THE PROPOSED PRESENTATION TO BISHOP VERDON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 3, 14 May 1897, Page 18

THE PROPOSED PRESENTATION TO BISHOP VERDON.

The Catholics of Dunedin have always been noted for loyalty and affection for their Bishop, and the cordial and unanimous way in which the proposed presentation was received at the meeting on Friday night is a sure augury that it will be carried to a happy and successful issue. As Father Murphy well said, whatever the congregation may do for the Bishop they may be sure it is amply deserved. His gennine and unaffected piety, his humility, his extreme kindliness of heart, and his deep love for his people have impressed all with whom he has come into contact. Wherever he has been for any length of time he has been beloved and revered, and we are sure that as time goes on he will win for himself a warm place in the hearts and affections of his people. Already in the brief space in which he has been in charge of the diocese Bishop Verdon has accomplished much. Leaving aside minor matters, he has introduced and comfortably settled at South Dunedin a community of Sisters of Mercy, who have now established a firm foothold and are doing most admirable work. He has established at Invercargill a community of tbe Marist Brothers who are carrying on their work there with characteristic energy and vigour. And quite recently the first active step has been taken at South Dunedin in the erection of a most important institution — the Orphanage — the establishment of which has long been a cherished project with the Bishop. All this most valuable and important work has been done without a single word in the nature of advertisement or " puff," and we may be sure it is only a foretaste of the solid and lasting work which, if he is spared to the diocese, Bishop Verdon will accomplish in the years to come. The form which it is proposed that the presentation shall take is one that must commend itself to every Catholic in the parish and throughout the diocese. The utility, and, indeed, the necessity, of some such convenience is self-evident, and everyone can give or forward his mite cheerfully and ungrudgingly, knowing the thoroughly practical purpose to which it is to be applied. We have not a shadow of doubt that the movement will be successful, and that the presentation will be carried out in a, manner that will reflect credit on all concerned.

Saturday, May 22, is the anniversary of the death of the late Bishop of Dunedin. Bishop Moran. There will be High Mass and Solemn Requiem at the Cathedral at 10 o'clockon Saturday morning.

St Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, was crowded to the doors on Sunday night when the mission conducted by the Vincentian Fathers was brought to a clo-ie. An earnest and eloquent sermon by Rev. Father Hanley, C .M.. was followed by renewal of the baptismal vows, after which Father Hanley imparted the Papal blessing to the congregation. A renewal of the mission at the cathedral will be inaugurated on Sunday next when the opening sermon will be preached at 1 1 o'clock Ma>s. The renewal of mission will be continued throughout the week.

A VEKY impressive 1 ceremony of religious profession took plac* in the convent chapel of the Sifters of Mercy, Gisborne, on May Ist. The young lady who made her solemn vows was Miss Mary Donnellan (in religion Sister Mary Joseph), eldest daughter of MrPatrick Donnellan, Nelson Creek, West Coast, The Rev. Father Aheru officiated. The musical portion of the ceremonial was rendered by the convent choir.

We take the following from the Inantjahita Timex of May 4 :—: — Mrs. Walker, wife of Mr. Matthew Walker, of the Commercial Hotel, died at S>.:K> this morning after a rather protracted illness. For some weeks past Rhe has been under medical care, and her condition was known to be serious, but there are many to whom the news of her d^ath will come as a painful surprise. Mrs. Walker was well known in the district and throughout the West Coast as a kind and hospitable lady, and it is unnecessary to add that her death causes general sorrow. Our readers will join us in tendering sincere sympathy to Mr. Walker in the sad bereavement he has sustained. Mrs. Sheedy, of Greymouth, was with her sister in her last moments, and one of the deceased lady's brothers, Mr. J. Twohill. of Charleston, returned from a vibit to her only a few days since. Mrs. Walker was f>2 years of age, and a native of Cork, Ireland. Her fathe~ Mr. Twohill, died only a few weeks since at Greymouth at the ripe age

of 95. One of her brothers, Mr. P. Twohill, was formerly a popular and highly respected resident of Reefton. At present he resides in Wellington. In accordance with the last wish of the deceased, the interment will take place at Greymouth.

We are permitted to make the following extracts from an interesting private letter received from Freemantle, W.A. : — " This is no place for a poor man to come to as wages and salaries are less if anything than the other colonies, that is taking into consideration the cost of living in this colony in comparison with others. Labourers here are working for seven shillings a day, the Government are only giving eight. Policemen here are being taken on at six shillings and there are five hundred applicants trying to get into the force. One with a little capital can't go wrong in any business he goes into here. There is such an enormous crowd of people on the move and to do business with, and all cash at that. The hotels boarding houses, barbers, fruiterers, drapers, etc., are reaping a harvest. There are over two thousand men employed here on different Government works and they make things hum here a bit. There is a large number of men unemployed and cannot get work here or Perth. Every boat now is taking large numbers away. There is a great depression on the fields now owing to exemption* Exemption, I might inform you, is a permission from the Government to close a mine for three months. Most of the mines have applied for exemption and got it, the consequence is that the poor miners are all thrown out of work, I have spoken to several of them here, who are clearing out, they believing that some of the mines will never work again, and exemption was applied for on account of no English money forthcoming, and none likely to. I have no faith in this place myself, that is no faith in the place lasting. Of course it will boom until all the Government money is expended in carrying out the gigantic works started and works contemplated. There is a boom in the building line and magnificent buildings are being built here and at Perth. But if there is no gold produced I cannot see what there is to keep the place going. Of course if you tell that to a West Australian person they reckon you are a pessimist and don't know what you are talking about. This is a great place for Catholics. A big majority of the arrivals who have come here are of that persuasion. The church here in Freemantle is by half too small ; it is the greatest difficulty to get a seat at any of the services. The church is built over forty years, so you can imagine the inadequacy of it as regards room. I believe they are contemplating the building of a new church and have money on hand for it. The Catholic cathedral at Perth is a magnificent building and is greatly admired.

We have received a copy of the N.Z. Cyclists" Touring Club Gazette, a publication intended to further the interests of cycling in general and of the N.Z. Cyclists' Touring Club in particular. It is capitally edited and printed, and full of matter interesting to cyclists.

We have received a copy of the December number of Our Alma Mater, the magazine of ithe students of St. Ignatius' College, Riverview, Sydney. The magazine is edited by the students of the college, and the number before us reflects the highest credit on the editors in respect to both the quantity and the quality of the matter it contains. There is something of everything in its pages, and the contents range from descriptions of billiard matches to a critical estimate of Australia's national poet. It is evident from a perusal of the magazine that there is an active and vigorous student life n% Riverview, and that every opportunity is afforded for the physical, mental and moral development of the students. They evidently take a warm interest and pride in their Alma Mater, and this loyal and patriotic spirit is faithfully reflected in their excellent magazine.

A cable message to the daily papers tells of a terrible occurrj ence which took place in Paris during the holding of a charity bazaar. A fire broke out, and a fearful panic followed in which two hundred lives were lost, a number of the victims being pro* minent Catholic ladies of Paris. The following is the cabled account of the sad affair : — A terrible occurrence took place during the holding of a charity bazaar in Paris. A fire broke out, and a fearful panic ensued. About 1,800 of the elite of the city were present. Many appalling scenes were witnessed. The city is in mourning. Many ladies high in society perished at the bazaar fire, including the Duchess D'Alencjon (wife of Prince Ferdinand of Orleans), Comtesse de Mun (wife of the Cointe de Mun, member of the Chamber of Deputies for Finistere), Comtesse St. Perierl Comtess.e de Bonneval, and Baroness Didier. Amongst the first visitors to the scene were President Faure and M. Hanotaux. Leading ladies of the Conservative Catholic party were taking a prominent part in the bazaar. There were r>,ooo people present, it being the busiest hour of the afternoon. The heat was stifling. Suddenly it was seen that tlie wall hangings near the cinemato-

graph were on fire. The flames spread rapidly, and in thirty minutes the entire building was destroyed. As soon as the flames were observed a cry of •' Fire " was raised. A terrible panic ensued. The crowds rushed for the only egress, where there was a fearful crush. The shrieks of the women and children were heartrending. The weakest were trampled to death. The fire was worst on the right side of the bazaar, the flames cutting off the means of communication and preventing attempts made to reach the exit. Most people were pushed to the opposite side and dashed against the stone wall. One hundred and fifty of those in the bazaar escaped through the windows. After the fire the ambulance men found the limbs of many of the victims broken, and the skulls of many others fractured. It was impossible to recognise the features of many of the dead. It is estimated that 200 were killed and 100 injured. The remains of the victims of the Paris bazaar fire were interred on Saturday. The whole city was in mourning. The remains of ten are still unidentified. Seven thousand relics have been recovered from the rump. The funeral service was held in Notre Dame, and was of a most impressive character. Representatives of all the Powers were present. Father Ollivier, in the inside, and M. Barthou, Minister of the Interior, from the front of the cathedral, delivered eloquent orations to the immense crowds congregated to watch the ceremony.

The Haioera Poxt of the Ist inst. has the following : — A most enjoyable evening was spent at the Catholic eocial in the Forester's Hall on Thursday night, the social being got up for the purpose of raising funds for a new piano for the convent. The first item was a solo by Miss K. Whittaker " Eileen Allanah," which was rendered in a really artistic manner, the young lady receiving well-merited approbation ; following was a piano solo by Miss Lilly Morrissey which was played in good time and showed careful study. A comic song by Mr. Foley was sung in perfect style. This gentleman is the possessor of a really fine, robust and well cultured voice, and will be heard with pleasure again. A piano solo by Miss K. Connell was well played, after which was given with great verve by Master Leo Whittaker, " The Death of Nelson," and for one so young was a really masterful performance, this young boy being remarkably clever. The violin obligato for this was played carefully by Master Eddie Whittaker. The following ladies w«re on the committee : — Misses Coffey, McMeneinan, Mrs. Lucena, Wilkinson, Coleman, Lucas and others. Mr. Coffey and Mr. A'Court acted as M.C.. and carried out their duties splendidly. There will be about £1 2 towards the fund. The hall was crowded and was much too small for the large number present, and everyone voted it the most successful social given. A correspondent adds : — The music was supplied gratuitously by the Misses Lena and Francis Espagne, and was deserving of all the praise bestowed upon these popular young ladies. It should be mentioned that Miss Whittaker, Masters Eddie and Leo Whittaker are pupils of the good Sisters here, which at onoe proves the great superiority of our schools. I may state that the leading families here outside the Church, in many case 3, send their children to the convent school.

There is a good deal of amity of feeling in religious matters in the Kurow district (says the iXorth Otago Thmx of the 10th inst) for a very enthusiastic meeting of those interested in the Rom.m Catholic Church bazaar, in aid of the building fund of a church, was attended by all sections of the community on Friday last. The meeting was held in a private room at Mr. Delargy's hotel. There was a good attendance of ladies. Mr. A. Hesketh was voted to the chair, and stated that it had been decided to hold the bazaar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4th .Jth and (Jth of November next, in Delargy's Hall, and that it now remained for the meeting to elect stall-holders and officers. The following committee was elected : Mesdames Delargy, Hesketh. T. A. Munro, J. Smith, Aitkenhead, Condon, Lawson, Kelly, Fraser, Rayne, sen., O'Neill and J. J. Orr, Misses Simpson (2), Sugrue and Delargy, Messrs. Waugh, O'Neill, T. A. Munro, J. Kelly, W. Condon, E. Columb. H. Delargy, B. Rayne, W. Fraser, C. Shine, E. F. Punl and W. Kerr. Mrs. Delargy was elected convener, Mr. Kelly hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Hesketh hon. secretary, and Mr. H. Delargy a«sistant hon secretary. It was decided that there be four stalls in the hall, with refreshment and produce stalls outside. The following were elected to the different stalls, the first-named in each case being in charge : No. 1 stall — Mrs. Delargy, Mrs. T. A. Munro, Mrs. Kelly and Miss Simpson. No. 2 stall — Mrs. O'Neill, Mrs. Hesketh and Miss J. Simpson. No. 3 stall — Mrs. Condon, Mrs. Aitkenhead, Mrs. Hardy, Miss M-Carthy. No. 4 stall — Mrs. W. Fraser, Miss Shine. No. ;% refreshment tent — Mrs. J. J. Orr, Mrs. J. Smith, Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. Raven. No. 6, produce tent — Messrs. Waugh, W. Fraser, B. Rayne, W. Condon, T. A. Munro, E. Columb. Music and concert — Messrs. Kelly, Waugh and T. A. Munro. The promises of support are not limited to Kurow, for offers hare been received from far and near, and with the enthusiasm that characterises the promoters there can be no doubt of the success of the undertaking.

Mb. W. Fox, president]of th 3 Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, at the Society's annual breakfast, held in Sydney on April 25th, said that in these depressed times, the New South Wales district of the Society had been fortunate enough to add £800 to the funds during the past year, nmking the total capital £10,500. The membership was slowly increasing, although the steady exodus to West Australia was depleting the Society of some of its best

members. Throughout all the branches in New South Wales last year there was a total revenue of £5800. Of this amount £200 had been paid away in funeral expenses, £1700 in sick allowances, and £2000 for doctors and medicines ; while the expenses of management for all the 37 branches in the Colony amounted to only £600. They had a membership of over 13,000, with 200 branches, extending into every corner of Australia and New Zealand, and funds totalling £35,000. The funds in all the colonies increased last year by over £6000, and New South Wales stood second in the list of members and third in the total of funds.

An important wedding took place at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Geraldine, on Thursday morning, says the Temuka Leader of May 1, when Mr. John Dooley, of the Geraldine Hotel, was married to Mrs. M. Farrell, at one time hotelkeeper at Geraldine and late of Timaru and of Winchester. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Bowers in the presence of a large circle of friends. The bride was very neatly and prettily dressed in shot frieze, trimmed with shot silk and with a navy velvet toque to match. The bridesmaid, Miss Lawlor, was dressed in pale blue cashmere trimmed with cream silk. The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr. Lawlor. The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr. J. Burke as best man. After the ceremony the wedding party proceeded to the Geraldine Hotel, where the weading breakfast was laid out in a very sumptuous manner, and a large number of guests sat down to partake of it. Mr. R. H. Pearpoint acted as chairman and Mr. J. W. Pye as vice-chairman, and after breakfast the usual toast list was prepared. The chairman proposed the health of " The bride and bridegroom." Personally speaking he had known both of them as long, if not longer, than anyone in the room. He had heard of Mr. Dooley as far back as 17 or 18 years, and since that gentleman had come to live amongst them he (Mr. Pearpoint) had always found him to be as described, a thoroughly straightforward man, with many good qualities. Mrs. Dooley he had known ever since the time she had landed in the Colony, and he could assure her husband that he had made a very wise choice. The healths of the bride and bridegroom were then drunk in champagne. Messrs. A. McLean, T. Lewis, J. P. Kalangher, T. Connelly, and J. W. Pye all spoke in high terms of the many excellent qualities of the bride and bridegroom, and wished them every prosperity in the future. Mr. Dooley briefly responded, and proposed the health of " The chairman." After several other toasts were duly proposed and honoured the company retired, and later on the happy couple were driven to Orari to catch the South express, a number of friends going with them to see them off. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of several handsome presents, amongst which were some cheques from public men. The bride's travelling dress was of black serge, trimmed with sequen.

At St. Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday last the choir, assisted by the members of Mr. Fuller's company, gave a very effective rendering of Gounod's Mrxse Solennellr. The solos were taken by Miss R. Blaney (soprano), Mr. J. Fuller (tenor), and Mr. Howard Chambers (bass). In the evening at Vespers a beautiful " O Salutaris " was sung as a solo by Mr. C. Fottrell.