Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 46, 18 March 1898, Page 5

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON. CFrom our own Corx'espondent.) March 12, 1808. Since I last wrote the Wellington by-election has been lost and won — lost by the Government and won by the Opposition. Many explanations are advanced to account for the victory on the one side and the defeat on the other. The fact of the matter is that the Opposition were better organised than the Government party, whilst they had behind them the wealth and social influence of the city. The Government candidate had to depend on the Liberal and Labour vote, and as there were di sen-inm in the Labour cunp. he did not receive the full measure of support he expected from that section. The election was different from .my preceding contest- 1 , inasmuch as there were no side issues introduced, it being a straight-out fight from start to finish. The education question was left in abeyance, whilst prohibition was scarcely hinted at. The lion lay down with the lamb, metaphorically speaking. Partisans of the liquor trade and the advocates of prohibition were to be found working shoulder to shoulder in either camp. Still it is believed that both these parties, for different reasons, supported in the main the Opposition man.

The Rev. Father Galerne, of the Christen urch diocese, who left here a few months ago for mission work in the South Sea Islands, returned to Wellington during the week, as he found that his health could not stand the climate. His medical advisers ordered him to immediately return to New Zealand, as otherwise they would not be answerable for his lite. lam pleaded to .say that his health had considerably improved during the voyage hero, although he is still suffering from the effects of the excessive heat. He was the guest of the Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G , tor a few day.-, but left about the end of the week for Otaki whore hu will spend a week or two.

The Rev. Father Ainsworth and a number of what are known as the Exoelsior Minstrels, went out to the Ronevolent Homo on Wednesday and gave the inmates a very enjoyable entertainment. The old people appreciated the kindness very much and expressed their pleasure by frequent applause during the course of the entertainment.

The opening meeting of the St. Patrick's College Pi bating Society for the session of IS'.KS was held in the Lecture ll.ill of the institution on Friday evening, the Very llcv. Dr. Wntters, !-\M., probiding. There was a large gathering of students and '"old boys,' as well as of friends of the College. The rector delivered an address in which he dwelt on the power of speech and its influence on the human mind. Sixteen new members were elected The Very Rev. Dr. Walters was elected president, and the Rev. Fathers Clancy and Herbert, vice-presidents. Mr. M. J. Crombio was elected hon. secretary, and the committee is to consist of Messrs. G. Redmond and J. Finlay with the College professors as honorary members. It was reported that a number ot new works had been added to the library during the recess. Regret was expressed at Rev. Father Hickson declining to be elected one of tho vice-presidents, a position which he had held fur some years, but, as his other duties interfered, he could not accept the position. Dr. Martin congratulated the students on having suoh a valuable sorieiy in connection with the College, and also advised them to take full advantage of

the opportunities it afforded of learning how to express themselves distinctly and fluently. During the evening a short programme of music was given by the Rev. Fathers Hill and Mahony, the Rev. Father Molony acting as accompanist.

The Hibernian Society are to be congratulated on the excellent concert pregiamme which they have prepared for St. Patrick's night at the Opera House. Among the vocalists are Madame Carlton, Misses Clara Mongredien, (Dunedin), Nellie Gallagher, and May Sullivan, Messrs. B. J. Hill, and H. Smith (Dunedin). These aro ladies and gentlemen of unquestionable talent and should do full justice to the gems of Irish melody to be sung on the occasion.