Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 4 February 1898, Page 5

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) January 29. The annual retreat of the clergy of the archdiocese commenced at Sfc Patrick's College on wednesdayw ednesday last, and is conducted by the A r cry Rev Father Aubrey, SM, of Sydney. The Rector and professors of St. Patrick's college, who had been away from Wellington during the vacation, have returned to town. The Very Rev. Dr. Watters came up from the south on Wednesday. Rev. Fathers Bower and Bowden, who had been staying at the hot lakes, arrived on the same day. The " Monowai " from Sydney on Wednesday evening brought back Rev. Father Herbert, and earlier in the wejk the Rev. Fathers Mahoney and O'Reilly returned from a cycling tour from Nelson to Christchurch.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood, who had been making a visitation of the northern portion of the archdiocese, came back to Wellington in time for the retreat.

At the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees on Tuesday, the very prevalent disregard of the young colonials of their parental responsibilities was severely aminadverted on. The Rev. J. K. Elliott, Presbyterian minister, and member of the body, remarking on the indifference with which young people, in apparently comfortable circumstances, in this Colony, treated their indigent parents, said where he came from (Ireland) the children would share their last crust with their parents rather than the latter should have to go to the workhouse. The Rev. Van Staveren supplemented his brother trustee's remarks by saying that in this Colony the children would go to the theatre while their fathers and mothers begged for food. Now it is evident from the remarks of these gentlemen that, notwithstanding their many years' residence iD this Colony, they are still prejudiced by old world ideas. We, or at least a majority of us, look to the State for everything. It provides a nursery for our children in their infantile day, in the form of infant schools ; then in after years it trains them in a State-made groove, ignoring the most necessary portion of education — namely, the spiritual or religious. You can not implant reverence or respect for authority in the youthful mind without some form of religious teaching ; therefore, it is not to be wondered at that when the average colonial boy or girl leaves school, his bumps of reverence are at an abnormally low state of development. He has had a better secular training than his parents very probably, and being taught that everything in these new countries is so far better than in the old, he comes to look with contempt on the ways of his parents, and having neither respect for age nor paternal affection — both of which are essentially Christian virtues — he is only forced to perform his filial duties by the strong arm of the law. The majority of the parents believe in the training which their children receive from the State, mainly because they have not to pay directly for it, and, therefore, if their children grow up without respect or affection for them it is their own fault, and if, in after years, their offspring ignore their responsibilities, and compel the parents to go to the State for bread, when they are no longer able to work, then the latter should blame themselves just as much as their undutiful children, for the old adage fits the case admirably, "As the twig is bent so is the tree inclined."

Mr. J. ODea, our well-known architect, is inviting tenders for the erection of a select school, for the Sisters of Mercy, adjoining their present primary school in Dixon Street. This will supply a long-felt want at this end of the city, and will no doubt receive that support and patronage which the self-sacrificing and devoted Sisters deserve.

A telegram from the ever-courteous rector of St. Patriok'a College, Wellington, informs us that the College scholarships have been won by Master Arthur Quigley, of the Catholic school, Oamaru, and Master Thomas Walshe. of Reetton. We tender our hearty congratulations to the successful students and to the teaching staffs of the schools on which their victory reflects such high ci*edit.

The fitting-up of St. Patrick's College with the electric light is now completed, so that when the students commence the new year of studies they will find one more addition provided for their comfort and convenience. St. Joseph's Church has had the electric light also installed there during the past week.

The Very Rev. Father Dawton, Administrator of St. Mary's Cathedral parish, gave a detailed account of the financial position of the parish on Sunday last. The finances were shown to be in a very satisfactory condition, especially when we take into account the position when Father Dawson took charge, and also the work which has been since carried out. Pretty close upon £2,000 has been paid within a few years in the way of improvements and in paying off mortgage, so that the total indebtedness now is only some £30U odd on some property, the income from which will liquidate the amount in a few years. The rev. administrator is to be sincerely congratulated on the wise and prudent manner in which he has managed the finances of the parish, and the parishioners should be very pleased at their almost total freedom irom dubt, a result due to the able administration of the Very Rev. Father Dawson and to their own generosity.

Aspirants for political life were on the qul vivc during the week, as it was bruited abroad that there would be a vacancy very soon for a Wellington seat. lamin a position to state that there is no likelihood of any such vacancy occurring, so that we shall be happily spared the turmoil of a bye-election.

From a Nelson exchange we learn that the annual picnic in connection with St. Mary's Orphanage was held recently at Maori Bush, Wakapuaka. The children were taken out by Mr. R. Thomas in his palace car and several othe: conveyances. A very pleasant

day was spent, and before the gathering 1 dispersed cheers were given for the Very Rev. Father Mahoney, the Sisters of the Convent, the subscribers to the picnic fund, and to Mr. T. Hunt, who kindly acted as collector. The late Mr. M. Hunt, who collected the subscriptions for many years, was always a prominent figure at the picnic, and his kindly countenance was much missed by the children. Sympathetic referenoe was made to the death of the late Mr. Hunt by Father Mahoney, who also thanked the public for subscribing so generously to the picnic. (From our Westport correspondent.) MrSeddon arrived here on Sunday from Greymouth. He has been banqueted here, and also at Deniston and Seddonville, and had a most enthusiastic welcome at all places in the district. Last night he lectured at the Victorian Theatre, and spoke for two-and-a-half hours. His defence of Mr Ward's conduct, and that of his company, was admirable, and at the conclusion he was heartily applauded by the large audience assembled, who made no secret of their sympathy for Mr Ward. Mr Seddon is accompanied by Mr O'Regan, who is j credited with having delivered the best speech at the banquet. Some of your correspondents are particularly hard on this gentleman for his outspoken remarks on the '98 celebration. Cardinal Moran's remarks on the '98 celebration, as cabled to New Zealand, were similar to those of Mr O'Regan. Our choir have decided on purchasing a new organ. Steps are being taken to Gall tenders for the erection of a new presbytery. The site chosen is a very suitable one, being close to the ohurch, and in a dry and healthy position.