WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 28, 28 April 1893, Page 25

WELLINGTON.

(From oar own Correspondent.)

April 22nd. Thb importance of unity amongst the Catholic electors of the Colony on the education question, was a matter which especially engaged the attention of the hierarchy of New Zealand when they met in Duntdin last year. The outcome of the discussion on the subject was the issue of pastorals, calling on Catholics to register their votes, to organise their forces, and by this means assist their friends, and operate against their opponents. The matter was taken np here with a good deal of spirit some months ago, when com* mittees were formed to organise the Catholic vote on the lines laid down by the Bishop's circular. For a time they worked very energetically, but the holidays and the bazear intervening, the matter was left somewhat in abeyance. Still very great progress has been made with very satisfactory results. At the Church of St Mary of the Angels on Sunday last, the Very Bey Father Devoy, V.G., announced that the work of enrolling electors was still proceeding, and that a meeting would be called in a few days for the purpose of reporting progress. The claim of the Catholic body for aid on behalf of their schools was only a fair and just one, he said, as they only aßked for a portion of the taxes which they themselves paid. The country was objtcting even now to the enormous expense of education, but how much more would it object if the Government were forced to find school accommodation for the thousands of children that are educated in the Catholic schools of the Colony. Their cause was a just one ; they did not wish to destroy the present system of education, for, if certain people wanted it, they were quite welcome to it. The cause of education, according to the Catholic standard, was gaining ground. He impressed upon the Catholic electors to keep this question steadily in view, and make no pledges, as later on a common line of action would be agreed upon.

Mr Joseph Saunders, the well-known contractor, met with a serious accident during the early part of the week, whilst riding from Palmerston to Feilding, when a trap driven by a man ran into him, throwing him off bis horse. He fell on his right ehoulder and side, bat beyond a severe shaking he escaped without any broken bones. The sufferer was brought into town by he Manawatu train, and is now at his residence on the Tinakori road, hot expects to be about in few days. At the eleven o'clock Mass on Banday at St Mary of the Angels, the Very Bey Father Devoy called the attention of the congregation to the disgraceful condition of the old Catholic cemetery, which, he said, had fallen into a most discreditable state of neglect. He pointed ont that the weeds and rubbish of all kinds had so ovei-run the place that many of the tombstones and monuments were nearly

: obscured. This showed a lamentable neglect on the part of the Catholics of this city in their care for the retting place of their dead. A well-known Catholic lady placed a sum at his disposal for the par* pote of effecting most necessary repairs, and he hoped that those who had relatives bnried there would contribute a small sum annually in order to effect the required improvements, and to keep the cemetery permanently in good order. Il is with feelings of deep regret that I have to record the death os Mr T. O'Brien, one of the most energetic and popnlar clerks in the local telephone exchange, who died at the hospital on Sunday last from an attack of typhoid fever. His death came as a great tor* prise to many people, as it was only a short time ago that he attended a marriage ceremony, which took place at 8t Mary of the Angels, in which a member of bis family was one of the principals. On yesterday fortnight he complained of illness whilst on duty, and on next morning he was confined to his bed, when Dr Mackin was called in and found that he was suffering from typhoid, and ordered bis remo* val to the Hospital, where he passed away at a quarter to two on Sunday morning. Tke deceased was a most promising young man and had the cold hand of death not struck bim down in the spring* time of his manhood, he wonld undoubtedly have made his mark in the profession which he followed. At an early age whilst attending the Marist Brothers' School, he won a scholarship which entitled him to two years' free tuition at St Patrick's College. He was only 20 yean of age, and his death came as a great shock to his relatives and colleagues, by whom he was held in the highest esteem. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the remains being taken from the late residence of the deceased to the Buckle street church, where the first part of the bnrial service was read by the Very Bey Father Devoy, the Bey Father Briand officiating at the grave. Amongst those who made up the funeral cortege were several students of St Patrick's College, the senior class of the Manet Brothers' School, and all the officers of the local telephone exchange that could be spared. The interment took place at the Earori cemetery, in the presenoe of a large number of relatives and mourners, the Bey Father Briand delivering a most impressive panegyric on the deceased. It is now definitely known that the Very Bey Dr Waiters has been appointed one of the three representatives to attend the septennial chapter of the Society of Mary, which iB to be held this year in France. The two other representatives are the Very Bey Father Leterrier (provincial) and the Very Bey Father Le Menant dea Chesnais, of St Mary't, Christchurch. Dr Watters intends to leave here early in May in order to catch the Messagerie9 steamer at Sydney. Hia place at St Patrick's College will be filled daring big absence by the Bey Father Braxmeir, M.A., the vice-rector. Daring his absence, which will extend over a period of six months, Dr Watters will, besides attending the chapter, visit many educational centres both on the Continent and in the United Kingdom, and will, I believe, have a good word to say for the Colony whenever the opportunity offers. It is now nine years since St Patrick's College was opened, and its history since then is not alone one of steady progress, but of phenomenal success. At the conclusion of the first year of it* existence, its Buccess as a public school was so patent that people could not accept the position without some misgivings, and attributed it to the fact that many of the students came to St Patrick's from many of the high schools and colleges of the Colony. Time very soon, however, disabused their minds of this fallacy, for the dose of each academical year brought fresh laurels, until to-day it stands in the front rank of educational institutions of this Colony. These nine years have been nine years of progress, and the Very Bey Dr Watters would be more than mortal if, when he leaves oar shores for a wellmerited holiday, he does not feel a sense of pride, as there passes in review before bim the splendid work which he and his able and devoted staff have performed duiing his sojourn amongst us ; whilst the Catholic people of New Zealand would be the very essence of selfishness and ungratefulness should they not feel proud of an institution which has conferred such benefits on the rising generation, and has brought such ecldt to the Catholic body both within and without the Colony. As I pointed out some time ago, the extraordinary success of the college has completely upset the illogical assertions of the blind bigots and superficial politicians who are eternally croaking about the restrictive influence of Christian education on the youthful intelligence. For this result and this result alone we should feel graceful to the able rector and talented Btaff of our college. With reference to Dr Waiters' personal qualities, it is unnecessary for me to

speak, as bis individuality is pretty well known to the 'readers of tb« Tablet in tbe most remote parts of New Zealand. Here is what tbe Pott says :— " Daring his nine years' sojourn in this city, Dr Watters has made himself a notable figure, not only in educational and Church matters, but in every useful, social, and pbilantbropbic movement. His energy and ability have placed St Patrick's College in tbe first rank rf tbe educational institutions of the Colony. It is now a splendid monument of bis admirable and valuable work. All over New Zealand its reputation stands high, and tbe name of its respected rector is held in affectionate veneration, not only by the large number of boys of all denominations who have benefited by bis care, counsel, and teaching, and their friends, but by all interested in higher education and acquainted with Dr Watters and what he has done. Dr Watters* eloquence in the pulpit, and his sympathy and earnestness in assisting all good works devised for tbe benefit of tbe community, have gained him tbe respect of bis fellow-citisens, whatever their religious persuasions ; and there are few men better known or more generally popular in Wellington than tbe genial rector of St Patrick's. We are sure the public will join heartily with us in wishing him a pleasant trip to tbe Home country and a safe And speedy return to Wellington."

A preliminary meeting was held in the presbytery, Bou'coit street, on Thnrsday evening last for the purpose of taking into con* sideratton the question of presenting the Very Bey Dr Wattere, prior to bis departure for Enrope, with some substantial token of the esteem in wbich he is held by tbe Catholics of Wellington. Tbe chair was occupied by the Very Bey Father Devoy, V.G., and there was a very representative attendance, amongst those present being the Very Bey Father Dawson and Messrs B. P. Collins, Crombie, Bohan, Oarvey, and several other well-known Catholics, including Dra Cahill and Macken. Apologies for the unavoidable absence of the Bon Dr Grace and Mr M. Kennedy were received. Those present formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of carrying out the objects of tbe meeting. A subscription list whs banded around in the room and a very substantial earn was promised. It has not beeo definitely decided upon as yet what form the presentation will take, but it is expected to be, considering the very short time at tbe disposal of the committee, a generous recognition of the labours of Dr Watters in this city during the past nine years.

His Grace tbe Archbishop, accompanied by the Very.Bey Father Devoy, V.G., left hern on Thursday morning en route for Wanganui for the purpose of opening the new church at Jerusalem.

Tbe Rev Father Devoy announced last Sunday that the set receipts from tba late bazaar were about £550, the art-union about £175, and tbe penny collections since their initiation £145, making a total of £875. The school at Newton, for wbich these sums were raised, ia now nearly completed, the total expenditure on the building and incidental works amounting to about £600. Tbe land on which tbe school stands has an area of two acres and cost £1300. The present building, which will be blessed by his Grace the Archbisbop on Sunday tbe 30th inst, and opened for school purposes on the Ist Maj, is only part of tbe original design, the remainder being added as tbe necessity arises. As there U still a considerable sum owing to the Brothers for last year's tuition, it has been decided to bold a social in the Skatiog Bink on the Queen's Birthday in aid o( tbe funds.

It bas been a matter of comment in tbe past that Catholics have invariably kept aloof to a certain extent from public affairs in this Colony, and have not identified themselves to such a degree as their numerical strtngth warranted. There were two causes for this : Catholics were somewhat diffident of their abilities, and in the next place they wished to occupy an independent position in tbe world of politics. Mr Perceval took a bold move some years ago and was highly successful as a politician, and Utterly more to as our representative in the world's metropolis. I see that Mr ODea, architect, of this city, has been elected president of the Liberal Association, notwithstanding tbat he bad some very popular men opposing him. It will require a very strong and a very clear-headed man at tbe head of tbe Liberals of Wellington daring the next six months, as there are likely to be so many conflicting inteieits to be settled with and so many political aspirants ready to sacrifice themselves for their

country's oause, and what is vulgarly called " the screw." I heartily congratulate Mr ODea on the honour oonferred upon him by tbe Liberals of Wellington, and I only hope that when his term of offioe will have expired that bs oan look baok with satisfaction on the part whioh he played during the past twelve months.