WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 43, 23 February 1894, Page 27

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent,) February 17 tb, 1894. ST Patbick's College reopened on Monday week last with a goodly number of students on its muster roll. The Rev Father O'Sullivan, S.M., looking hale and hearty has returned to Wellington, after a six months' stay in Sydney, his native city. The rev gentleman will take up the duties of procurator. at the college, vice Rev Father Lewis, who has been transferred to Blenheim, there to resume his missionary labours. By the steamship Hauroto on Monday week last from Sydney arrived three Fathers of the Vincentiaa Order to conduct missions in the Wellington archdiocese. The missioners commenced by devoting their valuable time, from Tuesday 6th until Sunday last to the children ; the present week is devoted to the women, and next week will be given to the men. All this good work is in the cathedral ptrish. After finishing the missions at the cathedral the Fathers will remove the scene of their labours to the Buckle street Church (St Joseph's), and give missions to the people of the Te Aro parish in the same order; A gloom has been cast over the Catholic community of this city by the death, on Friday week last, of the Rev Father Carolan, 8.M.,

one of the moat popular professors of St Patrick's College, at the early age of 38, from hemorrhage o( the lungs. The deceased gentle* man was a native of Dundalk, County Lontb, Ireland, and studied at St Mary's College there, ai well as at the Catholic University, Dublin, at Stonyhurst and at Lyons, France, He was one of those selected at home to come to New Zealand to guide the destinies of St Patrick's College, and lines its foundation in 1885 he laboured assiduously within its walls, and to him is doe, in great measure, the undoubted prestige of the institution, of which Oatholies are so justly proud. Father Carolan wai esteemed both (or bis learning, which was deep and varied, and for his personal worth. He also hid a rare gift of imparting the knowledge of music, ol which he was an accomplished professor. By the many students past and present of the college, and by many personal friends, the memory of Father Carolan will long be kept green in New Zealand. Large numbers of people visited Buckle street cbnrch to take a last look at t"e remains of the deceased priest, which lay in the coffin umil the time for interment on Sunday. At 930 on Bnnday a solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated. The Rev Dr Watters, 8.M., Rector of the college, was celebrant; Father Hickson, S.M., deacon; Mr Tymons, sub-dc con ; and the Rev Father Goggan, 8.M., master of ceremonies. The choir was strengthened for the occasion by the members of the Cathedral choir, the college Fathers, the Very Rev Father Dawson, Adm., and the Rev Father Power, the music being under the direction of the Rev Father Aubrey, S.M. The Very Be? Dr Watters preached a powerful and touching sermon, and as he referred to his friend and colleague of 25 years' standing, bis voice was tremulous with the mtmoriee evoked, many of the large congregaiion being affected to tears. The funeral procession left the church at 3 p.m. for Karori cemetery, and was one of the largest, it not the largest, which has left the city for that burying ground. The cortege included the college pupil*, the old boys, all the clergy from the city and suburbs, tho members of the juvenile and adolt Hiber> nian societies, and the children of the schools ; then followed a vast number of the public on foot and ia carriages. The scene inside the cemetery w»B most solemn and impressive as the ooffia was borne

slowly along, tbe Rev Father Devoy and attendant prieets cban 1 ing prayers for the dead, and the vast multitude Banding on every point of vantage with uncovered beads. A peculiar hush was in the air, find brilliant sunshine lit ap the picturesque and solemn scene. Arrived at the grave, the Very Rev Father Devoy, who was immediately assisted by Father Goijjjan, (fficiated, the responses being enroned by a number of clergy and lav gentlemen. The pall-bearers were Sir Patrick Buckley, the Hon J. G Ward, the Hon Dr Grace, Dr OahilJ, Messrs J, Cumin, CM- Crorohie, M. Kennedy, N. Reid, R. P. Colline, J. O'Meara, J. J. Devine, P. S. G«r»ey, W. C* Ga»quoine, and W. M. Maekell. Father Carolan was laid to bis rest with all the high honour which the Catholic Church knows so well how to bestow on such occasions.-— R.I P. I notice that L*dy Buckley, wife of the Colonial Secretary, is among the passenger <f the R.M.S. Kaikoura, which left London for New Zealand on January 23. Bir Patrick has, 1 b9lieve, abandoned his intention of visiting the Old Country for the present. The Hon. J. G. Ward has been gazetted Minister of Industries. This ib in addition to his portfolio as Postmaster-General. The Rev Father Power, than whom no more popular gentleman and priest can be found io Wellington, has, after a stay of six years in the Empire City, daring which time he laboured in the Cathedral parish as ourate, been transferred to the important post of paribb priest of Patea. Tbe rev gentleman's many friends, with the characteristic steal of good Catholics, have bestirred themselvep, and the result can be nothing less than pleasing to Father Power and most creditable to his adnrrrers. The pupils of the Marist Brothers' school took the initiative in the good work and on Wednesday afternoon presented their soggarth aroon with an address, a gold albert and seal. The address, which was read by Master Casey, breathed the most genuine regret at parting with a tender Father, an affectionate friend, a true son of Erin and »n exemplary priest. Father Power rep'ied in suitable »cd feeling terms. Among the notables present on the occasion were the Very Rev Dr Watters, the Rev Fathers O'Meara and Goggpn, Dr Cahill, and Mr Loughnan, editor of the N.Z. Timeg. Later in the evening the pupils of tbe convent, Hill street, presented Father Power with an address and a dinner service. And jet later, the crowning honour wag conferred on the good priest oy his receiving an address and a large purse of sovereigns of over £60 from the members of the Cathedral congregation. Tbe address, which was read by Dr Cahil 1 , spoke eloquently of the good woik accomplished by the Rev Father during his six years' sojourn in the parish, expressed the highest feelings of regard and respect, and in conclusion wished him growing success and undiminished happiness. After Father Power had replied, the Rev Father Dawson, Adm, added a few warm words of eulogy and regret at parting from his colleague, and at the same time welcomed Father O'Meara who is to fill the* place vacated by Father Power. As a finale, the health of the departing priest was drunk by the ler^e gathering present. ° In the late matriculation examinations that popular Catholic academy for young ladies, St Francis Xavier's, Igestre street, scored a big success— four of its pupils having matriculated, viz., Misses Wbelan, Shewbridge, Stevens, and Zohrabr. This school commenced its career for 1894 with forty more pupils than it had on its roll last year. All this success has been attained to in a phenomenally short space of time. The importance of the New Zealand trale by the great shipping companies of England, and its extent may be judged by ihe large Bumber of fine steamers to and from London, which load and die. charge io Wellington day after day, but all these grand vessels have been totally eclipsed by the White Star steamer Gothic, which arrived here on the 9 h ins', on her maiden trip from London. The Gothic is 7,730 tons, and is a veritable fl .atiug palace. Sue was visited and inspected by the Duchess of Albany and suite on the 15tb of December, and being thrown open io the public before she left London at one shilling per head, the sum of £400 was raise! in one day to be devo'ed to an hospital for seamen. This wonder in marine architecture was altogether built in Ireland at the celebrated yards of Harland Wolff.