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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 37, 10 January 1896, Page 17

In this issue will be found letters from correspondents at Hastinge, Temuka, and Meanee, which, owing to school reports, were crowded out last week.

All friends of the Colony whatever their political colour mu9t wish our new Agent-general success in his important dntiei. We trust ha may not be far behind the gentleman who with singular record of usefulness now vacates the office. To hope for a grtater measure of success in the case of the Hon W. P. Reeves than that which baa characterised Sir Westby Percival's term were to utter an unpractical wish. Mr Reeves is decidedly clever, and will make good use of his ability and experience.

A Missa Cantata was eel brated in St Joseph's Cathedral, Dan* edin, on Sunday at 11 a.m. by the Very Rev Father Mackay, Diocesan Administrator. The preacher was the Very Rev Father Devoy, S.M., Vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Father Devoy, who took for his text " Receive ye the Holy Ghost : whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them ; whose sins you shall ritain they are retained (John xx, 22-23)," delivered an excellent discourse on penance as a virtue and a sacrament, dwelling on the reasonableness of the Catholic doctrine. The celebrant at Vespers at 6.30 o'clock was the Very Rev Father Mackay, and the preacher the Very Rev Dr Watters, S.M., Rector of St Patrick's College, Wellington. Dr Watters took for his text Matthew xxiv, 35, " Heaven and earth shall pass, but My word shall not pass." In the course ot bia sermon on "Christian Duty," Dr Watters made allusion to the tacant throne a>d widowed diocese. Their magnificent cburcb, he said, would for ever remain a mannment to the determination and unsparing energy of the saintly founder of tbia young diocese. Nowhere had sounder

or more fertile seeds been sown ; nowhere had tbe yield been more gratifying and more visible. The people of this city, of this diocese, had been ministered to with zeal, ability, love. Much was expected from those to whom much bad been given. The late prelate would live long in their love, their gratitude, their prayers. The very rev preacher then bespoke for the new "Angel of the Diocese," who would come in opportune time, the uniform piety, loyalty, generosity, and manly docility that ever characterised the devoted people of that congregation and the whole diocese. Dr Watterß concluded a learned discourse by telling Allusion to the salient evils of the day. The Cathedral choir had the assistance in tbe evening of Mi9B Rose Blaney, who sang Garcia's "Salve Maria" and Rossiter's "O Salutaris," and of Miss Kitty Blaney, who rendered Gounod's "There is a green hill far away." The ceremonies were concluded with Benediction of tbe Blessed Sacrament given by Father Devoy. The Tery Rev Fathers, who are enjoying a holiday, left Dunedin on Monday morning by the express for tbe lakes.

We strongly recommend our readers to procure and read " Disnnion and Reunion," a book dedicated to Leo XIII, and containing, in 212 pages, the substance of a series of learned addresses recently delivered by Very Rev W. J. Madden, Rector St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, These lectures attracted very large audiences for twenty-four successive Sunday evenings. Anyone who reads the volume will readily understand why Father Madden retained and thoroughly interested great congregations for so long a time. The author has made a very judicious selection of important historical facts. There is everything to interest and nothing to weary the reader. He states, with a clearness, freshness, indeed, fascination, of style that irresistibly takes the reader pleasurably along, tbe causes which led to tbe disruption of Christendom. The author modestly calls his lectures unpretending and Bomewhat hurriedly- prepared instructions. They clearly show that Father Madden is a cultured, scholarly man. Hit work cannot fail to be of advantage to Catholics, and to materially help all honest seekers after truth into whose hands it will fall. It were unfair to make many quotations from the volume just published. It should be procured and read. We cannot, however, refrain from quoting just one passage. In the chapter on Scotland Father Madden refers to the Scotch in this way : — The Scotch are too shrewd and clever to remain satisfied for long with tbe empty egg-shell of Agnosticism. My belief is that the Scotch will come back again to the sure hope of the old faith, and I have a private opinion that they will be an influential element in bringing England back too. They are are to-day tbe brain-carriers of the British race, They have been the builders and the pillars of England's Colonial Empire. They are next the Jews in commercial ability, and far surpass them in honesty and integrity. There is some foundation then for the opinion that if tbe Scotch come back they will turn too tbe religious tide of England, if it ever is to be turned, into the old channel from which their sixteenth century forefathers diverted it. But pity of pities it will be, if in disappointment of this hope, this fine race — this Jine fleur of trained human intelligence will elect to go down with the universal wreck in that paganism to which educated Protestantism is inevitably hastening.

That our Catholic schools are not behind the public schools, we Catholics well know, But the recent examinations by the Government school inspectors, wherever they have been held, have brought the fact out more prominently before tbe general public. It is well known that in the Winganui education district the inspectors are said to interpret the syllabus of the class and pass subjects for the standards more strictly than in almost any other district. Hence it is all the more creditable to our schools in Wanganui that they have passed the Board Inspector's examination so well. In tbe boys' school, conducted by tbe Marist Brothers, between seventy and eighty percent of passes were obtained ; and in the parish school, taught by the good Sisters of St Joseph of Nazaretb, all the pupils, except one child, passed the several standards. Evidently Father Kirk bas gocd reason to be pleased with hiß schools.

The distribution of prizes (says Saurakl Tribune) to the Sunday Bcbool children attending St Mary's Catholic Ohurch, Paeroa, took place on Christmas evening after the service. The prizes were given by Father Hackett, who addressed the children, and spoke in tbe highest terms of praise, especially of Miss Shaw, the lady superintendent of the Sunday school, who manifested tbe deepest interest in the religious instruction of the children. Prizes were awarded to the following for attendance and religious knowledge : — Clues I (Bible history, four first class), Miss Annie Gray don, 1 ; Master W. Barrett, 2. Glass II (Christian doctrine), Miss Statia Beattie, 1 ; Miss Linda Beattie, 2. Glass 111 (Christian dootrine), Miss Ethel O'Hara, 1 ; Miss M. Barrett, 2. Glass IV (Christian doctrine), Master Gerald Beattie, 1. Glass V (Christian doctrine), Master Harold Pink, 1 ; Master Joseph Pennell, 2 ; Master James Barrett, 3. Class VI (Prayer Class), Miss Elva Avey, 1.

Two marriageß took place at the Roman Catholic Ohurch, Paeroa , on Christmas Day, the contracting parties being Mr James Noble to Miss Josephine Barrett ; and Mr Robert Sampson (Bob) to Miss Rebecca, youngest daughter of Mons Louis Dihars, of Waimata, Waihi. The Rev Father J. J. Hackett officiated.

We learn from the West Coast Mail that the pupils of the new Catholic school at Otaki gave, towards the end of laßt month, a decidely successful performance. The programme, which was a varied and lengthy one, consisted of pianoforte duets, choruses, and recitations, ending up with a well-performed and highly amusing farce. The good Sisters, who had spared no pains in tutoring the children in their particular parts, deserve great praise for the manner in which the several items were staged. In the actions songs particularly, in which there were between twenty and thirty voices, special mention should be made of the time and accuracy of the rendering of each. These songs were all greatly appreciated by the audience, each one bringing forth vociferous applanse. Miss M. Wallace (one of the pupils), who played all the accompaniments the evening, had charge of the children on tbe stage, and conducted her arduous duties in a most satisfactory manner. The room had been very tastefully decorated by the Sisters with bannerettes, flowers and evergreens, which gave the place qnite a cosy appearance. There are two rooms for the accommodation of tbe scholars and the two combined will comfortably seat about one hundred. The infants' room is partitioned of! by two large folding doors, and on this occasion it was tastefully curtained and a platform erected, which made a splendid stage for the little actors. At the conclusion the Bey Father Melu, S.M., thanked the audience for their kind patronage and appreciation. Before proceeding with the distribution of prizes, which were banded to the children by Mr O'Bourke, tbe rev gentleman briefly mentioned the high degree of efficiency attained by the scholars under the excellent tuition of the Sisters during the time they had been in Otaki.

On December 12th (64th anniversary of the Order of Mercy) two young ladies received the habit in the private chapel of the Sisters of Mercy, Gisborne; The young aspirants to the religious life were Miss Alice Fishenden (in religion Sister Mary Bernard) and Miss Annie Hodgson (in religion Sister Frances). Tbe procession entered the chapel in the usual order at the " O gloriosa virginum," which was well rendered by the parish church choir, while Miss Rice (who joined tbe Gisborne Convent a few days before) presided ably at the organ. Much regret was felt for Dr Luck's absence, the state of his Lordship's health making it impossible for him to come to Gisborne for the occasion. The Rev Father Ahem officiated, and delivered a very nice and instructive discourse on the nature and obligations of religions life. Tbe two young ladies were attired in rich bridal costumes, with long flowing veils and orange blossoms, The ceremonial being gone through, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament brought to an end a most impressive ceremony.

We regret the canse which bas led to the postponement of the Waimate art-nnion drawing to Jannary 30. Rev Father Eegnanlt has been obliged to seek the benefit of change, and as the forwarding of prizes and trouble connected with the drawing would interfere with a necessary rest, it has been thought wise to announce a short postponement. We have been requested to urge holders of books to dispose of tickets as soon as possible. Tbe Waimate people have done much for religion and edncation. Thoße who work bard and generously deserve practical encouragement.

The results of the Greymouth musical examinations (in connection with Trinity College, London), did not arrive in Greymonth nntil the 23rd December last, three months later than thoie of the other centres. All the children presented by tbe Sisters of Mercy passed. The following is the list : — Senior pass— Kate McDonnell, 91. Intermediate pass— Evelyn Tarrant, 98 ; Ada Perkins, 95 ; Annie Dnngan, 95. Junior Honours— Lizzie Taylor, 80. Junior pass— Agnes O'Meara, 93; Lizzie Taylor, 92; Margaret O'Meara, 90 ; Florry Shanaban, 86 ; Eate O'Doberty, 84 ; Lizzie McDonnell, 84 ; Irene Beresford,76 ; Teresa Shanahan, 73 ; Eileen Foot, 73.

Among the passengers by the Manapouri, whioh reached Dunedin on Tuesday, was the Rev Father McGratb, for many years rector of Cromwell mission, Otago.

The Very Rev John Ryan, S.J., rector Riverview College, is conducting a retreat in Dunedin for the Dominican Nans of the diodese, all of whom, to the number of about 75, are now in the Mother House.

Tub Rev Father Galerne, 8.M. , Chrlstcharcb, desires to cordially thank all who helpei to make the pro-Cathedral art-union successful.