NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 9, 2 March 1899, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

The stranded steamer Mapourika is to be refloated on the Bth inst. Thk University Senate has agreed to the affiliation of the Victoria College, Wellington. Vjeey Rev. Father McKenna has resigned his seat on the Masterton Hospital Board. In consequence of illness in his family Captain Russel], leader of the Opposition, has been compelled to postpone his political campaign. Rev. Father Kreymborg desires to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of 10s for his mission from two ladies cf Lawrence per Very Rev. Dean O'Leary. Our telegrams to-day (writes the Inanf/ahuu Times') contain the news that Kate M'Namara and Ethel Gibbie have passed the Junior Civil Service Examination. Both have been pupils at the Reetton Convent High School. We have received the sum of 103 for Father Lighthearfs mission from Mr. P. Creahan, Winton, and parcels of U9ed stamps j for Father Kreymborpr from Miss Agatha O'Connor, Cargill street, Dunedin, Mrs. W. Kelly, Rose Cottage, Pahiatua, Mr. John Collins, Nelson Creek, Mr. David E. Fouhy, Roxburgh, Miss <iertrude Adams, Ashbuiton. We hear that the Catholics of Maniototo have succeeded in purchasing a section in the township of Ranfurly as a site for a church. The section is in a very suitable situation and is very nearly 1; acres in area. The negotiations for the purchase were carried out by Mr. P. Bleach of Ranfurly on behalf of the Catholics of the district. Wk notice that among the successful candidates (says the Tt'muhrt Luider) at the Civil Service Examination recently held was Miss Katie Bourke, eldest daughter of Sergeant Bourko, erstwhile of Temuka. Miss Bourke was educated in the Temuka ( 'onvent until she removed to Chnstchurch. whece she has attended the convent of that city. The Catholics of Middlemarch have purchased a fine site for a church adjoining the railway line in their town. The Catholic householders of the district have formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a suitable church on the newly purchased site. A meeting was held last Saturday week. Another is to be called shortly for the same purpose. Mr. J. M. Hicivßon, Clerk of the Court at Masterton (says the local Times'), has received notice from headquarters ot his speedy transfer to Wellington, with promotion. Mr. flickson has filled, his office most ably since his stay in Masterton, and has earned the esteem of all who have come in contact with couit work Mr. Hickson. is brother of the Rev. Father Hick-on, Lite of St. Patrick's College. Thi:rk was a lar^e attendance of members at the last meeting of the Ashburtou Catholic Literary Society. Mr. !'. ( ooper (president) occupied the chair. Thepiogramine for the evening waa debate as to whether women should be admitted to Parliament. Mr. Cooper sj)oke in support of the proposition, and Mr. Burgess against it. After a very good debate a vot< j was taken, w ith the result that Mr. Burgess's opinions were approved of by a small majority. Two of Mr. B. J. Dolan'b pupil- entered for the recent teachers' examinations and both passed (^says the li airarupa Jhii't/ T/im\), Mr. Balfour Kean securing a full E certificate and p irtial D, ami Miss Maggie Smith partial 11. Out of nine of Mr. I >olau's pupils presented for the \arious public examinations throughout the educational year eight passed successfully, five with marked distinction. Miss A. M. Brown secured second place in jurisprudence at Otayo University, and Messrs. Alpa-s, Hughnn, Feist, and Colway fir.st-cla-.s honours at the houth Kensington examinations in agricultural chemistry.