WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 2, 3 May 1889, Page 13

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

April 27th, 1889. Whoever visits Wellington for the first time, and on a fine, calm day, will naturally soliloquise somewhat after this fashion, " Why, bow beautifully situated Wellington is, to be sure! See how it nestles at the foot of those hills, with its noble harbour comp letely Und-losked ; how happy the inhabitants must be, living in such a romantically situated city, so well sheltered withal, and with a fine view from every bide I Should think gardens would raise almost anything. And then what pleasant evenings, boating in the harbour, thn water as calm as a 1 ke, the hills throwing giant shadows, the lights of the city glimmering in the distance I Oh, it must be a very pleaiant place to live in, this Wellington t " This illusion lasts for a day or two at the most, and is then literally blown to the four winds ; for, as if jealous for the reputation of the city, old Boreas puts o i extra puwer, and the' wind howls through the streets, shrieks through the telegraph wires, whisks up everything muveable and makes sport of it, tears through gardens, making Bad havoc among the flower-beds, bangs opens doors, and establishes again Wellington's reputation as " Windy Wellington." " It is an ill wind that blows nobody good," and the truth of thai- saying is borne out by the fact that the wind keeps ns healthy in Wellington by blowing away the germs of many a fatal disease. Westport coal, too, got itself established fts the best in the world by the hurricane at Samoa, although that, in sad seriousness, was an ill wind

The Wellington branch I.N.L. held their general meeting in the Marist Brothers' school, Boulcott street, on Monday, the 15th inst. More than ordinary interest was manifested, as an election of officers for theensuing six months was to take place. Mr. Bohan, Y.P., took the chair at 8 o'clock, and opened the proceedings by stating that the members of the Wellington branch ought to feel proud of the work they bad done for the cause of Home Rule for since that time twelve months £250 had been raised and remitted Home to aid those who were working for that end, and he hoped that what had been [done was but an earnest of what members intended to do in the future. Four gentlemen were then proposed and seconded, and having paid in their subscriptions, became members of the League. The secretary submitted correspondence. A letter was read from Mr. F. Magnire, Hawera, stating that the Irishmen of that district had raised £143, and had forwarded it to the Tablet for remittance in aid of the good cause. This was received with cheers. The following letter, the joint production of the secretary and Mr. Walsh, was tben read :—: — " Wellington, Apiil 10th, 1889.

"Thomas Sexton, Esq., M.P., Lord Mayor ot Dublin.— Sir,— On behalf of the Wellington Branch of the 1.N.L., we have the honour to enclose you herewith a draft for £100 (one hundred pounds; in aid of the Parnell Defence Fund. The Irishmen of Wellington have watched with keen interest the struggle of their beloved leader, Charles Stuart Harneil, and his devoted followers against that powerful and hereditary foe of Ireland, the London Times. When the tiews reached New Zealand that this shameless persecution of our leader and his party had been triumphantly exposed to the wjrld's gaze by the searching cress-examination of counsel, and was proved to be a vile plot to ruin the Home Rule party, we, in common with Irishmen all over the world, felt proud and happy— proud of the great victory gained, and happy that we, although co far distant, had a share in that victory. We are in receipt of your secretary's (J. C. Rooney) letter of the 17th of February last, requesting us to furnish him for future reference the names of subscribers to the £50 prcvioUßly sent you. This would be impossible for us to do, as it was the proceeds of a concert which was held under the auspices of the League, as is also the amount herewith enclosed ; but we have decided on furnishing you with the names of both committees who devoted very generously their time and energies to this labour of lovo. Ws have the honour to be, sir, yours faithfully, P. A. Buckley, president : M. Bohan, vice-president : E. Caragan, treasurer ; D. R Lawlor, honorary secretary.'"

The reading of this letter was received with acclamation. A statement of rectipts and expenditure, etc., for the past year was read by the secretary. There appealed on the members' roll 230 nameß, and their subscriptions and donations for the year amounted to £164 108, which, added to £155 16s, the net proceeds of two conceits, brought the total leceipts to £320 6s. Of this sum there had been sent home £252 19s 3d ; and the sum of £54 8s 2d represented expenses of concerts, renting of Opera House, advertising, etc., leaving a balance of £12 18s 7d to ciedit. The secretary stated that he would present a balance sheet for the past year at the next committee meeting, and two gentlemen, Mr. C O'Driscoll, and Mr. Brennan, were then appointed to audit the same. The election of officers followed. Mr. P. A. Buckley (retiring president) and Mr. J. J. Devirje were the only candidates nominated to fill the office of president. An objection was raised to Mr. Buckley's nomination, claiming that as Mr. Buckley's written or oral consent to accept the position had not been gained, be was ineligible ; this objecliOD, although overruled, proved fatal to Mr. Buckley's election, as he was Qefeatei by one vote. Mr. J. J. Devine, therefore, fills the office of president for the next six months. Mr. Bohan and Mr. I. P. Fleming wtra elected vicepresidents and Mr. Camgan and Mr. Lawlor, treasuier and secretary in the order nani^d. WMiout in any way depreciating the talents or the value of the services which may be rendered by the two gentlemen elected as vice-presidents, btill it is to b; regretted that Mr. Healy who so ably and well filled the position of vice-president for the past six months, was not re-elected. He has more ptrhaps than any other member of the branch, unselfishly and patriotically devoted hia timrt and beßt energies to making the National League a success in Wellington.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood, the Very Rev. Father MacNamara, 5.M.,V.G., Key. Dr. Watters, and Father Devoy, P.M., of St. Patrick's College, and the Rev. Father Kerrigan, 8.M., P.P. S\ Mary of the Angels, left Wellington for Nelson on Monday the 15th, to per-

form the funeral obsequies of the lamented Yen. Arch- Priest Garin, B.M. Your readers will have become aware of the particulars in connection with this sad event, the Press of all shades of opinion having united in doing honour to the memory of the deceased rev. gentleman, by publishing obituary notices as well as a detailed report of the ceremonies at the funeral. His Grace, with the other rev. gentlemen, returned to town on Wednesday 17th, and conducted the services for Holy week at the Cathedral. Easter Sunday was oelebrated at the Cathedral with all the grand ceremonial peculiar to the Church. Pontifical High Mass was sung at eleven, at which Father Braxmier whs deacon, Father Power Bub-deicon, and father MacNemara assistant priest. His Grace preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his text thejwoids • '• Thi* is the day the Lird hath made, let us exult and rejoice therein. ' His powerful style of address, as he passed in review all the miraculous and thrilling episodes of the resurrection, created a deep impression. The Mass eung on this occasion was Haydn's Imperial (No. 3) which was gran ily rendered, with Miss McCiein and Miss Fisher as soloists. Mr Putnam conducted, and the instrumental parts were played by Meggrß. Gamble, Jenkins, and Gray — Miss Cirnino presiding at the organ. The Easter hymn, " Hje2 Diep," was snng at the offertory, and the march, 'Silver Trumpets," was played as a concluding voluntary. Porrow and death walk ever side by side with exultation and joy in this sublunary world of ours. While the good people of Wellington were celebrating the feast of Ea9ter, a well-known and respectable family was plunged into mourning; and woe. Your readers are acquainted with the details of a painful accident which happened < some months ago, by which young Joseph Mac Donald was killed, and the Rev. Father Power, of the Cathedral, was seriously injured. The sad sequel to that accident wastha death of Mr. James Mac Donald , the father of the boy, which occurred on Easter Sanday at 10 p.m. Mr. Mac Donald felt the loss of his son very deeply, and it is said that his grief so preyed upon his mind and health as to render him unable to withstand the ravages of the disease to which he succumbed, Mr. Mac Donald was of the firm of Casey, Mac Donald and Co., Lambtou Quay. His funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Tuesday, the Rev. Father Power officiating. He loaves a widow and six childrea to mourn his loss. ,

The Earl of Onslow's family and dependants arrived here on Easter Monday by the Tekapo from Sydney. The family consists of one eon, Viscount Cranley, aged thirteen, a pleasant-faced, agreeablelooking young gentleman ; and two daughters, aged eight years and four years respectively. They are accompanied by Mr. Garland, tutor, and Mr. Walrond, the Governor's Private Secretary.

The Governor elect is due here on May 2 at mid-day, wheu the ceremony of administering the oath will be gone through. Wellington will be all agog to see this interesting performance, and a great crowd is expected, as it will take place in the grounds attached to Government House.

Father McKenna, of Masterton, has scored one through the great success which followed upon his efforts to cater to the palate and musical taste of his friends in the Wairarapa. A'• tea" and concert were jjiven on Easter Monday evening ia the drill-shed Masterton. in aid of the enlargement cf the presbytery. Thru* hundred persona sat down to partake of the good things provided by the ladies of the district, irrespective of sect. At the concert which took place afterwards there were considerably over six hundred of an audience. Among the distinguished visitors were his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington, Rev. Father McNamara, 8,M., V.G., George Fisher, Esq., M.H.U., the Hon. P. A. Buckley, M.L.C., Judge Von Stunner, etc. Several ladies and gentlemen from Wellington assisted the local amateurs. The concert was a marked success, and Father McKenna speaks of a repetition of the entertainment at some future period.

The signs of the times point more unmistakably than ever towards Home Rule for Ireland, and it is only necessary to cull attention to the Home Rule victory at Rochester, as well a 9 to the high honour conferred on Mr. Parnell by the corporation of Scotland a capital, to convince those who still doubt of the ultimate tiiumph of the cause. Lord Salisbury has been lauding the Primrose League, Mr. Chamberlain has had a fling at what he calls the '•impertinent obstruction " of the Home Rulers, and, putting forth his puny bands, tries to stem the mighty flood which is sweeping, as it has swept, away every barrier that the enemies of justice to Ireland have erected. Irishmen in New Z aland, although they may gain no material benefit from the granting of Home Rule, although most of them may never have the pleasure of visiting Dublin wheu the liish Parliament, tint tt ey all hope and pray is to be, is holding its sittings in the old house in College Gre^n, and though they may never listen to the burning: eloquence of the Irish leaders debating Irish matters in the nation's restored Parliament, still it is something for them to see the fruition of the cherished hopes of many years, and it is gord for them to partake in the triumph of twenty millions of their countrymen, as well as to share in the bles3inge which unborn millions will bts ow upon the memories of those who helped to bring peace, happiness, and contentment to Ireland.

Subscriptions for the Parnell Fund are pouring into every receiving office all over the world. Perjurer Pigott has driven not a raail but a spike in the coffin of Toryism. An interesting feature of th c past week's agitation was the large meeting held in the hull of tho Paulist Fathers, Now York, presided ovtr by F ither Biady, the iector, and the chief bpeaker at which was John Devoy. The sum of oCOJoIs. was raised at this meeting. Anyone wno knows th<s Irish National movement will recognise the significance of the following words from John Devoy: — " I was a Feuian. . . . but with tweaiy years of experience as an Irish revolutionist, I was and am one of those who agreed, and do still agree, to give Mr. Parni.ll and bn methods a fair chance ; a fair chance, too, not for a day or a }e*r. but to the end." This expression ia open meeting coming from a double- lyed old revolutionary leader like John Devoy is the highest proof of the blessed influence of Mr. Gladstone^ policy. James Redpalh write*) from Ireland that ne bears on every band a strange phrase teat he never heard in Ireland befoie : "Our English friends." — Pilot