NORTH CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 3, 10 May 1889, Page 31

NORTH CANTERBURY.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

Thk weather at present is all that could be expected. We are getting just sufneent rain to make the grass grow profusely ; any more would have the contrary effect. If this weather continues, there will be Jenty of feed for sheep and cattle during the winter months. About Kkis time tbe North Canterbury sheep farmers, and cattle grazers (expect to bave their grass paddocks abundantly covered with grass, thereby providing feed tor the winter. Frosts of any severity are indeed rare in this beautiful country. The agriculturist seems very busy in preparing his ground for seed-sowing, and a few of them bave already sown some wheat. We had some large sheep sales here recently, and the prices realised were gratifying to the vendors. Tha run-holders and farmers are perfectly satisfied with the result of their industries this year.

Catholic affairs are progressing surely and steadily, under the administration of Father O'Connor, of Bangiora, and Father Browne, of Hawardeo. The former gentleman has been working bard in connection with his art-union, which he, in cod junction with the laity of his parish, inaugurated some time ago. The proceeds were to be devoted to paying off a debt on that magnificent edifice, the Kangiora Catholic Church. The drawing, which w«s open to the public, and presided over by some of the most indepeadent Protestant gentlemen of Kangiora, among whom was his Worship the Mayor, gave entire satisfaction. The prizes were numerous and valuable. The Ist prize goes to the West Coast, others to distant parts of the Colony, some remaining in the distiict. The financial part of the affair was up to expectations, which will greatly help in reducing this debt. A little exertion on the part of the congregation, I have not the slightest doubt, would be the meacs of completely wiping off this debt. Father Browne is also busy in finding out the remote corners of his parishes, and making himself acquainted with those of his congregation living in those remote corners. His parishioners are not forgetful of him. lam told they bave purchased some land, and that tenders will shortly be called for the erection of a presbytery on it. This tells greatly in their iavour aod shows the generosity of the Catholics of this locality, for I am informed the undertaking will cost at the least £500. Considering the number of Catholics, it is a noble exertion on their part. But they will be twofold repaid for their generosity by the benefits derived from a resident priest. Mass will be more regular and the children will have a better opportunity of beiDg exercised in religious instruction oftener, which they need very much. It is surprising how lax parents are in not sending their children to be catechised on their religioD. It is very disheartening to a priest, after riding several milts for the purpose of catechising the children, to find on his arrival but three children where there should be at least twenty. Who is responsible for such a state of affairs 1 who are but the pareats. It is not but that they have been requested often enough to send their children to catechism. Catholic parents should bear in mind what their children have to go through in respect to their faitb. Tue influence around them in country places is entirely uon-Catbohc. having no schools of their own they have to mix with the caildien of those of every clats and denomination in the public schools. So ltbohoved parents to ste that their children are thoroughly cognisant ot the rudimentary tenets of thtir religiou to couuieract the non-Catholic influence. It is to be hoped that parents will for the future send their children more regularly to catechism and show that, they are desirous of placing no obstacle in the way of their worthy parish priest, who is most willing to in&til a thorough and sound Ouiisuan knowledge in the youcg ideas of his parishes.

Not only have the uaiholics of Canterbury, but those of the Colony, reason to be elated, and should unite as with one voice aud sing '' Hallelujah." All at once the Cbristchurch Press newspapa bas taken upon itself to be our champion— one conversion. Its editer accuses his brothei scribe of the Lytteltou Times of deserting us aua calls upon him to apologise for doing so. Under the circumstances, we would be nothing short of being a mass of ingratitude if we wcim not thankful to Mr. Editor of tbe Preys for condescending to raise his voice on our behalf. Indeed we are grateful. The cause of the converhion of the Press was : A member of the North Canterbury Education Board, also a member of Parliament, and known as Mr. Saunders, stated that three of the leading newspapers ot Chriktcburch weie published in Catholic interests. This Mr. Sauuders is renowned for his bigotry and intolerance, coupled with his ignorance. He has a wholesome dread of Catholicity or anythiny stiaightfi rward, and he goes aboutthinking the au hebieatLCi is flavoured with Catholicity. This Saundeis and his co-workers on the said Boaid did something that was sbockmg to the minds of all right thinking persons. It was in connection with the appointment of a master to one of the Oxford schools. Their conduct was fully exposed iv sotjc of the Chnstchurch papers. Surely the exposure had nothing to do

with Catholic claims. But perhaps old Saunders, feeling that the comments were rather weighty and thinking to divert public opinioD. resorted to the trickery of saying that three of tbe Cbristchmcti newspapers were published in the interests of Catholic. Hovvivu 1 the papers got piqued over tbe saying. Times stated that it r.tver advocated (Jatlolic claims, nndthat it was always a strong suppoiter of the present system of education, No necessity to tell us Cit holies that such is the ease. Press says that Times, in giving its sympathy towriids a meeting held in Chnsichurch in honour of Mr. Pdint.ll supplemented by some remarks from the tablet, was advocating Caiholic claims. According to Press, anything connected with Ireland, or tbat is fair and impartial, must be Catholic. Suiely Mr. Editor must be very ignorant if be does not know tbe religious persuasion of some of the ablest gentlemen who are using their bi>t

endeavours to get Home Rule for Ireland. Mr. Press Editor docs

mot forget to tell v. that he could not support the special political ob/eds or. the Roman Catholics of this Colony. He mentions HonuRule for Ireland asrnu of its objects. I will try and satisfy I\Jr. Editor on that point by ahburing him that Catholic Home Kulerhdu not luok to the New Zo«il.«uu. Parliament for ;bat concession to the

land of their birth ; so he can make his mind easy it will not be a burning question at the next election, and he can keep his support for something else. Mr. Pren Editor ought to understand that Catholics are impartial. They treat every Bubjeot on its merit*. They do not bend and twist things to suit purposes, nor do they expect if a person sympathise with a good and noble cause that he must be an advocate of their other claims with reference to Mr. Parnell and bis colleagues. As Britishers of the liberal stamp we wou'd give aid and assistance to the vilest of criminals to obtain for him justice. But here are gentlemen whose intelligence and energies are devoted to a just and noble end, most foully libelled and accused of the most horrible of crimes. Surely the least that any liberal minded person would do under the circumstances, is to show that he desired that justice should be meted out to this fellow-creature. But there is a certain class who wish to stifle everything that is noble and just by making it appear that such a thing was the outcome of prejudice or religious bigotry. These tactics, lam happy to say, are fast approaching annihilation. Tbe middle and working classes can see through the scene, and can form their own conclusions why such things are introduced into subjects they have no bearing on. No more juvenile criminals in Canterbury. " Mother" has discovcied where these criminals come from. It is from the ill-clad, half-starved-looking urchins herding cattle in the open sections of Sydenham. She wonders what the council of this borough must be doing, and laments the absence of the Inspector of Nuisances, who should be on the alert to check such unpleasing sights. I cannot say as to whether it is theae urchins (as " Mother " is pleased to call them) or tbe cattle she wishes impounded. If " Mother" was the humane creature that she wants us to understand she is, she might use her energies in having those open sections fenced ; then there would be no need for herding. lam certain parents would be only too glad to release their children from such occupation and send them to school. " Mother " should bear in mind that the poor must live as well as the rich. She is also quite ignorant of human nature when she says it is irotn those that criminals spring. The suggestions of " Justice," re juvenile criminals, to the Minister of Justice is not all bad, bat I will endeavour to show in my next where they could be very much improved on. lam perfectly well aware, however superior an education not based on religion may be, it has a tendency to create criminals. Apart from the religious aspect of the matter, I say that the poorer classes of this Colony are unfairly treated in the matter of education, and that the present system of education, with its compulsory clauses, is an incentive to juvenile crime among such classes.

A Mr. Patkm, a Canadian, has been lecturing ou Federation here. One of bis reasons for being so much opposed to annexation with the United States is that the States by immigration, will collect, within her province all the scum of the eartb. What a boon Federation will be to us 1 No more scum I I suppose the scum he means are those unfortunate creatures who, on account of persecution and tyranny, are compelled to fly from the land of their birth to make a home for themselves in that beautiful country where all have equal liprhts, An Act of Parliament will not federate the different countncs, It must be material and spontaneous by coming from the people. I maintain before such will be the case all internal grievances among the people of the different countries interested mast be removed, lam of the opinion Mr. Parkin would advance his cause much better by devoting his time and energy to removing those causes, which he tells us exist in his own colony. Then his mission here inuht have more effect.