NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1898, Page 18

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

From a corresponlent at Blenheim, we 1 am that Father Doherty, who was recently stationel there, has bpen removed to Wellington. His pace has baen taken by Father Fay, who was recently ordained at Manly College, Sydney.

Some three years a;o, in attempting to stop a runaway horse, the Rev. Father Walsh, of Westland, had his leg broken. The injured limb troubled him for some time, and he decided to go into the Wellington Hospital for treatment, and there he has been a patient for quite a long tiino. The friends of the rev. gentleman will be pleased to hear that he has now left the hospital.

The Thames Star, in its report of an interview with Father G-inaty, gives a very lengthy and highly appreciative acconnt of the splendid Magdalen Asylum which, through the Rev. Fathers efforts, was erected at Mount Magdala, five miles from Christchurch. We learn that the nucleus of the fund for the erection of the asylum was a sum of £2,000 left for charity by Mr. Mixwell. It was supplemented by voluntary contributions from all parts of the Colony, until, in the course of time, no less a sum than £20,000 was expendel upon the noble pile of buildings, exclusive of the great amounts involved in maintenance. The asylum was opened in 1888. A detailed description of the buildings was. we believe, given in our columns some years ago. We learn that the Sisters' paddocks run a score of cows, and that the home contains 1150 penitents, of every creed, and from all parts of the Colony, and the number is steadily increasing. It is a home of industry as well as of peace. The inmates make butter, grow vegetables make their own boots and shoes, and do a vast amount of laundry work. Many of them are provided with good situations. Tue institute is doing a noble work, and deserves the cordial support of the Catholic body. We learn that a Presbyterian gentleman was so impressed by the good work done by the Sisters that he has male an offer to Father Ginaty to subscribe £.10') t> the asylum, provided nine others give a like sum. That offer, says the T.iuma tit'ir, still lulds good.

We have received from Miss Kathleen Cagney, Oamaru. and Miss Maggie Se^iief of Wellington, packets of used stamps for the benefit of Father Kreymborg's mission. A fortnight ago wo received another parcel of stamps for the same purpose, but containing no indication of the source from which it came. AYe now learn that it is from ■• M. 5.," a, friend in Queenstown.

From, one of our exchanges we learn that the Most Tlev. Dr. Lonihan preached a stirring discourse at St. Benedict's last Sunday, to a crowded congregation, on the subjectof the education of children. A special collection was made in aid of the new school in course of construction near the church. Haydn's '• Imperial Mass " was magnificently roudcred by a full choir and an orchestra of twentythree instrumentalists, under the direction of Mr. Percy Kehoe of the Bland Holt Company.

A social was recently given in the Public Hall, Panmurc. Monsignor McDonald presided, and the affair turned out op e of the most enjoyable and successful yet witnessed in that district. Various musical and other items were capitally rendered, and loud and frequent applause greeted che artistes at the hands of the lar^o and appreciative audience. Refreshrnants were handed round during the evening, and were much appreciated. The programme included items by the Misses Badley, K. Finnorty, L. Fleming, M. Donovan, K. Fitzpatrick. Misses Knight, and A. Boyle, Messrs. Marsden, Loomb, Brennan and M. Doherty. Japanese fan drill by the children, under tho direction of Miss Ilogan, and a tableau " Sleeping Beauty," were also very enjoyable items.

It was, perhaps, in a moment of abstraction that the Xew Zealand lie raid, of Auckland, publishel, auditorial nutter, tho juggled figures by which Rjv. Hugh Price Hughes endeavoured to show that the Catholic Church in England was steadily losing ground. But there was a Xeinesis on the editor* tracks. An old and esteemed friend of the New Zealand Tauliu 1 , in the very next day's issue of the Herald, tore Mr. Hughes's bogus statistics to tatters, and left the editor and the non-Catholic public of Auoklan 1 perhaps a little sadder, but certainly a great deal wiser.

Our Christchurch exohange record the following successes in connection with the local convent schools : — At the recent practical musical examinations two pupils of the Sisters of the Mission, Miss Katie Young (aged fifteen), and Miss Marie Lie^ke, secured excellent results. Miss Young passed, with honours, gaining 91 marks out of a possible 100, while Miss Lieske gained a pass with 77 marks. At the theoretical examination, Miss Annie Doyle and Miss Katie Young secured high marks in the senior honours division. Miss Doyle has also received word that she has successfully passed the matriculation examination. A 7iu-nb?r of junior and intermediate pupils also successfully passed the musical examinations. The Sisters of the Mission are to be congratulated on their success. We have also learned, with much pleasure, that Miss Rose M. Barker, who has been trained by the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary's Convent College, Christchurch, has passed the matriculation examination, and also the solicitor's general knowledge. This young lady has just attained the age of sigteen years, and List year p is-mx! the Junior Civil Service examination.