PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 24, 9 October 1896, Page 18

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

The 1 1 on. llai.l-Joncs has delivered his first Public Works Statement. The sum of £!)8:5,732 is available and will be allocated for public works. The amount is made up as follows : — Under the legislation of the present session a million will be borrowed — £2.">o,000 for railways, £200,000 for the development of goldfields, £50,000 for the development of our thermal springs and national scenery, 1:250, 000 for land improvement account, and £250,000 for Xativc lands purchase account. £150,000 will be transferred from the consolidated revenue to the credit of public works fund, and £20,000 will probably come to credit from other sources. A balance on March :31 of £134,418 makes the gross total £1,304,418. Deducting liabilities £32(),(>3C, there is left £1)83,782 — "the largest sum," says the Minister, '• a\ailable for public works during the last five years." The Government do not intend to largely increase the expenditure on public works. On the contrary, after the completion of necessary works in connection with railways, land and goldfields, they "deem it advisable, in the interests of the Colony, that the expenditure on public works should

be reduced to the lowest possible limit." We said month's ago when the proposed borrowing was first announced that the Government did well in advocating a million loan to be spent in the manner indicated. We are only sorry that a much larger sum will not be available. The present is a most opportune time for expenditure on land settlement, the mining industry and necessary railways. There are unmistakeable signs of returning prosperity, and every possible effort should be made to take advantage of the favourable tide.

We have received a copy of •' The Second Episode of the Teinuka Tournameni." which has now been published in pamphlet form. Tiie publication is much shorter than its predecessor, but it is full of valuable information on important controversial points. It is written with Father Le Menant's usual vigour and the author replies in detail to every point made — or attempted to be made — by his opponent. We heartily commend the pamphlet to our readers. It may be obtained (price 3d) from ths author, Catholic presbytery, Temuka.

The mission for women which is 1 being conducted at St. Joseph's will conclude with the renewal of baptismal vows at three o'clock on Sunday afternoon. The mission for men will commence at half -past six the same evening.

By a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rite?, dated 22nd May, the hanging of mortuary wreaths on the walls of churches and public oratories has been prohibited.

Tuesday, 21) th September, was the tenth anniversary of the elevation of the Most Rev Dr. Carr to the Archbishopric of Melbourne. His Grace was consecrated Bishop of Galway on the 26th August, 1883, and appointed successor to the late Most Rev J. A. Goold, 0.5.A., on the 2!) th September, 1886. Ad multos amws..

Two members of the community of Loretto Abbey, Mary's Mount, Ballarat, recently paid a visit to Perth, W.A., with a view to establishing a branch of their Order in the Westralian capital having been invited thither by the Right Rev Dr. Gibney. It is not yet known if the nuns have decided to open a college for young ladies there.

Gknkk vr, regret is e\ pressed (says the Wnkatipu Mail) by the respective congregations, and many tiiends at the early departure of the Rev. Fathers Burke and Lynch. Father Burke is dearly loved by the little people ol the school, who. as well as their elders- > intend, we hear to prc-uit him with v small memento of their esteem.

SrbAKlN'i, at the opening of a bazaar held in the Hibernian Hall, Melbourne, in aid of the fund to enable Father O'C'onnell, of Carlton, to introduce the Sisters of Charity into his parish, Archbishop Carr stated that " he could say fairly that there were no better teachers in the world than the Sisters of Charity, and there could not be a greater blessing for any parents than to have them among them."

Ix our advertising columns will be found the winning numbers in the art-union in aid ot St. Patrick's Church. Singleton.

Mr, P. T. MAcr.iNLEY. \ ice-president of the Belfast Gaelic League, has in preparation an Irish •• Reader " on practical modern lines. The book (says the Gaelic Journal) will contain selections from the best modern sources, and -will be quite in touch with the spoken language of the present day. It will be provided with .suitable notes and vocabulary. Such a work has long been wanted and will be welcomed by thousands of students.

It i^ stated that Mr. Justin McCarthy has arranged to bring his "History of our own Times" down to date. He hopes to have it ready by ne\t autumn. The last \olume ot the history stops with the general flection of ISXo. The sixteen years since are not the least interesting or important ol the Victorian period, whether in politics, social development or literary evolution.

In our a<l\ t-rl i-iiiji column-, will be iound the winning numbers ot the Ross Convent art-uniun. The SiMcr-i of Mercy are very gratetul to all who purchased or di-pu^ed of ticket*.

The twenty-first annual report of the St. Vincent de Paul's Boys' Orphanage. Soiith Melbourne, has been published, and shows that excellent work is being done by that institution, We make the following extracts: — There were present on the Ist July, 1895, 181 orphan boys. Admissions during the year 'i)3-'9fi were 38 ; handed over to friends, or sent to situations, 41 ; number of boys in the orphanage on 30th June, 1SI)(>, 17^; daily average for the twelve months, 150. 4 ; number apprenticed or at service, 103 ; total number of boys undjr guardianship of the institution, 281

The health of the boys has been very good, and the institution is clean and orderly and in a creditable state of efficiency. A number of the boys who had been apprenticed from the institution returned during the year to re eivo the wages which had been lodged ti their account at the bank, and it may be stated that €331) 13s has been paid within the year. It was very consoling to observe those who had left the orphanage when mere boys now coming back as fine, respectable younir men, able and willing to give a substantial donation to the fund of the Orphanage. The report of the brother who makes an annual round of visits to the homes of the boys apprenticed out. and also the litters received from the employers and from the lad- themselves, continue to show that the boys in situations are. upon the whole, dohu wvll an I irivin<.r satisfaction. Even in this tpm ot depression the applications for the services of the orphan boys ait' so numerous that the managers cannot meot the demand. ()v\ ing to the existing depression the private contributions have considerably fallen off on the one hand, and the number.-* of homeless boys have increased on the other. In appealing to the public, the managers beg to call attention to the iact that the institution provides food, clothing, education, care and management of the above large number of destitute orphan children until they are able to provide for themselves. The report clo-es with grateful acknowledgements to the honorary medical officers and to the Revs. Dr. Graeber. Fathers Robinson and M' Carter.

The Hon. P. P. Gillen, late Commissioner of Crown Lands for South Australia, whose sudden death while attending a Cabinet meeting- in Adelaide was recently cabled to New Zealand, was a member of the Catholic Church and was conspicuous for the fervent exercise of the sacraments of his holy Faith. Whenever practicable (says the Southern Cross) he was — with his intimate friend. Mr. L. O'Loughlin. M.P. — almost a daily attendant at Mass. Frequently they attended the Holy Sacrifice at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral and he was one of the chief supporters ot the little church near his home. He took a great delight in assisting the priest — sometimes serving at Mass and always with the ardour ot a neophyte, and at other times handing round the collection plate, while his advice was always given with ureat pleasure in church matters. He was ever the same and he was a source ot edification to his fellowworshippers.

Last mail brought official notification from Trinity Colleue. London, that the following young ladies were succosful at the musical knowledge examinations held at .st. Dominick's Priory. Dunedin. on June 1.5. and carried out in accordance w ith the printed regulations sent by the authorities of the college — Intermediate Grade (honours section : Misses F. Godwin. M. Burke. M. IHaney. N. Scanlan. E. Newman. M. McNaught. Intermediate Grade (pass section) : Misses F. Godwin. M. Bhuiey. X. Scanlan. E. >\evuian. MMcNaught. X. Bee. M. Craw ley. Junior Grade (honours section) . Misses B. Coughtre} . M. Liston. E. Lawrence. L. Cross. A. Meenan' B. McNaught. M. Dim g an. L. Thompson. .Junior Grade (pass section) : Misses B. Coughtrey. M. Li-ton. E. Lawrence. (I. LamachV. Fraser. E. Freed. G. Meenan F. Bornech. B. McXauuht. M. Dim nan. L. Thompson. Seventeen pupil* were presented and fifteen were successful at this examination.

Lieutkxant-Coi.oxkl (' A I. LAN. who has been so lon»- and s O prominently associated with the volunteer ino\ement in Otugo. was entertained at v m^ dinnei at the (s rand Iloti'l on Friday evening last by the Dunedin District Officers' Club. Colonel Webb occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance ot officers. After the customary loyal toasts had been duly honoured. Colonel Webb stated that he had to propose the toast of the evening. "The health ot Mr. J. B.Callan," better known to them all as Lieutenant-Colonel ( 'allan. It was with very great regret that the officers ot the distnet heard that that gentleman had decided to sever his connection -with the volunteer force. He would be greatly missed, not only by his own battalion, but by all with whom he had come in contact. The officers had decided that he should not be allowed to leave their midst without receiving >ome expulsion ot their goodwill, and had, therefore' very great pleasure m presenting to Mr. C.ill.m. on behalf of the members ot the club, a silver-mounted oak tray Captain Smith, an officer in the Otago infantry battalion, also spoke as to the good feeling which had existed between the officers of the battalion and their late commander. In replying. Mr. Callan thanked the officers for their unexpected present. He loft the force with considerable regret, but he felt that, having given over eleven years to volunteering, it was time lor him to retire. The battalion which he had commanded was al.-«o composed of many country corps, and he realised that his business would not permit him to visit those companies, as he telt should be done by a battalion commander. He hoped that, although ceasing to be a volunteer, he would not lose sisrht ot those witli whom he had such pleasant intercourse.

SAYh our Christ church correspondent : — The services at the Pro-Cathedral \\ ere ot a special character on Sunday last, which was Rosary Sunday. The offertories ou that day were, by the direction

of the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, devoted to the aid of the Mount Magdala Asylum. The Very Rev. Father Cuminings preached at the !>.:lu and 1 1 a.m. Masses. In eloquent and powerful sermons he unred the claim* of the asylum to public support on account of the tireat, good done by the institution, not only to individuals entrusted to its care but also to the community. In the evening there was a large congregation and many persons were unable to train admittance. The Bishop preached an admirable discourse, and after procession ot the Blessed Sacrament around the interior of the sacred edifice had taken place, he so'emnly blessed and unveiled a very beautiful picture of the Holy Face, which, for the veneration ot the taithtul. has been permanently located in an elaborate frame in the Pro-Cathedral. The collections during- the day realised a substantial sum. but owing to the unfavourable weather the morning congregations, though numerous, were not as large as could have been desired. Donations in aid of the Mount Magdala Asylum will, however, be received during- the coming week by the Vicar-General at the Presbytery. Early during the week the Bishop will proceed to Rangiora. Amber ley and to Cheviot in order to make an episcopal visitation of those places.