WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 46, 13 March 1896, Page 27

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

March 7, 1896. It was a very happy thought which induced the Very Bey Dr wattera to invite the members of the University Senate to a conversazione at St Patrick's College on Wednesday evening. Many of those present on the occasion had. very probably, never beea :nside the institution before, and onßtquently were, for the first time, able to form an opinion of the resources of the college, and the completeness of its equipment as an educational establishment. The elements were not favourable, for rain came down in cold showers during the afternoon and evening ; still that did not prevent a large and fashionable company frum accepting the invitauon of the popu ar Eector of St Patrick's. The hall and corridors were artistically decorated with evergreens and Chinese lanterns, and the whole of the building, which is a model of neatness, order, end completeness, was thrown open for the inspection of visitor, who expressed themselves highly pleased with all they saw, The visitors, who included many ladieß, were received by the Very Rev Dr Watters and the College faculty Among those present I noticed the majority of the members uf the University Senate, and, included, Hie Grace Archbishop Redwood, His Worship the Mayor, Count JoufEray d'Abbans (French Consul), ColoaUl Pearce, Hon Dr Grace, Hon W. Rolleston, Mr J. Dathie, M. H,R. ; Sir Robert Stou', Sir James Hector, Dr Cahill, Dr Martin, Dr Mackin, Mr O'Connor, Mr K. J Collins, Dr Pollen, Mr Tolhurst, Very Rev Father Devoy, Very Rev Father Patterson, Very Rev Father Dawson, Mr J. B. Page, Mr W. Ross, Mr T. Hislop. After the viHitors had made a tour of inppaction of the institution and saw the various class-rooms, and ci rmnented very favourably on the appointments and equipments of the College, an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music was performed in the lecture hall. The introductory i ems were contributed by the College brass band under the direction of Mr Cimino, and the string band, under Mr Trowell, An innovation from former programmes was introduced by the way of having lady singers and instrument talis s on this occasion. Mrs and Miss Holt pliyed a duet on piano and violin with much taste,* and Mits Brady's song, " Promise of Life," was much appreciated. Miss Nellie Gallagher contributed two vocal items, for which she was warmly applauded, a similar complimeut being paid Miss Sullivan for the song, " Orpheus and his lute." The other items were a violin solo by Master W. Fitzgerald, and a piano duet by Masters McDonald and Morrell, which were played with much taste and exprassi' n. At the close of the proceedings Sir James Hi c or, in nddressirg the boyp, said that he, as representing the highest educational ins ltution in 'he Colony, wbb very pleased the College had entertainel the members of the Seriate. He understood that all the candidates sent up for matuculation had passed and that one of the boys had passed the junior tcholarship examination with credit. He was pkas-ed to see a college conducted on independent lines striving for a pace in the r-.ce. He had vi§ited the clasp rooms, halls, library, museum, and other parts of the collrge and be could b^ir testimony to the efficiency to be found in all departments. 11. was pleased at the large number of students pieaent,

and hoped they would work hard in the classes so an to secure high places in the next examination. He then asked the Very Rev Dr Wattdrq, as a memento of his visit, to give the boys a holiday on the firßt fine day. Cheers were then given for Sir James Hector and the Very Uev Dr Watters. Tne Very Ray Father Devoy, speaking at St Mary of the Angels' on Sunday last on the introduction of the Irish Text book into the public schools of the Colony, said that while their friends who were at the head of this movement were beginning to realise that the present State Bystem of education was a failure because it did not contain any provision for religious instruction for the children, yet they were seeking to introduce into the Bchools, in this Irish Text-book a very poor sham. It was a book which had fallen into disuse in Ireland many years ago. Though it had in it some very nice, goody-goody lessons, it was a mistake to say that it contained proper religions instruction. Their friends who were bo anxious about this matter should have the courage of their opinions ; they should give proof of their sincerity by putting their haDds in their pockets mad doing as Ca 1 holies had done — establishing schools of their own. He made these remarks because it had been stated that Catholics had largely signed the petition now circulating in favour of the Text-book. Some Catholics might have signed it ; for his part he should be delighted to see religion taught in the schools ; but he wished to point ont that this Text- book would not give proper religious instruction, and that Catholics should not rgn the petition nnder a misapprehension. People said over and over again that we could find all that was necessary for salvation in the Bible ; that one had nothing to do but read that Book and form his own opinion about any passage in it. Catholics, he pointed out, oelieved the Bible to be a Divine book, but those who interpreted the Bible after their own fashion destroyed its divine character. The Bible, in order to be a law to direct ns in the way to salvation, ought to be complete ; bnt it was not complete, as several parts were missing. He went on to Bay that the Gospels of St Matthew, Marie, Luke and John were not written for many years after the Ascension, and in the meantime the work of the Church had gone on. Our Lord had not left any writing ; He bad commanded His Apostles to preach) and had told them that he would be with them — meaning that He wonld be with hia Church — till the end of the world. Tbe many friends of Mr W. Rose, both in Wellington and Ghristchurch, will be pleased to learn that be has been appointed local manager for the Royal Insurence Company. Mr Ross has been for many years— Bixteen I believe — connected with tbe National Fire Insurance effice here, where bis urbanity, tact, energy and knowledge of underwriting business have been fully recoznised. The appointment, which is a great compliment to the business ability of the recipient, carries with it an amount of responsibility which, I have no doubt, Mr Ross will discharge with creJit to himself arid benefit to the company. The personal popularity of Mr Rosa, together with his connection with many public movements here, should prove tnostjad vantageoaa to the Royal office, which has mad e a very wise selection in securing his services. Mr Rosa will take up bis new duties on the Ist April, and his friends, who are many, will wish him all tbe success in bis new sphere which his ability fully deservjs. Mr J. Kearsley, late of the Wellington Biscuit Factory, who has b arted business in Masterton, was tbe other day the recipient of a iilver snuff box from his former associates. A pleasant gathering took pace one evening last week in the Temperance Hotel, Mauriceville, for the purpose of saying good-bye to Mr P. Gleeson, late manager of the Tikitapu Station. There was a large number of settlers present, the chair being occupied by Mr G underserj, who said that they had met to honour ona of their most ettiimable neighbours, who was about to leavj the district anl settle in Featherston. Mr Gleeßon had been a member of the Roal Board for some years, where he had done much good work for the district. He had always been so the fore wben any uoder'sking fjr the benefit of the district and the advancement of his neighbours was brought forward, besides which, he was, as an employer of labour, one of the kindest and most considerate in the locality. He (the chairman) had much p'easure in presenting Mr Gleeaon with a pair of field glasses as a memento ot his connection with the district. Mr Gleeson feelingly replied, and thanked the donors for their valuable present, s .ying that he required no reminder of the kindness which he had received from his friends there, as he would have, as long as he lived, nothing but the moat pie isant recollections of his residence among them. Nomerous toasts were proposed during the evening, and the company broke up at a late hoar wi h hearty chears for Mr Gleeion and many kind wishes for bis future welfare. The bath question having been settled — we are goi .g to have them just as the winter is coming on — the tram difficulty has just cropped np in tbe nick of time, f r, unless tbe newspapers and public had not some real or imaginary grievance to agitate about, they would feel very sad. At one time, and not very long ago, we imagined the tram service was all that could be desired, but an unfortunate accident having occurred the oiber day, by which three men got their legs injured, tbe public have suddenly discov red that

it is altogether behind the age for such a progressive and important ci'y as the capital of New Zealand. We want a car every five minutes, and only the regulation number cariied thereon ; also an extra number of loop lines, and even some are agitating for donble lines. Unfortunately, the original founders of Wellington did not ook very far ahead, consequently they laid out the main thoroughfare so narrow and irregular that even now the traffic on special occasions is very often blocked. So long as people will persist on getting on to tb« cars whilst in motion, and which have already a full complement of passengers, he may expect to hear of accidents occurring. Of course we shall have an immediate enforcement of the by-laws relating to the traffic by the City Council officer?, whilst the present mild panic exists, and " Paterfamilias," " Viator," and the übiquitous " Citizen " will fill in the long evenings by writing long letters to the papers, suggesting various and impracticable rales for the regulation of the traffic, bnt afier a while the excitement will die a natural death, especially if some more engrossing subject is discovered by the fickle and captious public, The present tram line runs the whole length of the city — about 3| miles— and the fare is the modest sum of three halfpence. This is cheapness with a vengeance, and although some cynical people may add tbe word " nasty," it is evident they have not had much experience of such modes of travelling outside of Wellington, or else they would not be so ready to condemn our local system. A meeting of the local branch of the Irish National Federation was held on Tuesday evening, when Mr Haggin (vice-president) occupied the chair. Several new members were proposed, and it was decided to make the monthly meeting more attractive in future by having addresses, recitations, and readings, It waß reported that the net proceeds of the Hon E. Blake's meeting in the Opera House, was £15 5s 9d. A copy of a letter sent to the Dublin Freeman's Journal, anent Mr Blake's visit to Wellington, wbb read and approved of. The following is the text of the letter : — Dear Sir,— The Hon Edward Blake has taken his departure, after a residence of about six weeks amongst us. As you are aware, tbe hon gentleman came out to this Colony as umpire in tbe great Midland Railway arbitration case. The arbitrators, Sir Charles Lilley (Queensland), and Sir Brnce Burnßide (Tasmania), found, at tbe opening of tbe procaedings, that, through some technical point, they could not adjudicate, and left the whole responsibility on the shoulders of tbe Hon Mr Blake, who at once proceeded, with such methodical dispatch, that (including the examination of a large nnmber of witnesses) the great case was finished, and the award given, in less than four weeks, to the pleasure and astonishment, I might say, of tbe community at large. During its procedure the genius and exceptional abilities of our countryman shone forth from time to time, his wit and humour, and the masterful manner in which he dealt wiih every difficult point, were the general topics of conversation, and such was the confidence displayed in Mr Blake as a jurist, that the leading lawyers on both sides in their concluding remarks expressed themselves as satisfied with tbe coming decision whatever it might be. This splendid reputation received its crowning stone when Mr Blake, on the eve of his departure, wound np by deli vering a great speech on the Home Rome movement in the Opera House, which Btamped him as one of the most distinguished men who has yet visited the colonies. As secretary of the local branch of the Irish National Federation, I at once made the hon gentleman's acquaintance on his arrival, and, to my great pleasure, found myself quite at home with him ; so much so, that I ventured to ask him (as instructed) to deliver an address on tha Home Rule question, whicb. he consented to do on my convincing him of the good it would certbinly produce. Tbe address was delivered to a large and appreciative audience, notwithstanding the bad weather that prevailed. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and the Premier of the Colony was amongst those on the platform. The latter declared the speech to be the best he bad ever listened to. A large number of those present were English, Scotch, and Colonial, of the wealthier class of our city, who availed themselves of tbe opportunity of hearing an oration from one who had already won golden opinionß as an expert in railway arbitration matters. The audienca were heldepellbonod for nearly two hours. The powerful and convincing arguments, so admirably arranged, and couched in beantiful language went straight home to the hearts of those present. In dealing with the religious question he was especially effective. In sledge-hammer fashion he knocked to smithereens the usual stock arguments, and convinced them as far as possible, that his Catholic fellow-countrymen could not at least be charged with the sin of religious intolerance. It haa done a large amount of pood, made many converts, and cleared the atmosphere of many prejudices. Those who looked on Home Rule and its leaders with distrust, say to themselves, that the canse that possesses such advocates must be good, and must soon prevail. Ifc was a great oratorical treat, and prououiced by competent judgea to be not alone the beat statement of the Irish Quesion delivered here, but the best speech delivered in the clonies on any subject. It haa jusiried our humble efforts in the past, and made them easier for the futuie. I am, etc., William P. Healy, hon secretary Irish NauonU Federation, Wellington, New Zealand — P. 3, A sterling son of Tippernry is app inted to represent us at the great convention,