Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 36, 28 December 1888, Page 2

Colonial Notes.

Thk pupils of the Jesuit Fath3rs at St. Ignatius College distinguished themselves the other day in the annual regatta, on the Parramatta river, of tue New South Wales Kowing Association. Their crew won the Maiden Four, nin over a course ot two miles, proving their grit especially against the crew of the East Sydney Rowing Club. Tho tinie was lit minutes 3J seconds, beating all former records for this race. The fathers are now busily engaged in ilu erection of thtir new college, which involves a heavy outlay, quite beyond the power of their unaided resources to meet. Their case, however, haa been taken up by several ot the principal Catholic citiaens, who have pledged themselves to assist in every way pcsuble for them. The good woik already done by the Fathers has 6trongly appealed in their favour and, combined with the fact thit now fur the rirst time after ten yeard successful labour in the cause of education they ask for aid, deserves for ihem a 1 tbe support necessary.

A wedding iemarkable in ruo.e ways than one took place a few weeks a^o in me At ghcan catl elral at Sydney. It was that of Misb Essie Jenyns a popular actress who was tnaintd to Mr. J. R. Wood of Newcastle. .* uentlcnim of wealth and sood posi ion in the Colony. The wed Imp. wliju v\as a vtry Fplendid oi c so far as the bridal were p rsonaliy concerned, thd bnde s dress being a study for tiiose artis s who illustrate the lain- tnctoiial papers, and whose profundities of f.e :.us ladies alone can penetrate ; though, of course, to be understood by the moat, charnrnj section of creation is in itself an inestimable privilege an i one v >r by any means universally eDJoyed Unfortunately, however, tbe populanty of. tbe tvj it was tuch that it drew together au enormous ciowd tf spectators whesj /. al in satisfying tbeir curiosity far outran ihe discretion becoming in a place of woiship Tueir ro iiiuct was atrocious ami resulted m all but completely wrecking tut mt'-riui cf the b..i. hiu:. lUih and curtains weic torn do.M] , c, in.nl wvoi-Aoik vsa* biok n. and even the stone basement of tue puipi* \\\tb capped, iue buJc wad co much dig*

tressed and alarm eri that on the conclusion of the ceremony, but fortunately not until then, she fainted away, and it took some time to restore her to consciousness. But as old fashioned gossips were wont to say that some untoward accident at a wedding was a sign of good lock for future years, let us hope the omen on this occasion was favourable. A warning, meantime, may be taken as to the performance of ceremonies that in an unusual degree attract the attention of the crowd.

That element of civilisation and progress so much approved of ascertain to benefit the colonies, by some particularly enlightened people, has just had an exemplification at Aralueo, in N.S.W. It happened that a Chinaman named Ah Jack, — a name suggestive of barbarian influences, and a disposition in the Celestial mind to compromise matter?, at least nominally, had deposited a, sum of money in the Bank of New South Wale?. Beh'ild, therefore, drawn up before the Bank on a certain day a cart occupiel by several Chinaman, and among them one wripped carefully in blanket", and supported with the utmost tenderness as an invalid. Ah Jack, explaineia spokesman of the party to the manager, had come to draw his money, but waa too ill to leave the c»rt. The manager, however, required the sick man's signature, and tbe forms with pen and ink were taken out that he might make his mark. Careful attendants were ready to Assist Ah Jack by guiding hi 9 pen, when a keen-jighted by-3tander, who canght a glimpse of his toes, pointed out that they were apparently those of a corpse. And examination revealed the fact that such was the case. Ah Jack was dead, and his money the property of the Government. If ingenuity, therefore, tends to promote civilisation, the Chinese element among us is a civilising one. II such be not the case the matter is more doubtful.

Unfortunately, however, ingenuity is not confined to the Chinese amoDgst us. The Commercial Bank at Melbourne has just hal a practical lesson that \his is uot the case. It tojktae sh^pe of an arrangement between an order clerk of the Bank, named Hewett, and a stock-jobber, named Farrar — by which xht cheques paid into the bank by the latter were held over by the former — the result being a loss to the Bank oE £7,500. Ingenuity, in fact, as it exists among people of European race, is already quite sufficient for our wants — without incurring any addition from Asiatic sharpness.

The reported discovery of an active volcano in the Northern territory of South Australia is an occasion of much interest. There is apparently no very great improbability in the report as the country in question has never bean completely explored, and no one can tell what may exist in its recesses. Tne blacks, moreover, have in some instances been supposed to be acquainted more or less directly with volcanic phenomena which may have some bearing on the matter. Where so much evidence, besides, of volcaric action, together with the undeniable presence of extinct volcanoes remains, there is a good deal to make the rumour more credib 1 ?. A good volcano, meantime, in thorough working order would be a considerable addition to the wonders, if not to the beauties, of the country.

Sir Thomas M'llwraith, who lately resigned the Premiership of Queensland, owing to ill-health, has gone on a trip to China. Sir Thomas, who is regaidod by his Incnds as the first ot all colonial statesmen, and acknowledge! by his opponents to be a clever, if a dangerous, man, hopes to benefit sufficiently by his holiday to once more return to the service of the colony. He expressed himself to a party of friends who met at Rockhampton the steamer that had brought him on the first stage of his voyage from Brisbane, as already improved in health. In any case Sir Thomas must hz accredited with the initiation of the movement in tavuur of allowing the colonies a voice in the appointment of tour governors, which may prove a matter of much importance.

Among the Catholic events of the day not tbe least interesting has been the holding oE a Catholic cor in Mauritius. This event, which has been prolific of much that concerns the interests of the Catholic Church in the island, is particularly important as marking a new epoch. Hitherto, siys the Aimales, it did not seem to be understood that outside of private life it was a duty and a necessity for Catholics to affirm their convictions and make their principles prevail. For the firat time Mauritian Catholics have grouped themselves together on the ground of public life, and made it seen that they intend to assume, in the political and social order, the part that belongs to them— that is to say the first part.

The Chinese still continue to kick against the measures proposed for their exclusion from the colonies. Fifteen residents of Victoria belooging to them have, for example, petitioned the Legislative Council to be heard at the bar of the House in opposition to the Chinese Restriction Bill — who6e provisions they characterise as harsh, unjust, and unnecessary There can, of course, be no harm in hearing what John ChinamaT has got to say on ih 3 subject — but to give way before his arguments would be a different thing. Charity begins at home, as they say ; and Australian legislators should not forget that this saying is founded en truth and wisdom.

An accident resulting in a great smash took place the other day at the Melbourne Exhibition. A figure of Atlas supporting the globe, which surmounted the Broken Hill irophy,and occupied a prominent position fronting the Avenue of Nations, fell with a great smash upon a trophy of copper ingots. Some cases containing silver ore at the base were also smashed, and a general state of havoc prevailed in the immediate neighbourhood. But fortunately there was no damage to life or limb. Tins wreck of the globe, meantime, in connection with Broken Hill may have a particular significance with respect to individuals, but it is to be hoped that theie is no reason to take it as generally ominous.

Diptheria is working sad ravages at Inglewood, where the health officer pronounces it spread by the contact of school children with patients suffering from the disease. An order, therefore, has been issued for closing the public school, so as to lessen the danger of infection. But unforcunately, the disease is known to have spread far and wide without any apparent means of conveyance. Some few years ago, for example, it ragei throughout the Manaro district of New South Wales, desolating many widely-scattered huts and houses there. But let us hope better results may attend on the isolation proposed at Inglewood.

Inverell, in New South Wales, has had the unpleasant experience of a violent and destructive storm. Many houses were unroofed and chimaeys blown down, but the chief catastrophe was that of the convent school, which was levelled with the ground. Happily the childrjn had been just dismissed for the day. The accident, therefore, although it is to be regretted, and must needs be a considerable loss, not only to the religious community, but to the whole Catholic population, is not without its relieving circumstances. The loss of life which might otherwisa have ocenrred, would have been much more lamentable.

Some discussion is taking place as to the class of exhibits which should fill up the Australian department at the Paris Exhibition of 1889. It is argued, and with apparent reason.that the well established staples of thecoantry are already sufficiently well known and require no further display. The great capabilites, however, as a wine growing country thai it possesses have not been so generally published abroad, and some people tnink that a 6ne opportunity for doiag this now offers itself. In this way they urge a great impetus may be given to the industry in question, and a class of immigrants introduced who will greatly serve to promote it. Hitherto the industry must be considered as only in its infancy.

Tbe drought has broken up in some districts, but others are still suffering sadly. Victoria, as a rule, has been less favoured than New South Wales and Queensland, which nevertheless, need a much more copious rainfall than has as yet taken place. The fall has bf en heavy along the coast of New South Wales, and generally in the Eastern and Central districts, but, the West still continues parched. Round about Wilcanma and Went worth, and along tbe Lachlan river a complete desert prevails, tanks and waterholes are dry, and wells can hardly yield a scanty supply. The consequences, as a matter of course, are severely felt.