Colonial States.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 31, 23 November 1888, Page 3

Colonial States.

In the recent discussion on the Eiucation estimates in the Victorian Parliament, Sir Bryan O'Loghlen argued strongl , in favour of the right of denominational schools to s .are in the sums set apart for exhibitions and bcnolarßhips. In 1884, he said, there were 170 denominational sch >ols m the olony with an attendance of 24,000 children, but in 1888 there were 371 such schools with an attendance of 44,090. This, added the speaker, was a matter which should be taken into consideration, brc-iuse all those; children were prevented from competing for the Government scholarships. Mr. Pearson in reply detended the existing Hytpua on ihe special plea that it could not be ascertained as to whether or not a child attending a p-ivute school had the advantage of particular instructions over and above the standard of those given at tbe Government Schools. Although a teacher in these schools, he explained, was permitted to devote himself to the private instruction of pupils intending to compete, his time was necesearily limited. But such a reply in every respect must be regarded as absurd.

The removal of the Rev. Father Hennebry from the mission of New Town and Glenorchy, Tasmania, has occasioned great sorrow among the flock to whom the Rev. Father has ministered for the last twenty years. An address has been presented by them to the Archbishop, recalling Father Hennebry's successful labours in the cause of religion and begging ibat ho minht be permitted to remain still with them. His Grace, however, has feelingly replied that the very reasons they urge in support of their pe'itioo are those that forbid his granting it. Father Hennebry's well known zeal in the cause of religion had marked him out for the promotion now conferred upon him and which wbb the highest it had been in tbe power cf the Archbishop and his council to bestow. The Catholic community who would not rejoice to be so refused must be selfish indeed.

In opening the new church of the Fratres DomiDi at Clifton on the Darling Downs, Queensland, a few weeks ago, His Grace, the Archbishop of Brisbane, recalled to bis hearers tbe manner in which he had urged them to settle on the lands. He had ofteu, when officiating at Toowoomba, he said, laid the prayer-book down and read for his people the proclamations of the Government Gazette throwing the lands open. Even when an Education Bill bad been introduced that withdrew support from Catholic schools, he told them that if they had to choose between the. tchools and the lands to let the schools go and t°ke the lands. Tbe Education Act might be amended, but the lands once gone could never Le recovered. The laud was necessary to the formation of good homes, and he believed there was no channel of God's grace better than a good home.

The good people of New Caledonia are evidently of the opinion that it is a suitable proceeding to make their hay while the sun shines. They are all agog to take advantage of the strikes at Newcastle in promoting the interests of thtir coal-mines. It seems that they have excellent coal in abundance — if it ca-i only be got to light. That is the chief difficulty, however, and, aa we must admit, it possesses its disadvantages— fur, if on a cold day you have a bl ;ck of coal that will not ligut, it would be quite us comfortable, and much less provoking, to have a lump of a stone without any specious pretences about it. New Caledonian coal, nevertheless, can be got to burn when mixed with Australian coal — and then, although an assay made at Bre^ pro' ouueed it rubbish, a certain Uapiain Maubfuge of the steamer Caledonien, belonging to the Mcssageries maritimes, vows it has ever so much more heat in it than any other coal. The coloniatß, therefore, are bestirring themselves, because they are air » id that unfortunately the strikes at Newcast'e must some day come to a termination ami put an end to their chance, if they are not quick about it. But have cur neighbours considered that should the strikes continue without an end, Australian coal necessary to communicate the needful degree of warmth to the rather sluggish product of their mines might not be forthcoming ? From this point of view, it may seem to the unprejudiced that they weie quite as much interested in the termination cf the Newcastle strikes as any of üb. A supply of coal, you know, even ad infinitum, without anything to burn it, would be but a melancholy possession. And, let us inquire finally— is Captain Maubeuge of the B' earner CalcJonien quite sure that the heat in his furnace did not issue principally from the ass.stiug mixture there of Australian coal ? Our contemporary, the Neo- CaUdonien, advises the Colouuts to desist from p litics and devote themselves to coal — and, perhaps, as the climat ■ is hot, he gives them good advice. Excitement there is heating, and coal is not.

The 9tb of September, the twenty-fourth anniversary of the death of Fere Laval, has been observed as usual in Mauritius, an immense crowd visiting the tomb of the holy pries', reputed a saint, in the church of S unte-Uroix. The Annales tells us it would be impossible to describe the pious enthusiasm of thete thousands of people. It is necessary, says our contemporary, to take paitin these scenes, worthy of the firit days of Christianity, to furm a just idea of them.

French influence is re-a^erting itself well at Madagascar. A cadet corps, composed of )ouths belonging to the beat families of the country, h»B lately been formed undir the direction of French officers. The Catholic missionaries alto have had a triumph. It has taken the shape of tl c public baptism of a Princess of the blood Koval, with the special permission of her Majesty, Queen Ranavalona 111. This signifies a good deal, when it is remLrnbertd that her liajesiy is the head of the English Alethodist Church in the Island.

The colony of New South Wales has lost one of its gieatest sons in the Bight Hon. William Bede Dalley, who has succumbed to the illness that had been so anxiously watched by hie friends and

admirers throughout the colony. Mr. Dalley, who was born in Sydney in 1831, was distinguished iv every branch of life. He was aa eloquent speaker, an able writer, n professional man of great pow«rs, and a wise and brilliant statesman, while in his private capacity he was noted for his amiable and kindly disposition. His death at so comparatively early an age is keenly and widely regretted. Hit funeral took placs on Tuesday October 30th, a solemn Mass of Requiem, and office for the dead being celebrated ia St. Mary's cathedral. The Bishop of Maitland efficiated, assisted by Mgr. Verdon, the Very Rev. Dr. Carroll, V.G., the Very Rev. Dr. O'Brien, and the very Bey. Dr. Clancy, S # J. — and a panegyric of tbe deceased was pronounced by the Rev. William Kelly, BJ. There was a numerous attendance including tbe principal personages of the city.— R.l, P.

On the day of the funeral of the late Bight Hod. W. B. Dalley, (says the Australian Record, the organ of the Church of England ia Sydney), a friend (bimself an esteemed old colonist) related to us an incident of which he was eye-witneEß. He was passing Mr. Dalley one day near the corner of King Street, and turned to take a second look at ihe well-known figure in elaborate walking dress. Mr ( Dalley was just in the act of taking a handkerchief from his pocket, the perfume of which reached our friead, when a poor little child fell several paces off in the road, which was very dirty at the time. Spotless vest and snowy kerchief all were forgotttn, and quickly and gently the child all daubed with mud, was carried ia safety and deposited with a cheering word or two on the pathway by the kindhearted barrister. Our friend anticipated her Majesty in dubbing him Bight Honourable there and then.

Gounod's new Mass written by the famous composer in honour of Joan of Arc, was performed for tbe first time in Australia at Bt. Patrick's church, Sydney, oq Sunday, November 4. The occasion was rightly considered a great ono, especially by the French settlers, one of whom marked it by presenting a magnificent bouquet of flowers to a side altar of the church. But it is not France alone that to-day should honour the memory of the glorious Maiden. Hors is, above all, tbe typo of character that the world needs at this moment for its salvation. An earthly duty, seen in tbe light of Heaven, at>4 resolutely, and through all difficulties and dangers pursued, a sublime purity, a divine pity, a complete self-devotion and a glorious enthusiasm, by all of these was Joan characterised, and they are what tbe more grovelling age most stands in need of. Let us hope that Gounod's fine work may serve to spread abroad devotion to that saintly and unique memory with whom all these things are associated, so that by ponderating on its example the world may be purified. It is not tor nothing that eren infidel France has been inspired, at this time, with a devotion to Joan of Arc.

Measures are being actively canied out in Sydney to give a joyful reception and welcome to his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop, who is expected to return, by tbe s.s. Cuzco, towards the end of the month. His Eminence will be received not only as a great Prelate and Prince of the Church returning to a devoted people, but also aa the 1 chaupioa who has fearlessly served the cause of his country, and vindicated it in the face of hostile powers.