Untitled

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 43, 12 August 1892, Page 17

In another place our readers will find a circular addressed to the clergy, and which contains the resolutions adopted at their late conference by the Archbishop and Bishopa of the colony. The sensation of the week in Dunedin has been a concert given by Mr Arthur Salvini. Mr Salvini has returned to this city after many years absence, during a portion of which he received in Italy a musical and artistic training which has enabled him to make the best use of the very high gifts nature had conferred upon him, and to

become a singer of great excellence. Our readers may, perhaps, remember that some years ago we quoted a paragraph from an Italian paper, in which Mr Salvini's performance in opera at one of the piincipal theatres of the peninsula was highly spoken of. His voice is a tenor of very fine quality, and its culture is perfect. The Garrison Hall was crowded to its fullest extent on the occasion alluded to. Mr Salvini met with an enthusiastic reception, and repeated encores and load applause testified to the appreciation of the audience. We may add that when in London Mr Salvini singa in the choir of the Spanish chapel — a church whose reputation for fine music is traditional. We are informed by what appears to be a very promising proepsctas, now before us, that a company is about to be floated to take over Mr M. Houlahan's brewery at South Dunedin. Increase of business, it is stated, requires additional capital for a large extension, Mr Houlaban's famous brew having attained to popular favour in no light degree. Mr Houlihan's chief success, as every one know 3, is in the mannfacture of porter, in which he possesses & celebrity hardly to be lurpassed. Capitalists should find the investment offered a very welcome one, promising, as it does, large dividends to shareholders. The social held last evening in aid of St Maty 'a Organ Fund (says the Nelson Mail of August 2), was largely attended. Mr Maginnity, in proposing that the Very Rev Father Mahoney should take the chair, said they were all aware that the day previous was the rev gentleman's birthday, and he would ask them to wish their esteemed friend many happy returns of the day by a hearty round of applause, which was cheerfully given. A long programme of vocal and instrumental mnsic waa gone through, and afforded much satisfaction to the large number present. Among those taking part in the programme were Mrs Miller, the Misses Frank, Parmenter, Doff, Downes, Hall, and Campbell, Messrs Maginnity, Frank, D'Arcy, Wither, Green and Fuller, Professor Zimmerman, and Miss Jackson. Great credit is due to those ladies under whose management the entertainment waa arranged, for the profusion of refreshments provided and the arrangements made for the comfort of the visitors. We understand that the proceeds of the entertainment will materially assist the organ fund. The opening of Parliament took place on Monday; The speech from the throne was a mere formal matter, virtually containing nothing. The amendment to it, however, proposes a vote of no-confidence. Mr Justin McCarthy demanded a speedy statement of Mr Gladstone's proposals, and gave warning that Ireland would refuse half -measures. A threat was made by Mr John Redmond that unless Mr Gladstone fulfilled his pledges the Irish members would oust him. The question, however, arises as to whether Mr Gladstone, even with unfulfilled pledges, would not be preferable to Lord Salisbury with openly declared and practically fulfilled coercion. Possibly Mr Redmond may see reasons to decide in Lord Salisbury's favour — but to place Ireland for another term of years in the power of the Tories would seem a step that required some consideration. Mr Gladstone's replies to the eight hours deputation even of themselves alone appear to promise that he will do in the matter everything that he thinks possible. He seems deserving of the fullest confidence. A cablegram tinder date London August 8 informs us that a furious fight has taken place in Rome between Clericals and Liberals. The suggestion Beems to be that the latter while marching in procession were attacked by the former — who, however, were routed and obliged to take refuge in a church. The probability is, nevertheless, that the direct opposite is the truth, and that the so-called Liberals were the assailants. That a more actively venomous spirit is being displayed by the revolutionists, we may gather moreover from the murder of the Bishop of Foligno, which was committed a few days ago in a railway carriage as the Bishop waa returning from Florence to his diocese. Possibly the riot at Rome may have had some connection with this event. Uneasiness continues to increase in Afghanistan, where a general revolt against the Ameer seems immiment. There is necessarily a suspicion of Russian intrigue. Preparations are being made in India, and a regiment al Alderahot ia under orders for service there. In reference to Russian scares, we must remember that in the fable the wolf really did arrive at last. In reference to the resolution of the Bishops calling upo n Catholics to place their names on the eleclaral roll, we would remind our readers that a dissolution is talked of. It behoves them, therefore, to be on the alert.