WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 32, 29 November 1889, Page 15

WELLINGTON.

(Prom our own Correspondent.)

November 23, 1889. Yet another sad drowning accident for which our harbour is gaining an unenviable notoriety. On Saturday, 9th instant, Mr. James, clerk to the R.M. Court, Mr. E. L. Widdop, and a lad of eleven years, went for a sail in a whaleboat. They had enjoyed themselves and were on the return journey, when, in the vicinity of Evan's Bay, the boat suddenly jibed, the boom striking Mr. Widdop on the stomach (he had been sitting on the gunwale bailing) knocking him overboard. The saddest part of the story is the fact that, as Bhown by the evidence of Mr. James, a valuable life was lost through want of the timely assistance which was almost within reach. Mr. James did all in his power to save his drowning friend, but before he could bring the heavy boat under sail close enough all was over, although the deceased's body was resting on an oar which bail been launched from the boat. Mr. Widdop was chief clerk in the firm of Buckley, Stafford, and Treadwell, was well-known in musical circle*, and aetat 24. Two students of St. Patrick's College had a narrow escape from drowning on 11th inst. The.r little sailing boat capsized, but the lads managed to hang on to the bottom of the boat until rescued by Borne gentlemen who had observed the accident and rowed off from the beach at York Bay to their assistance. The students' names are Jones and Tringham. On the evening of the 11th inst,, the day on which Prince of Wales' birthday was held, a very successful concert took place in Otaki in aid of the new Catholic Church there. The performance came off in the hall of the Native College ; over 100 persons had to be refused admittance to avoid overcrowding. Performers came from Wellington, Maßterton, Paikakinki, and Manukau to assist the local amateurs. The ladies who took part were Misses Lowes, Redfon], Smith, Ames, Buck, D'Ath, Carmont, and Huett, with Mesdames Ferguson, Wallace, and Lynch. The gentlemen being Messrs. Lynch, Murray. Hedley, D'Ath, Crumpton, Agres, and Warrington. The second part of the entertainment consisted of a novelty iD the way of a Christy minstrel performance by four native youths, who were trained by Mr. Alfred Knocks, native interpreter. The concert was brought to a conclusion by the performance of a most laughable farce, which sent the audience away delighted with the evening's amusement. Toe Irish delegates have come and gone : Mr. Dillon to Westport, Mr. Deasy to Sydney, via Napier and Auckland, and Sir Thomas Esmonde to Blenheim. Wellington people were niepared for an oratorical treat, but I question whether their standard of excellence in platform oratory reached the degree of perfection attained by Mr. Dillon and bis gifted confr&res. I was present in the Opera House when the Hon. P. A. Buckley, chairman of the meeting, introduced in a few well chosen sentences the hero of the evening to the large and influential audience which comfortably filled the spacious building. On the appearance of Mr. Dillon the whole houte burst into enthusiastic cheers which lasted for a considerable time. Mr. Dillon is tall and blight, with a pale intellectual face, almost classical in its correctness ot outline, with deenset thougbtfnl-lc >king dark eyes. He has an abundance of dark hair, turning prematurely grey. His pose is easy and graceful, and he s'oops slightly. He speaks in quiet, cultivated, and measured tones ; the quality, or rather the timbre, of his voice has a wonderful charm in it. His power over his audience was demonstrated by ths rapt attention with which he was listened to. His lively sallies, were greeted with spontaneous ;i earty laughter ; he held and swayed his hearers at his pleasure. St T. Esmonde., who next addressed the audunce, is a much smaller man than \lr. Dillon; he is blight and aiistocraMc looking, an 1 wears neither beard nor moustache. He spepks quickly and energetic illy, and fires his sentences, so to speak, at his hearers. He has a pleasing style altogether, with that confidence which comes of addressing large and intelligent audier ces. Mr John Deasy struck me as being the type of an Irish patriot. Tall and dashing-looking, with intensely black bair and beard, he is an eminently handsome man. He also speaks with remarkable fluency, and there is a defiant, w.rhke ring in his tones, albeit his language is moderate, which comes from hie Celtic constitution. He was greeted with deafening cheers at the conclusion of his speech. The following letter from the Premier, Sir H. A. Atkinson, apologising for hi* absence, was read to the meeting by the chairman. "Dear Dr. Cahill. — 1 am much obli je^ for the complimentary ticket for admis-ion to the Opera House to hear the Irish delegates' address this evening which you have been kind enough to forward to me. In the official position which I cccupy 1 do not think I should be jnstified in attending such a mcc - ing, aa there are large numbers of settlers in New Zealand who do not think with me upon this important question. 1 agree entnely with the resolution which is to be moved at your meeting t( -night, as I am fully convinced that not only is Home Rule required in justice to the Irish people, but also as the fir-it great step towards the federation of the British Empire in lasting form. — Yours sincerely, H. A. Atkinson." The reading of this letter elicited loud and continued applause. Ibe reception of the distinguished visitors was somewhat marred by the unavoidable delay which occurred through the breakdown of au engine, causing a delay of an hour and a-half, which Sir Thomas Esmonde turned to good account in his speech at the Opor* House by saying that the drawing of two Irish Members of Parliament was too much for the old engine. Hi^ Grace Archbishop Redwood, the majority of the clergy, and a number of the leading 'airy were on the platform. Four spanking greys and an open carriage conveyed John Dillon to the Club Hotel. In the same carriage w^re the Aichbishop, Fathei MoNamaia, aud the Hon. P. A. Buckley. But I need not go into details, as the various reports of the delegated tour will fill your column.", however cornUnsed they may V \ The hard work in connection with the reception fell upon a few members of the National League, foremost amongst whom 1 must place Mr. P. P,

Fleming, Vice-President, and Mr. ODea, Secretary. Uader the supervision of these gentlemen, and of Mr. J. J, Devine, President, the stage of the Opera House was prepared for the delegates. The Ladies' Committee, whose names I mentioned in a former letter, contributed decorations in the way of mottoes, such as " Cead Mille Failthe" '' Welcome," " Unity," etc. Flanking the whole were two handsome life size oil paintings of Gladstone and Parnell, framed in evergreens, works of art which elicited the hearty plaudits of the audience. The paintings are by a local artist, Mr. Von Meyern, who executed them to the order of the ladies' committee. Mr. Dillon, in returning thanks to the meeting for thair geaerous contributions, which in the aggregate, he said, would amount to over £400 for that evening whea the door money had bean added to the subscriptions, took occasion, in proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, to pay a high tribute to the Hon. P. A. Buckley. Mr. Dillon said that he had been told that in Mr. Buckley he would meet a friend, but he was not prepared for the warm in and genuineness with which Mr. Buckley had treated him. The Hon. P. A. Buckley, in replying tj Mr. Dillon's eulogium. contained in the vote of thanks, took the opportunity of complimenting the audience on the good sense and order which characterised their conduct that evening, and which made his task bo light and agreeable. Addresses were read by Dr. Cahill from sympathisers; from the Irish National League, by Mr. J.J. Devine, President; ani from the Hibernian Society by Mr. <J. O'Diiscol). Tba meeting broke up at 11.15 p.m. with cheers for the delegates. I give you here, fjr what it is worth, the advertisement convening a prayer meetiag in opposition to the delegates meeting on the evening of the 15th, as follows :—": — " Protestant anti-Home Rule prayer meeting. Those of the Lord's people who regard Mr. Dillon's Home Rule crusade as frought with peril to Protestantism in Ireland and to the integrity of the British Empire, are invited to meet in united prayer at room No. 11. Exchange Buildings, Limbton quay, on the 15th at 8 o'clock, the hour the Home Rule meeting begins. Sankey's hymns." Mr. Dillon, who is not blow to take advantage of such emanations as the foregoiag, in the course of his speech caused much laughter by saying that he had beeu met by all sorts of opposition in the course of his campaign, but never until now by prayer. On Saturday morning, 16th, Messrs Dillon and Deasy visito 1 St. Patrick's College and were received by the Rector and staff. Amongst those present were His Grace the Archbishop, the Rev. Father McNamara, Very Rev. Dr. Peatre, Rev. Father Kerrigan, Hon. P. A. Buckley, etc., etc. After inspecting the College, the stndenta presented their distinguished visitors each with a bouquet of flowers, at the same time handing Mr. Dillon a purse of 30 sovereigns subscribed in the College. Both gentlemen addressed the students, and at the reque3t of Mr. Dillon the Rector promised to allow the boya a holiday. Mr. Dillon and Mr. Deasy also visited the convent, Hill street, accompanied by the Archbishop and a number of the clergy. They were received by the Rev. Mother and all the Sis'ers. Upwards of 300 children were present in tne. schoolroom, which was tastefully (iecoratei, a fiae banner being c inspicuous. The singing and recitation i.f the young ladies were of a really high order. Mis 9J. dsey read the delegates an addres-i, and Miss K. Gallagher presented Mr. Dillon with a bouquet, in whica was concealed a green Bilk purse of sovereigns. Mr, Dillon returned thanks in a few appropriate words for the kindly receptiou of Mr. Deasy and himself, and for the generous donation. After inspecting the Convent the delegates retired, highly pleased with their visit. On -Monday, the 18th, Mr. Dillon, acorapanied by the Archbishop and the clergy of Wellington t*rnl a few of the leading laity, visiteJ the Mnrist Brothers' School. Brother Mark, superintendent, received the delegate. A puise of sovereigns was presented to &lr. Dulon towards the Evicted Tenants' relief fund. Master Healy addressed Mr Dillon, expressing the sympathy anddffecuonof the boys with the cause which the delegates were a Ivocatmg. Mr Dillon leelinglj replied. After listening to the singing i f the pupils, ami being shown over the school, the visit concluded. The lists have not yet closed here, and it is expected that the contributions from this city -aiII be considerably over £600. Tuis, with the money resulting from the Masterton meenug, along with all monies collected in Wellington, will bi furwardei to lieland through i he Wellington Branch Irish National League. The delegates refused to accept their hotel expenses. A public meeting convened tor the purpose of Raiding in the establishment of the proposed free public library waa held ia the Exchange Hall on Thursday, 21st inst., the Mayor, John Duthie, Esq ,in the chair. His Honour Justice Richmoud, in moving a resolution — "That this mieting gives i.s heartiest approval to ihc object in view," etc., — made a capital speech, in whica he betrayed a keen appreciation of the standaid authors, both in poetry &dci fiction. As a result of the meeting £73 was collected in the hail, Mr. H. D. Bell giving £50, Mr. Menieath, M.H.R, £10, and Mr. M. Chapman, £10, brmgirjg the total amount in h»nd up to the respectable sum of £14.15. Tne City • 'ouncil has set apart a fine site on the Te Aro reclamation which will be ample for the proposed builning. The Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Society held i s inaugural show at the Hutt on Tuesday anJ Wednesday, the llhh and 20th inst The Press of the city are jubilant at the leault, aod predict that the Wellington A. and P. Society's show will be the centre ot attraction for exhibitors m the North and a great portion of the South Island in years to come. Wednesday was proclaimed a public holiday by the Mayor, and, Queen's weatcer prevailing, the attendance at the show giounds was very large. I sl-ou'd have mentioned that George Fisher, E*q., M.H.R., waa present on the stage at the delegates' meeting, and made a capital s-poceh in proposing a resolution m favour of Hi me Rule, which waa Btcoruiedby Mr. Eveson. At a loyalist (free) mccing which was held in the Exchange Hall on Monday, the 18th inst., af er the delegates had left town, Mr. Fishei cirae in for s une sound abu-e from the upeakers. It is woll to remind Irishmen th it Mr Fisher has beei a consistent suppoiter of the Hume Rule platform, and hua suffered somewhat in consequence.