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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 50, 18 September 1891, Page 17

In reference to the Dominican Convent art-union we may state that the prizes are not all mentioned on the tickets. There are several besides of equal value with the greater number of those named. The Building Committee of St. Joseph's Orphanage met last evening (says the Wellington Post of the 9th inst.) and decided that the Annual Garden Fair should be held in the Rev. Father Lane's grounds, Lower Hutt, on New Year's Day. Now that a begging mission from Dr Barnardo to the colonies is announced, it may be well for Catholics to keep in mind the follow.

ing particulars given by a recent issue of the Liverpool Catholic limes :— " In the case ot the boy Roddy Dr Barnardo has been again defeated— this time finally. Judgment has been given against him in the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Hou c c of Lords. The equitable course to be pursued was, from the first, plain not only to lawyers, but to the most ordinary lay intelligence. The wife of a man named McHugh claimed the custody of her illegitimate child, aged nine years, who had been for some time in one of Dr Barnardo'a Homes. The arch-proselytiser learning that the child would, if given to the mother, be brought up as a Catholic, not only refused to satisfy the legal right of the parent, but made a rigorous inquisition into her character, and did not hesitate to besmirch and blacken it shamefully and groundlessly for the purpose ot inducing the Court to believe that Bhe was a person unfit to be entrusted with the care of her own offspring. He did not succeed in misleading her Majesty's judges several of whom in reviewing his conduct have applied to him not a few severe strictures. He has got a pretty bill ot costs to meet ; but his unction as a beggar i% infinite, and no doubt the men of wealth, such as Lord Lome, who encourage him in his illegalities will contribute liberally towards the payment of his lawyer's fees. The case has largely helped to reveal Dr Barnardo to Catholics in his true colours, and to put them on their guard against his tactics. No matter what are his professions, his actions prove him to be a thorough-going bigot and proselytiser.

Thb result of the disgraceful case of criminal libel at Auckland has been a warning to slanderers. Shortland, the prisoner, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment, the Judge expressing his regret that he could not add hard labour or a floggintr.— Such a case as this, it is true, seldom occurs. Still, light speaking as to the character of young women and girls is far too common, and anything that has a tendency to check it must be looked upon as satisfactory.—Most of us will be inclined to agree with Mr Justice Conolly that something more severe than simple imprisonment is advisable to meet audacious cases of the kind .

AS a rule we now refrain from quoting any of Mr Parnell's sayings, as indeed we do also with regard to tbe far too frequent and scurrilous abuse of the fallen letde ■. The following, however, is too good to be lost :— " Addressing a meeting at Listowel, in Kerry, Mr Parnell declared that nothing would ever induce him to again take command of the party who seceded from him after the divorce case."— Possibly the old fable of the fox and the grapes was never more to the point. There, in fact, is the absurdity of Mr Parnell's present adherents, in believing that the Irish people can ever again be united in following him— if they do believe it.

WEDNESDAY (says the Liverpool Catholic Times of July 17) was the birthday of Cardinal Manning. His Eminence has now entered upon his 84th year. Long may he be spared to England and to the world ; for on a vast range cf subjects he is now looked up to as a guide not only in England among Catholics, but by men of all creeds over half the civilised world.

We take the following from the Irish Catholic of August 8 :— " Deep and widespread regret is felt at the death of the venerated pastor of Moycarkey, the Rev. John Burke, who died at his residence en Sunday. He was the oldest priest in the archdiocese of Cashel. For fifty years he was parish priest, and had reached the venerable age of 82 years. Father Burke belonged to one of the oldest and most respected families in Tipperary, and was nephew of the late Most Rev. Dr. Ryan, Bishop of Limerick. Some time ago he re.ired owing to enfeebled health. The funeral took place on Wednesday." The deceased priest, we may add, was uncle of Mr Thomas Burke, Oamaru, and cousin of Mrs Edward Carroll of Mornington, Dunedin.

The second international football match between the Dnnedin Highland and Irish Rifles caane off on Saturday on the Northern ground. The match was carried out with great spirit and caused considerable excitement among the spectators of whom there was a large assembly. The Highlanders, after a tough contest, won by 6 points to 5. A smoke concert and supper took place in the evening at Pipe-major Macdonald's hotel, where a very pleasant time was spent. The generous announcement was made by ex-Captain Gunn of the Highland corps, that he would present a silver cup as a prize, either for a Bhooting or football match, so as to ensure a yearly meeting.

The following cablegram seems to add probability to those negotiations reported of the Italian Government and to which we refer elsewhere :— " The Italian Government have submitted a formal complaint to Berlin respecting the resolution passed by the Catholic Congress at Danzig in favour of considering neans by which the temporal power of the Pope may be revived."— lt is somewhat strong, however, that this Government should presume to make an attempt to submit Catholics outside their jurisdiction to the provi-

sions of their own iniquitous penal code. Fas est ab hoste doceri. May not the Catholic world be encouraged by the fear of them thus betrayed to unite in determined efforts for the restoration of its rights to the Holy See. This seems all the more necessary since there is now reason for them to believe that the Italian Government is actually intriguing to hinder the independence of the next Papal election.

Io 1886 (says the Liverpool Catholic Times), Captain Selwyn, the Conservative candidate for Wisbech ibeat his Liberal opponent, Mr Rigby, by a majority of 1,087. The Hon Arthur Brand, the Liberal candidate who has just been returned for that constituency, wiped out the heavy majority and secured two hundred and sixty votes over the Conservative candidate, Mr W, S. Dnncan. This splendid achievement must strike terror into the hearts of the coercionists, for it is the most decisive sign as yet given that their sway is fast drawing to its close. The electors of Carlow presented to the people of this country indisputable testimony of their trust in the faith and honour of the British Home Rulers, and the electors of Wisbech, responding for Great Britain, have sent back the message that the fidelity of the British Home Rulers to the cause of justice in Ireland is true as steel.

It is announced that Mr W. B. Perceval, M.H.R., has been appointed Agent-General. The appointment is in every way most appropriate. In social standing and connections Mr Perceval is qualified to sustain the credit of the colony even in the more fastidious eyes of society in England. His sympathies are sufficiently popular to render him fit for the more ordinary duties of his office bis abilities are undoubted, md his wealth will enable him to maintain a good position. Among c actions of the present Government, none reflects more favourably o them than this appointment.

A very sensational report has been cabled, to the effect that a British force has occupied a post on the island of Lesbos io the iEgean sea, and has proceeded to erect fortifications. Some mitigation, however, has been also cabled, to the effect that the Admiralty and the Foreign office deny the facts as stated, but qualify them by an admission that possibly, with the permission of tbe Porte, British seamen may have landed for recreation or gun-practice. But even a landing of British seaman at any point in the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles, under present circumstances, is not without its significance. The extreme report, if true, of course means war, and any modification of it has no very peaceful signification.

Two of the best singers in London (says the Evening News of a recent date), may be heard each Sunday for the next few weeks at the splendid Church of the Passioaists on the brow of Highgate Hill the Caurch of Bt. Joseph's Retreat. They are Mr Charles Saotley and' Mr William Ludwig. Santley is already among the immortals, and, Ludwig will get there in all good time. Both vocalists are members of tbe church, and for years have been the chief ornaments of the famous choir. Nothing could be better than Santley's ballad music except Santley'a sacred solos, say the " Conflrma Hoc Deus, 1 ' which he rendered on Sunday last as an offertory piece with an exquisite charm and breadth of style which left no room for the longing for his earlier days. Mr LuJwig — he who was the picturesque " Black Rover " at the Globe — has a voice which some regard as equally wonderful, though his style is perhaps somewhat less artistic. A promised duet between them from the choir-loft of St. Joseph's is sufficient to crowd the great edifice with North London Protestants, quite regardless of the fact that there ever were such geniuses as Wesley and Calvin. Mr Ludwig lives at Highgate.

Among the i pleasantries of the session we may also include the treatment given to v Judge Edwards in the rejection of his petition for compensation. The manner in which this gentleman has been treated is a dißgrace to the Colony. His appointment may, indeed have been illegal. But what of that ? The Government of the day were responsible for it and the present Government have succeeded to the responsibility. Mr Edwards wag pressed to take office, and with a desire to serve the country at length accepted the honours forced upon him. His reward is simply ruin. This new reading however, of legislative duties is not out of character with the general' proceedings of a party that renounces the prosaic path of attending to the necessary, if somewhat narrow, interests of the Colony to launch out into general principles and attempt to give an example to the world. But such is a line of conduct commonly punned by the laughing-stock. There is, nevertheless, no laughing matter for Mr Edwards, nor, indeed, is there any for the Colony, on whom we say again the treatment given to this gentleman reflects the utmost discredit.

The death of M. Gre>y, ex-President of the Republic, is reported. The cable further informs us that M. Gr6" vy has left a large fortune and died a Freethinker. Poor man, in it not a pity he could not

carry any of his money with him ? Some solace for freethought ihonld be needful in the other world. Otherwise M. Gr6vy's chief record is connected with the scandals which led to the premature termination of his presidentship. We do not know how they may have affected the fortunes of his heirs.