DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 14, 12 August 1898, Page 5

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

(From a Queenstown correspondent.)

T ,. „ „ _ „ August 8, 1898. ±hmking that some at least of your readers would like to hear a word or two of news from this district I am making an effort to send you a line or two. It is quite unnecessary lor me to say anything about our new church alter the splendid photo and description of it which appeared in the Tablet a few weeks a«o I may however, tell you that the Rev. Father O'Donnell did not exhaust all his energy fti building the magnificent church which adds an additional charm to charming Queenstown. He is now busy beautifying the grounds around the church. I am sorry to say our borough council are somewhat slow in doing their part of the work —namely, forming a decent road to the church. However, patience and perseverance will accomplish wonders. In addition to that excellent society, the Society of the Sacred Heart the Rev Father has also started an Altar Society. This society gives sixpenny concerts monthly and v under the efficient chaise of Mrs Black who ia ably assisted by mwt of our amiable your,? men and'charmmg young ladies. The first concert was held a tew weeks ago and was a great success. Non-Catholics are surprised to behold the magnificent building, which ppeuks so eloquently of the enemy and zeal of Father O'Donnell and his people, sprino up as if by magic. To Catholics there is nothing surprising where God and his Church are concerned. Time precludes me from referring to your recent leader on the educational difficulty and Rev. Father O'Dounell's able letter on the same subject. If I may be permitted to say so, I do not agree with the rev. gentleman in all details, still I am convinced his proposals are well worthy of the aerious consideration of Catholics, aye and even the politicians of New Zealand Until Catholics prove their sincerity on this question by refusing to support weak-kneed members of their own creed at the poll "they wul never be taken seriously by the people of New Zealand.

The Irishmen of Wakatipu met in Queenstown last May to ccc what steps would be taken by them in connection with the Ninetyeight Centenary. A committee was appointed to carry out all necessary details in connection with the movement. If the committee has not gone to sleep they are at least napping, as I hear no news of their activity. The weather came in for even more than its fair share of comment this winter. Winter was ushered in with a couple of weeks very hard frost in the end of May and beginning of June. Then the weather broke and continued broken up to ten days ago, when very hard frost set in and has continued since. The frost has come too late to do the miners who work river claims any good. It will also retard miners who have sluicing claims by freezing the water courses. There is very little snow on the hills. Farm work is being kept back by the hard frost. Everything- is very quiet in this district at present, but we are living in hopes of having a busy time of it in a month's time.