Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 26 November 1897, Page 20

A r chdiocese of Wellington.

CFrom our own correspondent.)

November 20, 1897. The Very Rev. Father J. McKenna (Masterton) and the Rev. Father Lewis (Timaru), who accompanied the Very Rev. Father Devoy to Melbourne to assist at tho opening of St Patrick's Cathedral, returneel to New Zealand by tho Monowai, which arrived here early on Wednesday. When Lady Ranfurly visited St. Patrick's College she asked for a holiday for the students, a ivque<h, needles to "ay, which could not be refused. Thursday last, t!v; " People's Day "at the Agricultural Society's Show, was selected, and so the students, or ac least any of them that way inclined, wt-re able to visit the grounds at Petone and see what was to be seen.

The City Council has granted the Hibernian Society the u<e of the Basin Reserve for holding their sports on St Putiick's Day.

At a meeting of tho IrUh National Federation held during the week it was resolved to tike steps to celebrate the centen-iry of 'HH in a suitable manner It was pointed out. by some of the speakers that Irishmen of all creeds coulel join in the commemoration of that eventful period in Ireland's history. Of course it is recognise i now by logical - minded men that the time for redressing the grievances of the people of any section, of the British Empire" by revolutionary methods is passed and gone. Yet we must remember that there were days in which the people had practically no voice in the making of laws. The franchise was restricted, so that only the wealthy classes were the electors, and consequently the House of Commons was a reflex of the opinions of the minority, who also had the privilege of being directly represented by their own nominee, who were appointed for pouket boroughs. There wcie undoubtedly able and patriotic men in the Irish Parliament, towards the end of last century, who were conscious of the duty which they owed to the Irish people and to humanity, but it was not to be expected that nobility of character could be the preponderating influence there, under the system by which the representatives were elected. Consequently it is not logical or fair to blame the.se brave men of '98 for taking up arms so as to enforce the rights of the people, especially as no constitutional course was open to them. Many of them sacrificed everything — social position, wealth, even Iheir very lives — for the cause, and it would ill become posterity, with the irany privileges which it now enjoys, if it did not recognise the nobility of character, and t'.ie great sacrifices made by such men.