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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 3, 4 November 1892, Page 17

On Sunday a rumour that the Italians were to Biog drew an immense congregation to the 11 a.m. Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin. The illness of Signora Cuttica prevented the engagement from beiDg kept— but tha performance of the choir was excellent. They had an important addition to their tenor eingers in the person of Mr P. J. Dunne, late of Wellington. The Mass wss Weber's in G. The Rev Father Lynch, Adtn., was celebrant and the Rev Father Murphy preached. In the evening the preacher was the Bishop. The choir were assisted by Miss Rose Blaney and Mr James Jago. Arcadelt'i "Aye Maria," and Palestrina's " Tantum Ergo," were admirably mog. Miss Blaney saog as a solo Luzzi's " Aye Maria," and Mr Jago WeiM* " O Salutaris"— both singers «s usual acquitting them*

■elves charmingly. Mr Vallig, the organist of the cathedral, is especially to be congratulated on his fine performance of one of Bach's fugues, played in the forenoon as a voluntary. On Friday the annual reunion of ex-pupils took place at the Dominican Convent, Dunedin. Notwithstanding the numerous coanter-attractioni there was a full attendance, and a very agreeable and enjoyable evening was spent. The guests separated with reluctance at a comparatively late boar. On Tuesday, the Feast of All Saints, a number of the children attending the convent schools made their first communion at the 8 a.m. Mass in St Joseph's Cathedral. They also renewed their baptismal vows in the chapel of the convent, having their breakfast at St Joseph's school. In the afternoon a treat, provided by the generosity of certain visicors, among whom we may name Mr Sheedy of Oreymouth, and several ladies of the Catholic congregation, was given. The tables were richly furnished and prettily laid out, and the little ones evidently recognised the advantages of their positions A careful hand, however, had introduced the traditional skeleton in the shape of a motto, written in ornamental letters on a black board, " Spare the rod and spoil the child." We must not doubt the awful impression produced, but it was not apparent. His Lordship the Bishop and the rev. clergy of the mission, with the Bey Fathers P» and J. O'Donnell, were present. The Moat Rev Dr Moran visited Win con on Sunday, 23rd inst. r where he said the 8 a.m. Mass and preached, preaching again at 11 a.m. His Lordship afterwards catechised the children, and also preached in the evening. On Monday the Bishop returned to Invercargill, where he continued the examination of the Catholic schools, which was very satisfactory. The number of children attending these schools is 310, On Tuesday, the commemoration of the holy souls, soltmn office for the dead, and High Mass of Requiem, were, as usual, celebrated in St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin. The Bishop acted aa celebrant, the Bey Father Hunt as deacon, the Rev Father Murphy as sub-deacon, and the Bey Father Lynch, Adm, as master of ceremonies. The music was performed by the choir of the Dominican Nuns. Tho singing of the " Dies Irae," we may add, was particularly effective. The verses were song alternately, with and without the organ accompaniment, and the harmonies were most skilful and pleasing. The Bey Father Byan, a young priest lately ordained in Ireland for the Dunedin mission, arrived in this city by the as. Manapouri from Melbourne on Tuesday. The rev gentleman had come out from Home in the s.s. Orizaba. He describes the voyage as very pleasant. The passage to New Zealand, however, was rough. The sentences passed on the Broken Hill leaders seem to prove a> good deal of determination on the part of the authorities— indeed, if we were to say ferocity, we should not, perhaps, mistake the proper term. The Secretaries, Sleath and Ferguson, have each received two years' hard labour, and others 18 months, nine months, and three months respectively. The Directors, meantime, who forced on the strikei bj their shameless breach of agreement, and are morally accountable, go scot free, and are even hailed as victorious. We have not seen the details of the tiial, and therefore are ignorant of what has been proved against the men condemned. But of one thing we are fully convinced :—lt: — It will never tend towards a settlement of the labour question to give Socialists and Anarchists a plausible pretence for their arguments. But this is an effect that harsh dealing like that referred to must certainly have. These sentences appear suggestive of a hostile *nd highly prejudiced tribunal. Labour Da.y was most successfully observed in Dunedin. The procession was imposing and well carried out, and all the amusements of the festival were most enjoyable, the weather was exceptionally fine, and nothing occurred to mar the general holiday. All the world and his wife were abroad in every possible direction. Apropos of the letters of certain correspondents who have besn annoyed by a statement made by an " occasional correspondent '» writing from Darfield two or three weeks ago, we beg to say that we are unable to see the gravity of the situation. Father O'Donnell, it seems, announced at a public meeting that Mr O'Malley had promised a certain sum for Church purposes, and, according to our correspondent, Mr O'Malley denies the promise and refuses to act io. accordance with it. What have we, then, more than a misunderstanding that often occurs ? We do not pretend to account for it, but we do not see any reason to doubt that all the parties concerned may be in good faith. For our own part we have no interest in the matter one way or another. We are, however, sorry that our columns should have been made a medium of annoyance to anyone, and so far as we areaccountable for this we apologise for it. We have never had the slightest reason to show any disrespect either to Mr O'Malley or to Mr Barrett, and should be very sorry, indeed, to be guilty of anything of the sort.

THB Bey Father O'Donnell informs us by wire that the sum due on the Darfield presbytery, and for which Messrs O'Malley, Burke, Biordao, and Clinton are responsible, is £100. Thb Catholics of Auckland are preparing to give their Bishop a hearty reception on his arrival, which is expected to take place by tbe incoming San Francisco mail, on Friday tbe 4th inst. Wb publish elsewhere a brief sketch of tbe Church of St Patrick, South Dunedin, now in course of erection. Our readers will thus see how worthy an object id to be served by their giving aid to the approaching AH Nations' Fair.