NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 27, 6 July 1899, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

The foundation stcne of the new Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Wellington, is to be laid by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, on Sunday, July 16. The drawing of the art union in connection with the Convent of Mercy, Keefton, has been postponed for a few weeks. The winning numbers will be published in the N.Z. Tablet early in August. On Wednesday, June 21, his Eminence Cardinal Moran enter* tamed at dinner a large number of clergy and laity at the Palace, Manly. Among the gutsts was the Rev. Father Bowers, Geraldine, New Zealand. As showing the buoyancy of the dredging boom in Dunedin, a well-known medico up country, who is largely interested in dredging, says that two or three years ago ' you could not float a cork in the Dunedin share marked, but now you can float a bar of iron.' General regret will be felt at the announcement of the sudden death of Mr. Gawne, a well-known business man of George street, Dunedin. Although the deceased had been in poor health for some time his death was unexpected, and much sympathy is felt for his family on their loss. Mr. Gawne was about 69 years of age. We have heard of towns paved -with gold, but Cromwell (says the local Argus) is the only town which fills the bill. Mr. John Murrell secured the handsome return of ldwt Bgr from a few dishes of footpath scrapings. What with dredging claims in the gutters and paddocking claims on the footpath, our streets are veritably paved, if not with gold, at least with auriferous wash. Priob to his departure from Cromwell for Wellington Mr. D. M'Laughlin was presented with a purse of sovereigns by Rey. Father Hunt on behalf of the Catholics of the district. Father i Hunt referred to Mr. M'Laughlin's services to the choir during- the past ten years, and though they would feel his loss and regret his absence, yet they rejoiced that he was going to a larger centre where he would have greater scope for his energy and talents. Licensed victuallers would do well to ponder on the remarks of Mr. Northcroft, S.M. a short time ago, regarding the risks they run in breaking the law ' You see,' said he, ' you have an important monopoly, and when a man comes along and wants you to break the law, you should look at it this way : that he wants you to wager, or stake your interest of the value of, say, £500 or £600, as the case may be, against his sixpence. The odds, looking at it from a wagering point of view, are too long.' Thbbe waa a large attendance of members and friends at the last meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society, when Mr. F. Cooper presided. The ordinary business of the society was held over, and the programme for the evening, which consisted of a lecture by Dr. Bolger on his travels through Japan, was ' proceeded with. The lecturer (says the Mail) gave a very interesting discourse on this, perhaps the most advanced of Eastern nations, explaining the resources and their development, the religious and moral laws, the various pastimes indulged in, and the many peculiarities of this interesting race of people. The lecture was illustrated by views, about sixty in all, including many of the sites visited, historic edifices, tea kiosks, idols, etc. The lecturer was listened to attentively throughout, and the racy manner the doctor possesses of describing the various scenes, made it all the more attractive. At the close of his lecture a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him, on the motion of the Rev. Father O'Donnell. The lantern and slides were manipulated by Mr. Cooper in a most satisfactory manner. Sunday last (says the Nelson Colonist, June 28) being the feast day of the Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, the Sisters of the Convent and the children attending the Convent schools gave their annual entertainment in honour of the good Father on Monday afternoon. There was a large attendance of invited guests, including the Mayor (Mr. Trask) and Mrs. Trask, Judge Robinson, Mr. Ladley (Inspector of Schools), Mr. and Mrs. OBeirne, Dr. Roberts and others. A varied programme of music was rendered by the pupils, including an amusing charade. Those who took part were the orphans, senior and junior, the select school and the high school pupils, Misses Rafley, Mercer, E. Wimsett, M. Kelly, Gibbs, Light Dunne, Moynahon, Gapes, M. Mercer, Sbapp, O'Brien, Olderahaw', Woodward, Waters, Eden, and Egan, and in the charade Misses h[ Wiesner, B. Dennip, K. Uyan, M. Mullinson, K. Dwyer, J. Cartonij l and K. Cook. During the interval a beautiful wool-work prie-dieii, j prepared by the pupils, was presented to Dean Mahongy on behalf of the Convent and schools by a little tot who made quite an eloquent speech. Among other gifts received by the Dean were a fine surplice of Limerick laoe from the Sisters, other surplices, and a splendidly carved photograph frame from a former pupil now in Dunedin. Dean Mahoney, in replying, dwelt on the kindness and affection displayed towards him by the children, and said that during his residence in Nelson the presbytery had been literally furnished with the many gifts presented to him by the Sisters and the pupils of the Convent School on his recurring feast days. Short and congratulatory speeches were delivered by the Mayor and' Judge Robinson, and the pleasant gathering broke up well pleased with their afternoon's entertainment.