A WORD OF CAUTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 28, 6 November 1896, Page 17

A WORD OF CAUTION.

Wi: have received several communications from different parts of the Colony in reference to the coming election. For whom should Catholics vote ? There is really no pressing need to answer that question. Those who are thoroughly sound on the education question are guided by the unselfish counsel of their natural leaders. We are to suppose that zealous activity has placed the vast bulk of eligible Catholic men and women Jon the electoral roll. Caution in the giving of promises and in the selection of candidates is now very necessary. We have reason to think that some wooers of Catholic electors have not the slightest intention of joining in actively supporting our claims. Note the condensed reports of the election speeches. They praise the self sacrifice of the Catholic body, and are in favour of religion in education. They carefully abstain from definite promise and positive statement that if returned they will work for justice to Catholic schools. Candidates, as a rule, have not fully declared themselves. They are just now feeling their way, in many cases noting how the wind blows, and steering accordingly. It is not at all unusual for the course to be slightly altered to suit the exigencies of the election contests. The only safe rule for Catholics is to watch, wait, be sure of the character of their man, and quietly but unitedly strike when the moment for action arrives.

Owing to extreme pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over our Auckland correspondence, letters to the editor, and a quantity of other interesting matter. For the same reason we are compelled to hold over the commencement of the new competition for our young readers which was announced last week. It will commence without fail in our issue of next week. Tin: annual examination of the convent school at Queen.stown has just taken place and the school has a-ain passed an excellent examination, yr, per cont being the percentage of passes obtained. The inspector reports as to the lower classes that most of the pupils

promoted from standards I and II are sufficiently prepared for more advanced work. In class subjects the report ranges from good to excellent, while of the additional subjects three are reported as very good and the other two as excellent. The school is in charge of the Dominican Nuns, and the excellent pass and highly satisfactory report give umni.stakeable testimony to the thorough efficiency of the Sisters for the work they have in hand. At St. Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday last the Cathr Iral Choir rendered Gounod's •• Messo Solemnelle.\ M. Ovide Musin very kindly led the orchestra, and played a delightful •• Meditation " at the Offertory. Madame Musin took the soprano solos, and and also sang Bach-Gounod's '• Aye Maria " — the violin obligate being played by her husband. Both singing and playing were done in finished style, and the beautiful music was rendered with fine effect. A TREAT is in store for lovers of sacred music in Christchurch. One of the great Masses will be rendeixl on next Sunday in the Pro-Cathedral under the conductorship of Mr. Alfred Hill. M. Ovide Musin'will lead a large and w r ell-selected orchestra. Madame Musin will take the soprano solos. The choir will be augmentedHis Lordship Dr. Verdon was to have sung High Mass and p reach c i in the evening, but had to leave Dunedin on Tuesday last for Auckland direct in order to be in time for the consecration ceremony. We trust that Very Rev. Father Cummings will be gladdened by fine weather, large congregations and an offertory which wi 11 completely cover the expense of renovating the Pro-Cathc Iral. A successful mission in the Sacrei Heart Church. North-E^... Valley, Dunedin, was closed by Very Rev. A. Boyle, CM., on last Sunday evening. On Sunday morning his Lordship the Most Rev. Dr. Verdon administered Confirmation to a number of candidates. The Bishop went to Port Chalmers the same day, and confirmed the candidates who had been prepared by Rev. Father McCarthy, CM. Rev. Father Hanly. C M., opened a mission in Oaniaru on Sunday evening. The basilica was crowded. He was joined by Father Boyle on Tuesday. Rev. Father M'Carthy. CM., will open a mission in Milton on next Sunday. We are glad to be able to announce that St. Maiy's Convent School, Gore, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, has just passed a highly creditable examination and received an excellent report from the inspector of the Southland Board. The lower classes are described as consisting ot well-trained and intelligent pupils, while the report on the class subjects of the upper cla~ses ranges from i good to very good indeed. Very special attention h.is evidently been •riven to the additional subjects, one of them being describe 1 as good, another as very good indeed and the other three .is excellent. We congratulate the good Sisters on the success they have achieved. A LEAf.ui. has recently been formed, with its head quarters at Hokitika, for the promotion anil development of gold-mining on the West Coast. Old West Coast miners know that the Coast is literally a land where " The rivers wander o'er sands of gold."' The terraces) river-beds, and sea beaches abound with the precious m< tal and it only needs capital and enterprise to unearth the hidden treasure. It is to obtain the ri quired capital and secure its judicious outlay that the league has been formed. There can be no doubt whatever of the immense resources of the Coast and it is certain that the proposeel venture offers a splendid opening for the investment of capital. Any legitimate attempt to develop the resources of the country is worthy of support and we hope that the league will command, as it certainly eleberves. success.