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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 38, 8 July 1892, Page 17

We, (Wanganui Chronicle), are pleased to learn that Wanganui is next year to have another addition to its educational establishments in the form of a school to be conducted by the Marist Brothers. That these religious men are excellent teachers is clear from the successful way in which they have prepared pupils for the public competitions in Sydney, whence the Brothers are to come to this town. In one year alone the passes from their Hunter's Hill College were :— six (all presented) for Matriculation ; 10 for the Senior, and 24 for the Junior University examinations. To help to raise funda to erect the necessary buildings for this new school and its teachers, a bazaar lis to be held in October. It would have been organised sooner had it not been for the late Library bazaar with which the Very Rev Father Kirk did not wish in any way to clash. The work of preparation is now well in hand, the ladies having, with their usual generosity, at a meeting held on Sunday, undertaken to work for and to do their utmost to make a great success ef the contemplated fancy fair. Offerings for the bazaar can be sent to the Secretary at the Convent. Judging by the hearty way in which the present effort is taken up, and by our experience of the favourable receptions given to their appeals by the public at large in the past, we believe the Catholic body will meet with success in a bazaar for so worthy an object. The general election is, of course, the topic of the hour, and a tolerably feverish topic it is. The polling in the boroughs, according to the cable, commences to-morrow (Thursday, 7ch inst), and ends on Friday, the Bth. The writs are returnable on August 4th. Meantime, in apparent contradiction of the dates announced to us, several candidates have been returned, some unopposed, but others evidently after a contest, and that for some of tha boroughs. Such hag been the case, for example, with respect to Greenock, where John Burns defeated Sir T. Sutherland by a majority of 1,000. A sinister event has been the victory of Lieutenant Colonel Seelye, a Unionist, at Nottingham, where he was defeated by a Gladstonite at the general election. He obs now gained the Beat by a majority of 309. "So far," we ore told, "the Tories have won 20 seats, the Liberals eight, and the Unionists five." But probably in this we are to include several instances in which Tories or Unionists were returned unopposed—

the Gladstonites refraining from wasting their strength on a useless contest. This has been the case, for example, with regard to the return of Lord Randolph Churchill, for Sonth Paddington— but nothing can be augured from cases of this kind. Among notable defeats has been that of the Marquis of Lome at Bradford, as has also been that of Ben Tillett at Bradford West. As to the opinions put forward on both sides, they necessarily differ widely, and flatly contradict each other. " The Times asserts that Mr Gladstone's view that the peace of Ireland rests on the hope of hi* return to power would send the inmates of Bedlam into convulsions. The Daily News, on the other hand, contends that Mr Gladstone's Edinburgh speech has burst the Ulster bubble.— The Spectator considers the demand of the Irish for self-government a wild dream.— Sir W. V. Harconrt asserts that the Unionists are decaying.— Sir J. Lubbock insists that this is the last desperate struggle of the Home Rulers, who are conscious of their coming defeat.— The Liberals everywhere professs ooofidence in the result." Such is the conflict of tongues. From Ireland we receive only tidings of tumult :— " The Parnellites rushed a hall in Dublin where the other party were holding a meeting and took possession of it. They severely treated their opponents, and in the confusion Dr Tanner was robbed. The police were compelled to protect the weaker side with drawn swords. The Parnellites of Limerick stoned Mr W. O'Brien, but the police rescued and escorted him to his hotel. Mr W. O'Brien left Limerick secretly by special train in order to avoid the mob. Severe faction fights have taken place in Ballina and Dundalk, and many persons have been injured; A rail was displaced with a view of upsetting 300 supporters of Dr O'Connor, a M'Carthyite, near Kildare. A serious accident was narrowly averted." Even taken with the prudent grain of salt, all this seems very lamentable. We comment elsewhere on the culminating riot, that at Waterford, where one of the Redmonds and Mr Sheehy led an attack on their opponent's committee rooms, and a nun was killed. Finally, we hope for the best, but do not by any means feel over confident. The Tories, it mußt be acknowledged) have played their game well, and their success does not seem altogether impossible. But if they are defeated, their defeat will be so complete and pronounced that probably the House of Lords will hesitate in defying Mr Gladstone. The present appeal to the country under the circumstances, seems sufficient. "The woman who caused the injury to Mr Gladstone's eye is Mid to be addicted to drink, and a violent Home Ruler." — Of course, but who says it ? Addicted to drink, perhaps. Champagne, we suppose, or eau-de-cologne on a pinch— is a Primrose beverage. Bat what about the Home Rule, the woman not having been identified ? A public meeting was held in Dunedin on Tuesday evening to discuss the question of compensation to publicans. One of the gentlemen who attempted to speak on the occasion congratulated the Mayor on his " pubHc-spiritedness" in calling the meeting. Meetings like that in question, however, would require in the functionary by whom they were called, "epiritedness" of some other kind aa well. A few lessons in pugilism, we should say, might be taken by him with advantage by way of preparation, Sensible speeches, nevertheless, were made on behalf of the publicans by Messrs John Carroll, M. Joel, and R. L. Stanford. What sensible man, indeed, can avoid seeing the injustice of, even possibly, placing any man's property at the mercy of a parcel of bullies and cranks who have little scruple about anything, and no thought except that of enforcing their own overbearing whims, A motion opposing compensation was understood to be carried at this meeting, but, under the circumstances, even if carried, it was not worth a straw. Ok the breaking up for winter holidays on Friday last at St Mary's school, Port Chalmers, an address was read and a presentation made to Mrs A. Collins, who, after a service of ten and a half years, is severing her connection with the school. All the children and many of the parents were present on the occasion. The address was read by Master L. Buddy, and after Father O'Donnell had said a few , words to those present, on behalf of Mrs Collins, a silver teapot bearing a suitable inscription, a floral album, and several other little tributes of affection were presented by some of the smaller children. Mrs Collins, moved by the kindness of feeling shown by the little ones towards her, was much affected on parting with them. Miss Mary Coneys is the successful applicant for the teachership of the school. The writer of the letters signed " Student," which we have recently quoted from the Otago Daily Times found a formidable opponent in a learned pundit signing himself " Scotchman," who produced facts and figures to convict him of error. We quote the concluding letter of this learned professor, which appeared in the Times on Wednesday as an advertisement, with an editorial note. Here it is, and is it not a beauty ? Will " Scotchman " kindly let ub know where he went to school, so that we may propose the erection of a monument to his dominie 1 "To the editor.— Sir, — As Ido not wish to waste either time or money over " Student," who seems to have been taught the doctrine of mental reservation, I ask yon, kb

you have the statistics re mnrder in Htyter, whether I am right in my quotations— namely, to each million of population Ireland had 17 murders to one in Scotland.— l am, etc., Scotchman. July 5. [The figures given in Hayter are— Proportion per 100,000 persons living : Scotland, -1 ; Ireland, 1-7.— Ed. O.D.T.] " Here is a fine booby, who takes the decimal point for a speck in hie eye, and doss not know the meaning of five naughts. Bat this curiosity is a sample of many who essay to deal with matters relating to Ireland. Scotch man indeed t Scotch animal fed on the national emblem. The half-yearly meeting of St Joseph's Branch H.A.0.8.5. was held in the Ohristian Brothers' Bchoolroom on Tuesday evening last was and largely attended. The following officers were elected for the ensuing half year:— President, Bro A. Harris; vice-president, Bro Allan ; secretary, Bro McKeay ; treasurer, Bro Mahoney ; warden, Bro W, J. Casey ; guardian, Bro McDonnell, and auditors, Bros Carr and O'Connor. The balance-sheet showed the Branch to be in a very satisfactory condition, both financially and numerically. Anotheb Russian Bcare is on the tapis. Troubles are threatening in Afghanistan, and the Ameer haß been warned by the Viceroy ol India to repel Russian encroachment on his frontier. Now comes in the folly of that appeal on behalf of the Jews. The knout begins to take a more real form for us, and danger threatens our Legisla. tare, Was it not enough for them to mind their own business ? Too much, indeed, some one may answer. The annnal concert of Mr F. Leech's violin school, which took place on Friday evening, was, as usual, highly successful. Most convincing evidence was given of the proficiency attained by the pupils under the skilful instruction and care of their master. The Ovide Musin concert company will open a season in Done* din on Monday, the 18th inst. M. Musin bears a high reputation as a violinist. His company includes Miss Annie Louisa Tanner, celebrated as the " American Nightingale "—a name suggestive of much that is delightful, and Mr Edward Scharf, a pianist whose powers have been proved by bis carrying off a high prize at tha Leipzig Coniervatoire. Doubtless these famous musicians will obtain in Dunedin a reception worthy of their merits and of the reputation of our citizens as judges and lovers of good music.