and to go to the last extremes

in fighting against arrest. Matters must probably be left to develop themselves a little farther, and the prospects seem pretty lively. Buahr.inging on so large a scale, and in a difficult country will not be a thing that can ba easily dealt with. There will b« ao opening for distinction amon» the police. We shall Bee to what extent they will avail themselves of it.

A notable ceremony has been performed in the Exhibition building at Sydney, where Lord Carrington has been installed as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of toe Freemasons of New Sou»h Wales. The pow-wow was conducted on a bcale of great magnificer.ee, with the Anglican Bishop of Bathurst as grand second fiddle in the religious department, and a choir of 100 trained voices. Chief Justice Way of South Australia, who acted as installing Grand Master, was the speaker on the occasion, and there was a large crowd present, including some 4000 of the sect. The ucual gasconade, or, vulgarly speaking " blow," was, it ia needless to say, the order of the day. Is it not pitiable to see so much energy wa?t> d on what, if it were not something much worse, would be intolerable folly ?

The discovery of a rich silver lode — 670e. <o the ton— is reported from Grenfell, New South Wales. A syndicate has been formed to work it.

The formidable stand made in support of Catholic education by Mgr. Meurin, Bishop of Port Louis, has so much discomfited the Secularists or Protestant proselytisers, that the only thing they can think of is how to get rid of their adversary. To the indignation, and a!so, indeed, to the amusement, of the people of the Mauritius, a prominent member of the Legislative Council nasgrayely «sked the following question :—": — " Because of the attitude of the present head of the Catholic Church in Mauritius, and the views he professes and imposes on the members of his Church, does not the Government consider it necessary to petition the Secretary of State for the Colonies to recall Mgr. Meurin, so as to insure peace, tranquility, and ooncord in the bosom of the Mauritian commuuity." The idea of the Secre ary of State for the Colonies recalling a Catholic Bishop is not bad. But it is no me in compliment to Dr. Meurin that it should be thought desirable to have pen-il laws re-enacted for his special benefit. It shows that Catholic education is pretty safe under his Grace's guardianship.