The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1897. MR. REDMOND'S NEW DEPARTURE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 2 July 1897, Page 17

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1897. MR. REDMOND'S NEW DEPARTURE.

S announced in our columns a week or two ao-o Mr. Redmond and his friends have made another new departure. At a conference of the party held in Dublin it was resolved to form one more new organisation which is to be called the " Irish Independent League." The old National League, the organisation which had won so many concessions for the Irish tenantry and which had, in the words of Mr. Harrington, "so proudly borne the banner to the very threshold of victory," was solemnly declared to be defunct. A new programme was formally adopted, the only important point on which it even professed to differ from the old being that a somewhat more advanced measure of Home Rule' was laid down as being necessary to satisfy the Irish demand. Mr. Harrington, who has for some time past been making earnest efforts in the cause of peace and unity, withdrew from the meeting and patriotically declined to have anything to do with the " Independent League." ° It is not necessary to discuss at any length the programme of this new organisation. So far as it differs from the old Home Rule demand, it differs from it by substitut-

ing for what is already difficult something that is infinitely more difficult. It is scarcely necessary either to point out that Mr. Keixmond and his party had no right whatever to take upon themselves to suppress the National League, the organisation which under Parnell's leadership had brought the Irish cause almost to the very pinnacle of success, without first consulting the Irish people. The League was founded at a convention, and its constitution was drawn up by Mr. Parnell and Mr. Harrington, so that Mr. Redmond's party could claim no right either to suppress the one or to change the other. The mandate of the meeting on this point, as Mr. Harrington declares, " goes forth without authority and comes back without respect." Apart from these points, however, there is one simple fundamental test by which this new departure may, and indeed must, be tried. It is admitted on all sides that the great need of the hour in Ireland is national unity. Until that is attained there is no hope whatever for the success of the Irish cause Mr. Redmond himself has recognised and admitted this fact. Speaking at the Convention which was held in Dublin on the 12th of October, he declared that Ireland could effect nothing until the mass of the people were united. Immediately after his return from America, when commenting on Mr. Harrington's proposals, he said :— "I desire to say a word on the suggestion that has been made for the reunion of Ireland, and I desire to preface what I have to say by repeating a declaration that I have made, I suppose, many scores of times during the last five years— namely, that in my view union amongst Irishmen on independent and self-respecting lines is not only important, but in my view is essential to the success of our cause. If I had believed that our fight for the last five years was a fight to perpetuate disunion, I would have no hand, act or part in it. I have been in this fight because I have believed that we, who are holding aloft the banner of Independence in Iri«h public life, are the real promoters of union amongst Irishmen and we are pointing out the only way in which the Irish people ever can be expected to unite in a public constitutional movement." If, then, union amongst Irishmen is not only important but essential to success, it is surely the first duty of patriotism and policy to do all that is possible to promote that union. But to create a new organisation and to formulate a new-fangled programme is the very last thing that can be expected to contribute to that end. On the contrary, its effect must necessarily be to perpetuate and foment the wrangling and dissension by which the Irish people are already so grievously divided. This is the supreme test to which such a proposal should be submitted, and tried by this test Mr. Redmond's new departure stands hopelessly condemned. Mr. Redmond refused to oven seriously consider Mr. Harrington's scheme for unity, and he not only makes no proposal in that direction himself, but adds to Ireland's plague by creating an entirely new party organisation. In the face of such facts it is impossible to believe that his talk about union is really earnest or sincere.

Thk annual meeting of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society took place on Tuosday, June 2.>. A large number of members were present and also several visitors. The Rev. President, Father Galerne, occupied the chair. The committee appointed to revise the rules submitted their report, which wasiconsidered satisfactory and for which they received a hearty vote of thanks. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted as follows :— Spiritual director, Rev. Father Galerne ; president, Mr. Gottfried ■ vice-president*, Messrs. Doolan, Holland and Smith ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Holland ; assistant secretary, Ux. J. Ormandy ; librarian, Mr. D. Edmonds ; council, Messrs. Power, Madden' O'Reilly, Cooper and Wilson. '

Wa record with regret the death of Mrs. George O'Connor (says the Hokitika Ln,,h rof June 1 7), which took place yesterday morning after a long and painful illness. Mrs. O'Connor was a very old resi. dent of Hokitika, having arrived here in 1865, in the palmy days when the Coast was a scene of bustling activity. She was a native of Limerick. Ireland, and soon after her marriage came to Victoria which at that time was attracting crowds from all parts of the world. A few years afterwards Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor went to Dunedin and then came to Hokitika. Mr. O'Connor died some year* ago and now his faithful partner has gone to join him, leaving several children, all of whom are grown up. One by one the old pioneers of the Coast are dropping off, every year seeing the roll of those who remain becoming less. Mrs. O'Connor's death will be regietted by a large circle of friends by whom the greatest sympathy is expressed for her family.— H I. P. The V. ry Rev. Father Lynch is evidently enjoying himself so much that be ca mot snare time for very lengthy letters to his

friends. The first intelligence received from him after his departure from Australia was conveyed by the receipt of a photograph which showed the Rev. Father mounted on a camel in the neighbourhood of the pyramids of Egypt. Since then a letter has been reoeired by Rev. Father Murphy in which Father Lynch intimated that he would be in Rome for the feast of Corpus Christi (June 17).

THERE was a large congregation at St. Mary's Catholic Church yesterday at 11 o'clock Mass (says the Nelson Coltmixt of June 21), the celebrant being the Very Rev. Father Father Devoy, VicarGeneral of the archdiocese of Wellington. The choir rendered the " Kyrie " and " Gloria " from Mozart's Twelfth Mass, the " Credo," " Sanctus " and " Benedictus " from Winter's and the " Agnus Dei from Weber's Mass in G. The soloists were Miss J. Frank, Mrs. A. P. Burns, Mrs. Last Harris, Mr. L. Frank and Mr. Last Harris. The Very Rev. Father Mahoney, on entering the pulpit, said he was sure they were all pleased to see Father Devoy — who as VicarGeneral had taken the place of the Archbishop during his absence — with them again, taking part in the celebrations of that great day. The Very Rev. Father then delivered an impressive discourse on the duty of loyalty and on the appropriateness of the unique celebrations which were to be carried out in the course of the week. After the Mass the '• Te Deum " (Jackson's) was sung and during the Offertory Gounod's " Aye Maria," with violin obligato by Mr. Light, senr., was rendered, Master Light proving himself a very capable organist. The morning service concluded with a procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament round the grounds attached to the church. At Vespers the Very Rev. Father Devoy preached an eloquent sermon, followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Bacrament and a procession round the interior of the church, after which the choir rendered the following hymns — " O, King of Kings " (Bridge), "From the deep heart of our people" (Anor). The services throughout were impressive and will last long in the minds of those present. The altar had been very beautifully decorated with marguerite daisies, red geraniums and white camelias by Misses J. and M. Fraser and Miss Young.

Mb. John A. Hayes, of Sandgate, Queensland, who is well known as an enthusiast in the matter of Church music, has issued a second edition of the Church music card published by him nearly two years ago. The new edition contains a list of motets which may be appropriately rendered after elevation in Low Masses together with some valuable hints and suggestions to choirmasters and organists. The card has met with a very favourable reception from all the ecclesiastical authorities under whose notice it has come and we are sure that organists and choirmasters will find it of real service. Mr. Hayes will send the card gratuitously to anyone interested.

The heavy threatening weather which has prevailed of late (says the Kumara Times of the Bth inst) cleared off most appropriately yesterday for the wedding which took place in St. Patrick's Church at 10 a.m., when Mr. Thomas M'Grath, eldest son of the late Patrick M'Grath storekeeper of Dilmanstown, was married to Miss Mary Ann M'Glone, eldest daughter of Councillor Robert M'Glone, of Main street. The bride wore a beautiful gown of cream cashmere, trimmed with surah silk and chiffon, orange blossoms and lilies of the valley. The same flowers attached the lovely embroidered veil to the hair, and a long court train suspended from the shoulders was edged with chiffon and finished on one corner with two floral horse shoes. She also carried a shower bouquet of white flowers and wore a gold bangle and brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids, two in number — Miss M'Glone, sister of the bride, and Miss M'Grath, sister of the bridegroom — wore cream lustre dresses, one trimmed with moss green, and the other with heliotrope, with large picture hats trimmed with plumes, each carrying a pretty bouquet and wearing a gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride was given away by her father, and Mr. Richard Quinn acted as best man' After the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev' Father O'Hallahan, a nuptial Mass was celebrated. This ended, and the necessary signatures appended to the marriage regitter, the Wedding March was played by Miss Mulvihill, whilst the bridal party returned down the aisle of the church, which was beautifully decorated and at the door they were met with shower after shower of rice, etc. The wedding party then drove to the house of the bride's father, where a sumptuous dejeuner was laid out and the guests regaled in true princely fashion. The happy couple, accompanied by a large number of friends, drove to Mr. M'lnerney's hostelry at the Taipo, leaving Kumara at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. They take coach en route to Christchnrch this morning, and then proceed to Wellington, where they intend spending a few weeks before returning to their future home. The bride's travelling dress was silver grey mohair, trimmed with fur, cape and toque to matchThe presents received by the bride were both numerous and costly.

A quiet but pretty wedding, writes a correspondent, was celebrated at Millers' Flat on June 21st when John Joseph Rooghan, second son of John Roughan, Camp Hotel, Lawrence, was united to Miss Margaret Mclntyre, fourth daughter of John Mclntyre Esq., Millers' Flat. The Rev. Father Coffey officiated. The bride who looked charming and happy in cream cashmere and white silk, was given away by her father. She was attended by her sister, Miss Jean Mclntyre, while Mr. Thomas Roughan, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. The bride's travelling dress was of navy blue velvet with hat to match. A sumptuous repast was laid out by Mrs. Mclntyre, mother of the bride, who did not spare herself to make every one happy. The bride and bridegroom drove away amid showers of rice and slippers for Lawrence en route for Dunedin, where they intend spending their honeymoon. Amongst the presents which were numerous, was a handsome couch, silver teapot and cruet, one dozen teaspoons, one dozen desert spoons, six chairs, oval table, kitchen table, half dozen tumblers, flower-stand, breakfast cruet, silver pickle jar, four pairs vases, silver butter cooler, three butter basins, sugar basin, lamps, clock, feather pillows, china egg stand, cake dishes, water jug, half dozen cups and saucers, cream jug and basin, gold brooch, album, chest of drawers, wash stand, sewing machine, white wool rug, cow, afternoon tea set, coal scuttle, jelly dishes, table cover, hand-painted tea cosey and pair of gentleman's embroidered slippers.

A very pretty wedding took place yesterday morning at the Church of the Holy Name (says the Ashburton Mail of June 24), the contracting parties being Mr. L. Hanrahan, eldest son of Mr. P. Hanrahan, and Miss Maggie McDonnell, second daughter of Mr. John McDonnell, both of Ashburton. The bride wore a handsome dress of brown cloth, trimmed with brown brocaded silk and streamers, and wore a brown hat relieved with. pink. The bridesmaids were Misses K. and A. McDonnell, and they wore navy blue dresses trimmed with cream silk and hats to match, and they all wore beautiful gold brooches, the gifts of the bridegroom, and carried lovely bouquets of white chrysanthemums and maiden-hair fern. The bridegroom was attended by Mr. J. Hanrahan as best man. After the ceremony a large party of friends were entertained at the residence of the bride's parents, where a large marquee had been erected. Rev. Father O'Donnell presided and in proposing the health of the newly-married couple said that he had known both parties for a considerable number of years and he held them in the highest respect. After the toasts of the bridesmaids had been proposed by Mr. Dan McKendry and responded to by Mr. J. Hanrahan, the newly-married couple left to catch the southern express, going to spend their honeymoo.i in Dunedin. A large party of friends assembled at the station to give them a send-off, and they left amidst showers of rice. The presents were numerous and costly and formed a very pretty collection.

During the year IH'.W the number of persons who emigrated from Ireland was 3K,<»<>.->, against 48.703 in 189.">, a considerable decrease. Ninety and one-third per cent of them went to the United States ; 77 persons went to New Zealand ; «r>4 to Canada ; Australia received .'H.~> ; ten went to France ; three to Belgium seven to Buenos Ayres ; .">f>o to South Africa ; one to India ; one to South America ; two to China ; two to Italy ; two to Jamaica and one to West Africa.

Thk record reign celebrations at Milton included a series of competitions among the pupils of the various schools in the district in such subjects as singing, recitation, pianoforte playing, map drawing, embroidery, etc. At the conclusion of the competitions Mr. F. MLeod, on behalf of the Record Reign Committee, said that with regard to the convent work the judges had considered it so far in advance of that from the schools that they would not be justified in classing them together. They had, therefore, kept them separate. This is a splendid compliment to the good Dominican nuns who have charge of the Milton school. In free and open competition with all the schools in the district the convent pupils go far surpass the other competitors that impartial judges declare that it would be impossible even to classify them together. We heartily congratulate both teachers and pupils on the laurels they have won.

The grand historical carnival and art-union in aid of the convent and schools, Barbadoes street, Christchurch, ia to be opened on Monday, August 2. Immense preparations are being made in connection with the carnival, and it is safe to predict that it will be a great success. Holders of tickets are requested to forward blocks and money to Rev Mother Philomena or Mr. E. O'Connor not later than August 14.

Mrs. Elizabeth Irwin Butt, the widow of the late Mr. Isaac Butt, Q.C., the Home Rule leader, died recently, at 21 Beaufort street, Chelsea, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. The deceased lady was the daughter of Mr. Henry Swanzy of Rockfield, County Monaghan, and married, in IK.H7, Mr. Isaac Rutt, then Whately Professor of! political economy in Trinity College, Dublin.