Colonial Notes.

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

Colonial Notes.

Volunteering at Auckland is evidently very lively work. The proceedings reported in connection with the Hamilton Easter encampmeet, for example, are extremely striking. We are told of railway carnages wrecked, a public house plundered, Maories molested, and possibly some other little amusements. But, then, perhaps, those Auckland volunteers are thorougn -going fellows who think when their hand is in they may as well do the thing all out. Dotp not the pillage follow the victory 1 And if they pracise fjr the one why not for the o'her as well ? Something or other there should be to excuse what must otheiwise be looked upon as veiy inexcusable conduct.

The return, on Wednesday m uning 21th, inst., of the Maripcsa, with the San Francisco mail, to Auckland may probably be considered the sensational event of the fortnight in New Zealaad. The vessel, it appears, had proceeded on her voyuge a distance of 220 miles when it was discovered that a quantity cf Hax which was stored in the forebold had caught fire. Measures were at once taken to extinguish the flames, and after what appears to have bjeu some very perilous and arduous, but well directed, work, the task was successfully parformed. A wonderful calmness and order, meantime, were maintained aming the passengers on board, who conducted themselves, in the circumstances, with a self-restraint and courage that cannot be too highly praised. It was, nevertheless, thought advisable to return to port rattier tban risk the consequences of the tropical heat. When, after a few hours the ti<*x has been discharged attbe Auckland wharf the vessel set out once more on her voyage — wnico we hope she may accomplish with all safety and speed, a.-, the brave people, captain, officers, crew, and passengers, on board so well deserve.

The Sydney Bail// Telegraph haa published a from London in which allusion is made to the favourable mention of the Catholic missions in New Guinea that; occurs ia a report recently issued by the British Administrator in the country: — " This," says the Freeman's Journal, "is a hi^h tribute 10 Bishop Navarre, M.S.H.. and his band of heroic workers in New Guinea. The Missionaries*-^ the Haored Heart during tje past tour yetrs have had to do &U the pioneering work in the Dark Island, and it must be consoling *o their friends throughout Australia, and particularly to the Fathers of their Order in Sydney, to see this generous official recogi""on oi their c >urage and seif-sacritice. Tne new Guinea missionary work of the Church was commencel over 30 years ago ia Archbishop Folding's time, but it hal to be abandoned on account of its enormous cost and difficulties and dangers. Fatber Ambroajli, now caaplain of St. Vincent's, Convent, Sydney, was one of the small band o£ original missionaries. Toe present mission was established shortly alter his Eminence Cardinal Moran became Archbishop of Sydney, bis Eminence giving the Society it 3 head-quarters at Sydney. The mit-siunanes of the Sacred Heart, as our readers are doubtless aware, aie in charge of the Kind wick and Botany pinsnes, and at Rand wick with tlu assistance ot their generous pansnioaers they have erected one of ihe mo-t beautiful caurches in tne diocese of Sydney. Bishop Navai re is, we understa id. m ptesmL at Thursday Island."

The Passijnist Fathers have recently given a very successful mission at I'emora, N.8.W., where several converts have been received by them mto tne Church. Lvi iendy ihe visions of St. Paul of the Crossastothe success if his sons among English speaking people continue to be fulfilled — and so may they still continue, wnile ever a non-C3tbohc speaks the English tongue.

The Police Magistrate .it Brisbane beais some very remarkable testimony to the spirit of the times :—: — 'Iv our days," says he, "people think very lightly of pjrjuring themselves, and there is not a month passes but some one commits perjury in my court. Aud yet we call ourselves civihsei Mid Chustians." Perjury, moreover, we may add, is onu of tho3e offences that does not by any means cuter largely into the statis'ics of crime aud immorality — of which occasionally so much is made to terve particular purposes. Taking everything into consideration, it is difficult to arrive at any derimts conclusion as to the improvements ot these civilised times, and ; we are justified in doubting a gooi deal in connection with them.

Hia Eminence Cardma 1 Moran. on Sunday, April 7, laid the foundation stone ot a presbytery for the Marist Fathers in St. Patrick's disinet, SydDey. His Eminence aterwards delivered an address, in which ue referred to the Fathers in highly eulogistic terms. The bishops and priests of the whole colony, i,e said, rejoiced in having such zealous aud faithful priests labouring amoug them. His Kmmence went on to sptak of Fiance, which, he said, atill remained Catholic France, ih'i piemier nation of Christendom, and which in our days was especially distinguished by the number of its martyrs. It was the glory of tins southern world, added his Eminence, tnac one of these zealous Manst Blathers hid been the first to win the martyr's ciown hero. Mr. Charles O'Neill, who also spoke on the occasion, alluded to the work of the M<mst Fathers in connection with the Maori missions, and paruculaily during the war. "At Wanganui,'" he said, -at the cloie of the war the British officers and soldiers, trom the General down to the drummer boy, subscribed a handso'iic su.u flora tiicir p-iy fjr presentation to the missionaries. An i llicer was dispatched with the imperial cheque tor several hundred pounds to one ot the bravest and most zealous ot the Fathers, who wns discovered in a poor hut, but who, on being acquainted with ih" object of the officer's visit, refused the mouey, saying : " No, no ; what 1. did I did for God. Take back the money to the poor soldiers ; 1 dou't Lie d it.' l'his was characteristic of the Older."

Mr. John Dillon, on his arrival in the R.M S. Oiient, was splendidly iccoived at Adelaide. A deputation went on board the steamer to wi lcuoi'j him, and Mr. Dillon's lei low-passengers joined in the

demonstration that took place there. On his landing he was enthusiastically cheered by an immense crowd, and afterwards an address was presented to him, as well as to Mr. Deasy and Sir Thos. Esmonde, who bad come from Melbourne to meet him, at their hotel. Mr. Dillon spoke to the assembled people from the balcony of tbe hotel, claiming for Ireland tne right of self-government enjoyed by the Australian colonies, and deprecat} all notions of separation. His first formal address was delivered at c Town Hall on April 12, to a crowded audience, including his Gr^oe Archbishop Reynolds, and several other prominent citizens, as well as members of the Government and of the House of Representatives. Applause was enthusiastic and frequent, and a motion promising sympathy and support to the cause advocated by the speaker and his colleagues, Sir Thomas Ssmonde and Mr. Deasy, was carried by acclamation, the whole audience rising from their Beats and ohoering heartily. Mr. Dillon left Adelaide on Monday, 15th inst., for Melbourne, where, on bis arrival next morning, he was received by a large and enthusiastic crowd. Sir Thomas Esmonde and Mr. Deasy remained behind to complete tbe campaign in South Australia.

His Eminence tbe Cardinal- Arch bishop (says the Sydney Freemin's Journal of April 20), on Sunday last paid a graceful tribute to the courage and Christian charity displayed by Mataafa, the uncrowned King of Samoa, and his Catholic followers during the recent horricftne disaster at Apia. The officers and men of tbe British warship Calliope, which arrived in Sydney a few days ago, til speak in high terms of the Catholic natives, and especially of their conduct daring the fearful scenes of tbe harricane, The Cilliope, of all the ▼easels in the Bay of Apia at the time, survived without injury tbe fury of tbe hurricane. Mr. Burke, tbe chiaf officer of tbe Calliope, says that tbe escape of the Calliope from the fate which befel the German and American vessels was ascribed by the natives to the fact that the Catholic sailors of tbe British man-of-war used to attend Mass in the Catholic chapel at Samoa, while tbe men in the other ships paid no attention to religion. The natives noted the British tailors attending Mats in the chapel, and when the Calliope braved tbe fury of the storm and returned to tbe Bay of Apia uninjured, the Datives, Catholic and Protestant, openly talked of the miraculous escape as an act of mercy on the part of God, and as a reward of piety of the Catholic men on board. The good fortune of the Calliope and her men made a deep impression on the natives, all of whom, Protestants included, io Mr. Burkes words, now "swear by the Cattolic Church." The majority of the natives, including Mataafa, we Catholics.

Freetrade term* Protection still continues tbe subject of warm discussion in New South Wales. Among the rest it is affirmed that the Freetraders have manipulated the electoral rolls bo as to stuff them with the names of their own adherents, and to wipe out many of those who ara protectionists. An accusation of complicity in the matter is even brought against the police, and it is suggested that an appeal should be made to Parliament. As to the truth of the matter, thoee who are experienced in party spirit may possibly appreciate it sxst.