INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 38, 21 January 1898, Page 19

INTERCOLONIAL.

We notice with pleasure that our esteemed Catholic contemporary, the Southern Cross, of Adelaide, has appeared in a permanently enlarged form. Two extra pages of interesting reading matter have been added, and the paper is now an attractive looking weekly publication of sixteen pages. The editor contrives to place before his readers a good variety of wholesome and interesting reading. We congratulate the Southern Cross on the evidence of increased prosperity which the new departure betokens, and ara glad to hope that it indicates a brighter time ahead for Catholi o journalism in the Australasian colonies generally. "So mote it be.'

The colony of Victoria, and the archdiocese of Melbourne in particular, have sustained a severe loss in the departure to Ireland of the learned and patriotic Rev. Philip O'Doherty, M.R.1.A., familiarly known to a wide circle of admirers by the affectionate title of '' Father Phil." Father O'Doherty is a veritable cyclopaedia of in formation on books, while his zeal, his charity, his complete un&elfishness, and his devotion to his friends won him a host of admirers, to whom his departure will be a heavy blow. The Melbourne Adcocatu says of Father O'Doherty :—": — " To the regret of the many friends the rev. gentleman has made in this colony, the Rev. P. O'Doherty, M.R.1.A., is about to return to his mission in Ireland at the wish of the Bishop of Derry, to whose diocese our departing visitor belongs. The object of Fr. O'Doherty's visit to this warmer clime was to obtain relief from a throat affection from which he has long suffered. The change has been of some benefit to him, but it has not, we regret, effected that complete cure which was anticipated from it. The clerical friends and admirers of the rev. gentleman intend, before his departure, to present him with some mark of their appreciation of the services he has rendered to the causes of religion and Irish Nationality since his arrival in Australia. The learning and ability displayed by him in defending the teachings of our holy Church should, in their opinion, secure for him the deepest gratitude of the Catholic community, whilst Irishmen should never forget that, during his comparatively short stay amongst us, he haa done an immense deal, both by voice an pen, to raise the tone and strengthen the claims of Irish patriotism."

The late Mrs. Margaret Whelan, of Redforn, by her will has left the following bequests : — St. Benedict's Schools, £1.000 ; the Little Sisers of the Poor, £130 ; St. Joseph's Providence Home, £100 ; St. Jostph's Orphanage, Kincumber, £100; St. Martha's Industrial Home, £100 ; St. Patrick's College, Manly, £100 ; St. Benedict's High Altar, £100; St. Mary's Building Fund, £100; Lewisham Hospital Building Fund, £100; St. Vincent's Hospital, £;"i0 ; St. Aloy.sius' Home for Boys, £,j0 ; St. Benedict's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society, £150.

It will interest our readers to learn that the new series of reading books for the Catholic schools of Australasia are being pushed forward rapidly by the publishers, Messrs. Benzigen Bros. (America). The advance sheets are now in the hands of the bishops of the various colonies, and the primer, and first and second book will be in circulation at Easter. The full series will be ready before the close of the year.

The third test match between Stoddart's cricket team and the Australian eleven was commenced in Adelaide on Friday last, the Ikh inst. The Australians, winning the toss, decided to bat first, and knocked up the splendid score of 573, within 13 of their record score of .r)8(>. r )8(> made in Sydney against the same eleven in December, 18!>k Darling (178), Iredale (84), and Hill (81) being the highest scorers. The Englishman, in their first innings, were all disposed of for 278, Hawyard (70) and Hirst (8.">), being the onl two batsmen to make any stand against the fine bowling of Jone Howell, and Noble. The famous " Ran»i " was disposed of for si q , runs. The Englishmen, who have followed on, have lost foux wickets for lo'l runs, and, in all probability will sustain an inningsr del eat.

One day Rowland Hill's friends were contending that H was not a letter, but only an aspiration, or breathing. "It is a letter," taid Hill. " And if it isn't, I'm very sorry ; for if I have to do without it, I shall be ill all the days of my life."