NAPIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 8, 23 June 1893, Page 17

NAPIER.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

Jane 9th, 1893. Death, I am sorry to Bay, has been once more busy amoogst as, and this time it has removed no less a personage than Brother Malachi, a member of the Marist Order. Brother Malacbi died at five o'clock od Sunday morning last. At second Mass the Very Rev Father Grogan alluded in feeling terms to the deceased gentleman, who, he said, bad been in failing health, as they must have noticed for some time past. The last time he (Father Grogan) bad seen Brother Malachi in the church was on Pentecost Sunday, and he then remarked to the priest that it was a grand thing to be able to go to Holy Communion on such a festival, The deceased hai a wonderfully tenacious memory, not to speak of his abilities as a scholar. He had the use of his senses to the last, especially relating to sacred subjects. He ■poke about the meaniDg of Viaticum, about 8t Paul, Extreme Unc-, tion, and Plenary indulgences. He was fortified, said Father Grogan with all the strength of the Catholic faith. The body was weak, but the mind and the soul were strong. Borne years ago Brother Malachi was an important man in New Zealand, and took an active part in some of the great Catholic movements in this Colony. Later on be took the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and entered the brotherhood. Father Grogan concluded by exhorting the congregato offer np a few prayers for deceased, for although he might not be in want of them, yet they would go before God and some other suffering soul would receive the benefit of them. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and was attended by the Hibernians and the Other societies of 8t Mary's besides a large number number of the congregation who, despite the severe weather turned out in large numbers to pay their last respect to a man worthy of it. Mass was celebrated in the morning, and in the afternoon Ftther Smytb, of Hastings, spoke a few words from the pulpit, detailing the sterling qualities of deceased, and the rev preacher pointed out that this was a noble example for those preieit to follow — always keeping in view tbeir last moments. Arrived at the cemetery the Bey Father Grcgan performed the last rites, and then thanked all thoße who had attended So far as I can learn, Brother Malachi, who was then known as Michael Landers, was born in Waterford County, in 1839, and arrived on the shores of New Zealand in 1856. Besides the Austraian Colonies he also visited the Thames and West Coast. He was a finished scholar, and also took an active part in politics. In fact, as Father Grogan said, be was to be found at the head of any movement which had for its object the betterment of his fellowmeo. He was besides, a newspaper man, being at one time, I believe, a contributor to the Tablet. He then joined the Marist Brothers in Sydney, and came to Napier to assist on the teaching staff of that Order here, where he has been stationed for the past five years.

At a meeting of sympathisers with the cause of Home Rule for Ireland, held in the Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday evening last, a committee was formed to collect funds to assist the Nationalist party in tht Hcuse of Commons, who, as the chairman (Mr J. T. M. Hornsby) pnt it, wire carrying on a great struggle against great odds, and opponents who had boundless wealth. I have no fear that the committee will be able to send Home a handsome cheque to assist the liberators who are fighting so nobly for Erin's freedom.

Mr Swan, M.H.R. for Napier, actually addressed his constituents, for the first time since he has been elected, in the Theatre Royal on Monday evening last. His speech was tame, very tame, almost as tame as Fillis' elephants, who are now performing here. The only remark in his speech I need trouble you about is that, referring to female franchise. He was strongly opposed to women being allowed to vote ; and so am I, but not on the same grounds as Mr Swan. His chief objection was that if the franchise were extended to the fair ■ex, toe priMts and ministers would have too much power over them,