ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 10, 8 July 1898, Page 4

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) July 2, 1896. THE musical services at the Catholic Church, Mast'U'ton, on Sunday evening last were considerably enhanced by the assistance given to the choir by Mr. and Mrs. Maoduff Boyd from Wellington. The Rev. Father Hickson of St. Patrick's College, occupied the pulpit and preached an earnest and impressive sermon. The quality of the alterations and improvements m.ide recently in the organ at St. Mary's Cathedral, were fully te->tci en Tuesday evening, when Mr. Robert Parker, the well-known musician, gave a recital in the presence of a lir^e congregation. Selection-, from Mozart, Mendelssohn, Handel, Bennett, Guilmant and others ot le^^er note were played, with the result that the instrument under Mr. Parker's skilful manipulation showed it had been much imp-

roved in tone, which would be more noticeable if the pitch wereraised so as to make it easier for the orchestra to keep in tune. Selections were given by the choir including a duet by Mis 3 Pender and Mr. E. Dunne from Cherubim's ' Fourth Mass,' an 'O Salutaris' by too same composer, sung by Mrs. F. W. Swift and Mr. W. C. Levers, with clarioneUe accompaniment by Mr. J. Woodnrass an! the 'Hallelujah chorus ' as a finale to the recital. Mr; $. Cimino conducted, the choir being assisted by a numerous orchesu'i led by Mr. C. Cimino^ whilst M--. S. Cimino jnr. presided at the orftun in the choral parts. The proceeds of the recital were jn aid of tho organ fund. A good many years ago when this colony h id not advanced so. far in the path of democratic government as it Iras to-day, the Hon. J. M. Twoiney was on the staff of a, Wellington, paper. One day in conversation with a friend he (Mr. Twomey) prophesied that he wuuld at some future time bo a mernVv ot uitr legislature. The prospect of what was then a passing rev. ark Jjecoming an actual fact seemed somewhat reiao c, nevertheless it has now become a reality. The proceeds of the • social ' to be heM in Thomas' Hall on Friday night by the people ot St. Mary's Cathead* parish will be for the purpose of raising funds for the painting: Ox the Cathedral. With reference to the bogey raised last session b 7b 7 B ° me undemocratic legislators lest that denominational schoo. s should partake of tne advantages of the proposed Technical Sclk iq1 _ measure, I had a conversation a few days ago with a well known dissenting clergyman, when this matter incidentally cropped up. Hi. s opinion was that the opp to the measure on the score that a&. l f *^ nee might be given to denominational schools was rather actual 6 " "7 a spirit of narrow-mindedness than by a genuine regard for the National system of education. He would always strenuously oppose any attempt to alter our present system, but in this opposi " tion to the Technical Education measure he only saw a revival ot religious persecution, which would eventually defeat its owa objects. Such opposition was likely to create sympaty for thoseagainst whom it was directed, and once that sympathy was fully arouse^ l, he considered it would go much further than people' dreamt of. So long as the secularists supported the present system on broad, national grounds, so long would it be maintained intact, but once the spirit of persecution became apparent, then there was sure to be danger ahead.

At the annual meeting of the local Philosophical Society the other night, Sir James Hector took occasion to refer to the loss which the world of science suffered in the de ith of the late lttr. W. M. Maskell. Sir James said that Mr. Maskell was the foremost modern authority on insect life, and his reputation in this respect was world-wide. In his collection there were over 1000 species of insects, all beautifully mounted and named, a work which must have taken a great deal of time and vigorous application. Besides these there were 1300 microscopic slides of coccidoe, and a 'rough, collection ' amounting to nearly another thousand. Since Mr. Maxell's death letters and specimens had been received from all parts of the world asking his opinions on matters pertaining to insert life. He had also left several valuable manuscripts dealing with special subjects. In reference to this latter I might point out that the alleged antagonism between religion and science was distinctly negatived in the person of Mr. Maskell, who, while being recognised as a leader in his own particular branch of scientific; studj 7 , lived the life of a most exemplary Catholic, accepting all the truths of our religion with the simple laithor the humblest member of the Church.

There is to be a reception at St. Mary's Convent this afternoon,, when three young ladies* will take the white veil. Two of these are from Wellington— namely, Miss Scan lon and Miss Blake, whilst the third, whose name I have not been able to get, is a native of Hokitika. His Grace the Archbishop will perform the ceremony.