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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 1, 3 May 1895, Page 18

An art-union in aid of Sb Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru, is now fairly afoot, an I ell who could not be present at the opening will now have an opportunity ot assisting this grand work, and of sharing in Ihe chances of the finest distribution of works of art yet attempted in these parts, The promoter, Father Mackay, hes determined to adhere strictly to the letter of the law relative to art-uniona, that every prize Bhall bo, in the true sensa of the word, a work of art. Bat to many of the prizes are added very valuable trophies, such as a suite of very handsome furniture, being made to order by Messrs Scoullar and CMsholm, of Dunedin ; a return saloon ticket to Melbourne or Sydney ; a beautiful chair, the gift of Messrs A, and T. Inglis ; a cigar Bland and musical box combined, the gift of the Rev Father Regnault, of Waimate, etc. All the paintings may be said to be the work of New Zealand artists of note and name, many of them by our distinguished teachers in the various convents, and their gifted pupils — who have most generously responded to the call for help, by cheerfully contributing the labour of their heads and hearts, end several of whose names appear on the tickets. Dunedin, especially, which has so largely io years gone by profited by the generosity of the Oamaru Catholics, as hia Lordship the Bishop has on many occasions declared, will no doubt be well to the front in helping Oamaru in its day of need. A new Catholic church will be opened at Waitati on Sunday the 12th inst. Convenient arrangements have been made to convey visitors on the occasion by drag from Dunedin. The road, as everyone knowp, lies through very beautiful scenery. The petition to Parliament on behalf of the Catholic schools was presented for signature in the porch of St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday. The arrangements, under the supervision of Measis P. Hally and J. Donne, were very convenient, and the members of the congregation had no difficulty in affixing their names. The special devotions of the month of Mary begin this (.Wednesday) evening in St Joseph's Cathedral, An altar of the Bleßsed Virgin has been erected beneath the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The adornment of both picture and altar are most appropriate and tasteful. CwiNG to the work occasioned by the recent bazaar at Wellington, the drawing of the art-union was postponed until to-day (Wednesday, May 1). The winning numbers will appear in our next issue.

The Empress Frederick of Germany, who, on St Patrick's Day, wore a bunch of shamrock and a costume made of Irish material is expected probably to visit Ireland in the autumn. Mb Justin McCabthy, M.P., who presided at the National celebration on St Patrick's Day in London, declared that the cause had never been stronger than it now was, and Bpoke with strong hope of the future. We are informed by cable that Mr O'Kelly, a supporter of Mr Juslin M'Carthy, has been returned for the vacant seat for Wicklow in the Hoaoe of Commons, caused by the resignation of Mr Sweetman, who resigned after seceding from tha Eedmond party. Mr O'Kelly 'a maprity wag 62. Cur contemporary, the Triad, for the current month has a Further enlargement of four pages. Tho mus'cal supplement containa Reeve's " Friar f Orders Groy," a song sung by Mr Santley in Dunedin, and Wagner's " Rienzi's Prayer " arranged as a pianoforte solo. An art supplement givea excellent likenesses of six of our local musicians. Tbe literary matter ie, as usual, interesting and various. The following, sent to us from the Saleßian Oratory at Turin, Italy, has come rather late to hand. We are, nevertheless, happy in complying with the request to publish it :— "The well-known Association of Salesian Co-operators, which was founded by Don Bosco for the maintenance and propagation of his numerous charitable institutions, will hold its first International Congress at Bologna (Italy) on the 23rd, 24tb, and 25th of April next. The Holy Father has given his blessing to the promoters and the programme they submitted for his approval. The Congress will be under the honorary presidency of His Eminence Cardinal Svampa, supported by several Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops. Besides the Salesian Co-operators Catholics of every country are invited to assist at the sittings of this ' important assembly. Persons desiring further particulars may communicate wi<»h the Salesian Fatherp, the Oratory, Turin ; or Ihe Curia Arcivesoovile, Bologna. Readers of the Catholic Times (writes the Rome correspondent of our contemporary of March 22), may remember the scandal which was caused by two canons of St Peter's, Campello and Savarese withdrawing from tbe Catholic Church and founding an Italian Protestant one, not very many years ego, within a stone's throw of the Vatican. Their conduct was, of ccursf , approved of by various Protestant societies, and large sumß of money were subscribed to assist the ex-canons in their enterprise. The sequel of the story is that Savarese, after many adventures, is staying in a Catholic monastery, full of repentance, while Campello arrived in Borne a short time ago " sick unto death," and at his express desire was taken to a convent, where he is nursed with the greatest devotion. To quote his own words, when speaking about the nuns to a person who visited him one day this week : " These Sisters are angels upon earth." It is said tbat Campello will shortly return to his allegiance also.