WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 38, 10 January 1890, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

January 4, 1890. Thb memorable year of 1889 closed bright with the prospects of hope to be fulfilled in the near future. For the vast majority of the readers of your valuable journal tbe great political struggle going on at Home is of all-absorbing interest, and so, I repeat tbat the m morable year just terminated w<:s bright with the prospect ot hope to b? fulfi'led in tbe near future. Do people in this country really realise what it is to have the people of England, li eland and flcot land burying fjr ever their sectarian and political differences, as well as tbe race-hatred which has divided them all these weary centuries f Imperial Federation it a noble idea, and, if accomplished in a generous and statesmanlike manner, would tend to immens ly s reugthen the Empire ; yet, even the btn fi;s derived from Imperial Federation pale into insignificance when c mpared with the immense advantages to be attained from tbe peaceiul eoluuon of tbe great Irish difficulty of which the c'oscof the ye«r 1889 had almost seen tbe dawning. Tbe Wellington Evening Pott has in its issue of December 31ft an admirable sum nary ot t.e great evtnts which occurred within the past year a lover the worl i ; and the paragraph devoted to Int-b affairs appeals to me to to ably epitomise the events of the year, tbat, wiiu this acknowledgment, I will send it you. It is as follows :: — •' Unhappy Irelind has changed its Viceroy, Lord Zetland having succeeded Lord Londonderry, bui Mr. Balfour still rnles it with coercion of the most severe type. A large number of its parliamentary representatives have during the year suffered imprisonment and indignity for indulging in tbe right of free speech, and two English members ot Parliament have learned to their cost tbat wnat is lawful to be said and done in England is punishable by imprisonment in Ireland. The cruel evictions by absentee landlords continue, and although the Plan of Campaign is declared Illegal, older and equally effective meins of re sis ance have been arranged by the National par.y. Agrarian crime has decreased, and the hopes of early at ainment of Home Bule reconcile the people to offering merely passive resistance to tbe oppression to which they are subject. The manner in wbich the Imh delegates have been reseivtd in Aos'raid aud New Zealand, and the liberal su K Bcrip iom given towaids tie relief ot evicted tenauts, have caused a warm feeling of brotherhood aud gratitude to arise in Ireland towards these colonies. The 'limes-VameW Commission baa continued to sit during the year, %nd will not report unul next year ; but very little public interest is now lelt in its doings. The letters on which tbe Time* bused its charges against Mr. Paroell and his party were, in the must sensational m inner, proved to be most b<refaced forgeri s, by tbe confession of their author, tbe wretched Hgott, who afterwards shot himself. Tue exposure was complete ; and Mr. Macdonald, the manager of the limes, who was the p< rson mainly responsible, was compelled tort sign his position, aud has since died — broken-hearted itia believed Following Hgott's confession, Mr. Parneli and his friends demanded that they should be allowed to inspect the books of the Loyal and Patrio ie League, so as to show were tbe funds had come from to employ Pigott and his accomplices. On this reasonable demand being refused by tbe Commission, tbe Parnellite council were withdrawn, aud the casj has since gone on without them. Before this, however, Sir Charles ttussell made a most magnificent speech in vindication of his clients, and Mr. Davitt, who continued to attend on bis own behalf, has also since ad the Court in a powerful manner. Ttie Commission set up to crush tbe Home Rule party has indirectly done a great deal to increase its strength, and has vindicated the character of its leaders and the purity of their purpose. The pubic has given its verdict long in anticipation of tbat of the Commissioners." The holy season was ushered in with, if possible, more than usual grandeur of ceremonial io the Catholic churches of this city. On Christmas Day the worshippers at the 11 o'clock Mass at the Cathedral were edified and impressed by the appearance of tbe sacred building, as well as by the magnificence of the service. The decorations were tastefully arranged. The crib was a marvel of artistic realism, occupying the side chapel deoicated to St. Joseph. Over the high altar was a garland of evergreens extending across the whole width of the sanctuary, with the letter " M " in the centre, also formed of evei greens. In each of the windows was a branch of Nikau palm, and acro-s the front of tbe choir was a scroll bearing the words « Gloria in Excelsis Deo." Pontifical High Man was cele-

brated by the Archbishop, with Bey. Father Devoy ai deacon ; Bey. Father Power, sub-deacon ; and Very Bey. Father McNamara m assistant at tbe throne. After the gospel the Archbishop preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his text the words " Gloria in fixcelslf Deo." His Grace was more than ordinarily impressive, and evidently awakened bis hearers to a sense of the sublimity of tbe subject of hii discourse. Tbe choir was strengthened by the presence of Wellington's finest basso, Mr. Prousa, as well as several other ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services for the day. The music consisted of Gounod's '• Mease Solennelle," and Oosta's " Date S»niturn Pastores," for baps, solo, and chorus. The orchestra was under the leadership of Mr. McDuff Boyd, and Mr. Pntman wielded the conductor's baton. St. Mary of the Angels Church was beautifully decorated, and the sacred ceremonies both morning and evening were attended by good music and singing under the conduotorship of Mr. J. B. Connolly.

On St. Stephen's Day the Catholic body of Wellington held their annual picnic at the Lower Hutt, in the grounds attached to the Her. Father Lane's residence. There were present during the day, Hii Grace Archbishop Redwood, Mr. Dillon, M.P., Sir Thomas Bsmonde, M.P., Hon. P. A. Buckley, M.L.0., Dr. Cahill, etc. Fully 1000 people were on the grounds, and the sport was excellent, arrangements having been entrusted to a Catholic committee. The Rev. Father Lane was indefatigable in his exertions to make tbe day a pleasure to all, and to his capacity for business and his" bonhommie " must be attributed a great measure of the success attained.

St. Joseph's Orphanage, a building in connection with the Convent of Mercy here, and where about 50 little orphan children are housed, fed, clothed, etc. by the good sisters, having fallen into a dilapidated condition, so much so as to render a new building almost indispenstble, an appeal was made to the public for funds, and it took the pleasing form of a garden fair, which was held at the Lower Hutt on New Tear's day, in Father Lane's paddock. A large fancy stall w«s erected on the ground, and was presided over by Mrs. Sharp, Misses Barnes, O'Connor, Kennedy and Sheridan. Various sporti were inaugurated by the following gentlemen who formed a committee of management : — Rev. Father Eeegao, Messrs. E. Carrigan, M. Bohan, T. Redmond, R. Duignao, D. Daily, T, Hodgins, and T. Davis, the latter gentleman acting as secretary. A considerable amount was netted b, means of raffl-s, whijh were carried on throughout the day. The proceedings were somewhat marred by a thunderstorm which broke over the district during the afternoon. On tbe whole an enjoyable and profitable day was spent, and the large concourse of people returned to town by rail without a mishap.

On the evening of Thursday, the 2nd inst., under the auspicps of ♦he Wellington Branch 1.N.L., there assembled in the sp cious diningroom of the Club Hotel a large and influential number of gen' emeu for the purpose of bidding God-speed to John Dillon on the eve of his departure from New Z aland. Among those present were the R j v. Dr. Watters, Bey. Fathers Kerrigan and Dmoy.Hon. Dr. Giace M L.U. (la'ely retnrmd from an extended tour t'r ugb Rur.tpe). Mr. E. O'Connor, M.rtß for the Buller, T Chill, M D The m rnbera of tbe League mustne lin fore ', the i fScers. Mr. J. J. Devine, President; Messrs. Bob an and Fleming, Vie -Prtsidents ; B. Carrigan, Tieasurer ; and J. ODea, Hon. Sec, being all in attendance. Mr. O'Connor, acting as Chairman, called upon Mr. Dillon to address thoae present. After the applause had subsided, for which Mr. Dillon had to wait some time, it could be noticed that he had improved in health, bis face had almost lost that look of sad weariness which it wore on his first visit to Wellington, and bis form seemed to have become more robust. He preluded his remarks by saying that he would not make a speech — that what he siid w- uld be more in a conversational sense. Mr. Dillon took eccasion to pay a warm tribute to tae people of the West Coast, and sU ted he bad Deer met with greater kindness in any part of the world, saying that he would always remember bis visit there with pleasure. He said it was worthy of note that nearly all the leaiing newspapers in this colony had supported his mission, and he thanked the Wellington Evening Pott for its generous treatment of Irish affairs ; he instanced the Wellington Evening Prets as being most fair and impartial ; and, travelling further afield, he mentioned tbe leading Christcburch newspaper, the Lyitelton Times, in terms of praise, and said he should feel proud to number the proprietor of tbat journal, Mr. Beeves, among his personal friends. Mr. Dillon said that the cause bad met with the approval of the most prominent politicians ia New Zealand, notably Sir Robert Stout, of whom, be said, any country might well feel proud. He dwelt at some length upon the rapid growth of the Home Rule movement, and complained that the cable messages sent from Home, as well as those despatched from the colonies, were so distorted by biassed persons as to convey a wrong impression to newspaper reader* regarding the progress of the agitation, and advised his hearers to wait for the Home papers before forming an opinion. In pathetic words he described tbe weary uphill struggle wbich he and his colleagues bad bad from the time when subscription! amounted only to £5 per week, which was barely sufficient for the rent of a modest office in Dublin and the salary of a clerk, until now in the full tide of prosperity wben, as he stated, the receip's for ooe week amounted to £12,000. He advised the members of the National League to maintain that organization, for its usefulness could not be over-estimated as a means of collecting funds (or tbe cause, and also as to the moral support which it could give to the Irish Parliamentary party in the event of a general election, when a cablegram could convey the weight of colonial opinion to turn the scale in favor of the Home Rule canse. Mr. Dillon concluded amid loud and prolonged applause.— Mr. M. Bohan, one of the vice-presidents of tbe Wellington branch of the League, asked the Hon. Dr. Grace, who had just returned from a visit to the Old Country, whether he would give the gentlemen present some information as to tbe progress of tbe movement at Home. The Hon. Dr. Grace cheerfully complied with tbe reqnest. In tbe course of his remarks he explained that the movement was making rapid progress everywhere, and the opinion wai general in those placet where the Home Role platform

had been put before the prrtple that the Irißh nation ought to be allowed to govbrn itself. When be was in L >ndo», Lord Aberdeen ■poke to him regard ne the meeting held in Wellington a few years ago in support of rhe Home tvule cause, and assured him that it was tbe most impressive and in its character the most important publio gathering he had ever known in any outside country. Lord Aberdeen told tim that he was particularly stiucn with the character of the meeting, and had ppoken on the subj-ct to Mr. Gladstone, who was much gratified to find such an intelligent interest was taken in the subject in this colony. Dr. Grace went on to say be was perfectly satibfied that the Salisbury Govemmmt were convinced that Home Rul« was necessary for Ireland, and he really thought they won d effar it befoie long. He expressed ti e opinion that the people of London were opposed to the granting of H mo Rule for Ireland because they were afraid that the decentralisaiioa of the Empire woud reduce the profits which resulted from the aggregation of wealth and population in one city. la conclusion he ibought the Eaglish people generally wouidgive the movement their hearty support as soon as they realised the justice of the matter. The health of Mr. Dillon was proposed by the Tery Roy. Dr. Watters, and was drunk with mnsical honours. Mr. Dillon, in reply, returned his warmest thinks for the great kindness h^ had received in every part olNew Zealand, and mentioned that during the two months he had been in the colony bis health had improve i very considerably. After three cheers bad been given for Mr. Gladstoae, the proceedings termina cd.

Mr. Dillon and Sir Thomas Orattan Bsmonde, M.P's., left for Masterton on the 3rd inst., where they will be the guests of the Rev. Father M'Kenn* for one night only ; from there they will go on to Napier, Lake Taupo, and tbe Hot Springs, thence to Auckland, where they will enibirk for San Francisco by the next outward mail steamer. Mr. Dillc n's movements I am sure of, but I cannot speak with certainty of Taonas Esnnnde'a.

I forgot to naeution ihit Mr. E. T. Giilon, editor of the Evening Pot^ was amongst those present at Mr. Dillon's farewell meeting in the Club Hotel.