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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 35, 20 December 1889, Page 17

The Most Rev. Dr. Moran left Dunedin on Monday to examine the Catholic schools at Lawrence. His Lordship expressed himself much pleased with the results of the examination. He returned to Dunedin on Tuesday evening.

The pupils of the Dominican nans will give a concert in the Exhibition concert hall, Dunedin, to-morrow CThnrsday> evening. An attractive programme has been prepared, which- will be found in another place. On Friday the annual distribution of prises will take place in Sr. Joseph's schoolroom at 11 a.m., and at 7.30 p.m, tbera will be an entertainment to commemorate the visit to the schools of the Irish delegates. We are requested by the nuns to invite-the atteniance, at the schoolroom, on both these occasions, of the parents and relatives of pupils and the friends of the convent.

We regret very much that, owing to a, misunderstanding for which we are hardly accountable, we are unable to give anything more than a very short paragraph in reference to the meeting of the Irish National delegates at Christchurch — one of the most important and most successful meetings held in the colon/. We have, however, done all that it wag in our power to do, and even the sbqrt paragraph we give, as condensed from the Lytteltvn Tim**, cost us a considerable amount of trouble. It was copied, and not clipped, by us undej difficulties. We trust our friqnds in the City of tha Plains will kindly accept the apology we offer them.

A good deal of agitation has been going on for tome time pait among people connected iv a Tariety ot ways, with the Exhibition with a view of induc'ng the Commissioners to allow the doors to remain open from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. At present the Exhibition is closed for these hours, and it would appear that it is. a matter, that presses most inconveniently on a very large number of people. It if pointed out that large numbers of working people and others engaged in business who live in the snburbs, instead of goiog home when thej have done their business, would be glad to meet their families at tha Exhibition and enjoy a good long evening. This certainly seams very reasonable, and, if properly represented, will no doubt be. c«n« sidered in a liberal manner by the Commissioners, a?, doqbtlens, such an arrangement wpuld increase the receipts of the show.

On Sunday the choir of St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, were assisted by Dr. Gledden, and Miss Julia Knight, now engaged in tinging at the Exhibition . Dr. Gledden is the possessor i of. ajfine baritone, and Miss Julia Knight has a rich and sweet contralto. A 8010 was sung on the occasion respectively by both sinsrers. Mist Daisy Howell, also, a former pupil of the Dominican nans, sang Gounod's Avt Maria with Tiolin obbligato, played by her Bister, Miss May Howell.

The address- from the local branch of the National League <say§ the BokitUca Gwdia%ot »<we»berM> t^vN pwf«t»dfwt#id»y

to the Irish delegates was without exception the most beautiful piece of illuminated work it has been our privilege to inspect. It was bound with morocco, and the pages were snrrounded with a broad gold band round which coovulvuluees twined most naturally. The lettering which was ornamental Old English was beautifully regular while the initial letters of the same type were of gold. The design reflects great credit on the sisters of St. Columbkille's convent, who hare produced a p ccc of work of which they way justly feel proud.

THB re-election of the Rev. Father O'Reilly as hospitil trustee which we (Tnames Star, December 3) mentioned in our last issue, U deserving of special notice, from the fact tr at this gentleman has now served continuously for the past twelve years ; fcrmerly on the hospital commitee, and latterly, since it became a separate instimticn, as one of the trustees. Such a record as this speaks volumes for the hearty apprecia ion shown by the public, through their representatives, of the sealons and conscientious manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, aid of the respect and esteem in which he is held by all classes of the community. Father O'Reilly baa always taken a most impartial and indifferent stand in the management of the affairs of ihe hospital, bis first and on)y c n■ideration being the combined welfare of the institution and the interests of the ratepayers, allowing nothing else to influence his action. We congratulate the rev, gentleman upon his re-election as trustee.

Truth, who is a good authority on such matters, give* us some rather suggestive details as to the present condition of the Emperor of Russia. Coosidering trie interest* tbit depend even on the Bmperor's whim, the situation is n,ot without its graver side. " The Emperor," says Truth, " is, as I hivs often before remarked, in constant dread of assassination, and this state of ever-present fear, added to the hereditary melancholy of the Romanoff finally, has sj utterly shattered his nerves that for days together he is practicilly not responsible for his actions Tde Bmpe-or smokes incesian ly, and not only endeavours to sustain. lnspirits by copious libations of champague and brandy, but of late he has taken to drugging himself with chloral.

Thk death is announced of the Hon. Henry William Petre" father of Mr. Frank W. Petre, of Dunedin, and a gentleman intim ately connected with the early settlrment of New Zealand. Mr Petre successively filled the positions of Colonial Treasurer of the South Island, and Postmaster General, and was, besides, a pioneer fquatter and generally active in piomoing the advancement of the colony. He returned to Eog'and in 1355 Mr Petre was the second son of the eleventh Baron Petre, aad a member of a family closely associated with the grand old Catholic traditions of their country, and fai'hful through all temptations and trials to their Church. During his residence in New Zealand Mr. Petre did much in forwardiDg the interests of the Catbolic religion in >he colony, and his memory consequently deserves to be held in reverence among us. R IP.

Complete success has also attended the tour of the Irish National delegate south of Dunedin and at Lake Waka lp. At Milton the subscriptions amounted to £80, at G >re to the same sum, at Invercargill to about £200, at Win ton to £50, at Wrey's Bush to £100, and at Queenstown to £70-in each instance a highly creditable subscription ; and in some, one far above what might have been expected. Mr. Dillon returns to Dnnedia to-morrow (Thursday) evening, where he will be again for a few days the guest of Mr J. BOallan. Sir Thomas Esmonde epeaks the same evening at Nenthorn, and leaves next day (Friday) via Palmerston, for Chrifetchurch and the Ndrth.

By the death of Mr. Robert Browning, which is announced from Venice, England has lost one of her greatest poets-perhapa the most profound of all contemporary writers. His insight iato human nature, especially, was very great, but he did not always rigntly associate individuals wiih particular princtplea and sentiments. Browumg is difficult to understand. Indeed we know of hardly any exercise that tends more to the acquisition of intellectual humility than the study of his verses. There is so muoh which seems un>ntelligible in them, but which.viewed in connection with what can be understood after severe labours, must be as urn.d to have a meaning beyond the reach of the student's powers. The verse is in great part a kind of weird barbaric music-but music sill in i's truest lense. We trust Mr. Browning may have left something behind h m to free bis memory from the disgrace of leaving a 8 his last lmes tbe miserable sonn.t recently puohshed in a rage against the late Mr. Fitzgerald. This is a product! n uapoetical, un*rammaticil, stupid commonpl.ee, and abusive, which, for tbe sake of its writer, deserves only to be forgotten. Thi death, meantime, of one who had eniiched the literature of the language, and who efcill seemed capable of adding to bis gifts, is always to be regr»tt«d.