Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 16, 5 February 1892, Page 2

Colonial Notes.

In the list of successful candidates at the recent University examinations we are glad to notice the names of three pupils ot the Christian Brothers' School — St. Joseph's — Dunedi a. These are Eugene Joseph O'Neill, who has passed his medical preliminary examination, having matriculated from the school tbe previous year ; Arthur Joseph Hall, who was first on the list of those who qualified for matriculation on junior scholarship papers ; and Charles Joseph Wilkins, who has passed the ordinary matiiculvion examination. All three lads are young, and as the various papers set them to work were anything but easy, so much the more credit is due to the boys for having pasßed so creditably. The scholarship papers, which we have taken the trouble to look through, were particularly difficult and required a vast amount of information from those who worked them. In fact very little more — if even so much— could be reasonably expected from those entering for their BA. degree. In congratulating our three young friends on their marked success, we can scarcely refrain from saying it has been well earned, for we understand that not one of the three has been absent — unless indeed through illness— any day on which school was held for the past two years. The first on the liet has even beaten that record in punctuality, not having nvssed a day from school from any cause for tbe previous three year». It is not, of course, cur province to lay down the law for parents, bit we may be p i mined to say that they could gather a very useful lesson from the above particular. Where is the parent who does not wish that his boy should get on well in his studies t But how many parents insist on their children attending school punctually every day ; bow many take the trouble of seeing that they use due diligence in writing their exercises and in preparing their home-work ? The Brothers or Nuns may do their part and teach tbe children well whilßt under their care, but without earnest and constant co-operation on the part of the parents, success in study is out of the question. The results given above show plainly what can be done when the parents co-operate earnestly with the Brothers. An intelligent parent will have no excuse from bis boy for his homeWjrk ; he will never allow him to shirk it, but will insist on its being done thoroughly and regularly. Where this is steadily attended to, the success that is sure to follow will amply repay parents and children for the trouble they may have taken in this particular. We heartily * ish onr young friends and their class-mates still greater and more brilliant results in the coming scholastic year.

The following are the awards of scholarships ia connection with St Patrick's College Wellington:— First scholarship, worth 90 guineas, to Alexander Mcßae, of Reef ton Catholic School : second scholarship) worth 45 guineas, to Angus McDonnell, of iuvercargill Catholic School.

Tbe Rev Father Le Pestre, Maori Mimoaary, who has been on a visit to Sydney for the benefit of his health, (says the Wellington Post

of January 28) has just returneJ, having experienced great benefit from bis trip. Father M. S alii van, who formerly was on the staff of St Patrick's College, but who has been in Europe for the past two years, has also returned, and will again join the professorial staff of the College.

The following appointments have been mada by the Synod of the Diocese of Wellington : — Rev Father Madden, who formerly was coadjutor to the Rev Father John M Karma, Masterton, will have charge of the Eaikoura district ; the Rev Fathir Thomas M'Kenna proceeds to Patea, of which district he will have charge ; tbe Rev Father Goggan will become curate to the Rev Father Devoy, in the place of the Rev Father Doherty, who has become curate to tbe Rev Father Grogan, of Napier.

The funeral of the late Mr Maurice Dunbar (says the Auckland Herald of January 19) took place in the Catholic cemetery, Howick, on Sunday last, the procession of sympathising friends being the largest witnessed at that picturesque and prettily situated village for some time past. Mr Dunbar had been ailing for a considerable time during which he was tenderly and assiduously nursed by his devoted' wife and other kind friends. He bore his sufferings with wonderful resignation and Christian fortitude, and died fortified with the sacraments of the Church. Daring his protracted illness he was regularly visited by Monsignore McDonald, who also performed the funeral rites in a very impressive manner. Very great sympathy has been extended to his surviving widow in her present affliction.

Monsignore McDonald celebrated Mass at St Patrick's Church, Panmnre, on Monday morning, January 25, for the repose of the souls of Cardinal Manning and Cardinal Simeoni, late Prefect of the Propaganda, Rome. He also asked the prayers of the congregations both at Howick and Panmure on Sunday for the same intention.

The Panmurianß (says the Auckland Herald) bad their annual outing on Saturday last at Motutapu, the charming island home of the hospitable and obliging Messrs Reid. Tbe start was made from the bridge precisely at nine a.m., with a full compliment of pleasureseekers on board of the Victoria, one of the fine and accommodating boats of the Devonport Ferry Company . Monsignore McDonald, with his usual thoughtfulness and bis great desire to consult for the pleasure and amusement of the people, sent his fife and drum band, numbering fourteen members under the direction of their talented conductor, Mr J. Smith, and it is needless to say that the music, having alwayß its charms, contributed largely to make the day one of thorough enjoyment.

The maiden speech delivered in London by Mr W. B. Percevil, as Agent-General, makes us acquainted with a new and startling feature in our natural history. "You must reflect," said he, "that the colonies are composed of Englishmen ; that they all have the aspirations of Englishmen, and the same spirit as Englishmen." Sensations, that we have been wont to attribute to variations of the weather or other depressing influences, we must now attribute to a transfusion of blood. Wby, it beat* pnotism hollow. If Mr Perceval were not himself an Englishmen we should think he had been attempting a taste of the blarney. As it is we must excuse him for the boasting inseparable from the character of tbe Anglo-Saxon. "We are not drunkards ; we are not blasphemous ; we are not disloyal," added Mr I'erceval. For our own part we hope not, but, if we are all John Bulls, it is hard to say what the dickens we may not ba besides.

The famous Mr Stanley arrived in Dunedinon Monday afternoon and was received with enthusiasm. We see that one or two of our Canterbury contemporaries complain that he kept his face turned away from the platform of tbe railway station, as be pasted in tbe train, and only permitted bystanders to see the back of his bead. But Mr Stanley did not expect to discover there anew breed cf savages. Had a photograph been taken of his poll, on the occasion, it would furnish a valuable, though negative, testimony to the culture of the particular locality.